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14 Dec 2010 : Column 690W—continued
Overseas Students
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which 15 countries outside the EU have the highest number of nationals studying in further and higher education institutions in the UK. [30083]
Mr Willetts: The information is as follows:
Table 1 covers UK higher education institutions and shows the latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Domicile has been used as opposed to nationality as this is a more widely used and reliable method of measuring non-EU students.
Table 2 covers English further education colleges and shows further education participation figures by country of domicile for 2008/09, the latest year for which full year data is available. Information on the nationality of learners in further education is not available. For both further education and higher education figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available in January 2011.
| Table 1: 15 Non-EU countries ranked by highest number of enrolments( 1) . UK higher education institutions. Academic year 2008/09 | |
| Non-EU country | Enrolments |
| (1) Covers enrolments to all levels and modes of study. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). | |
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which 25 universities have the highest number of students from outside the EU. [30163]
Mr Willetts: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown in the table. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available in January 2011.
| 25 UK higher education institutions ranked by highest number of non-EU domiciled enrolments( 1) . Academic year 2008/09 | |
| UK higher education institutions | Enrolments |
| (1) Covers enrolments to all levels and modes of study. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). | |
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many overseas students are studying for (a) undergraduate degrees and (b) postgraduate degrees in (i) a science subject, (ii) medicine, (iii) dentistry, (iv) nursing, (v) social care, (vi) architecture, (vii) a social science subject, (viii) an arts and humanities subject and (ix) a modern foreign language in England. [30164]
Mr Willetts:
The numbers of overseas (non-European Union) students enrolled on undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses at English higher education
institutions are shown by subject of study in the table. Figures are provided for the 2008/09 academic year. Information for the 2009/10 academic year will become available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency in January 2011.
| Undergraduate and postgraduate overseas student enrolments( 1) English higher education institutions-Academic year 2008/09 | ||
| Enrolments | ||
| Subject area | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
| (1) Covers full-time and part-time overseas students of all ages domiciled outside of the European Union. (2) Social care is not listed as a principal subject on the HESA student record. Social work is provided as an alternative in the table. (3) Covers the following principal subjects: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian, Russian and East European and European studies and Other European languages. Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, Other Asian, African and Modern Middle Eastern studies and others in Eastern, Asiatic, African, American and Australasian studies. Note: Figures are on a HESA standard registration population basis and are rounded to the nearest five, so components may not sum to totals. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record | ||
Science: Females
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) measures and (b) funding he plans to provide to support women to enter the science, engineering and technology sectors during the spending review period; and if he will make a statement. [30132]
Mr Willetts: Decisions regarding measures and funding to support women to enter the science, engineering and technology sectors will be made as part of the detailed allocations process, following the spending review settlement on 20 October 2010. Announcements regarding these decisions will be made as they emerge.
However, the proposed changes to student funding mean that women taking out time to have a family will not repay their graduate contribution until they are earning £21,000, and are more likely to benefit from any outstanding graduate contribution being written off after 30 years. Additionally, 40% of women will contribute less to the cost of their higher education under our proposals, than under the current system.
During 2010, the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), has commissioned nine regional STEM support centres, making best use of existing structures (at a cost of £1.35 million), and has set out a number of priority themes for regional provider-led activity. One of these is Equality and Diversity, and addressing under-representation across STEM. LSIS is also pleased to confirm that a significant proportion of those leading on STEM activity are female.
As a result LSIS has funded a number of projects to support this priority area:
1. Careers guide: LSIS is working with the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University to support careers guidance which will impact on the recruitment of women into STEM subjects.
2. During 2010, bursaries of £10,000 have been awarded to three college based projects which focus specifically on issues of under-representation and progression to STEM study in FE.
3. It is LSIS's intention to continue targeting bursaries for this area in 2011, in line with the priorities we have identified for our STEM activity.
In addition, LSIS has commissioned research into the equality agenda and STEM and, in particular, the low take up and progression of under-represented groups, including women, into science, technology and engineering.
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of gender equality in the workforce in the science, engineering and technology sectors; what assessment he has made of the requirement for further action by the Government to achieve such equality; and if he will make a statement. [30133]
Mr Willetts: The Department draws on a wealth of information and expertise on the subject of equality. This includes reports published by the National Academies and learned societies, EngineeringUK and technology institutions, evidence and analysis from the Research Councils, and statistical information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and many other sources.
This Department's approach to diversity, including gender equality, will be developed as part of the detailed budget allocations process, following the spending review settlement on 20 October 2010. Announcements concerning our approach will be made in the light of the relevant decisions.
Sheffield Forgemasters
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on Sheffield Forgemasters since May 2010. [30235]
Mr Prisk: Sheffield Forgemasters was discussed as appropriate with ministerial colleagues prior to the collective Government decision to not proceed with the loan to the company on grounds of affordability.
The withdrawal of the loan is no reflection on the company, the project, its management or staff or of our commitment to taking forward the facilitative actions to remove unnecessary barriers to new nuclear in the UK. In these difficult times, tough decisions have had to be made across Government. This was just such a decision.
Skylon Spaceplane
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the potential viability of the Skylon Spaceplane; what assessment he has made of his merits of Government support for that project; and if he will make a statement. [30890]
Mr Willetts: The European Space Agency is funding proof of concept work for Skylon from UK contributions. This work is focusing on demonstrating the viability of the advanced British engine technology that would underpin the project. Initial work will be completed in mid 2011 and if the trial is successful, we will work with industry to consider next steps.
Students: Fees and Charges
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to monitor the impact of higher undergraduate fees on take up of postgraduate provision; and if he will make a statement. [30186]
Mr Willetts: The Government will monitor participation in postgraduate study to identify whether changes to the undergraduate funding and finance system have any effect on entry to postgraduate courses.
The Government are committed to Britain being a world leading place to do research. The science and research budget will be maintained in cash terms over the spending review period with resource spending of £4.6 billion a year by 2014/15. We will ring-fence that budget to ensure continuity of investment in science and research.
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the impact of higher fees at undergraduate level on take up of postgraduate study. [30187]
Mr Willetts: Lord Browne did not recommend any changes to the funding of postgraduate education but did recommend that participation in postgraduate study should be monitored to identify whether changes to the undergraduate funding and finance system have any effect on entry to postgraduate courses. We have committed to do so.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequentials for Scotland arising from the proposed change in the level of tuition fees in 2012-13; [30534]
(2) whether any Barnett consequentials will arise for Scotland as a result of implementation of proposed changes to arrangements for tuition fees. [30540]
Mr Willetts: Adjustments in the block grant totals for the Devolved Administrations through the "Barnett formula" are calculated on the basis of the overall change in departmental expenditure limits rather than any particular programmes within them. We have consistently indicated that each Devolved Administration will need to make its own decisions about how to fund higher education and the other services for which it is responsible within the overall total available to it.
Students: Loans
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the debt owed to the Student Loan Company by residents of the London borough of Bexley who are in higher education in the academic year 2010-11. [30426]
Mr Willetts: The Department does not have estimates of student loan debt at local authority level for academic year 2010/11. Information cannot be provided for academic year 2010/11 as the application cycle for student support is ongoing. Students can apply for support up to nine months after the start of the academic year. Figures on the student loan debt position at the end of financial year 2010-11 are expected to be published at national level in June 2011. Information on loans paid during the academic year 2010/11 are expected to be published in November 2011 at national level.
Technology Strategy Board
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future work of the Technology Strategy Board; and if he will make a statement. [30357]
Mr Willetts: As set out in this Department's recently published Blueprint for Technology and the Growth Review, the Government are making the Technology Strategy Board the prime channel through which the Government will incentivise business-led technology innovation and are providing it with over £200 million to establish a network of technology and innovation centres to help commercialise new and emerging technologies.
Trade: Developing Countries
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps he has taken to encourage trade links with developing countries; and if he will make a statement. [30316]
Mr Prisk: Ministers are actively engaging with overseas governments in these countries to develop better trade links. The Prime Minster's trade-focused visits to India and China, on which I went in support, and my own trips to Russia and Brazil are prime examples of this.
UK Trade and Investment is targeting 17 key high growth markets-Brazil, China (including Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam-based on their potential for growth and other criteria such as their market match and scope for UKTI help. UKTI is responding to this demand for help to secure new business by: ensuring there are targeted services and advice available for businesses considering these markets; raising greater awareness among UK business of these-such as through the 'Doing Business in Asia' events around the UK (November 2010, February 2011) this autumn and winter, and 'Partner Middle East'; communicating to business the specific opportunities in them; and campaigning for better access for UK companies.
The UK Government are actively supporting efforts to sign EU free trade agreements with India, Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay) and ASEAN (current bilateral negotiations are taking place with Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam) as well as seeking a successful conclusion to the WTO's Doha development round, all of which would bring significant benefits to developing countries.
Unemployment: Brighton
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in Brighton, Kemptown constituency were not in employment, education or training in each month of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [30488]
Mr Hayes: The following table provides estimates of the number and proportion of people aged(1) 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Brighton and Hove local authority in each year from 2005 to 2009.
| People aged 16 to 24-years-old not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Brighton and Hove local authority | ||||
| Number NEET | 95% Confidence Interval | Percentage of all 16 to 24-year-olds NEET | 95% Confidence Interval | |
This information is from the Annual Population Survey, which covers the period January to December of each year, with 2009 being the most recent estimate available. The Annual Population Survey is the only available
source of data with a sample large enough to provide local authority estimates of the number of young people up to the age of 24 who are NEET. However, the sample is not large enough to provide estimates for smaller geographies, such as parliamentary constituencies.
It is important to note that these estimates are subject to large sampling variability and should therefore be treated with caution and viewed in conjunction with their Confidence Intervals, which indicate how accurate an estimate is. For example, a Confidence Interval of +/- 5 percentage points (pp) means that the true value is between 5pp above the estimate and 5pp below the estimate.
(1) Age used is academic age, which is defined as the respondents age as at the preceding 31 August.
Vocational Guidance
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he plans to take in designing his Department's new careers service to provide expert levels of service to those of all ages; what (a) funding and (b) resources he plans to allocate to adults using the service; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that (i) graduates who have been made redundant and (ii) qualified returners to the labour market can use this service. [30206]
Mr Hayes: The all-age careers service is being developed jointly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Education (DFE). To ensure expert levels of service to young people and adults, both Departments are working with the Careers Profession Alliance to take forward recommendations made by the Careers Profession Task Force in October 2010, and so raise the professional standards of careers guidance practitioners. To draw on the views, knowledge and experience of the careers sector, a Stakeholder Advisory Group has been established to inform the design of the new service. The Departments will also work with schools and local authorities as the service is established.
Following the spending review, BIS and DFE are working through the detail of their spending settlements and are unable at this stage to confirm the funding and resources that will be available for the all-age service.
The all-age careers service will be accessible online, by telephone and in the community. Careers advice and resources will be available to help redundant graduates and qualified returners to the labour market. Intensive face to face careers guidance will be prioritised for those with the greatest need, and the details of this model are being worked through.
Work and Pensions
Central Call System: Complaints
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent complaints he has received on the central call system for individual benefit claimants; and whether he plans to enable claimants to telephone their local offices. [30885]
Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions welcomes all customer feedback as a way to improve the quality of the services we provide. Recent feedback and/or complaints received regarding the centralisation of our telephony services has included reference to the accessibility of our services and the cost of contacting us via 0845 telephone numbers. We constantly review our service delivery to ensure we deliver the best possible service for our customers.
The movement of local Jobcentre Plus offices to a national switchboard service is the latest stage in our telephony strategy to provide single national numbers to access our services. However, direct dial calls to a customer's personal adviser in their local Jobcentre Plus office are not affected by these changes and are still encouraged.
Child Benefit
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of parents who will cease to claim child benefit because a member of their household is a higher rate tax payer; and what mechanism he plans to put in place to ensure that parents who do not claim child benefit will continue to receive credits to satisfy the conditions for long-term benefits, including the state pension. [29350]
Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 17 November 2010, Official Report, column 827W, to the hon. Member for Bolton West (Julie Hilling).
Departmental Publications
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the expenditure of his Department and its predecessor on printing (a) Command Papers, (b) papers laid before Parliament by Act, (c) consultation documents and (d) other papers in each of the last 10 years. [28370]
Chris Grayling: This information is not held centrally by the Department and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Disposable Income: Pay
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the level of median (a) pay and (b) real personal disposable income has been in each year since 1990. [30092]
Chris Grayling: The Office for National Statistics carries out the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) each April. This is the most comprehensive source of employee earnings information in the United Kingdom. Levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.
The ASHE was developed to replace the New Earnings Survey (NES) in 2004. This included improvements to the coverage of employees, imputation for item non-response and the weighting of earnings estimates. An ASHE backseries for 1997 to 2003 was compiled using
the ASHE methodology applied to the NES data sets. Earnings estimates for 1990 to 1996 are taken from the NES data, which was a GB survey.
| Table 1: Median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees in GB for April of each year from 1990 until 1996 and for full-time employees in the UK for April of each year from 1997 to 2010 | |
| Median gross weekly earnings (£) | |
| (1) 2004 results excluding supplementary survey for comparison with 2003. (2) 2004 results including supplementary survey designed to improve coverage of the survey. (3) 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2005. (4) 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2007. (5) Figures have not been adjusted for inflation and have been rounded to the nearest 10 pence. Note: Full-time employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. Source: ASHE Data 1997 to 2010/NES Data 1990 to 1996 | |
Estimates of equivalised household disposable incomes are available in the households below average income (HBAI) series. This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. These data are at a household not individual level.
Future Jobs Fund
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) each bid for funding from the Future Jobs Fund made to his Department and rejected as a consequence of the decision to discontinue the fund and (b) his Department's correspondence with each such bidder. [29020]
Chris Grayling: The Department has not placed the requested bid documents in the Library as they could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. We are able to provide details of bids that were rejected as a consequence of the decision to discontinue the fund, the number of jobs included in these bids and the proposed maximum value. The Department has placed the table with this information in the Library.
Also included is the correspondence which was sent to all organisations which had submitted a bid to the Future Jobs Fund after the 29 January. After that date such bids would not have completed the assessment process and the results would not have been announced before the general election in May 2010. Further individual correspondence is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department.
Housing Benefit
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of local rental markets he expects to be affordable to recipients of local housing allowance in 2014-15. [25931]
Steve Webb: The information is not available. The proportion of local rents affordable to local housing allowance recipients in 2014-15 will depend on movements in local rental markets between now and then and the detailed design of the measure to link local housing allowance rates to the consumer price index from April 2013.
Mr Douglas Alexander:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen South of 22 November
2010, Official Report, columns 18-19, on housing benefit, if he will place in the Library a copy of the international evidence cited. [29104]
Steve Webb: The international evidence referred to by the Secretary of State was work by Bargain and Doorley (2009) and work on Britain by Meghir and Phillips (2008). I have arranged for copies of these papers to be placed in the Library.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of (a) housing benefit and (b) local housing allowance in (i) South Lanarkshire and (ii) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency share their tenancy with a non-dependant for which a deduction is made from their entitlement. [29369]
Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of (a) housing benefit and (b) local housing allowance in Edinburgh East constituency share their tenancy with a non-dependant in respect of whom a deduction is made from their entitlement. [29537]
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of (a) housing benefit and (b) local housing allowance in North Ayrshire and Arran constituency share their tenancy with a non-dependent person for whom a deduction is made from their entitlement. [30118]
Steve Webb: The information requested is not available at the local level.
The Department does collect information on non-dependant deductions but to assess the completeness of recording and quality assure the figures would incur a disproportionate cost.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the average amount of housing benefit paid was for each tenure type in (a) South Lanarkshire and (b) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; [29363]
(2) what the average amount of local housing allowance paid was for each tenure type in (a) South Lanarkshire and (b) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; [29364]
(3) how many people in (a) South Lanarkshire and (b) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency receive local housing allowance. [29366]
Steve Webb: The information is not available at the constituency level.
At present geographic breakdowns are only available for local authorities and regions. However, an exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the data; this will include parliamentary constituencies
At August 2010, our records show that in South Lanarkshire there were 3,570 recipients of housing benefit assessed under the local housing allowance arrangements. The average housing benefit award for each available tenure type is shown in the table.
| Average housing benefit awards in South Lanarkshire by tenure type, August 2010 | |
| Tenure type | Average housing benefit (£ per week) |
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to respond to the letter of 28 October 2010 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms H Gourlay. [30594]
Chris Grayling: Following a thorough search of the Department's correspondence system, we are unable to locate this letter.
Remploy: Manpower
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people Remploy has employed at management level in each year since 2000. [30891]
Maria Miller: The available information is detailed in the following table:
| Total employed at management level | |
| Number | |
| Note: These figures cover anyone in the management structure from 'M1' grade (first rung of the management ladder) up to 'X' grade (senior managers and executive grades). Source: Remploy | |
Social Security Benefits: Overpayments
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department holds on the proportion of over-payments to benefit recipients in Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency which were (a) due to customer error, (b) due to departmental error and (c) recovered from customers. [29388]
Steve Webb: The information is not available as data on recorded benefit debt is not broken down by geographical area.
Universal Credit
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at what point during a payment period universal credit will be paid to employees who are paid monthly. [27977]
Chris Grayling: No decisions have yet been made on the timing and frequency of payments of universal credit, though we are considering whether payment should be made monthly to align with the most common payment pattern for earnings.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to make the real-time earnings data provided for calculation of universal credit available to local authorities. [28169]
Chris Grayling: The administration of universal credit will be managed by the Department for Work and Pensions. We are working closely with local authorities and the devolved administration on the implications for them of the introduction of universal credit, but we do not currently expect that local authorities will need to have access to real-time earnings data.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanism he plans to put in place to enable people without online access to (a) apply for universal credit and (b) access their universal credit accounts. [28206]
Chris Grayling: Claims to universal credit will normally be made online, and we will work with partners across and outside Government to ensure that people are able to take advantage of the online service. Where that is not possible, we will offer alternative access routes, predominantly by phone but also face to face where necessary.
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether an employee's universal credit will be paid (a) late or (b) on time but on the basis of previous data in a case where real-time earnings data from an employer is delayed. [28211]
Chris Grayling: Employers will be expected to provide earnings data at the same time as making payments of earnings to their employees. If this does not occur we will put arrangements in place to ensure that payments to universal credit recipients are not delayed.
Winter Fuel Payments: Reading West
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for winter fuel payments his Department received from households in (a) Reading West constituency, (b) Reading borough and (c) West Berkshire in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available. [29993]
Steve Webb: Most winter fuel payments are paid automatically without the need to claim them.
The latest available information on the number of households receiving winter fuel payments in Reading West constituency, Reading borough and West Berkshire
are available in the documents winter fuel payment (number of households) 2009-10 by parliamentary constituency (2005) and winter fuel payment (number of households) 2009-10 by local authority and gender. These are available in the House of Commons Library and on the internet at:
Winter Fuel Payments: Taxation
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the revenue cost of exempting the winter fuel payment from taxation was in the latest period for which figures are available. [30038]
Steve Webb: By the end of 2010-11, we estimate that around £290 million would have been paid in income tax on winter fuel payments in that year had they not been exempt from taxation.
Notes:
1. A winter fuel payment of £250 per household containing someone who has reached women's state pension age is modelled. Where the household contains someone aged 80 or over, this payment is increased to £400.
2. Figures use HMRC data on the number of tax payers by tax band for 2007-08, projected forwards using June 2010 Budget assumptions. It is assumed that all tax payers of appropriate age get a winter fuel payment.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Biodiversity
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for International Development on the role of her Department in supporting protection of biodiversity overseas through the projects it delivers. [30344]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 13 December 2010]: Ministers have discussed the outcomes of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya and how to take them forward, particularly on biodiversity, development and climate mitigation and adaptation, and in the context of wider international engagement.
My colleagues at the Department for International Development are committed to integrating environment and climate change into development, including environment and climate proofing our official development assistance spending.
Common Land
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers local authorities have to designate land within their ownership and for the use of the public as town or village greens. [29843]
Richard Benyon: Landowners, including local authorities, can apply under section 15(8) of the Commons Act 2006 to register their land as a town or village green, a procedure known as "voluntary dedication". Guidance on the voluntary dedication of land as a green has been published on the DEFRA website at:
Cabinet Office
Business: Closures
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many businesses have ceased trading in each local authority area in England in each of the last three years. [30384]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many businesses have ceased trading in each local authority area in England in each of the last three years. [30384]
Annual statistics on the number of enterprise births and survivals are available from the ONS release on Business Demography at www.statistics.gov.uk. The tables contain the latest statistics available, which show enterprise deaths at county and county district level between 2007 and 2009. Please note that data for 2009 is provided in a separate table, as it includes totals for the seven new Unitary Authorities introduced in April 2009. A copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many businesses in rural areas have ceased trading in each region in each of the last three years. [30385]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many businesses in rural areas have ceased trading in each region in each of the last three years. [30385]
Annual statistics on the number of enterprise births and survivals are available from the ONS release on Business Demography at
However, information on urban and rural areas is only available for 2009. The following table contains the latest statistics available, which show enterprise deaths in rural areas by Government Office Region for 2009.
Iraq Committee of Inquiry: Public Appointments
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the appointment of Margaret Aldred to the secretariat of the Iraq Inquiry was made under his Department's managed move procedures. [30902]
Mr Maude: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd) gave on 1 December 2010, Official Report, columns 882-83W.
Unemployment: Rural Areas
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the level of unemployment was in rural areas in each region in each of the last 10 quarters. [30386]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the level of unemployment was in rural areas in each region in each of the last 10 quarters. (30386)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
Table 1 shows the number unemployed people in rural areas in each region from the APS for the latest 10 periods to the 12 months ending March 2010, which is the latest period for which data is available. Estimates from the APS are not available for Northern Ireland.
As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS and Annual LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in table 1.
National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
| Table 1: Number of people unemployed in rural areas( 1) in English regions, Wales and Scotland | ||||||||||
| Thousand | ||||||||||
| 12 month period ending | ||||||||||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010( 2) | |||||||
| Dec | Mar | June | Sept | Dec | Mar | June | Sept | Dec | March | |
| '-' = Not available (1) There is currently no UK-wide standard classification of Urban and Rural land. There are, however, agreed standards for each of the separate administrations. See the following links for details on the classifications and their methodologies: England and Wales: www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/nrudp.asp Scotland: www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/rural/seurc-00.asp Northern Ireland: www.nisra.gov.uk/geography/default.asp10.htm (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 = CV<5%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 = CV <10%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 = CV <20%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ? 20%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey | ||||||||||
Treasury
Departmental Travel
Paul Maynard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on grey fleet in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. [28855]
Danny Alexander: The Treasury spent £5,795 in 2008-09 and £5,834 in 2009-10 on business mileage claims for staff using their own vehicles. Private vehicles are only used on official business where there is a benefit to the Department and it represents the most cost effective means of transport.
Economic Policy: EU Action
Mr Cash: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what legal advice he has (a) sought and (b) received on the compatibility of the European Financial Stability Mechanism with provisions of the Treaties (i) prior to and (ii) subsequent to agreement to Council Regulation No. 407/2010; and if he will make a statement. [30900]
Mr Hoban: The European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM) was created following agreement by a qualified majority of member states at the ECOFIN meeting on 9 May 2010. The terms of the EFSM are set out in EU Council Regulation No. 407/2010 and it is compatible with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Treasury Ministers received advice on this issue, including legal advice, as part of the process of policy development.
Employment
Julie Elliott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the change in the number of (a) public and (b) private sector jobs in Sunderland Central constituency and in England in the period up to 2015. [30367]
Danny Alexander: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was formed in May 2010 to make an independent assessment of the public finances and the economy.
On 29 November 2010, the OBR released the official forecast for total employment and general Government employment, updated for the spending review announcements.
As the OBR sets out in paragraph 3.98, page 62 of its "November 2010 Economic and fiscal outlook" (Cm 7979), it expects total employment to rise by 1.1 million over the next five years, from 29.0 million in 2010 to 30.1 million in 2015. General Government employment is projected to fall by just over 400,000 between 2010-11 and 2015-16, more than offset by a rise in market sector employment of around 1.5 million.
The OBR has not published forecasts on a sub-national level.
EU Grants and Loans: Republic of Ireland
Mr Cash: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2010, Official Report, column 977W, on EU grants and Loans: Republic of Ireland, what assessment he made of the legal advice available to him in determining that he had full confidence in the (a) adherence to and (b) compliance with the terms set out in article 3 of Council Regulation No. 407/2010 by each relevant EU institution. [30901]
Mr Hoban:
The European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM) was created following agreement by a qualified majority of member states at the ECOFIN meeting on 9 May 2010. The terms of the EFSM are set out in EU
Council Regulation No. 407/2010. Treasury Ministers received advice on this issue, including legal advice, as part of the process of policy development.
Football: South Africa
Graham Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on entertainment activities related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [27362]
Danny Alexander: No entertainment spending related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup was incurred by the Treasury.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the letters of 5 and 15 October 2010 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay on his constituent Mr Kerwin. [27276]
Justine Greening [holding answer 29 November 20 10 ]: I have replied to the hon. Member.
Public Expenditure
Simon Kirby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government's expenditure proposals do not disproportionately affect people on low incomes. [19087]
Justine Greening: The Spending Review Framework (Cm 7872) clearly stated that public spending decisions would be made in line with the Government's values of freedom, fairness and responsibility. The Government's approach to public spending ensures that expenditure is focused on protecting the quality of the key front services that are important to the public and provide support to those who need it most.
To ensure that the choices made in tackling the deficit are fair, the Government have for the first time undertaken and published a distributional analysis of the impacts of the Spending Review (see Annex B in the 'Spending Review 2010' document). This shows that after combining the impact of tax, benefits and public service spending changes, the highest quintile of earners will make the greatest contribution towards reducing the deficit as a percentage of their income and benefits in kind.
The Government have ensured fairness by:
investing £7 billion in 15 hours of free childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds; a pupil premium for those at school, and help to get to university.
increases in the child tax credit, worth £180 above indexation in 2011-12 and £160 above indexation in 2012-13;
creating a triple guarantee to uprate the basic state pension by earnings, prices or 2.5%, whichever is highest;
increasing the standard minimum income guarantee in the pension credit by the cash rise in a full basic state pension in April 2011;
preserving key benefits for older people, including winter fuel payments, free eye tests, free prescriptions, concessionary bus travel, and free television licences; and
permanently increasing the award for cold weather payments to £25.
Students: Fees and Charges
Mr Brine: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the average annual cost to the Exchequer of ending university tuition fees for all domestic full and part-time higher education students. [30011]
Danny Alexander: Lord Browne's independent review of higher education funding and student finance, which was published in October this year, before the spending review, estimated the cost of replacing tuition fees at around £3 billion a year.
Taxation: Self-assessment
John Howell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax return forms were issued to (a) women and (b) men in 2009-10. [30388]
Mr Gauke [holding answer 13 December 2010]: It is estimated that 6.3 million men and 3.1 million women were issued with Self Assessment Returns for the 2008-09 tax year during 2009-10.
Deputy Prime Minister
House of Lords: Reform
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to bring forward proposals for reform of the House of Lords. [29949]
Mr Harper: A cross-party Committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, will come forward with proposals for a wholly or mainly elected second chamber.
The Government will publish a draft Bill early next year. The Bill will then be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny. The Government hopes that this will be carried out by a joint committee of both Houses.
Members
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what factors he took into account when developing his proposals to reduce the number of hon. Members to 600. [29946]
Mr Harper: Ultimately it is a matter of judgment as to the most suitable size of the House, and Ministers decided that a modest reduction to 600 seats would be appropriate, mindful that hon. Members must be able to serve their constituents and that the House must be of sufficient size to be able to carry out its functions effectively. Under the Government's proposals, the 1 December 2009 register suggests the electoral quota for the UK would be around 76,000. More than a third of the existing constituencies are already within 5% either side of 76,000, so the impact of our proposals will see constituencies of a size well within existing norms.
Parliament
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what factors he took into account when deciding upon five years as his proposed period for a fixed-term Parliament. [29950]
Mr Harper: Current legislation provides for Parliaments of up to five years. A period of five years provides the right amount of time to allow for strong and stable Government while still ensuring that Parliament and Government remain accountable to the electorate.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to meet his Albanian counterpart to discuss (a) the Albanian contribution to the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan and (b) other bilateral defence issues. [29936]
Dr Fox: I have no current plans to meet with the Albanian Defence Minister. However, I do recognise the important contribution Albania makes to the NATO led mission in Afghanistan.
Aircraft Carriers
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the economy of his decision to build two aircraft carriers. [30607]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 December 2010, Official Report, column 648, to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell).
Armed Forces: Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the level of anti-Semitism in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [29789]
Mr Robathan: While no such specific assessment has been made, any prejudicial behaviour would come to light through the services' normal disciplinary procedures and no problem with anti-Semitism has come to light. A Rabbi to the armed forces has now been appointed and he confirms that there have been no instances where personnel have approached him regarding anti-Semitism.
Armed Forces: Housing
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on changes to housing needs attributable to relocation to the UK of members of the armed forces and their families stationed in Germany. [30105]
Mr Robathan: Ministry of Defence officials are working closely with those in other Government Departments, including the Department for Communities and Local Government, as we address the estates and basing issues arising from the strategic defence and security review. This engagement covers many issues, including housing, and will continue as we develop our plans.
Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Ms Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans are in place should a catastrophic event prevent the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham from providing medical care for injured servicemen and women. [29999]
Mr Robathan: In the event of a catastrophic event at the new Queen Elizabeth hospital, military patients would be assigned to other NHS hospitals on the basis of clinical need and bed availability, based on advice from the Department of Health and NHS (including the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust) at the time.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take in response to the order of the chairman of the War Pensions Tribunal to disclose confidential documents relating to UK atomic tests. [28660]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 November 2010, Official Report, column 746W, to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty).
Armed Forces: Young People
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the six-year agreement entered into by 16 year-olds on joining the armed forces with the UK's obligations under the (a) European Convention on Human Rights, (b) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (c) Convention on the Rights of the Child and (d) Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. [29345]
Mr Robathan: All due consideration has been given to domestic and international legal obligations in developing the relevant armed forces legislation and policies concerning members of the armed forces who are under 18 years of age.
Clyde Naval Base
Mr Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what published information he has made available to local organisations and individuals about his estimates of the (a) trend in the number of service personnel based at HM Naval Base Clyde and (b) the projected number of (i) single living accommodation bed spaces and (ii) service family accommodation properties to be built between now and 2021. [26317]
Mr Robathan
[holding answer 25 November 2010]: On 6 May 2009, as part of an announcement regarding the Maritime Change Programme, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed that HM Naval Base Clyde will become the main operating base for all classes of submarines, including the future classes of submarines, such as the replacement for the Vanguard Class, Official Report, column 17WS. Since then, the MOD has and
continues to work closely with the local authorities in the Clyde area to assess the potential impact of this decision. This has included releasing preliminary information, which includes initial estimates of the potential numbers of personnel likely to move to the naval base and their potential accommodation requirements. The information released was for future planning purposes only and does not reflect what might be the final position.
In view of his interest in this matter, I will write to the hon. Member to provide him with a copy of the data released to Clyde local authorities along with an explanation of how these forecasts have been calculated.
Substantive answer from Andrew Robathan to Alan Reid:
In my recent response to your Parliamentary Question regarding the trend in the number of service personnel that will be based at Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde and their potential accommodation requirements (Official Report dated 30 Nov 2010: column 745W), I undertook to write to provide a copy of the data that was released to local authorities in the Clyde area. Please find enclosed a copy of the presentation used to brief local authorities in the Clyde area. This has been presented to council members and local government officers for Argyle and Bute Council (22 September 2010), local Helensburgh and Lomond Councillors (5 October 2010) and the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Council (28 October 2010). It is also intended to present the same information to Shandon and Rhu Community Council on 8 December 2010.
First, I would like to explain that this data has been used by the Department for internal planning purposes and to assist local authorities in the Clyde area to review their arrangements in light of the potential future infrastructure and support needs of HMNB Clyde. The data used in the attached presentation was produced before the outcomes of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) were published and is based on a number of assumptions, elements of which may be subject to change. It has, therefore, always been presented with the caveat that the data should not be considered to represent the final position of the Department. Work remains ongoing within the Department to implement the outcomes of the SDSR and HMNB Clyde will continue to update their forecasts as this work progresses.
Turning now to specific slides within the presentation, I would like to draw your attention to slide 13, which forecasts a potential increase in the number of service personnel, between now and 2022, from 3,200 to 5,300. This forecast was based on the Royal Navy's existing staffing levels required to support the Fleet and was produced before the publication of the SDSR, which as you will be aware, confirmed the requirement for future manpower changes within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The forecast therefore, does not take into account any future reduction in the numbers of service personnel. I can confirm that work is ongoing to assess the impact of the SDSR on HMNB Clyde, and this is being conducted alongside that already underway to assess how best to implement the Department's aim of making HMNB Clyde the main operating base for all classes of submarines, including the future classes of submarines such as the replacement for the Vanguard Class.
Slide 14 of the presentation includes a projection that the number of all personnel to be based at HMNB Clyde would rise to 9,500. This figure includes the 5,300 figure discussed above and projects that the number of non-service personnel, including MOD civilians, the Commercial Partner (Babcock Marine and Technology Divisions) and other contractors, will increase from 3,000 to 4,200. When presenting the 4,200 figure to the local authorities, the Department made it clear that there are substantial margins of uncertainty in relation to this forecast. For example, the forecast was calculated assuming a direct correlation between workload and workforce and does not take into account any potential efficiencies such as economies of scale. In addition, the estimate does not account for the reduction in the Department's civilian workforce, confirmed in the SDSR, nor does it include any assessment of work ongoing within the Department to develop
a procurement strategy that will replace the existing Warship Support Modernisation Initiative, which will deliver future elements of Base and Royal Naval Fleet support to at all three Naval Bases, including HMNB Clyde, from 2013.
Turning to slide 17, which contains an estimate that the number of Single Living Accommodation (SLA) spaces may increase from 2,250 to 3,250 and that the number of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) spaces may increase from 515 to 685. As the slide highlights, predicting the future accommodation requirements is a complex area, and I would like to make it clear that these forecasts are about potential space requirements and do not necessarily indicate that the Department will need to build new accommodation to meet such a forecast. For example, it is possible that some of this requirement could be met by better utilisation of existing capacity, including through refurbishment, and work continues within the Department to assess how best to deliver the future SLA and SFA requirement. I can, however, confirm that informal discussions on how we might meet our potential future SLA requirement for HMNB Clyde have recently taken place with the Argyll and Bute Council, but more work is required before the Department can place any formal plans before the Argyll and Bute Council.
I understand that there has been recent local media interest in the potential numbers of personnel moving to HMNB Clyde over the coming years and the impact this might have on local services such as education and health services. I would like to reassure you that the Department is committed to working closely with the local authorities in the Clyde area to assist them in planning for the future infrastructure and support needs of the area. As part of this process of continuous engagement with the local authorities, HMNB Clyde will continue to provide them with preliminary forecasts and to consult with them on the Department's plans, which may have an impact on the local communities.
I hope that you find the copy of the presentation helpful and that this letter has helped to explain the calculations and assumptions behind the data contained in the presentation.
Defence: Procurement
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many suppliers of (a) equipment, (b) personnel, (c) parts and (d) assembly facilities for the Vanguard-class Trident submarine maintenance project there are in each (i) Government Office region, (ii) local authority area and (iii) parliamentary constituency; [29631]
(2) how many suppliers of (a) equipment, (b) personnel, (c) parts and (d) assembly facilities for the L11 5A1 Long Range Rifle are located in each (i) Government Office region, (ii) local authority area and (iii) parliamentary constituency; [29655]
(3) how many (a) equipment, (b) personnel, (c) parts and (d) assembly facility suppliers for the Astute-class submarine construction there are in each (i) Government Office region, (ii) local authority area and (iii) parliamentary constituency; [29656]
(4) how many suppliers of (a) equipment, (b) personnel, (c) parts and (d) assembly facilities for the SA80 A2 L85 Individual Weapon are located in each (i) Government Office region, (ii) local authority area and (iii) parliamentary constituency. [29701]
Peter Luff: I will write to the hon. Member about her request shortly.
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Babcock International Group plc, (b) Finmeccanica SpA, (c) QinetiQ Group plc, (d) BAE Systems plc, (e) Hewlett-Packard
Company, (f) Rolls-Royce Group plc, (g) EADS NV3, (h) Lockheed Martin Corporation and (i) Thales SA was in each year since 2006; [29807]
(2) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) BAE Systems plc, including payments made to BAE Systems/Rockwell Collins Data Link Solutions LLC, (b) Corda Ltd, (c) Detica Group plc, (d) Detica Ltd, Europaams SAS, (e) IFS Defence Ltd, (f) MBDA France, (g) MBDA UK Ltd, (h) Piper Group PLC, (i) SAAB AB (Publ), (j) SAAB AB Gripen, (k) SAAB Barracuda AB, (l) SAAB Bofors Dynamics AB, (m) SAAB Seaeye Ltd and (n) SAAB Training Systems AB in each year since 2006; [29808]
(3) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Aerosystems International Ltd, (b) Atlantic Inertial Systems Ltd, (c) BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, (d) BAE Systems (Hawk Synthetic Training) Ltd, (e) BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd, (f) BAE Systems Australia Ltd, (g) BAE Systems Bofors AB, (h) BAE Systems Defence Ltd, (i) BAE Systems Electronics Ltd, (j) BAE Systems Hagglunds AB, (k) BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc, (l) BAE Systems Information and Electronic Warfare Systems, (m) BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies Ltd, (n) BAE Systems Land Systems (Bridging) Ltd, (o) BAE Systems Land Systems (Munitions and Ordnance) Ltd, (p) BAE Systems Land Systems (Weapons and Vehicles) Ltd, (q) BAE Systems Marine Ltd, (r) BAE Systems National Security Solutions Inc, (s) BAE Systems Pinzgauer Ltd, (t) BAE Systems PLC, (u) BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Ltd, (v) BAE Systems Surface Ships Integrated Support Ltd, (w) BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd, (x) BAE Systems Surface Ships Maritime Ltd, (y) BAE Systems Surface Ships Portsmouth Ltd, (z) BAE Systems Surface Ships Support Ltd and (aa) BAE Systems (Aviation Services) Ltd in each year since 2006; [29809]
(4) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Ascent Flight Training (Management) Ltd, (b) AWE Management Ltd, (c) AWE plc, (d) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, (e) Lockheed Martin Aerospace Systems Integration Corp, (f) Lockheed Martin Canada Inc, (g) Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors Ltd, (h) Lockheed Martin Overseas Corp, (i) Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc, (j) Lockheed Martin UK Insys Ltd, (k) Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems and Solutions, (l) Lockheed Martin UK Ltd, (m) Lockheed Martin UK Strategic Systems Ltd and (n) Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture in each year since 2006; [30085]
(5) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) ASAP Calibration Services Ltd, (b) Boldon James Ltd, (c) Graphics Research Corporation Ltd, (d) HVR Consulting Services Ltd, (e) QinetiQ Commerce Decisions Ltd, (f) QinetiQ Group plc, (g) QinetiQ Ltd and (h) QinetiQ Target Services Ltd in each year since 2006; [30086]
(6) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Agustawestland International Ltd, (b) Aviation Training International Ltd, (c) DRS C3 Systems Inc, (d) DRS Data Services Ltd, (e) DRS Technologies UK Ltd, (f) Europaams
SAS, (g) Galileo Avionica Spa, (h) MBDA France, (i) MBDA UK Ltd, (j) Selex Communications Ltd, (k) Selex Galileo Ltd, (l) Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems Ltd, (m) Selex Systems Integration Ltd, (n) Vega Consulting Services Ltd and (o) Westland Helicopters Ltd in each year since 2006; [30087]
(7) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) EDS Defence Ltd, (b) Hewlett-Packard Ltd and (c) HP Enterprise Services Defence and Security UK Ltd in each year since 2006; [30088]
(8) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Airbus UK Ltd, (b) Astrium Ltd, (c) EADS Defence and Security Systems Ltd, (d) EADS Deutschland GmbH, (e) EADS France SAS, (f) EADS Test and Services (UK) Ltd, (g) EADS Test Engineering Services (UK) Ltd, (h) Eurocopter, (i) Eurocopter UK Ltd, (j) Europaams SAS, (k) Infoterra Ltd, (l) MBDA France, (m) MBDA UK Ltd, (n) Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd and (o) Paradigm Services Ltd in each year since 2006; [30089]
(9) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Babcock Dyncorp Ltd, (b) Babcock Integrated Technology Ltd, (c) Babcock International Group PLC, (d) Babcock Marine (Clyde) Ltd, (e) Babcock Marine (Rosyth) Ltd, (f) Babcock Support Services Ltd, (g) BNS Nuclear Services Ltd, (h) Debut Services (South West) Ltd, (i) Debut Services Ltd, (j) Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd, (k) Frazer-Nash Consultancy Ltd, (l) Holdfast Training Services Ltd, (m) LSC Group Ltd, (n) Rosyth Royal Dockyard Ltd, (o) Rosyth Royal Dockyard Pension scheme and (p) Strachan and Henshaw Ltd in each year since 2006; [30090]
(10) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Industria de Turbo Propulsores S.A., (b) Optimized Systems and Solutions Ltd, (c) Powerfield Ltd, (d) Rolls-Royce Corporation, (e) Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd and Co KG, (f) Rolls-Royce Marine Electrical Systems Ltd, (g) Rolls-Royce Marine Power Operations Ltd, (h) Rolls-Royce PLC, (i) Rolls-Royce Power Engineering PLC, (j) Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Ltd and (k) Vinters Engineering PLC in each year since 2006; [30114]
(11) what the monetary value was of payments made by his Department to (a) Europaams SAS, (b) Quintec Associates Ltd, (c) Thales Air Defence Ltd, (d) Thales ATM Ltd, (e) Thales Avionics Electrical Systems Ltd, (f) Thales Avionics Ltd, (g) Thales Communications Inc, (h) Thales Communications Ltd, (i) Thales E-Security Ltd, (j) Thales Missile Electronics Ltd, (k) Thales Naval Ltd, (l) Thales Nederland BV, (m) Thales Norway AS, (n) Thales Optronics (Bury St Edmunds) Ltd, (o) Thales Optronics Ltd, (p) Thales Systemes Aeroportes SA, (q) Thales Training and Simulation (ACE) Ltd, (r) Thales Training and Simulation (Eagle Middle Wallop) Ltd, (s) Thales Training and Simulation (Merlin) Ltd, (t) Thales Training and Simulation Ltd, (u) Thales UK Ltd and (v) Thales Underwater Systems Ltd in each year since 2006. [30115]
Peter Luff:
General information on Ministry of Defence spending with individual companies is available in UK Defence Statistics 2010 at table 1.17. Organisations paid
£5 million or more in 2009-10. I will write to the hon. Member with additional information as soon as this is available.
Departmental Conferences
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's annual budget for conferences was on (a) 7 May 2010 and (b) 7 December 2010. [29961]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not have a discrete budget for conference expenditure. The hosting of, or attendance at, a conference is determined by business need and all conference-related expenditure must be necessary, appropriate, cost-effective and an admissible charge to public funds.
The financial management measures notified to all staff by the Permanent Under-Secretary and Chief of Defence Staff in July 2010 will reduce expenditure on conferences by constraining travel and limiting numbers attending meetings and events.
Electronic Warfare
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department has allocated to cyber security matters in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15; and to which (a) units in his Department and (b) programmes and projects such funding has been allocated. [29553]
Nick Harvey: £650 million has been agreed to fund the National Cyber Programme across Government to enhance our protection in cyber space. The Ministry of Defence is in the process of completing its annual planning round which will allocate detailed programme budgets. This is expected to conclude in early 2011.
Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings (a) he, (b) his predecessors and (c) his officials have had with representatives of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association in the last three years. [28457]
Mr Robathan: I understand that neither my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, nor his predecessors, have met with representatives of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association (BNTVA) in the last three years. However, I can confirm that the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones), when he was a Defence Minister, met with the Association twice, and Defence officials have met with them on at least three occasions.
The Ministry of Defence officials and BNTVA members have also been present at a number of meetings and conferences dealing with a variety of veterans' related issues.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the number of (a) British citizens and (b) dependants of British citizens compensated under nuclear test veteran compensation schemes operated by foreign governments; and if he will estimate how many such persons would be eligible for compensation under the arrangements operated by his Department. [29015]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information and we could not estimate how many UK nationals could be eligible for compensation under schemes operated by foreign governments.
UK nationals could have been employed in any number of roles in support of foreign governments' nuclear tests, and there would have been no requirement for the MOD to be aware of this.
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