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24 Jan 2012 : Column WA197

Written Answers

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Armed Forces: Drumadd Barracks

Question

Asked by Lord Kilclooney

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Yes. The Ministry of Defence will shortly be commencing a fresh marketing campaign for the site.

Armed Forces: Sickness Records

Question

Asked by The Countess of Mar

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): The Ministry of Defence (MoD) hold records of sickness and injury for members of the Armed Forces on the Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP). Data entered in DMICP relating to diagnosis are recorded using Read codes.

As at 1 December 2011, excluding mobilised reservists, fewer than five of the 189,000 serving members of the UK Armed Forces have been identified with a diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning. For UK Armed Forces personnel no longer in service, the MoD has been able to identify fewer than five personnel diagnosed with organophosphate poisoning whilst they were serving but who are no longer in service as at 1 December 2011.

The use of the DMICP is still relatively new and, while the vast majority of personnel have their medical records on the system, a small number (less than 1 per cent) of Armed Forces personnel do not currently have a DMICP record.

DMICP rollout started in February 2007, and rollout continues for Royal Navy ships and some bases overseas. By the beginning of 2010, the majority of UK and German medical centres were DMICP-enabled but data prior to 2010 are incomplete. Personnel who served before 2010 but were not registered at a DMICP-enabled medical centre between 2007 and the time they left service will not have a DMICP record. For example, a service person who joined in 2003 and left in 2008, and was not registered at a DMICP medical centre will not have a DMICP record.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA198

It should be noted that if diagnostic information relating to organophosphate poisoning is only entered as free text in a person's medical record instead of by using the Read codes, it will not be included in figures presented as this information is not captured in the DMICP data warehouse.

Data taken from the DMICP data warehouse have not been validated against individual patient records, as this would have incurred disproportionate cost. Historical medical data were uplifted into DMICP from legacy systems and it is not possible to verify the completeness of these data.

Finally, in line with the Defence Analytical Services and Advice Health Information's rounding policy, medical numbers smaller than five have been suppressed to avoid the potential disclosure of personal medical information. For this reason, no gender breakdowns are provided.

Arms Trade

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): The Export Control Act is the UK's primary legislation on export controls. The Export of Goods Control Order 2008 is the current principle secondary legislation made under the powers of the Export Control Act. A number of amendments to secondary legislation have been made under the Act and these are published on the Government's Business Link website at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/exportcontrol under the "Current UK strategic export control legislation" and the "Export Control Act 2002" headings. Details are also given in the Government's annual reports on strategic export controls found at http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/export-control-organisation under the "Strategic Export Controls-Reports" heading. Updates to secondary export control legislation are, and will continue to be, necessary on an ongoing basis.

Aviation: Air Zimbabwe

Question

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA199

Earl Attlee: Air Zimbabwe is currently authorised to operate two scheduled services a week into the UK but it has not operated any services this year. During 2011 it operated 83 flights in and out of the United Kingdom.

Before being allowed to operate within the UK, Air Zimbabwe was required to produce a number of documents to confirm the airworthiness of its aircraft. These documents were found to be satisfactory.

The Civil Aviation Authority conducts a programme of ramp inspections on foreign aircraft. In 2011, aircraft operated by Air Zimbabwe were inspected three times. Nothing was found during these inspections to indicate that the aircraft operated by Air Zimbabwe are unsafe.

Bahrain

Question

Asked by Lord Patten

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We understand that Dr Al Singace is still in detention in Jau prison. Staff from our embassy in Manama continue to monitor court cases, including those of political detainees, and await the next date for the hearing.

We urge the Bahraini Government to ensure all citizens can exercise the universal human rights and freedoms to which they are entitled, and to ensure due process is carefully and transparently followed in all cases.

We therefore welcome the announcement by the Bahraini Attorney-General on 24 December that all charges relating to free speech will be dropped, with cases being pursued only against those person accused of violent crimes.

Banking: HBOS

Question

Asked by Lord Myners

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The decision as to whether or not to investigate the failures at HBOS is for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to decide, not the Government. An FSA enforcement investigation into HBOS is currently being undertaken and, while this is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to launch a wider review. However, the FSA has committed to writing a wider-ranging report on the failures at HBOS and its own role as supervisor, once the enforcement investigation is complete.

Under stock exchange listing rules, Lloyds TSB was required to give its shareholders enough information to enable them to make an informed decision as to the acquisition of HBOS and the merged group's position

24 Jan 2012 : Column WA200

and prospects. The FSA has already confirmed its view that the information provided by Lloyds TSB to its shareholders, which made clear the group's dependence on liquidity support from the Bank of England, satisfied these listing requirements.

British Embassies: Ambassadors

Question

Asked by Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We encourage all departing Heads of Mission to provide farewell thoughts to the department, without prescribing a particular format for this.

Businesses: Customer Bills

Questions

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA201

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): There is no general legislation regulating payment, discounts or charges for use of debit or credit card, cheque or direct debit. A business's pricing structure is a commercial matter for that business, provided prices and any other charges are made clear to the consumer before they buy. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibit traders from engaging in unfair commercial practices against consumers, including practices related to the price of goods and services. The department published the Pricing Practices Guide, which recommends to business a set of good practices in giving price information to consumers. Copies of the guide are already in the Library of the House. No changes have been made to these regulations and there are no plans at present to change them over the coming two years.

In relation to gas and electricity supply, all domestic gas and/or electricity suppliers that have 50,000 or more customers are required by their licence (Standard Licence Condition 27) to offer domestic customers a wide choice of payment methods, including (but not limited to) payment by cash and advance payment through a pre-payment meter. Such suppliers are also required by their licence (Standard Licence Condition 27) to ensure that any differences in the terms and conditions (including price) that apply to different methods of payment are cost reflective. Ofgem is responsible for enforcing compliance with these licence conditions.

A new EU consumer rights directive was adopted last year. The Government supported an amendment to that directive that will prohibit businesses, in sectors covered by the directive, from charging consumers payment surcharges that exceed the costs borne by the trader for the use of a means of payment. On 23 December 2011 the Government announced that they would consult on whether to implement this provision of the directive ahead of the EU deadline of June 2014 for this law to take effect. The Government will publish guidance for business before new legislation on payment surcharges takes effect.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA202

During 2011, Edward Davey, as Minister for Consumer Affairs, had discussions with Which? regarding its super-complaint about payment surcharges in the passenger transport sector.

Courts Service: Estates

Question

Asked by Lord Kilclooney

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The former magistrates' court in Horseferry Road, London, has recently been sold to Barratt Developments, which has submitted a number of planning applications to Westminster City Council relating to an end residential use for the site.

Asil Nadir

Question

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness): As I made clear in my earlier response, it would be inappropriate for the Government to make any comment on this matter while there are ongoing legal proceedings.

Developing Countries: Taxation

Question

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Derby

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The UK has supported the work of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on this issue and we are actively engaged in EU discussions on proposals to require EU extractives companies to report the payments they make to foreign Governments.

The Government also work through a variety of channels to deliver high-quality capacity building in developing country tax administrations to ensure that these countries are in a position to collect the tax they are owed.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA203

Education: English Baccalaureate

Questions

Asked by Lord Quirk

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): In 2011, 43,610 boys and 60,416 girls at the end of key stage 4 achieved the English Baccalaureate.

The data on the percentage of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and achieved the English Baccalaureate in 2011 are not yet available. They will be published in the statistical first release "GCSE and Equivalent Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England, 2010/11" on 9 February 2012 at the following link: http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/ s001057/index.shtml.

The number of pupils who achieved the English Baccalaureate in 2011 by school type or admissions policy is given below.

Number of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 who achieved1 the English Baccalaureate by School Type or Admissions Policy2
Year: 2010-11 (Provisional)
Coverage: England
School type or admissions policyNumber who achieved the English Baccalaureate

(1) Academies3

3,670

(2) Selective Schools

15,222

(3) All maintained Schools4

86,485

(4) Independent Schools5

17,527

Source: Underlying data for Tables 5 and 6 of the Statistical First Release "GCSE and Equivalent Results in England, 2010/11 (Provisional)" available here http://www.education.gov. uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001034/index.shtml.

1 Includes achievements by these pupils in previous academic years

2 School type and admissions policy as recorded in the Secondary School Performance Tables

3 Includes all academies that were open as at 12 September 2010.

4 Excludes Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Provision

5 Independent schools excluding non-maintained and independent special schools.

Electoral Registration

Question

Asked by Viscount Astor

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The Representation of the People Act 1985 provided for British citizens living overseas to be able to register to vote in general and European parliamentary elections in the UK on a time-limited basis. Currently, British citizens living overseas can register to vote in these elections, provided they have been previously registered in the UK in the past 15 years.

The Government are considering whether the 15-year time limit on voting rights remains appropriate, but have no plans to link the UK voting franchise with the payment of UK tax. Voting rights and the payment of tax have separate and distinct policy rationales, and the two are not linked. Some foreign nationals living and paying tax in the UK are not eligible to vote.

Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011

Questions

Asked by Lord Ouseley

Baroness Verma: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) is working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to ensure the suite of statutory and non-statutory guidance is coherent; and strikes the right balance between promoting equality of opportunity on one hand and avoiding new burdens on public bodies on the other. We expect there to be an announcement on progress soon.

The Government are confident that public bodies will be able to publish relevant information showing compliance with the equality duty, and to set equality objectives, to the timescales set out by the specific duties. To support them in this, both the GEO office and the EHRC have already issued comprehensive guidance on implementing the equality duty and specific duties. The Department for Education (DfE) has made advice available to schools. This guidance is available on the GEO, EHRC and DfE websites respectively.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA205

Equality Advisory and Support Service

Question

Asked by Baroness Whitaker

Baroness Verma: The Government's new Equality Advisory and Support Service will strive to meet the highest standards of accessibility. The new service provider will train and supervise advisers to provide high-quality bespoke advice which applies the law to an individual's specific circumstances.

The specification for the new service required those invited to tender to demonstrate that they can provide a range of accessible options to meet individual needs. We expect the new service will help tens of thousands of people who face discrimination problems each year, including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. We are on track to launch the new service in June 2012.

EU: Extractive Industries

Question

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Derby

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Prime Minister has made clear that the priority is for the UK to press for requirements to be placed on EU extractives companies to disclose the payments they make to foreign Governments. We are engaging in discussions on the Commission's recent proposal.

EU: Residency Rights

Question

Asked by Viscount Waverley

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The United Kingdom is a full member of the European Union (EU). The rights of EU citizens to live and work in other EU member states are set out in legislation by which all member states are bound.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA206

European Court of Human Rights

Question

Asked by Lord Laird

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Government hold the following records of the number of cases communicated by the European Court of Human Rights (the Court) to the Government from 2008-2010: 2008 (45), 2009 (58), 2010 (55). The Court holds the following records of applications: 2008 (46), 2009 (62), 2010 (68). The registry of the Court has informed us that the Court's figures for communicated applications may include joined cases, which they have listed separately (ie where several separate but similar applications are treated by the Court as a single case).

We are unable to assess the reason for the increase in the number of applications lodged at the Court originating in the United Kingdom from 2009 to 2010 because we only see those which are communicated to us. The source of the figures is the Court's website.

European Court of Justice

Question

Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that:

"The Court of Justice of the European Union shall have jurisdiction in any dispute between the Union and its servants within the limits and under the conditions laid down in the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the Union".

In the first instance, the Civil Service Tribunal has the jurisdiction to hear and determine such disputes. The decisions given by the tribunal may, within two months, be subject to an appeal, limited to questions of law, to the General Court.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA207

Export and Re-export Control

Questions

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): I gave a speech on the Re-export Controls Bill during the Second Reading of the Bill in this House on 3 December 2010. The Minister of State for Business and Enterprise also made a speech in connection with export controls in the Westminster Hall debate on 20 October 2011. There have been no other speeches on these subjects by those listed since July 2010.

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

Baroness Wilcox: There have been no articles written on these subjects by those listed since July 2010.

Female Genital Mutilation

Questions

Asked by Baroness Gould of Potternewton



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA208

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will take on responsibility for commissioning female genital mutilation (FGM) services. The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for commissioning specialised services. We anticipate that the list of these services will be based closely on the current specialised services national definition set.

There are a number of ways in which the Government are providing support to protect current and future generations of girls from this abuse and to ensure that those already living with the consequences of FGM are given the care and support they deserve.

We have integrated the work of the FGM Co-ordinator into the work of the relevant government departments.

The joined-up approach that the Government have taken to tackle FGM in England, jointly led by the Home Office and the Department of Health, has been successful in drawing together, co-ordinating and driving work from a number of government departments.

Oversight of the Government's FGM work is via a cross-Government Steering Group where members include Home Office, Department of Health, Department of Education, Crown Prosecution Service, Ministry of Justice and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We also chair and facilitate the quarterly FGM Forum meeting of all relevant civil society organisations, allowing the voluntary and community sector to meet with policy officials, raise any concerns and discuss current issues.

Our focus is prevention-in February 2011 we launched multi-agency practice guidelines for front-line professionals such as teachers, general practitioners (GPs) and nurses. The guidelines aim to raise awareness of FGM, highlight the risks that people should be aware of and set out clearly the steps that should be taken to safeguard children and women from this abuse. We want to safeguard and protect all girls and women who may be at risk to avoid the often severe consequences for their physical and mental health. The guidance can be found here: Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines: Female Genital Mutilation, (2011): www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_ dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh _124588.pdf.

The guidance includes information for social workers and outlines in detail the important processes involved in applying child safeguarding procedures in order to minimise or prevent harm to the child or children. Clinical guidance regarding children has also been produced by the British Medical Association. Child Protection-AToolkit for Doctors, 2009. "Female Genital Mutilation: Caring for Patients and Safeguarding Children"Guidance from the British Medical Association July 2011.

Communications about FGM are key to bringing the issue to more people's attention. More than 40,000 leaflets and 40,000 posters have been circulated to schools, health services, charities and community groups around the country.

The Department for Education has included advice on FGM in its guidance for schools, Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education, 2006. It also included advice on FGM for the wider children's workforce and for all those involved in safeguarding

24 Jan 2012 : Column WA209

children in, Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-Agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children, 2010.

In addition, the Kids Taskforce was commissioned by the Home Office to develop a short film and accompanying teachers' resource pack to be available for use in secondary schools. The DVD can be downloaded by all schools. The accompanying teachers' resource pack is designed to support teachers to deliver a lesson on FGM. It contains detailed lesson plans and relevant and applicable classroom materials, such as students' worksheets, quizzes, debate topics and small group-work activities.

There have been some successful initiatives from the police too-the Metropolitan Police's Project Azure's work at Heathrow and King's Cross to speak to families potentially taking the girls overseas for FGM has strengthened our last line of defence for these girls at risk.

The Crown Prosecution Service has recently published guidance for prosecutors setting out the legal elements of FGM and the challenges prosecutors may face in bringing a case to court, particularly when a victim may retract her evidence due to social and cultural pressures. It is hoped that the publication of this guidance will both raise awareness of this serious crime and help prosecutors bring perpetrators to justice. Female Genital Mutilation Legal Guidance (July 2011) is available here: www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/female_ genital_mutilation/

In October 2011, the Home Office launched a £50,000 fund for frontline organisations to submit proposals to receive grants of up to £5,000 to support women and girls affected by FGM. Ten organisations were successful and will receive these grants later this month. The funds will be used to strengthen community based preventative work, raise awareness about socio-cultural, ethnic, legal, sexual health and clinical implications and strengthen the voice of women and communities speaking out against FGM and create new opportunities to talk about FGM.

The Department of Health works on FGM as part of its wider work on Violence Against Women and Children. The department's Taskforce on Violence Against Women and Children, chaired by Sir George Alberti, looked specifically at the role of the NHS in meeting the challenge of violence and abuse against women and children. In March 2010,the taskforce's final report was published, along with the specific sub-group reports and evidence on which the taskforce has based their recommendations. The taskforce report on Harmful Traditional Practices and Trafficking covered FGM and can be found here: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/Publications PolicyAndGuidance/DH_113735.

Clinical guidance regarding children has also been produced by the British Medical Association, (Child Protection-A toolkit for Doctors, 2009. "Female Genital Mutilation: Caring For Patients And Safeguarding Children" Guidance from the British Medical Association, July 2011); the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, (Female Genital Mutilation and its Management; Green-Top Guideline No. 53) and the Royal

24 Jan 2012 : Column WA210

College of Nursing (Female Genital Mutilation: An RCN Educational Resource for Nursing and Midwifery Staff, 2006).

The department produced a DVD on FGM in 2006, which gives a general introduction to health implications of female genital mutilation. It includes interviews with women who have undergone FGM and outlines the appropriate response from health care professionals. The department continues to examine how FGM can best be included in existing (statutory) training for professionals.

Finance: Interest Rates

Question

Asked by Lord Myners

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): The aim of the APR is to provide a uniform way of calculating the total cost to enable consumers to compare the cost of borrowing throughout the EU. UK regulations implementing the consumer credit directive therefore stipulate that lenders must display the cost of credit as an APR.

The Government have no plans to replace the requirement to publish annual percentage rates at this time. However, the Commission is due to undertake a review of the directive next year and APRs may be one of the issues reviewed.

I have written to Lord Borne to clarify the answer given in relation to the use of annual percentage rates at Oral Questions on the 10 January. A copy of the letter has been placed in the House of Lords Library.

Fire Safety

Questions

Asked by Lord Harrison

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The numbers of fires in dwellings by source of ignition for the past five years are shown in the table below.



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Fires in dwellings by source of ignition, England, 2006-07 to 2010-11
Source: DCLG Fire Statistics
2006-072007-082008-092009-102010-11

Total

44,422

41,397

38,523

37,481

36,625

Deliberate

7,762

7,041

6,186

5,177

4,901

Accidental:

Smokers' materials

2,378

2,311

2,108

2,129

2,263

Cigarette lighters

389

367

249

250

223

Matches

209

245

243

273

280

Space heating appliances

1,272

1,237

1,253

1,248

1,394

Cooking appliances

20,357

18,502

16,930

16,413

15,748

Central and water heating appliances

824

858

814

420

409

Blowlamps, welding and cutting equipment

402

404

250

177

169

Electrical distribution

2,533

2,368

2,717

3,405

3,468

Other electrical appliances

4,605

4,536

4,462

4,230

4,097

Candles

1,230

1,124

1,096

977

908

Other

1,755

1,674

1,575

1,964

1,902

Unspecified

708

729

639

818

863

Asked by Lord Harrison

Baroness Hanham: The Cost Benefit Analysis of Options to Reduce the Risk of Fire and Rescue in Areas of New Build Homes report was published in 2010 and a copy has been placed in the Library. The report includes an assessment of the economic, and environmental, impact of a reduction in the size of fires due to a wider use of automatic fire suppression systems in domestic properties.

Gaza

Questions

Asked by Baroness Tonge

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are clear that more needs to be done to improve the situation in Gaza. The UK will continue to push Israel to ease restrictions on exports, construction material imports and movement of people, and extend the fishing zone to improve the lives of the Gazan people. We are working alongside our European Union partners with Israel to achieve real changes on the ground.

The UK frequently raises with the issue of Gaza with Israeli authorities, urging Israel to comply with her international obligations. This was raised at ministerial level during Israeli Defence Minister Barak's visit to the UK on 3 November 2011.

Asked by Lord Judd

Lord Howell of Guildford: According to United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) statistics, in practice, Palestinians in the Gaza strip are prevented from accessing 35 per cent of Gaza's agricultural land and 85 per cent of the maritime area allotted to them by the Oslo Agreements. UN OCHA reports provide analysis of the economic impact of these restrictions on Gaza and copies of which can be found on the UN OCHA website: http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_Gaza_Fact_ Sheet_July_2011.pdf and for a more detailed report from 2010: http://www.ochaoptorg/documents/ocha_opt_ special_focus_2010_08_19_english.

The UK will continue to press Israel to ease restrictions on exports, construction material imports, movement of people and the fishing zone limits, to improve the lives of the Gazan people. We are working alongside our European Union partners with Israel to achieve real changes on the ground

Asked by Lord Judd

Lord Howell of Guildford: The significant amount of land in Gaza currently unaccessible to Palestinians has an impact on the whole Gazan economy. In 2010, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated the economic impact to be 50.2 million US dollars annually.



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We continue to press the Israeli government bilaterally, and in conjunction with European Union partners, to ease the movement and access restrictions around Gaza.

Government: Ministerial Responsibilities

Questions

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox): Policy responsibilities of BIS Ministers in the House of Commons broken down by directorate:

David Willetts

Higher Education Policy

Higher Education Student Finance

Research Base

Innovation

Life Sciences

Greg Clark

Economic Development

Ed Davey

Labour Market

Consumer and Competition Policy

Business Environment

European Trade and International Affairs

Shareholder Executive

Advanced Manufacturing and Services

Mark Prisk

Export Control Organisation

Better Regulation Executive

Advanced Manufacturing and Services

Enterprise

Economic Development

John Hayes

Further Education and Skills Investment

Skills

As Parliamentary Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, I lead on answering Questions in the House of Lords, where the departmental policy responsibility rests with a House of Commons Minister, apart from higher education where Lord Henley took Questions from November 2010 until September 2011 and Baroness Verma who has taken Questions since September 2011. Any future changes would be a matter for the Prime Minister.

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool



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Baroness Wilcox: I refer my noble friend to the answer to Parliamentary Question [HL14767].

Health: Diabetes

Questions

Asked by Lord Harrison

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The department has no plans to administer centrally a diabetes education programme.

The NHS Operating Framework 2011-12 specifically states that primary care trusts should be commissioning the relevant structured patient education to support people newly diagnosed with diabetes and at appropriate points in their life as their condition progresses.

Asked by Lord Harrison

Earl Howe: The department does not make an assessment of the quality of locally developed diabetes education programmes. A joint Diabetes UK and Department of Health report, Structured Patient Education in Diabetes sets out criteria to enable providers to develop patient education programmes designed around local needs and resources. The report recognises that these programmes may take many forms and that support for self-care may be provided from a range of sources.

The NHS Operating Framework 2011-12 specifically states that primary care trusts should be commissioning the relevant structured patient education to support people newly diagnosed with diabetes and at appropriate points in their life as their condition progresses.

Health: Orthopaedics

Question

Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham



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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has commenced work to look at the suitability of fractures (excluding head and hip) as a topic for quality standard development. I understand that NICE expects to complete its assessment in spring this year.

Honours and Decorations Committee

Question

Asked by Lord Craig of Radley

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): I refer the noble and gallant Lord to the Answer given by my right honourable friend the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Andrew Robathan) in the other place on 9 November 2011 (Official Report, Commons, col. 368W) to the honourable Member for Bridgend (Madeleine Moon).

Hungary

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Hungarian authorities have assured us that the law was drafted to close a loophole being used by several questionable organisations to gain charitable tax status and to qualify for state funding. The authorities have sought to clarify that the new legislation does not ban churches, but rather determines which ones are eligible for an enhanced status under Hungarian tax law. They have assured us that this is in line with European norms. Registration is open to all religious institutions that meet the necessary criteria. In this way they say it provides for freedom of conscience and religion. The Minister for Europe, my right honourable friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) has discussed the issue with his Hungarian counterpart and we continue to monitor the implementation closely.

Iraq: Camp Ashraf

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are aware of reports of residents of Camp Ashraf experiencing difficulties regarding access to medical care, but have no information on this specific alleged incident. The United Nations mission in Iraq (UNAMI) continues to raise these concerns with the Iraqi authorities to ensure that patients receive adequate medical treatment. We continue to call on the Government of Iraq to respect the human rights of the camp residents in accordance with international law and Iraqi domestic law. The Government of Iraq has previously said that it provides medical treatment for the residents of Camp Ashraf at the New Iraq Hospital, with specialist treatment provided at hospitals in Baghdad or Baquba.

Israel

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): We are clear that settlement building is illegal under international law and undermines the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Settlement announcements are provocative, unhelpful and a serious blow to efforts to restart peace negotiations. Officials at our embassy in Tel Aviv regularly underline our concerns to the Israeli authorities about settlement building.

In a statement on 20 December, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) condemned the announcement by the Israeli Government to publish tenders for 1,028 additional housing units in the settlements of Har Homa, Beitar Illit and Givat Ze'ev and of its plans to expand the settlement of Efrat. The Foreign Secretary said:

"I condemn the latest Israeli announcements of plans to expand its settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. These are only the most recent in a steady drip of announcements of new or expanded settlements-all of which are illegal under international law and which make it ever harder to achieve the common goal of international efforts: a contiguous Palestinian state living side-by-side in security with Israel with Jerusalem as a shared capital. I strongly urge the Israeli government to revoke these decisions which are wrong and deeply counter-productive".

Israel and Palestine

Question

Asked by Baroness Tonge



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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The UK remains concerned over issues relating to the confiscation and demolition of Palestinian property. The destruction of houses and other civilian structures in areas under occupation is contrary to Israeli's obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention. We view any attempts to change the facts on the ground as a serious provocation likely to raise tensions and cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, as well as being harmful to the peace process and in contravention of international law.

Most recently the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) raised these issues with Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 8-10 January 2012.

Staff at our Embassy in Tel Aviv and at our Consulate General in Jerusalem monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns with the Israeli Government.

Local Improvement Finance Trust

Question

Asked by Lord Mawson

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The department does not collect this information centrally. The Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative is owned and managed locally by primary care trusts. While the Secretary of State authorises the establishment of LIFT companies across England, individual schemes do not require the Secretary of State's approval unless the capital value (cost) is greater than £35 million.

National Insurance

Question

Asked by Lord Laird

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): On 6 December 2011, the Government published their decision fully to repeal 28 reliefs following the Office of Tax Simplification review of reliefs. This

24 Jan 2012 : Column WA218

includes the 52 week national insurance exemption for non-EEA students contained in Regulation 145(3) of the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001. The exemption was little used and will no longer apply for payments made after 5 April 2012.

The national insurance scheme is primarily one of self assessment, so employers assess whether an employee meets the statutory criteria. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) carries out risk based checking as part of its routine programme of visits to employers. Typically, HMRC will look at evidence including employment contracts, passports, work permits, wages books, computer records and correspondence from the institution where the person is studying to check whether the exemption is being used correctly.

Parliament Square

Question

Asked by Lord Trefgarne

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): I have not made any such representations to either Westminster City Council or the Metropolitan Police.

An overseeing group, chaired by the Parliamentary Director of Estates, has, however, been established to oversee the stand-off protection and streetscape improvements around Parliament's northern estate. These works extend the streetscape scheme apparent in Whitehall into Parliament Square. Black Rod and the Director of Facilities sit on the overseeing group as do senior representatives from Westminster City Council and Transport for London.

Following the House's approval of the Stoppages in the Streets Order on 25 May 2010, Black Rod wrote to the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police to inform him of the House's order. Black Rod works in close contact with the Metropolitan Police on a continual basis to ensure that access to the House is maintained.

Pensions

Questions

Asked by Lord Myners

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The European Commission has asked the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) for advice on applying Solvency II equivalent

24 Jan 2012 : Column WA219

requirements to occupational pension schemes, including those with defined benefits. EIOPA issued a consultation on the advice it would offer to the Commission, which closed on 2 January 2012, and to which the Government contributed a response.

It is customary for a consulting institution to be given time to consider responses before they are published. EIOPA plan to publish all responses to the consultation, including that of the Government, when they publish their advice to the Commission. The Commission has asked that this advice should be provided by 15 February 2012.

Asked by Lord Laird

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The BBC periodically updates the Government on the operation of its pension scheme generally. The Government are not privy to BBC pension information which is not placed in the public domain. The Government are committed to maintaining the level of the licence fee at its current level until at least March 2017

Population

Question

Asked by Lord Wills

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Wills, dated January 2012.

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of people over 18 (1) born in Scotland and now resident in other parts of the United Kingdom, (2) born in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and now resident in Scotland, and (3) born in a European Union Member state other than the United Kingdom, and now resident in Scotland (HL14987).

The Office for National Statistics collects information on country of birth from the Annual Population Survey. UK residents who were born within the UK will have their country of birth recorded as the UK. Therefore

24 Jan 2012 : Column WA220

data are not available for questions (1) and (2) concerning further breakdown of country of birth for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The most recent estimate of the number of residents aged 18 and over in Scotland who were born in a European member state other than the United Kingdom is 130,000 with a corresponding margin of error or +/- 12,000. This estimate, along with other published Population by Country of Birth and Nationality estimates for all ages, is based on the Annual Population Survey and relates to the 12 month period of April 2010 to March 2011. This can be found on the ONS website at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference -tables.html?edition=tcm%/03A77-235204.

The margin of error refers to the 95 per cent confidence interval and is a measure of the uncertainty associated with making inferences from a sample.

Prisoners: Transfers

Question

Asked by Lord Morrow

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Managers at Wakefield Prison authorised the decision for Mr Black to be flown from Leeds to Belfast. We have long-standing arrangements in place for transferring prisoners for judicial purposes and public protection is always our priority. Category A prisoners are those whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public, the police or the security of the state, and therefore for whom escape must be made impossible.

Railways: Corby

Question

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark

Earl Attlee: As a result of a Government investment of £69 million to improve journey times on Midland Main Line, the rail industry is planning changes to Midland Main Line timetables for expected implementation by 2014.

This opportunity will be taken to examine the scope for improvements to the existing train services to Corby.

Roads: Maintenance

Question

Asked by Lord Bradshaw



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA221

Earl Attlee: Currently, 4.7 per cent of the strategic road network road is considered to be in a condition that potentially requires repair. These areas will be subject to further in-depth investigation in accordance with the Highways Agency's standards before programmes of repair are confirmed. Just over 2.5 per cent of the network is expected to be repaired in the 2011-12 financial year, based on condition and investigations at the start of 2011-12. The proportion of the strategic road network to be repaired during 2012-13 will be confirmed nearer the start of the new financial year.

Schools: Free Schools

Question

Asked by Lord Ouseley

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): Prior to entering into a funding agreement with a free school, the Secretary of State satisfies himself that the proposed school will comply with Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. Guidance is available on the department's website to help free schools understand and fulfil their duties under the Act.

http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/policiesandprocedures/equalityanddiversity/a0064570/the-equality-act-2010.

Schools: Funding

Question

Asked by Lord Ashcroft

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Hill of Oareford): School funding has been held at flat cash per pupil for the duration of this spending period. This means that as the number of pupils increase, the overall budget will go up in line. Funding decisions beyond 2014-15 are subject to the next Spending Review.

A national funding formula has not been implemented. In July 2011, the Government consulted on proposals to reform the school funding system. We are currently considering the responses to that consultation and further announcements will be made in the spring.

Scotland: Referendum

Questions

Asked by Lord Empey



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA222

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness): The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and UK benefits from having Scotland in it. The Prime Minister has said that all who support the United Kingdom should make the uplifting and optimistic case for why we are better off together.

Asked by Lord Empey

Lord Wallace of Tankerness: The Government have launched a consultation on how to provide for a legal, fair and decisive referendum on Scotland's constitutional future. The Government have sought views in this consultation on eligibility to vote in a referendum. The Government have put forward their view that the franchise should reflect that used to elect the Scottish Parliament and the referendum in 1997.

Asked by Lord Empey

Lord Wallace of Tankerness: The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland in it. If there were to be a vote in favour of independence in any referendum, the question of currency is just one of many significant issues that would need to be addressed.

Asked by Lord Empey

Lord Wallace of Tankerness: The Government are clear that Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland in it. If there were to be a vote in favour of independence in any referendum, the question of free movement is just one of many significant issues that would need to be addressed.

Sport: Sports Clubs

Questions

Asked by Lord Moynihan



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA223

Baroness Garden of Frognal: Sport England will be developing the application processes and criteria shortly. These will include appropriate levels of governance to manage public funds effectively, value for money and clear evidence of the ability to increase participation.

Asked by Lord Moynihan

Baroness Garden of Frognal: This information is not held by the department or Sport England.

Asked by Lord Moynihan

Baroness Garden of Frognal: This information is not held by the department or Sport England. However, the Rugby Football Union report that there are 204,467 participants aged between five and 19 participating in club sport.

Terrorism

Question

Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Government do not support the indefinite detention of terrorist suspects without trial. Our engagement with the United States Government has focused on specific cases.

Transport: MoT Scheme

Question

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

Earl Attlee: It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate as the running cost of any vehicle is dependent on many factors. It is also not a matter for Government to provide information on running costs for vehicles but the maximum MoT fee for a car is currently £54.85.



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA224

Transport: Tachographs

Questions

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

Earl Attlee: The number of digital and paper tachographs in vehicles are not recorded. However, the estimated number of digital and analogue tachographs by virtue of vehicle ages is set out below. It was mandatory that all vehicles first registered after May 2006 were required to be fitted with digital tachographs. The number of drivers' hours prohibitions is also set out in the table below, and this is consistent with the number of drivers who were found to have exceeded their permitted hours.

2008-092009-102010-11

Estimated proportion of HGVs fitted with Digital and Analogue Tachographs

Digital

148,937

176,191

200,024

Analogue/Paper

369,570

322,435

270,104

Drivers Hours Prohibitions

HGV

19,071

21,981

19,434

PSV

1,496

1,021

1,318

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

Earl Attlee: Table 1 shows the number of reported personal injury road accidents involving (1) heavy good vehicles (HGVs) and (2) buses and coaches, in Great Britain over 2009-2010. It is not known how many such accidents involved drivers who had exceeded their permitted hours.

The figures for 2011 will be available at the end of June 2012.

Table 1: Reported personal injury road accidents involving certain vehicle types: GB, 2009-10.
Reported road accidents involving:
Year(1) HGVs(2) Bus/Coaches

2009

7,013

7,722

2010

7,103

7,358



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA225

World Economic Forum

Question

Asked by Lord Myners

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State for International Development, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and the Minister of State for Climate Change will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos this year. They will be accompanied by 21 officials.

Zimbabwe

Question

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass



24 Jan 2012 : Column WA226

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The European Union (EU), which represents the UK in the Kimberley Process (KP), has regularly raised our concerns and those of our EU partners within the KP regarding the situation in the Marange region in Chiadzwa, Zimbabwe since serious human rights abuses occurred there in 2008. As a result of these and other KP member representations, the KP suspended nearly all diamond exports from Marange from November 2009 until November 2011. Although there continue to be reports of human rights violations in the area, this action by the KP has contributed to a significant improvement in the human rights situation on the ground.

The UK also played a key role in securing consensus agreement on future exports of Marange diamonds at the KP Plenary in Kinshasa in November 2011. EU lobbying of all KP participant countries, and UK discussions with the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, South Africa and a number of other African countries played an important role in delivering the agreement. The agreement is robust but fair. It permits Zimbabwe to export diamonds only from mines in the Marange region assessed as compliant with KP standards. An independent monitoring mechanism which includes a role for civil society, oversees the implementation of those standards. It also commits Zimbabwe to take action to bring all mining in Marange into compliance with Kimberley Process minimum standards. The UK will continue to monitor the situation closely.

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