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27 July 2010 : Column WA305
27 July 2010 : Column WA305
27 July 2010 : Column WA305
Tuesday 27 July 2010
Abortion
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 6 July (WA 32), whether they have adopted or plan to adopt a value-for-money policy when selecting approved independent-sector places to perform abortions. [HL1294]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs charged to them by an NHS hospital for performing an abortion and the costs charged by (a) the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, and (b) Marie Stopes International, for performing a similar abortion; and whether they have adopted or plan to adopt a value-for-money policy in that area.[HL1295]
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 6 July (WA 32), whether they plan to review the amounts spent by them on performing abortions in (a) NHS hospitals, and (b) approved independent sector places. [HL1296]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The Government are committed to ensuring that a value-for-money approach is adopted covering all aspects of healthcare provision. In order to carry out abortions under National Health Service contract, independent-sector places are subject to local NHS tendering processes and must demonstrate that they are able to provide a quality and cost-effective service which meets local needs. The department has developed and issued an abortion specification for use by the NHS in support of this process.
Abortions performed in NHS hospitals are reimbursed through the national tariff. The 2010-11 tariff prices for abortions are shown in the following table. The guidance associated with the application of the tariff has been placed in the Library and is available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_112284.
NHS commissioners are expected to use this tariff when commissioning services from the independent sector, but can exercise flexibilities including the negotiation of a lower price, where the service is different from that provided in the NHS.
No national assessment has been made of the overall costs charged by approved independent-sector places.
Agriculture: Numbering System
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will continue the consultation on changing the county parish holding numbering system by which farms are identified; and, if so, when they will report on the outcome.[HL1571]
Lord De Mauley: The department has received some 40 responses to the consultation, which closed on 30 June. These are being analysed and a summary will be published by the end of September.
Alan Shadrake
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have given consular protection to Alan Shadrake. [HL1637]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Following his release from detention on 19 July 2010, British High Commission staff in Singapore met Mr Shadrake on 20 July 2010. They advised him of the consular assistance they could provide and continue to keep in touch with him.
Armed Forces: Reserve Forces
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of Her Majesty's reserve forces were deployed operationally during the past five years; and how many were wounded or killed during the same period.[HL1544]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Between April 2007 and April 2010, 5,375 members of the reserve forces were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Data prior to April 2007 is not held centrally and cannot be validated.
During the period 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2010 there have been 60 reservists wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Data prior to January 2006 are not held centrally and cannot be validated.
Between 1 January 2005 and 21 July 2010 there have been 19 reservists who have died as a result of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Armed Forces: Seriously Injured Personnel
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes have been made in the past 12 months to the categorisation of injured soldiers; in particular, what are the new guidelines on whether a soldier is classed as "very seriously injured" or "seriously injured"; whether that will affect the reporting of casualty figures to Parliament and other public bodies; how those changes were made; and whether they will publish the minutes of the meeting where the decisions were made.[HL1529]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): No changes have been made in the past 12 months to the guidelines on whether a service member is classed as "very seriously injured" or "seriously injured".
Banking
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering introducing a net stable funding ratio standard into the regulatory regime for United Kingdom banks.[HL1374]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision put out proposals for consultation last December, which included a proposed net stable funding ratio as a regulatory standard for liquidity risk. The UK authorities are considering a net stable funding ratio as part of the final overall calibration.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the estimates of the costs of financial sector interventions in Box B1 of the Budget 2010 Red Book include income from the Special Liquidity Scheme and the Credit Guarantee Scheme; and, if not, what would be the cost of the interventions, including that income at the date of completion of the Red Book.[HL1375]
Lord Sassoon: The impact of fee payments to the Treasury under the Special Liquidity Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme was considered when calculating the estimates in Box B1 of Budget 2010.
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Banking: Cheques
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 19 July (HL1362), what written proposals have been submitted to HM Treasury for new forms of payments to replace cheques; and whether they will place those proposals in the Library of the House.[HL1604]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Treasury has received no written proposals for new forms of payment to replace cheques. Any such proposal should be addressed to the Payments Council, which is responsible for promoting suitable alternatives.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 19 July (HL1362), what criteria they have specified that new forms of payment must meet.[HL1605]
Lord Sassoon: The Government believe that suitable alternatives to cheques will need to be generally accepted by users, particularly those who are most affected like the elderly, small businesses, schools and charities.
Any new forms of payment must be tested and shown to be working successfully. This is a matter for the banks and is being coordinated by the Payments Council. The Payments Council will report on this and the Government are monitoring progress.
Banking: European Central Bank
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on the competitiveness of United Kingdom banks of the terms on which the European Central Bank is making funding available to eurozone banks.[HL1004]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): Monetary policy in the euro-area is a matter for the European Central Bank (ECB). UK banks have access to the ECB liquidity programme under the same requirements as banks based in the Euro area.
Any assessment of the impact of monetary policy decisions on the competitiveness of UK banks depends on the individual circumstances of each bank and market reaction at the time. The Government are committed to a sustainable and competitive banking sector in the UK, and a level playing field within the EU single market.
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Banking: Levy
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce a levy on United Kingdom banks if the Government of Germany reverses their decision to introduce a levy on German banks.[HL1590]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Government announced the introduction of a bank levy to ensure that the banking sector makes a fair contribution to reflect the potential risk to the UK financial system and wider UK economy. The Government will continue to seek broader international agreement, but have made clear that we are ready to act unilaterally. However, at Budget, the Government made a joint announcement with the Governments of France and Germany on the introduction of balance sheet levies.
Banking: Private Equity
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the activities of private equity funds or managers posed a risk to financial stability over the past three years.[HL1230]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The risks posed by the private equity industry have been the subject of consideration at a domestic level, including by the Financial Services Authority, and in international fora such as the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
Although private equity transactions pose their own unique issues, such as those identified in a 2008 report by IOSCO, the Government do not view these as having posed a significant risk to financial stability. The Government remain of the view that the activities of private equity funds and their managers were not central to the financial crisis.
However, the Government recognise the importance of monitoring all potential risks to financial stability and continue to keep new sources of risk under review.
Children Act 1989
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will amend the Children Act 1989 to allow divorced couples equal access to their children.[HL1491]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): The Government are committed to reform of the family justice system and a comprehensive family justice review is already under way. The review will examine the system as a whole,
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The review will make its recommendations in 2011. If changes are to be made to the family justice system in light of the review, there will, of course, be a formal announcement.
Civil Service: Honours
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 13 July (WA 116), how many civil servants about to retire or having retired received honours in each of the past five years.[HL1710]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Honours awarded to civil servants in each of the past five years are published in the London Gazette, www.london-gazette.co.uk. Information on those civil servants who have received honours and who were about to retire, or who had retired, is not held centrally.
Counterterrorism
Questions
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme will cost in 2010-11.[HL1334]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs announced in his Written Statement to Parliament on 29 June 2010, Official Report, col. 38WS, following his review of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's programme spend, that the budget allocation for the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme for the current financial year (2010-11) will be maintained at £38 million.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the total funds for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme are projected to be spent in Pakistan in 2010-11.[HL1335]
Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to the sensitive nature of counterterrorism activities, we cannot provide details of the individual projects or of the overall projected spend in particular countries under the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the total funds for the Foreign and Commonwealth
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Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to the sensitive nature of counterterrorism projects, we cannot provide details of the exact amounts allocated to projects in specific countries under the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme's funds is projected to be spent in Saudi Arabia in 2010-11.[HL1397]
Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to the sensitive nature of counter terrorism activities, we cannot provide details of the individual projects or of the overall projected spend in particular countries under the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme's funds is projected to be spent in east Africa in 2010-11.[HL1398]
Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to the sensitive nature of counterterrorism activities, we cannot provide details of the individual projects or of the overall projected spend in particular countries under the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme's funds is projected to be spent in Yemen in 2010-11.[HL1399]
Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to the sensitive nature of counterterrorism activities, we cannot provide details of the individual projects or of the overall projected spend in particular countries under the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government which programmes in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme in Pakistan will not be continued in 2010-11.[HL1400]
Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to the sensitive nature of counterterrorism activities, we cannot provide details of the individual projects or of the overall projected spend in particular countries under the Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme.
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Crime: Violence
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measure of long-term trends in violent crime they use to formulate policy.[HL1479]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): Home Office policy on violent crime is based on evidence from a wide range of data on violent crime trends. The data sources include the British Crime Survey (BCS), police recorded crime, the Homicide Index, a special data collection from the police covering firearms offences and NHS data on admissions to hospitals in England.
Using all of these sources enables the Home Office to make policy decisions based on a broad picture of violent crime trends.
Data Protection
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the European Commission is considering making a proposal for the free transfer of personal data on European Union citizens to Israel; and, if so, what stance they will take on any such proposal.[HL1547]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The European Union's Article 29 Data Protection Working Party, at which the UK is represented by the Information Commissioner's Office, has made a positive assessment of the level of data protection provided by Israeli legislation and has concluded that Israel guarantees an adequate level of protection for international data transfers. This conclusion has been reached on the basis of a detailed assessment of Israel's data protection and privacy laws and will be voted on by member states.
The UK intends to support the working party's conclusion.
Debt Management Office
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Debt Management Office has discretion in the extent to which it funds the borrowing requirement, or whether it is required to try to fund it fully.[HL1629]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Government's policy is fully to fund their net financing requirement. Since the formation of the Debt Management Office in 1998, the Government have fully funded their net financing requirement and
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"The Government aims to finance its net cash requirement plus maturing debt and financing required for additional net foreign currency reserves through the issuance of debt".
There may be some ex-post departure from the full funding of the net financing requirement in circumstances in which there is a difference between the Government's final forecast net cash requirement for a given financial year and the outturn figure, as the latter is not known until after the end of the financial year for which debt sales have been completed. Any resultant over or underfunding arising is corrected in the next financial year.
Defamation
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the government of Singapore about the human rights implications of the arrest and detention of the British author Alan Shadrake for the alleged offences of defamation and contempt of court arising from the publication of his book Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock.[HL1588]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Government have been informed of Mr Shadrake's arrest and that he is under investigation for criminal defamation, which remains a criminal offence in Singapore. As stated in our response to Parliamentary Question HL 1637, our High Commission in Singapore is providing Mr Shadrake with normal consular assistance. As criminal proceedings are under way, we cannot comment further on this case.
Department for International Development: Budget
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty's Government what responsibilities they propose to transfer from other departmental budgets to the Department for International Development.[HL1580]
Baroness Verma: The Department for International Development (DfID) will cover the official development assistance (ODA) element of core British Council grant-in-aid funding in 2010-11. This was already classified as ODA and meets the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) rules for aid spending. Future distribution of ODA will be agreed through the Spending Review.
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Development Aid
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue the Development Innovation Fund for small charities undertaking innovative development work.[HL1412]
Baroness Verma: The Development Innovation Fund has been closed. Consultation for a new Poverty Impact Fund is planned for later this month, with a view to launching the fund in the autumn.
Disabled People
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures there are to allow disabled people not in possession of driving licences, signed passports or utilities bills in their own name who want to invest money to do so, given that HM Revenue and Customs require such identification in order to comply with money laundering legislation.[HL1689]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 financial services businesses are required to identify their customers and verify the customer's identity on the basis of documents, data or information obtained from a reliable and independent source. The regulations do not specify that any particular documents (such as passports) must be produced.
Guidance on the application of the regulations produced by the independent Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, and approved by HM Treasury, provides that financial services businesses should, as a part of their risk-based approach, consider a wide range of other documents where a customer does not have a passport. Where appropriate that evidence can include, for example, benefit or pension documents, letters from persons in responsible positions such as the matron of a care home, and other evidence of identity and address.
Economy
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of why quantitative easing has not resulted in a corresponding increase in the money supply.[HL1630]
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have assessed whether an increase in the money supply is appropriate given the present economic situation and proposals for cutting the financial deficit.[HL1631]
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The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England has operational responsibility for monetary policy including use of the Asset Purchase Facility (APF). The Chancellor confirmed in the Budget that the MPC will continue to target 2 per cent inflation as measured by the 12-month increase in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). The Bank of England publishes quarterly reports on the APF in addition to minutes of the MPC meetings and a quarterly inflation report that sets out detailed economic analysis and inflation projections on which the MPC bases its decisions.
Education: Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Chevening Scholarships have been awarded over the past five years; to students from which countries; and how many are planned to be awarded over the next three years.[HL1434]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing the number of scholars from each country over the past five years. The final number of scholarships in 2010-11 will depend on the amount of additional funding from partners, which is still to be confirmed.
The number of scholarships in following years will depend on the outcome of our review of the Chevening programme, due by the end of October, which will ensure that it is more strategic in focus. We will inform both Houses of the outcome of this review.
Energy: Carbon Emissions
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure consumers are informed of how much they are paying through energy prices towards the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target as part of the United Kingdom's obligations to meet European Union targets.[HL1418]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): The Government agrees that transparency about the costs falling to suppliers from meeting their supplier obligation and how they pass these costs on is important. The obligation is currently set as a carbon saving target. It does not require any specific levels of financial support, or as a result, any reporting of such information. The estimated cost impact on consumers is published as part of the impact assessment associated with the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. The
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To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will include in the Energy Security and Green Economy Bill provisions for making transparent the cost transferred to consumers from energy suppliers of meeting the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. [HL1419]
Lord Marland: The Government are committed to empowering consumers through improving information to help them understand and control their energy costs, including in energy bills. We are currently considering whether legislation is required to ensure additional information is included in energy bills. Some suppliers have already chosen to include example cost break downs on bills to improve transparency and we would strongly encourage this.
Energy: Electricity
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Henley on 20 July (Official Report, col. 905), what forecast they have made of the shortfall in the generation of electrical power which will be bridged by the import of power from France in the years to 2020.[HL1651]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): Her Majesty's Government do not forecast the amount of power that we import from France. The volume of UK imports and exports with France and other countries will be determined by relative market prices in the connected nations and capacity of the interconnector. The current capacity of the interconnector with France is 2GW.
Energy: Oil
Question
Asked by Lord Smith of Finsbury
To ask Her Majesty's Government what regulatory requirements they are considering introducing for new applications for deep-water drilling for oil, drawing on the experience of the recent leak in the Gulf of Mexico.[HL1581]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): In light of the Gulf of Mexico incident we conducted a rapid review of the implications for DECC's offshore regulatory regime. This concluded that the current regulatory regime was fit for purpose, but additional inspectors are to be recruited and more environmental inspections carried out.
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A further much more comprehensive review of the UK regime will be undertaken as soon as the detailed analysis of the factors which caused the Gulf incident has taken place. This will look at the how the root causes of the Gulf incident can be protected against and determine what more, if anything, needs to be done to reinforce further our regulatory approach.
Energy: Oil and Gas
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of the United Kingdom continental shelf to the United Kingdom's future oil and gas supplies.[HL1664]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): Oil and gas production from the UK continental shelf is expected to continue to make a significant contribution to meeting UK oil and gas demand for many years. For example, on the basis of latest Department of Energy and Climate Change projections of UK demand and UK production, published respectively at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/projections/projections.aspxand https://www.ogdecc.gov.uk/information/bb_updates/chapters/Section4_17.htmsuggest that in 2020 UK oil and gas production is likely to meet nearly 50 per cent of both UK oil and gas demand.
Energy: Smart Meters
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many megawatt-hours of energy they anticipate will be saved over the next 10 years through the introduction of smart meters; and what proportion of national energy consumption they estimate that will represent over that period.[HL1417]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): Our current assessment is that the roll out of smart meters to domestic and small non-domestic gas and electricity customers will realise energy savings of 83.5 million MWh (83,500 GWh) over the period 2010-2020. Our assessment is that this represents approximately 1.5 per cent savings as a proportion of total UK electricity and gas consumption for domestic and commercial customers over the period 2010-20 during which smart meters are being rolled out. When all such premises have smart meters (in some cases advanced meters) we project savings of approximately 3 per cent.
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To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce a code of conduct for providers of smart meters to protect consumers from any factually incorrect or misleading information, mis-selling, or cross-selling of additional services and products. [HL1420]
Lord Marland: We are aiming to publish a package of detailed proposals on smart meter roll out, which will discuss these issues, shortly.
Energy: Wind Generation
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for developing a North Sea offshore wind super-grid.[HL1666]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): The Government are developing a new regime to connect offshore wind projects to the GB onshore grid in the most cost-effective, timely and co-ordinated manner to achieve our renewable energy targets.
The development of a more extensive offshore infrastructure linking together offshore wind farms in the North Sea and combining this with increased interconnection to the nearest mainland grids-a North Sea super grid-might support the achievement of the Government's aims of developing offshore wind and other renewables and enhancing security of supply.
However, these proposals raise a range of cost/benefit, regulatory, commercial and technical issues. DECC is discussing with the European Commission and other interested countries how we might best co-operate on the development of offshore wind infrastructure in the North, Irish and Baltic Seas.
EU: Finance Regulation
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the legal basis for (a) the proposed system of European Union financial supervision, and (b) the proposed directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers. [HL1506]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): On EU supervision, the Commission has proposed establishing the new European supervisory authorities under Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and the European Systemic Risk Board under two regulations, one based on Article 114 and the other on Article 127(6) of the TFEU.
The legal base for the Alternative Investment Fund Managers directive is Article 53(1) of the TFEU.
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EU: UK Budget
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make a proportional cut to the United Kingdom's European Union net contribution of approximately £7 billion a year as part of the overall reduction in government spending.[HL1615]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): At a time of fiscal consolidation across many EU member states, the Government believe it is only fair the EU budget plays its part.
In 2005 the previous Government agreed to rising UK contributions to the EU budget over the period 2007-13. But to reflect today's realities we have repeatedly called for a freeze in the EU budget next year.
The Commission's initial proposal for the EU budget for the period 2014-20 is expected early next year. The Government expect the Commission's proposal to take account of fiscal consolidation efforts across member states. At the negotiation of the next EU budget, the Government will strongly defend the UK's national interests, and ensure the budget is focused on those areas where the EU adds value.
Euro
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Bank of England joined the Banks of America and Japan to support the euro; what was the extent of support by the Bank of England; and whether any effort was made to recover the funds involved. [HL1562]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Bank of England, acting as agent for HM Treasury, purchased €85 million in September 2000 as part of a concerted intervention by the G7 monetary authorities. The euros purchased in the intervention were subsequently sold back to the market. There was no cost to public funds associated with this intervention. There have been no further interventions by the Bank of England in supporting the euro.
Finance: Credit Rating Agencies
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to prohibit credit rating agencies from issuing ratings on structured products where the agency is paid for so doing by the sponsor of the product.[HL1003]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The EC Credit Rating Agency Regulation (EC No 1060/2009) established an EU wide regulatory regime for credit rating agencies and came into force on 7 December 2009.
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In June this year, the European Commission published a draft amending regulation. This seeks to implement a European Council decision giving the proposed European Securities and Market Authorities responsibility for regulating credit rating agencies. It also includes proposals to introduce greater transparency and competition around ratings for structured products.
Firearms: Licensing
Questions
Asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the practice of firearms certificates being renewed without a police visit to the applicant. [HL1327]
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police forces in England and Wales renew firearms certificates without visiting the applicant.[HL1328]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): Information is not held centrally on the number of police forces making home visits to applicants wishing to renew their firearms certificates but the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers recommend that such visits should be made.
Following the tragic shootings in Cumbria, the Government have undertaken to consider current gun controls once the full facts of the incident are known and relevant ACPO peer reviews into the incident have reported.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Research
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the research capacity at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and whether that capacity will be maintained or expanded. [HL1421]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have recently commenced a review of its analytical capability (including its research capacity). The reviewers will complete their work by the end of October. They will be seeking the views of a range of outside stakeholders, including relevant Whitehall departments and the academic community. Until the review has been completed, it is not possible to say what changes, if any, need to be made in the FCO's current analytical capacity.
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Fuel Prices
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 9 July (WA 82-3), what income was generated from charging VAT on the fuel duty charged on petrol last year; and whether charging VAT on fuel duty is required by European Union legislation.[HL1422]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): VAT trader receipts do not provide the required data on the actual value of VAT on the fuel duty charged on petrol. Over the summer, the Office for Budget Responsibility will look at the impact of oil prices on tax revenues in connection with the fuel duty stabiliser.
Where there is a supply of any goods or services for VAT purposes EU VAT law states that any duties charged should be included in the taxable amount.
Gaza
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the relaxation of the blockade of Gaza announced by Israel has led to increased deliveries of essential commodities; if so, by how many tonnes per week; and if not, what representations they and the Quartet are making about the matter.[HL1545]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): There is a steady increase in the number of trucks entering Gaza since Israel announced a relaxation of the blockade on 14 June. Nine hundred and fourteen truckloads entered Gaza between 11 and 17 July, compared to 573 in early June, but this is still only one-third of the average amount before the blockade was imposed. Last week recorded the highest reached number of truckloads crossing through Kerem Shalom and this shows that the crossing can process 180 truckloads, without expanding capacity. Israel has announced that the capacity would reach 250 truckloads by the end of July. The volume and range of goods has increased to include a greater variety of food items, and goods such as water irrigation pipes, cloth fabric and chicken incubators. The British Government, together with the EU and the Quartet, will continue to press Israel to increase the capacity of the crossings for imports and also to allow exports which are vital to the recovery of the Gazan ecomony.
Government Departments: Consultants
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many consultants have been appointed to help HM Treasury implement expenditure cuts; how many more appointments are planned; and what is the forecast overall cost.[HL1597]
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The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): There are a number of individual consultants contracted to, or seconded into, HM Treasury. However, as many parts of HM Treasury are involved in the spending review, the related number and cost of consultants cannot be easily identified without incurring disproportionate cost.
Government Departments: Overseas Staff
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) Department for International Development, and (b) Foreign and Commonwealth Office, staff are in post overseas.[HL1130]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently reviewing the basis on which workforce information is supplied and we are, therefore, unable to reply fully at this stage. We will, however, place a copy of this information in the Library of the House as soon as possible.
Government Departments: Staff
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many public sector workers in each government department or body are employed within one hour's travel of (a) Barnsley, (b) Blackpool, (c) Doncaster, (d) Grimsby, (e) Hastings, (f) Liverpool, and (g) Mansfield; and how many public sector vacancies there are in each of those places.[HL1117]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: We do not hold data centrally on the number of public sector workers in each government department or body employed within one hour's travel of (a) Barnsley, (b) Blackpool, (c) Doncaster, (d) Grimsby, (e) Hastings, (f) Liverpool, and (g) Mansfield nor the number of public sector vacancies in each of those places.
Government: Ministerial Duties
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty's Government when a Minister will be appointed with cross-departmental responsibility for following issues related to violence against women overseas.[HL1633]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): I refer the noble Baroness to the answer given by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister on 8 June 2010 to the honourable member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson), Official Report, column 137W.
27 July 2010 : Column WA323
Government: Ministerial Visits
Question
Asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the mode of travel and cost of (a) each cabinet member, and (b) officials, to and from the Cabinet meeting in Bradford on 29 June; and what was the cost of hiring the venue.[HL986]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Ministers travelled to the Cabinet meeting in Bradford by train. A coach was hired at a cost of £750 to transport Ministers from Leeds train station to the venue and back to the station. Ministers combined their attendance with visits to services and projects in the area. Departments will have incurred additional costs associated with travel to Leeds train station but this information is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office. The total cost of hiring the venue for the Cabinet meeting in Bradford was £2,279 including catering and other related costs. Therefore, the central cost of the Cabinet meeting in Bradford was £3,029.50 as stated in PQ Answer 8747 (Official Report, Commons, 21/7/10; col. 373W)
Green Energy (Definition and Promotions) Act 2009
Questions
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (SI 1995/418), as required by the Green Energy (Definition and Promotions) Act 2009.[HL1595]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Marland): As required by the Green Energy Act 2009, a Statutory Instrument to amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995 will be laid before Parliament very shortly.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have complied with Section 3 of the Green Energy (Definition and Promotions) Act 2009.[HL1596]
Lord Marland: As required by the Green Energy (Definition and Promotions) Act 2009, a Statutory Instrument to amend the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 will be laid before Parliament very shortly.
Gypsies and Travellers
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the concluding observations and recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child of 23 September 2008 on the United Kingdom report in respect of Gypsy and Traveller children.[HL1402]
27 July 2010 : Column WA324
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): The Government are committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and take their obligations to the convention seriously. In respect of Gypsy and Traveller children, the Department for Education has responded to the UN Committee's Concluding Observations by:
implementing a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Achievement Programme in which local authorities are working together to offer targeted support to meet the aspirations of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller parents and pupils and specifically to identify good working practice to support pupils during the transition from primary to secondary education;providing funds towards the costs associated with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month in June 2008, 2009 and 2010; and establishing a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Education Stakeholder Group to support work to improve levels of attendance, transition and attainment for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.The Child Poverty Act 2010 places a duty on the Government to produce a child poverty strategy. Under the requirements of the legislation, the national strategy, due to be published by March 2011, will assess which groups are most at risk of poverty and disadvantage and consider what action needs to be taken to minimise disadvantages for each group including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.
Health: Leprosy
Question
Asked by Lord McColl of Dulwich
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the draft United Nations Revised Principles and Guidelines for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members are adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council.[HL1570]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Revised Principles and Guidelines for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members will be studied again by the Advisory Committee to the Human Rights Council during the Committee's next meeting from 2 to 6 August. We look forward to seeing the finalised version which will be made available to the Human Rights Council to consider in September.
The UK has played a constructive role in the preparation of the guidelines and cosponsored two Human Rights Council resolutions in 2008 and 2009 relating to them. We will continue to work for guidelines that are able to command broad international support.
Health: Motor Neurone Disease
Question
Asked by Baroness Taylor of Bolton
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their most recent assessment of the use of stem cells in the treatment of motor neurone disease.[HL1485]
27 July 2010 : Column WA325
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest that the use of stem cells in the treatment of motor neurone disease (MND) is effective.
There is a range of medications available to relieve the symptoms of MND, however riluzone is currently the only available treatment for MND directly.
Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what timescale the UK Border Agency is required to provide support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 following an application for support; and whether it is keeping to that timescale.[HL1405]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): There is no requirement to make a decision on applications for support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 within a specific timescale.
The UK Border Agency works hard to make decisions as swiftly as possible in each case.
Immigration: Brook House
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House statistics on the criminal offences committed by detainees in Brook House Immigration Removal Centre in the past 12 months for which figures are available. [HL1532]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): Statistics of those detained at immigration removal centres are published quarterly and can be found at: http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/immiq110.pdf
Our publications do not include statistics on criminal offences committed by detainees in IRCs. I can though advise that of those with criminal convictions detained at Brook House at 31 March 2010, offences ranged from possession of false identity documents, drug offences and robbery to violent crimes and sexual offences.
Immigration: Detention Centres
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve the immigration detention facilities for families and unaccompanied children at Heathrow Airport, with reference to the report of the Independent Monitoring Board on the immigration detention centres at Heathrow Airport published on 23 March.[HL1394]
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The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): The IMB at Heathrow in its report published on 23 March made a few interim recommendations regarding improving the immigration detention facilities for families and unaccompanied children. The UK Border Agency is considering several options to improve the facilities for families and unaccompanied children and is working alongside the escorting contractor G4S and BAA to ensure that processes are tailored towards improving the facilities for children and families at Heathrow.
IRA
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on 20 July (WA 197) on the terrorist attack on the Grand Hotel, Brighton, whether the police or prosecuting authorities have informed them of the identities of the members of the command structure of the IRA who planned and financed that bombing and supplied explosives to Mr Magee.[HL1650]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: The investigation and prosecution of anyone involved in terrorist activity are matters for the police and prosecuting authorities. This Government have been given no information relating to the investigation into the terrorist attack on the Grand Hotel Brighton.
Israel
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the proportion of land remaining in the West Bank after deducting closed military zones and bases, settlements, their fenced adjoining areas and roads, and the wall and severed areas between it and the 1967 Green Line.[HL1548]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The land described in the question is what is known under the Oslo Accords as Area C, over which Israel has full civil and military control. Area C makes up 60 per cent of the West Bank, leaving the Palestinians with 40 per cent. This is further divided up into Area B, over which the Oslo accords provided for Palestinian civil control and joint Israeli/Palestinian military control, and Area A, under full Palestinian control and making up around 17 per cent of the West Bank. Our views on Israeli settlements are well known-they are illegal under international law and harmful to the peace process. The same is true of the barrier where it crosses east of the Green Line.
Justice: Sentencing
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are making to ensure that the necessary resources, including probation staff, social
27 July 2010 : Column WA327
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Over the coming months we will look in detail at the sentencing frameworks for adult and young offenders, as well as at the range of penalties available in the criminal justice system. That means introducing more effective policies, as well as overhauling the system of rehabilitation to reduce reoffending. We will take the time necessary to get it right and will consult widely before bringing forward full plans for reform.
Relevant resource decisions will be made in light of these policy developments and the spending review.
Millennium Development Goals
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government what objectives they have for the forthcoming United Nations summit on the millennium development goals with regard to water and sanitation.[HL1413]
Baroness Verma: The UK's objective for the United Nations millennium development goals (MDGs) summit is to secure international agreement on an action agenda for achieving the MDGs by 2015. The Coalition: Our Programme for Government clearly states that we will prioritise aid spending on programmes to ensure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation to meet the 0.7 per cent aid target by 2013 before the United Nations summit on the millennium development goals in September. [HL1414]
Baroness Verma: This Government are fully committed to our target of spending 0.7 per cent of national income on development assistance from 2013. We are looking into the best way to proceed and will inform the House when a decision has been taken.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their objectives for the forthcoming United Nations summit on the millennium development goals.[HL1579]
Baroness Verma: At the United Nations millennium development goals summit in September our priority will be to reach international agreement on an action agenda to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) by 2015. In particular we will be looking to secure additional results-based commitments, including on the most off-track MDGs, such as maternal and child health, and malaria.
27 July 2010 : Column WA328
Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage increases in salaries and bonuses staff in the Northern Ireland Office received in 2009 and 2010.[HL1356]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: The Senior Civil Service pay award, which is paid in accordance with the Senior Salaries Review Body, was 2.3 per cent of baseline salary in 2009. In 2010 there was no pay increase. The performance pay pot remained at 8.6 per cent of baseline salary in 2009 and 2010.
For Staff Grades D2 to A, the pay award is paid in accordance with HM Treasury and Cabinet Office guidelines. In 2008-09 the award was 3.54 per cent and in 2009-10 was 2.47 per cent. The performance pay pot remained at 0.54 per cent of baseline salary in 2009 and 2010.
Northern Ireland Office: Official Cars
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost of providing official cars for (a) Ministers, and (b) officials, in the Northern Ireland Office in the last 12 months.[HL1355]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: Since 12 April the cost of providing official cars in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) for (a) Ministers has been £17,634 and (b) officials is £526.
Figures for the period before 12 April are not available for the department as it is now configured following the completion of devolution.
Northern Ireland Office: Sick Leave
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants took sick leave from the Northern Ireland Office during March of each of the past eight years.[HL1100]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: Following devolution comparable figures for the department as it is now configured are not available.
Northern Ireland Office: Staff Accommodation
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on 21 July (WA 224), whether Northern Ireland-based staff of the Northern Ireland Office are provided with accommodation while working in London;
27 July 2010 : Column WA329
Lord Shutt of Greetland: Where Northern Ireland-based staff are required to work in London on an ongoing basis, rented accommodation can be provided as is the case for London-based staff required to work in Northern Ireland. These arrangements have been in place for many years.
Northern Ireland Office: Taxis
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on 9 July (WA 83) which stated the monthly cost of taxis for the Northern Ireland Office could be provided only at disproportionate cost, why the cost has increased since November 2009 when the figures were provided.[HL1358]
Lord Shutt of Greetland: In response to a previous Question relating to how much the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) spent on taxis, figures relating to invoiced expenditure on taxi fares were published on 2 November 2009 (Official Report, col. WA19). That response noted that the figures provided excluded taxi fares paid by employees and reimbursed as miscellaneous expenses. This was on the grounds that these figures could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The response provided in the Written Answer on 9 July (Official Report, col. WA83) was to a Question which asked how much officials of the Northern Ireland Office claimed in expenses for the use of taxis for a two-month period. This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost and is wholly consistent with the previous response.
Overseas Aid
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to alter the partnership principles guiding the disbursement of United Kingdom aid.[HL1415]
Baroness Verma: I have no current plans to revise the principles. I am considering this in the context of the bilateral aid review.
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish reviews of bilateral and multilateral aid.[HL1416]
Baroness Verma: I have no current plans to revise the principles. I am considering this in the context of the bilateral aid review.
27 July 2010 : Column WA330
Palestine
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost of their financial support, including the cost of training, to the security and intelligence services of the Palestinian Authority in each of the last two years; how much such expenditure is planned for the current financial year; and whether their funding takes account of alleged deaths of persons under interrogation or alleged use of torture on suspects. [HL1303]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Government's financial support to the Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF) falls into three main categories: direct budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority which is used in part to pay salaries of government employees including those in the PASF; technical assistance aimed at improving the efficiency and professionalism of the security sector as a whole including the civilian police and emergency services; and direct classroom based training for the PASF. In addition to this the UK has separate activity supporting policing, justice and the rule of law in the Palestinian Territories. As our contributions to the PA budget are provided through a pooled arrangement with other donors and the funds are mixed, we cannot determine exactly how much of our money goes to pay security services salaries. We have a programme of technical assistance to the Ministry of Interior and support two leadership courses for senior and middle-ranking personnel in the PASF including civilian police. These form the bulk of our contribution to the work of the United States Security Co-ordinator. Funding for categories two and three is provided through the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Conflict Pool, a tri-departmental (FCO, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development) conflict prevention programme. Financial support totalled £2.0 million in financial year 2008-9, £2.7 million for 2009-10 and £2.45 million allocated for 2010-11. In addition to that, under the third category, we invested £100,000 in financial year 2009-10 and a further £64,000 has been allocated for this financial year to provide human rights training to the PASF.
We took the credible reports of people being killed or tortured during PASF interrogation extremely seriously. We raised it directly with both President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. We allocated money to fund an inspectorate general within the PASF that would deal with complaints and we continue to press the Palestinian Authority to appoint someone to that role. We provided specific human rights training. Human rights performance is a key element in the Department for International Development's structured dialogue with the Palestinian Authority on budgetary support. We were encouraged by the findings of the independent commission on human rights that torture and mistreatment of people by the PASF, and the intelligence services in particular, had significantly declined by the end of last year. We remain concerned at the use of
27 July 2010 : Column WA331
Planning
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government in what circumstances local planning authorities must require a land contamination assessment to be carried out before a planning application can be submitted; and what steps they propose to reduce the cost to applicants of that requirement.[HL1700]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): Where land is known or suspected to be affected by contamination, local planning authorities will want to satisfy themselves that the potential for contamination and any risks arising are properly assessed. In England and Wales, the standard application form for planning permission looks to applicants to submit an assessment with their application if the proposal involves land which is known to be contaminated or where contamination is suspected for all or part of the site; or where the proposal involves a proposed use that would be particularly vulnerable to the presence of contamination. Local planning authorities will look to the applicant to provide such information as is necessary and in doing so are encouraged to take a balanced and proportionate approach.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many local authorities require a land contamination assessment to be made for all planning applications for the construction of residential housing.[HL1701]
Baroness Hanham: The information is not collected centrally and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
27 July 2010 : Column WA332
Prisoners: Fatalities
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the (a) names, (b) dates of birth, (c) gender, (d) race, (e) prisons in which they died, (f) causes of death, and (g) relevant index offences, of all 25 year-olds and under who have died in prison since 1 January 2003; whether they were on remand or sentenced; if sentenced, what were the lengths of sentence; and whether they had experience of care or had left care. [HL1726]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Any death in prison custody is a tragic event. The Government, Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service, (NOMS) are committed to learning from such events and reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison custody.
The table below details deaths in custody of prisoners aged 25 and under in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales.
The legal processes that will determine the cause of death have not taken place or been completed for a number of these individuals; for this reason and with respect for families of the deceased the names of those who have died in prison custody have been omitted.
Deaths in prison custody figures include all deaths of prisoners arising from incidents during prison custody and include deaths of prisoners while released on temporary licence (ROTL) for medical reasons, but exclude other types of ROTL where the state has less direct responsibility. Apparent cause (type of death) is based on the NOMS classification of deaths in custody. The self inflicted deaths category includes a wider range of deaths than suicides. Similarly, the homicide category includes a wider range of deaths than murder.
The National Offender Management Service does not identify, in central records, whether prisoners have experience of care or had left care.
Prisons: Population
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