Daily Report Wednesday, 21 November 2018 …...2018/11/21 · Daily Report Wednesday, 21 November 2018 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 21 November 2018

Daily Report Wednesday, 21 November 2018

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 21 November 2018 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (07:02 P.M., 21 November 2018). For the latest

information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements,

please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 5

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 5

Climate Change 5

Cosmetics: Imports 5

Females: New Businesses 5

Fossil Fuels 6

Fracking: Earthquakes 7

Fracking: Lancashire 7

Natural Gas: Carbon

Monoxide 9

Offshore Industry: Carbon

Emissions 9

Oil: Prices 10

Renewable Energy 10

Renewable Energy: Feed-in

Tariffs 11

Renewable Heat Incentive

Scheme 11

CABINET OFFICE 12

Cabinet Office: Brexit 12

Electronic Cigarettes 12

Local Government: Elections 12

Rendition and Torture:

Inquiries 13

ZTE Corporation 13

DEFENCE 15

Afghanistan: Ethnic Groups 15

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 15

Cybercrime 15

Design 15

Information Commissioner:

Data Protection 16

Tourism: Kent 16

EDUCATION 16

Academies: Pupil Exclusions 16

Department for Education: M

and C Saatchi 17

Disabled Students'

Allowances: Visual Impairment 17

Educational Institutions:

Suffolk 18

Higher Education: Admissions 18

Schools: Meat 19

Students: Fees and Charges 19

Teachers 20

Wakefield City Academies

Trust 21

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 21

Birds: Malvern Hills 21

Environment Protection 21

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Fracking: Lancashire 23

EXITING THE EUROPEAN

UNION 23

Boats 23

Brexit: Republic of Ireland 24

National Income 24

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 25

Afghanistan: Ethnic Groups 25

Bahrain: Human Rights 25

Bangladesh: Elections 25

Cameroon: Human Rights 27

Djibouti: Eritrea 27

Eritrea: Sanctions 27

Foreign Relations 27

Horn of Africa: Foreign

Relations 28

Nabeel Rajab 28

Pakistan: Blasphemy 29

Rohingya: Children 29

Somalia: Elections 29

Yemen: Military Intervention 31

Yemen: Peace Negotiations 31

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 31

AAT Deficiency 31

Gambling: Rehabilitation 32

GP Surgeries: Rents 33

Health Services: Standards 33

Hospitals: Standards 34

Integrated Care Systems 34

Learning Disability:

Community Care 35

Mental Health Services: Young

People 35

NHS Property Services 36

NHS Property Services:

Buildings 36

Palliative Care: Children 37

Prescription Drugs 37

Preventive Medicine 37

HOME OFFICE 38

Asylum: North East 38

Asylum: Syria 38

Domestic Violence 39

Immigrants: EU Nationals 39

Independent Chief Inspector of

Borders and Immigration:

Publications 40

Kweku Adoboli 40

Migrant Workers: Seasonal

Workers 40

Passports 41

UK Border Force: Ports 41

Visas: Applications 41

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 42

Affordable Housing:

Construction 42

Council Housing: Construction 42

Energy Performance

Certificates 43

Health: Children 43

Housing Infrastructure Fund 44

Leasehold: Ground Rent 44

Local Government:

Buckinghamshire 44

Mobile Homes: Fees and

Charges 45

Parks: Finance 45

Public Sector: Land 46

Sleeping Rough 46

Social Rented Housing 47

Social Rented Housing:

Energy 47

Unitary Councils:

Buckinghamshire 47

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 48

Developing Countries:

Educational Exchanges 48

Developing Countries:

Poliomyelitis 48

International Citizen Service 49

Islamic State 49

Palestinians: Females 50

St Helena: Airports 50

Syria: Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham 50

World Health Organisation 51

Yemen: Famine 51

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid 52

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 52

Exports 52

JUSTICE 53

Legal Aid Scheme 53

Prisoners' Release 53

Prisons: Capital Investment 55

Prisons: Drugs 55

Prisons: Private Sector 56

Violent and Sex Offender

Register: Cross Border

Cooperation 57

LEADER OF THE HOUSE 57

Family Support

Interdepartmental Working

Group: Meetings 57

NORTHERN IRELAND 58

National Crime Agency:

Northern Ireland 58

TRANSPORT 58

Aviation 58

Boeing 737: Safety 59

Cycling: Road Traffic Offences 59

Highways England: Pay 59

Railways: Compensation 60

Railways: Croydon 60

Railways: Tickets 60

Reading-Basingstoke Railway

Line: Electrification 61

Taxis: Fares 61

Transport: Exhaust Emissions 61

Transport: Noise 62

TREASURY 62

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties 62

Corporation Tax 62

Customs 63

Debt Collection: Regulation 63

Financial Services 64

Foreign Investment in UK 64

Free Zones 64

Home Shopping: Taxation 65

Motorways: Speed Limits 65

Small Businesses: Tax

Allowances 65

Tobacco: Excise Duties 66

Trade: Channel Islands 66

Treasury: Brexit 66

WORK AND PENSIONS 67

Children: Maintenance 67

Crisis Loans 67

Employment Schemes: Young

People 67

Occupational Pensions: EU

Law 68

Personal Independence

Payment: Cancer 68

State Retirement Pensions:

Females 70

Universal Credit 70

MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS 72

JUSTICE 72

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

and Self-harm 72

Probation: Death 72

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 74

DEFENCE 74

The Armed Forces Covenant

Annual Report 2018 74

EDUCATION 75

Tailored Review of the Student

Loans Company 75

TEF reviewer appointment 75

EXITING THE EUROPEAN

UNION 76

General Affairs Council, 12

November 2018 76

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 78

The Government Hospitality

Wine Cellar Annual Report

2017-18 78

Notes:

Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant interest has been declared.

Questions with identification numbers of 900000 or greater indicate that the question was originally tabled as an

oral question and has since been unstarred.

ANSWERS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Climate Change

Helen Hayes: [191964]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what

assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the (a)

IPCC’s report on global warming of 1.5 degrees and (b) the outlined scenarios in that

report of (i) 1C, (ii) 1.5C and (iii) 2C warming.

Claire Perry:

The IPCC report makes clear the significant threat posed by climate change. The

Government has acted quickly in response to the report by commissioning our

independent experts, the Committee on Climate Change, to provide their advice on

the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction

targets, including on setting a net zero target. We will consider their advice carefully

when it is received.

Cosmetics: Imports

Dr Lisa Cameron: [191449]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the

UK plans to maintain current restrictions on the marketing of imported cosmetics that rely

on animal testing safety data in future bilateral trade agreements.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government has no plans to reduce current restrictions on the marketing of

imported cosmetics that rely on animal testing safety data. We are committed to

maintaining our existing high levels of product safety and consumer protection.

Females: New Businesses

Jim Shannon: [191923]

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to

support graduate women to start their own businesses.

Claire Perry:

The Government is committed to a cohesive society, where everyone – no matter

what their background – has the opportunity to enter into and progress at work and

achieve on merit. We know that companies with diverse workforces perform better

and are more profitable. An inclusive economic policy is vital to the success of our

Industrial Strategy.

Supporting female graduates is captured in our Government support offer which is

available to all, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. There are now 1.1 million

female-led small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. This accounts for 19% of

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-11-15/191964



SMEs in the UK, 5% higher than in 2010. The Government is also pleased that the

female employment rate is 71% and a higher percentage of women are on FTSE 350

company boards than ever before.

The Government-owned British Business Bank provides Start-Up Loans for

individuals wishing to start a business and women account for 39% of recipients. The

Bank is also conducting a review into the specific barriers female-led businesses face

in accessing Venture Capital.

On 21 September 2018, HM Treasury also launched a review into the barriers

women face getting into business. Businesswoman Alison Rose, Chief Executive of

RBS Commercial and Private Banking, will lead the government review to identify the

extent of these barriers and explore what can be done to overcome them. This review

will bolster our work to make it easier for them to access the support they need to get

their ideas off the ground and grow their businesses.

Fossil Fuels

Mr Virendra Sharma: [188093]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent

assessment his Department has made of the viability of removing fossil fuels from the

UK's energy generation mix.

Claire Perry:

Our Clean Growth Strategy set out the Government’s ambition for a diverse electricity

system that supplies our homes and businesses with secure, affordable and clean

power.[1]

We have already committed to phasing out generating power from coal by 2025[2]

and recognise that reducing emissions in the power sector means developing low

carbon sources of electricity that are both cheap and clean.

There is a number of decarbonisation pathways that balance the role of clean power

sources with the use of fossil fuel generation such as from gas. These include those

outlined in our Clean Growth Strategy[3], and the latest BEIS Energy and Emissions

Projections.[4]

[1] See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy

[2] See: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/coal-generation-in-great-

britain-the-pathway-to-a-low-carbon-future

[3] See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy

[4] See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-

projections-2017


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy


https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/coal-generation-in-great-britain-the-pathway-to-a-low-carbon-future





https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2017



Fracking: Earthquakes

Caroline Lucas: [191376]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent

discussions he has had with the Oil and Gas Authority on changes to its traffic light

system for responding to seismic events at shale gas sites.

Claire Perry:

The Chief Executive of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) wrote to me on 2 November

and provided reassurance that the regulatory regime is performing well and that the

OGA have not seen anything from the seismic events to date which suggests

otherwise.

There are no plans to review the traffic light system.


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make

it his policy to introduce a requirement for independent well integrity tests at shale gas

sites in the event of seismic events of greater than the red light 0.5 ML threshold

occurring at such sites.

Claire Perry:

The Traffic Light System dictates that if an event of 0.5ML or above is detected and

causally linked to operations, the operator must pause operations for 18 hours and

reduce well pressure. Operations are only allowed to resume once regulators are

satisfied that any risks have been appropriately mitigated and this includes

consideration of well integrity by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE robustly and independently regulates health and safety across Great

Britain. The HSE has a proven track record of taking enforcement action where

breaches of relevant legislation have occurred and, as an effective and proportionate

regulator, will continue to do so when appropriate.

Under our existing legislation, the HSE requires operators of oil and gas wells to

maintain well integrity throughout the lifecycle of the well, from design and

construction to final decommissioning. The HSE routinely inspects the well integrity

risk management systems of oil and gas well operators, and verifies these

inspections by scrutinising statutory wells operation reports sent weekly to the HSE

by the operator.

Fracking: Lancashire


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will

publish any reports received by his Department from the (a) Oil and Gas Authority, (b)

Environment Agency and (c) Health and Safety Executive on the four seismic events of

greater than the red light 0.5ML threshold that occurred at the Preston New Road shale

gas site between 26 October 2018 and 4 November 2018.




Claire Perry:

If a seismic event of 0.5ML, or greater, on the ‘Richter Local Scale’ is detected and

causally linked to the operations, hydraulic fracturing is suspended for a minimum of

18 hours. An event report must be submitted to and independently reviewed by each

of the regulatory bodies who will only allow operations to recommence once they

have fully assessed the information and are satisfied the event conforms to the pre-

agreed Hydraulic Fracture Plan.

Within 30 days of completion of all hydraulic fracturing operations at a well, a

Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Report must be submitted to the Oil and Gas

Authority (OGA) by the operator. The OGA will publish these reports six months after

receipt.


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the

Oil and Gas Authority has visited the Preston New Road shale gas site since the four

seismic events of greater than the red light 0.5ML threshold that occurred between 26

October 2018 and 4 November 2018.

Claire Perry:

Officials from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) have visited the Preston New Road

site since the red traffic light events. The OGA is closely monitoring operations at the

site and is continuing to scrutinise data from the seismic monitoring array.

Louise Haigh: [191456]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many

earthquakes have been recorded at the Preston New Road site since Cuadrilla started

fracking at that location.

Claire Perry:

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is recording seismicity in the Fylde and as of 15

November it has reported 36 minor seismic events since operations began, all but

four of these were below the 0.5 magnitude threshold which requires Cuadrilla to

pause operations for a minimum of 18 hours.

The BGS has a greater quantity of specialist equipment in the Fylde than anywhere

else in the UK which is why a high proportion of minor seismic events are being

published on their site which are not reported elsewhere in the country.

Louise Haigh: [191457]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether

Cuadrilla has complied with the 18 hour waiting time after every recorded earthquake on

the Preston New Road site.

Claire Perry:

The Oil and Gas Authority have confirmed that Cuadrilla have paused hydraulic

fracturing operations for a minimum of 18 hours following a seismic event of 0.5




magnitude or above, as is required in the strict controls in the Hydraulic Fracture

Plan.

Rosie Cooper: [192111]


assessment he has made of the call by Cuadrilla for an increase in the threshold for the

maximum magnitude level at which it is allowed to operate.

Claire Perry:

The Traffic Light System is working exactly as intended. As I have already set out to

this House, there are no plans to review it. The Traffic Light System ensures that

induced seismic events remain at a level that prevents the risk of damage to the

environment or property.

Natural Gas: Carbon Monoxide

Mr Barry Sheerman: [191293]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what targets

are planned as part of the RIIO-2 process to ensure gas distribution networks (a) raise

awareness of and (b) take steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning; and if he will

make a statement.

Claire Perry:

This is a matter for Ofgem. I have asked Ofgem to write directly to the Honourable

Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Offshore Industry: Carbon Emissions

Mr Roger Godsiff: [191274]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to

the Answer of 12 November to Question 186939 on British Petroleum: Offshore Industry,

whether the Oil and Gas Authority (a) must or (b) may take into account the effect of oil

and gas developments on the UK’s carbon emissions and commitments as a signatory to

the Paris Agreement when making such decisions.

Claire Perry:

The remit of the Oil and Gas Authority is to Maximise the Economic Recovery of

Petroleum from the UKCS (MER UK). The Energy Act 2016 sets out matters to which

the OGA must have regard whilst exercising its functions.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/8/enacted

Greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the UK’s economy are taken into

account when assessing our performance against the carbon budgets and the UK

remains committed to the Paris Agreement.

As part of this, we have requested that they provide evidence on how reductions in

line with the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations might be delivered in






key sectors of the economy and we will consider their advice carefully when it is

received.

Oil: Prices

Mr Gregory Campbell: [192105]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will hold

meetings with representatives of the oil industry on the recent reduction in the crude oil

price that is not reflected in retail fuel prices.

Claire Perry:

Ministers and officials from the Department meet representatives from the oil industry

to discuss the United Kingdom downstream oil sector on a regular basis.

The Government believes that it is essential that consumers get a fair deal and that a

competitive market is the best way to keep prices low. Fuel pricing is subject to UK

competition law under the Competition and Markets Authority. Its predecessor, the

Office of Fair Trading last looked at fuel prices in 2013. I expect the retail fuel market

to be kept under review.

Renewable Energy


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate

his Department has made of the proportion of the UK’s energy supply that came from

green sources in each year since 2010.

Claire Perry:

Renewable energy sources are biomass, wind, solar photovoltaics, hydro, wave and

shoreline, active solar, heat pumps, and deep geothermal[1].

The proportion of energy supply from these renewable sources between 2010 and

2017 can be found online:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/743653/Aggregated_Energy_Balances_showing_proportion_of_renewa

bles.xlsx.


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his

Department has to encourage the wider use of green energy sources by (a) private

industry, (b) the public sector and (c) domestic consumers.

Claire Perry:

The Department runs a number of schemes to encourage the wider use of green

energy sources.

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme promotes the uptake of renewable heat

technologies through financial incentives. The Non-domestic RHI is open to both

private industry and the public sector, and the Domestic RHI is open to domestic



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/743653/Aggregated_Energy_Balances_showing_proportion_of_renewables.xlsx





consumers. The scheme has funding confirmed until 2021. Beyond this, the

Department is developing policy proposals for a clear framework to phase out high

carbon fossil fuels for domestic and non-domestic buildings off the gas grid in the

2020s.

The Contracts for Difference Scheme is our main mechanism for supporting new

large scale renewable energy generation projects. The next competitive allocation

round for less established technologies such as offshore wind will open by May 2019,

with subsequent auctions around every two years, using the £557 million that was

announced as part of the 2016 Budget.

The Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) scheme has also been successful in attracting investment

in small-scale (up to 5MW) low carbon electricity generation since it was introduced in

2010. The Government announced the closure of the FITs generation tariff on 1 April

2015 and has recently consulted on closing the export tariff. We are currently

considering options for small-scale low carbon generation beyond April 2019 and will

make a statement in due course.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Alan Brown: [192120]


assessment he has made of potential job losses in the renewable energy sector after the

closure of the feed-in-tariff scheme in March 2019.

Claire Perry:

An Impact Assessment was published on 19 July alongside the consultation on the

closure of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme.

The Impact Assessment and consultation can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/feed-in-tariffs-scheme.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Bill Grant: [191978]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his

Department plans to continue the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive beyond 2020.

Bill Grant: [191979]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his

Department has assessed the potential merits of introducing a financial incentive for

processes which change timber into renewable heat products.

Claire Perry:

Renewable heat is currently supported under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The RHI has funding agreed out to 2021. Beyond this, the Department is developing

policy proposals for a clear framework to phase out high carbon fossil fuels for

domestic and non-domestic buildings off the gas grid in the 2020s.




From 19 March to 11 June 2018 we held a public Call for Evidence as a first step in

developing this policy framework. The Department aims to publish a response to the

Call for Evidence in due course.

CABINET OFFICE

Cabinet Office: Brexit

Layla Moran: [190944]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many non-disclosure agreements his

Department has made in relation to preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

Mr David Lidington:

This information is not held centrally and could not be provided without incurring

disproportionate cost.

Electronic Cigarettes

Andrew Rosindell: [190816]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the contribution of the vaping industry is

to the economy.

Chloe Smith:

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority.

I have asked the Authority to reply.

Local Government: Elections

Dr Matthew Offord: [191910]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2018 to

Question 905328, what evaluation has been made of the voter ID pilots in the local

elections 2018.

Chloe Smith:

The British public deserves to have confidence in our democracy.

Voter ID was successfully tested at the local elections on 3 May. The overwhelming

majority of electors who turned up to vote did so with the right documents and had

confidence in knowing how to cast their vote.

The success of the voter ID pilots proves that voter ID is a reasonable and

proportionate measure and voters were fully aware of the changes on polling day.

The evaluations of the 2018 pilots can be found at:

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/electoral-

fraud/voter-identification-pilot-schemes

and




https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/electoral-fraud/voter-identification-pilot-schemes



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electoral-integrity-project-local-elections-

2018-evaluation

Rendition and Torture: Inquiries

Mr Andrew Mitchell: [191312]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Government has not met

its deadline for announcing whether to launch an independent judge-led inquiry into UK

involvement in torture and rendition.

Mr David Lidington:

The Government is continuing to give the necessary careful consideration to the need

for an independent judge-led inquiry.

ZTE Corporation

Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger: [190800]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the National Cyber Security

Centre (NCSC) news story entitled ZTE: NCSC advice to select telecommunications

operators with national security concerns, published on 16 April 2018, on what dates the

(a) NCSC and (b) GCHQ met with ZTE on the security concerns that led to NCSC's letter

of 13 April 2018 on ZTE.

Mr David Lidington:

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was created in 2016 as part of the

Government's five-year National Cyber Security Strategy. The NCSC was set up to

help protect our critical services from cyber attacks, manage major incidents, develop

cyber skills and technology, and provide advice to citizens and organisations.

The NCSC provides expert advice to the critical infrastructure sectors, including the

telecoms sector, based on its unique knowledge and experience. DCMS, Cabinet

Office and the NCSC have an ongoing dialogue with telecommunications operators

including ZTE. The Government maintains the confidentiality of the discussions

leading to national security advice including the ZTE letter dated 13 April 2018.




operators with national security concerns, published on 16 April 2018, what evidence on

ZTE’s perceived risk to national security was provided by (a) NCSC and (b) GCHQ to the

Cabinet Office (i) before and (ii) after NCSC’s letter on ZTE dated 13 April 2018.

Mr David Lidington:





https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electoral-integrity-project-local-elections-2018-evaluation














operators with national security concerns, published on 16 April 2018, what formal

meetings were held between (a) NCSC, GCHQ and the Cabinet Office and (b) UK

telecommunications operators on the perceived risk to national security posed by ZTE

technology (i) before and (ii) after NCSC’s letter on ZTE dated 13 April 2018.

Mr David Lidington:













operators with national security concerns, published on 16 April 2018, what

communications took place between (a) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and

(b) the Chinese Government (i) before and (ii) after NCSC’s letter on ZTE dated 13 April

2018.

Mr David Lidington:












DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Ethnic Groups

Kate Osamor: [190969]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK mission to Afghanistan is

assisting in the protection of Hazaras people in Ghazni and Uruzgan provinces.

Mark Lancaster:

The UK continues to monitor the number of civilian casualties and displaced persons

as a result of the recent violence in Ghazni and Uruzgan. The Afghan Security Forces

have been in the lead for the security of the Afghan people since 2015 and owing to

its response, the situation in these two provinces is stabilising. The UK is committed

to supporting the Afghan Security Forces to ensure their capability continues to

improve in order to protect all ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan.

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Cybercrime

Margaret Beckett: [190346]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his

Department is taking to implement the forthcoming cyber security skills strategy; and

what plans his Department has to consult the devolved Administrations on that strategy.

Margot James:

Government is committed to publishing a Cyber Security Skills Strategy by the end of

2018. We are working with Devolved Administrations on the development of the

Strategy and the document will set out our approach to implementation and next

steps. In the meantime, government continues to deliver a range of initiatives

designed to boost cyber security skills in the UK.

Design

Mr Edward Vaizey: [190416]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the

contribution to the UK economy of (a) design and (b) design skills.

Mr Edward Vaizey: [190418]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has

made of the value of digital design to (a) the UK economy and (b) UK exports.

Margot James:

We recognise the significant contribution design makes to the UK economy,

particularly as a key factor in the production of services and goods across a wide

range of sectors. According to DCMS economic estimates design and designer

fashion exports in 2016 were £380m, a 9.6% increase from 2015.





The Design Council produced a report into the Design Economy in 2018 which

estimates that in 2015 the total value of exports where design had made a key

contribution was £48.4 billion. The report also found that gross value added

generated by the design economy increased by 52% between 2009 and 2016, with

over 1.69 million people employed in the design economy and over 78,000 design

intensive firms operating in the UK in 2017.

Information Commissioner: Data Protection

Stephen Twigg: [192086]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on how many

occasions the Information Commissioner's Office has disclosed personal data to the

wrong recipient.

Margot James:

We do not hold the requested information. The Information Commissioner is

independent of Government, and reports directly to Parliament. The Information

Commissioner's Office publishes its annual report on its website, www.ICO.org.uk,

where it holds such information.

Tourism: Kent

Sir Michael Fallon: [190737]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he

has made of the effect on Kent’s tourism industry of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Michael Ellis:

My Department has not made an assessment of the impact on Kent’s tourism

industry of different scenarios related to leaving the EU. My officials are however in

regular dialogue with the tourism sector to understand potential implications. This

includes recently meeting with Visit Kent.

We have agreed in principle the terms of the UK’s smooth and orderly exit from the

EU, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement. We have also agreed the broad terms of

our future relationship as set out in the outline Political Declaration. We do not want

or expect a no deal scenario, however we continue to prepare for a range of potential

outcomes.

EDUCATION

Academies: Pupil Exclusions

Catherine McKinnell: [191920]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of school exclusions have

been made by academies in each of the last three years.




Nadhim Zahawi:

[Holding answer 20 November 2018]: The accompanying table provides the numbers

of exclusions in academies and other state-funded schools in England in academic

years 2014/15 to 2016/17, and the percentage of the total in academies.

Table 14 of the ‘National tables’ data can be found within the ‘Permanent and fixed-

period exclusions in England 2016 to 2017’ release. This table includes information

on exclusions in academies and other state-funded schools, including exclusion

rates. The full release is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-

england-2016-to-2017.

Earlier publications in the series have the equivalent information for earlier years,

found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-exclusions.

It is important to only consider the context of schools when assessing the percentage

of exclusions. At the end of 2017, around 1 in 10 sponsored academies were Good or

Outstanding before they converted, compared to almost 7 in 10 after they became an

academy (where an inspection has taken place).

Attachments:

1. 191920_Permanent_and_fixed_period_exclusions

[191920_Table_of_permanent_and_fixed_period_exclusions.pdf]

Department for Education: M and C Saatchi

Angela Rayner: [192118]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the value is of his Department's

contract with M&C Saatchi to relaunch the marketing campaign promoting

apprenticeships.

Anne Milton:

The value of the department’s contract with M&C Saatchi for the 2018-19 financial

year is £2.55 million. It was awarded following a competitive tender through a Crown

Commercial Service communications framework.

The contract covers the development of a new integrated communications campaign

to change perceptions of apprenticeships and to encourage more people to see the

positive value that apprenticeships can have on their business or their career.

It includes agency fees, the cost of producing the new advertising campaign and

promotional content, the development of a new digital service and third-party costs,

such as research.

Disabled Students' Allowances: Visual Impairment

Steve McCabe: [192091]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to

ensure that the (a) technical guidance and (b) assessment process for disabled students'

allowance is meeting the needs of students with vision impairment.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england-2016-to-2017



https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-exclusions

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-exclusions



Mr Sam Gyimah:

Disabled Students’ Allowances’ (DSAs) guidance is updated annually and available

for all students applying for DSAs. The guidance is available at:

https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1646/1819-guidance-dsa-new-students-

from-ay-201617.pdf.

A student eligible for DSAs will undertake a DSAs Study Needs Assessment at one of

approximately 200 accredited UK assessment centres. A needs assessor will then

identify what type of support is essential to enable the student to undertake their

chosen course. Potential support for students with vision impairment includes sighted

guides, specialist note takers and specialist equipment. DSAs assessment centres

are required to comply with the service standards set out in the DSAs Quality

Assurance Group’s Quality Assurance Framework, available at:

https://dsa-

qag.org.uk/application/files/3415/3874/0719/Assessment_Centre_QAF_18_19_v7.0.p

df.

Educational Institutions: Suffolk

Dr Dan Poulter: [190844]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to support the

continuation of an independent land-based skills college in Suffolk.

Anne Milton:

We want to make sure that there is high quality, land-based provision serving Norfolk

and Suffolk. Following the recent Ofsted inspection of Easton and Otley College, we

will work with the college to consider its options and to ensure that learners have

access to quality land-based provision in the locality.

Higher Education: Admissions

Dan Jarvis: [R] [192125]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 23 of the report of the

Education Committee, Value for money in higher education, published on 5 November

2018, HC 343, what steps he is taking to increase the number of state school-educated

students studying at Russell Group universities.

Mr Sam Gyimah:

Widening participation to Higher Education is a priority for this government. The

government wants everyone with the capability to succeed in Higher Education to

have the opportunity to benefit from a university education, regardless of their

background.

This year, record rates of English 18 year olds, including those from disadvantaged

backgrounds, have entered full-time university. However, more could and should be

done. That is why in the department’s first guidance to the Office for Students, we

asked them to encourage providers to make further progress in ensuring that

students from: areas of low higher education participation; low household income;

https://dsa-qag.org.uk/application/files/3415/3874/0719/Assessment_Centre_QAF_18_19_v7.0.pdf






and/or low socio-economic status, can access, participate and succeed in higher

education, including at the most selective institutions.

In addition, a new transparency condition requires higher education providers to

publish application, offer, acceptance, non-continuation and attainment rates by

socio-economic background, gender and ethnicity. This will provide greater

transparency and help drive fairness on admissions and outcomes.

Prior attainment is a critical factor and the government have asked higher education

providers to take on a more direct role in helping to raise attainment in schools as

part of their outreach activity. All universities are expected to help raise attainment

and support school improvement, including through school sponsorship and by

establishing new state schools.

Schools: Meat

John Spellar: [190757]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had

with Lancashire County Council on the Council's ban on halal and kosher meat in school

meals.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The department has had no discussions with Lancashire County Council with regards

to their ban on halal and kosher meat in school meals. The government sets out

required minimum standards for school food in the School Food Standards to ensure

that children are served healthy, nutritious meals at school. The standards do not

specify food requirements in terms of cultural and religious needs.

Headteachers, governors and their caterers are best placed to make decisions about

their school food policies, which includes acting reasonably to provide choices that

take account of cultural, religious and special dietary needs. Schools that choose to

arrange their school meals through a local authority or another catering organisation

may wish to take this into consideration. Schools may consider providing both halal

and non-halal or kosher food each day, or ensuring that dishes are clearly labelled to

allow pupils to select the appropriate choice.

Students: Fees and Charges


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 8 of the report of the

Education Committee, Value for money in higher education, published on 5 November

2018, if will take steps to require universities to publish a breakdown of how tuition fees

are spent.

Mr Sam Gyimah:

Students’ ability to make informed choices is at the heart of our recent reforms to

higher education (HE). This government recognises the importance of this area and

is increasing the information available to students to ensure that they can make

informed choices about what and where to study.



As set out in the department’s strategic guidance to the Office for Students (OfS), we

expect them to play a key role in delivering our objectives to improve and support

informed choice through the provision of effective information, advice and guidance to

all students. In February, we asked the OfS to work with the HE sector to improve

transparency so that students know what they should expect and can effectively

challenge providers who do not deliver on their commitments.

In addition, we asked the OfS to consider how to increase the transparency and

visibility of what students can expect to receive for their investment at different HE

providers, by making Longitudinal Education Outcomes data more widely available

such as through publication on Unistats, thereby enabling students to make the right

choices for them.

Although we provide guidance for the OfS, we cannot instruct it to undertake any

specific course of action as it is an independent arm’s length body.

The government will respond directly to the Education Select Committee on its HE

value for money report recommendations in due course.

Teachers


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to

ensure that teaching is an attractive and fulfilling profession.

Nick Gibb:

[Holding answer 20 November 2018]: The Government is delivering a pay rise of up

to 3.5% for classroom teachers on the main pay range, 2% for those on the upper

pay range and 1.5% for those in leadership positions. This is being supported by a

Teachers Pay Grant of over £500 million covering the difference between the first 1%

that schools would have been anticipating under the previous public sector pay cap

and the 2018 award.

The Department has put in place a range of measures, including generous bursaries,

worth up to £26,000 for priority subjects, to encourage trainees to take key subjects

such as mathematics and physics. The Department is also testing new financial

incentives for priority subject teachers. These include early-career payments for new

maths teachers and a student loan reimbursement scheme for languages and

science teachers.

The Department invests in a range of programmes to help teachers develop the

knowledge and skills required to be successful in moving into school leadership

positions. These include the recently strengthened National Professional

Qualifications (NPQs), with over £10m made available to help schools in priority

areas benefit from this high-quality professional development.

Earlier this year the Department announced the development of a new strategy to

drive recruitment and boost retention of teachers. The strategy will cover a wide


range of areas including professional development, workload, career progression,

flexible working and entry routes into teaching.

Wakefield City Academies Trust

Angela Rayner: [192119]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2018

to Question 168016, when he plans to place a copy of the report of the multi-academy

trust review of Wakefield City Academies Trust carried out by the Education and Skills

Funding Agency in the Libraries of both Houses.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The 2016 report has now been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. This can also

be found on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-management-and-governance-

reviews-wakefield-city-academies-trust.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Birds: Malvern Hills


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans are in

place to monitor the effect on skylarks of Natural England-funded grazing on the Malvern

hills.

Dr Thérèse Coffey:

Natural England has no internal, formal monitoring programme for skylarks on the

Malvern Hills, but uses the annual monitoring results from the local bird group to

inform decisions on management. Natural England also takes advice from its national

bird specialist on national skylark population trends.

Environment Protection

Frank Field: [191300]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the

Government plans to take to protect the environment after the UK leaves the EU; and

whether those steps will aim to maintain existing levels of protection as required under

current EU legislation.


The Government is committed to maintaining environmental standards after we leave

the EU, and will continue to uphold international obligations through multilateral

environmental agreements.

The EU (Withdrawal) Act will ensure existing EU environmental law continues to have

effect in UK law after the UK leaves the EU.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-management-and-governance-reviews-wakefield-city-academies-trust





The Government will establish a new, independent statutory body to hold

Government to account on the environment, alongside a statutory statement of

environmental principles to guide future Government policy making.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on the

delivery of the targets in the Government's 25 year environment plan.


The UK Government is committed to delivering the 25 Year Environment Plan and to

be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it.

These commitments remain in a deal or no deal scenario. The EU Withdrawal Act

2018 will ensure all existing EU environmental law continues to operate in UK law.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the potential implications for the UK's environmental governance of the

UK leaving the EU without a deal.


The EU (Withdrawal) Act will ensure existing EU environmental law continues to have

effect in UK law after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government has committed to the creation of a new body to hold the

Government to account on its compliance with environmental law. We will work to

ensure that the new body is in place as soon as possible in a no deal scenario with

the necessary powers to review and if necessary, take enforcement action in respect

of breaches of environmental law from when the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of

the European Union has ended in a no deal scenario, from 23:00 on 29 March 2019

onwards. This will mean that the Government will be held accountable as under

existing EU law from the day we leave the EU. Any further interim measures that may

be necessary under a no deal scenario before the new body is established will be

brought forward in due course.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an

assessment of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on the planned

environment Bill.


The Government is committed to maintaining environmental standards after we leave

the EU, and will continue to uphold international obligations through multilateral

environmental agreements.

The EU Withdrawal Act 2018 will ensure all existing EU environmental law continues

to operate in UK law, transferring powers from EU institutions to domestic institutions

and ensuring we meet international agreement obligations.




The Government has committed to the creation of a new body to hold the

Government to account on its compliance with environmental law. We will work to

ensure that the new body is in place as soon as possible in a no deal scenario with

the necessary powers to review and, if necessary, take enforcement action in respect

of breaches of environmental law from when the jurisdiction of the European Court of

Justice has ended in a no deal scenario, this will be from 23:00 on 29 March 2019

onwards. This will mean that the Government will be held accountable as under

existing EU law from the day we leave the EU. Any further interim measures that may

be necessary under a no deal scenario before the new body is established will be

brought forward in due course.

Fracking: Lancashire


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the

Environment Agency has visited the Preston New Road shale gas site since the four

seismic events of greater than the red light 0.5ML threshold that occurred between 26

October 2018 and 4 November 2018.


Yes.

EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION

Boats

Royston Smith: [189748]

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment his

Department has made of the areas in EU waters in which UK boats will be able to sail

after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker:

Negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK are ongoing. To

ensure that citizens and businesses in the UK and across the EU can plan for life

after our withdrawal with confidence. We have agreed an implementation period that

will last for 21 months beginning on exit day until 31 December 2020. During the

implementation period, UK boats will have the same access to EU waters as they do

now.

The UK Government sees no reason why pleasure vessels used for recreational

purposes should see any change as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU. For the

most part, it is the rules and regulations of coastal states that apply rather than EU

legislation, and maritime transport is liberalised at the international level.

We understand that other matters will be relevant to the owners of boats such as the

right to the land, dock and refuel and these will be covered by our negotiations on the

future relationship.



Brexit: Republic of Ireland

Mr Jim Cunningham: [191863]

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has

had with the organisations representing the Irish republican community on the draft

agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and the European Atomic Energy

Community.

Chris Heaton-Harris:

Over the past months, UK Government Ministers and officials have met with a range

of stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including representatives from all communities to

discuss and hear their views on a wide range issues relating to our Withdrawal from

the EU.

Both former Secretaries of State visited Northern Ireland this year to deepen their

understanding of one of the key issues of Brexit. They met a range of stakeholders in

Northern Ireland and assured them that the Government will uphold our commitments

made to the people of Northern Ireland and the Belfast Agreement

National Income


To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment his

Department has made on the potential effect of (a) the UK leaving the EU without a deal,

(b) the draft withdrawal agreement and (c) the UK remaining in the EU on GDP forecasts

over the next 10 years.


To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what assessment

Department has made of the potential effect of (a) the UK leaving the EU without a deal,

(b) the draft withdrawal agreement and (c) the UK remaining in the EU on forecasted

employment rates over the next 10 years.

Chris Heaton-Harris:

The UK and the EU have taken a decisive step forward, agreeing the provisional

terms of the UK’s smooth and orderly exit from the EU and making significant

progress on the outline terms of our future relationship.

While the chances of no deal have been reduced considerably, the government will

continue to do the responsible thing and prepare for all eventualities, in case a final

agreement cannot be reached.

The Government is undertaking a wide range of ongoing analysis, across a range of

scenarios, in support of our EU exit negotiations and preparations. When we bring

forward the vote on the final deal, we will ensure that Parliament is presented with the

appropriate analysis to make an informed decision.




FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Afghanistan: Ethnic Groups


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what

representations he has made to the Afghanistan Government on protecting Hazaras

people in Ghazni and Uruzgan provinces.

Mark Field:

We regularly raise issues concerning freedom of religion with the Government of

Afghanistan, underlining, the need to protect the rights of all ethnic and religious

groups in line with the constitution of Afghanistan.

We are concerned about the high number of civilian casualties and displaced persons

that have resulted from the recent violence in Ghazni and Uruzgan. We urge that all

parties to the conflict respect International Humanitarian Law, protecting the civilian

population and facilitating the provision of assistance by neutral and impartial

humanitarian agencies. We assess that the Afghan National Defence and Security

Forces (ANDSF) are now working to stabilise the security situation in both provinces.

We understand that those who have been displaced are receiving assistance from

local authorities.

We continue to monitor the impact that fighting may have had on tensions between

different communities. Ultimately, we urge all parties to negotiate a peaceful end to

the conflict, which is causing the tragic death of innocent civilians.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Anneliese Dodds: [191988]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment

has been made of the implications for Government policy of the concerns expressed by

the Committee on Civil and Political Rights on 4 July 2018, in relation to Sayed Ahmed

Alwadei and other Bahraini individuals who have reportedly been subjected to reprisals

connected to their work alongside the Human Rights Council of the UN.

Alistair Burt:

We have received assurances from the Bahraini authorities that there have been no

reprisals against the family members of Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei. We encourage

those with concerns to report these to the appropriate Bahrain human rights oversight

bodies. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift and thorough investigations

into any such claims.

Bangladesh: Elections

Mrs Anne Main: [190837]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to ensure (a) international oversight by observers and (b) the




accuracy of the voter registration database in relation to parliamentary elections in

Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Field:

The British Government has been clear that we want to see a free, fair and pluralistic

election in Bangladesh and I have repeatedly encouraged the Government of

Bangladesh and opposition parties to engage in an effective dialogue to this end.

Through our High Commission in Dhaka we have been clear that the Election

Commission should be allowed to continue its important work, including the

registration of voters, without interference. We have consistently made the case for

international oversight of the election and the EU has agreed to send an Election

Expert Mission. Through the Department for International Development funding, the

UK will also support local observation of the general election.

The Foreign Secretary raised his concerns regarding the next election in Bangladesh

with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when they met at the UN General Assembly in

New York on 24 September. In a call on 1 November with State Minister for Foreign

Affairs, Shahriar Alam, I again made the case for a free, fair and participatory

election. Allowing freedom of expression and freedom of assembly is an integral

aspect of this, and through our High Commission in Dhaka the UK continues to make

its concerns heard regarding freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

Mrs Anne Main: [190838]


representations he has made to his counterpart in the Bangladesh Government on

ensuring freedom to (a) campaign and (b) assemble in advance of the parliamentary

elections in that country.

Mark Field:

The British Government has been consistently clear that we wish to see a free, fair

and pluralistic election in Bangladesh. I have repeatedly encouraged the Government

of Bangladesh and opposition parties to engage in an effective dialogue to this end.

Through our High Commission in Dhaka we have been clear that the Election

Commission should be allowed to continue its important work, including the

registration of voters, without inteference. We have consistently made the case for

international oversight of the election and the EU has agreed to send an Election

Expert Mission. Through the Department for International Development funding, the

UK will also support local observation of the general election.

The Foreign Secretary raised his concerns regarding the next election in Bangladesh

with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when they met at the UN General Assembly in

New York on 24 September. In a call on 1 November with State Minister for Foreign

Affairs, Shahriar Alam, I again made the case for a free, fair and participatory

election. Allowing freedom of expression and freedom of assembly is an integral

aspect of this, and through our High Commission in Dhaka the UK continues to make

its concerns heard regarding freedom of expression in Bangladesh.


Cameroon: Human Rights

Steve McCabe: [191269]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the

Answer of 18 July 2018 to Question 163505 on Cameroon: Human Rights, whether the

Government has made any plans to help secure access to British Southern Cameroon's

territory for the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since the recent

escalation of violence in the British Southern Cameroons territory.

Harriett Baldwin:

The area formerly known as "Southern Cameroons" has been part of the Republic of

Cameroon since 1961. The British Government, with our international partners,

continue to urge the Government of Cameroon to allow UNHCHR unhindered access

across the country.

Djibouti: Eritrea

Emily Thornberry: [191344]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

assessment he has made of the progress of talks between the Governments of Djibouti,

Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia on resolving ongoing disputes between Djibouti and Eritrea

and normalising relations between those countries.

Harriett Baldwin:

The United Kingdom supports the position set out in UN Security Council Resolution

2444, notes the Government of Djibouti’s statement of 14 November expressing its

‘entire satisfaction’ with the text, and will continue to support efforts to resolve

ongoing disputes between Djibouti and Eritrea and the normalising of relations

between those countries.

Eritrea: Sanctions


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is

on proposals to lift the UN arms embargo and other sanctions on the Government of

Eritrea.

Harriett Baldwin:

The United Kingdom welcomes the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council

Resolution 2444 on 14 November, which lifted all UN sanctions relating to Eritrea.

Foreign Relations


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions

he has had with the governments of non-EU countries on (a) the draft withdrawal

agreement for the UK leaving the EU and (b) the effect of that agreement on the UK's





future relationships with such countries since that draft agreement was agreed by

Cabinet.

Sir Alan Duncan:

The British Government has an active programme of engagement with our

international partners outside the EU on a range of issues, including EU exit, where

we keep countries updated on a regular basis at key moments in the negotiations. As

the Prime Minister has said, the UK is leaving the European Union not Europe. The

draft Withdrawal Agreement and outline Political Declaration provide the basis for

what will be the closest relationship between the EU and any third country and

signals the ambition of both sides to embark on a new, deep and special partnership

after the UK leaves the EU, as well as strengthened relationships with other countries

further afield.

Horn of Africa: Foreign Relations



he has made of the outcomes of the tripartite meeting of the leaders of Ethiopia, Eritrea

and Somalia in Gondar on 9 November 2018.

Harriett Baldwin:

I welcome the statement from the tripartite meeting of the leaders of Ethiopia, Eritrea

and Somalia in Gondar on 9 November 2018 and their commitment to inclusive

regional peace and cooperation.

Nabeel Rajab

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [190949]


he has made of the validity of the case against Mr Nabeel Rajab; and what

representations his Department has made to the Bahraini Government on Mr Rajab.

Alistair Burt:

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 23 October 2018 (PQ 180116).

The honourable member will recall that I expressed my concerns on the sentence

given to Mr Rajab in my written statement of 21 February. I also reiterated the UK's

call for Bahrain to protect freedom of expression for all its citizens, in line with

international obligations.

Our Embassy in Bahrain has closely monitored the trials of Mr Rajab. Officials from

the Embassy regularly attend Mr Rajab's court hearings, including the handing down

of the latest appeal verdict. We have raised the case at senior levels as part of the

UK's ongoing open dialogue with Bahrain. I am aware that there is now an

opportunity for Mr Rajab's legal team to apply for an appeal through the judicial

system. My officials will continue to monitor the case closely.



Pakistan: Blasphemy

Siobhain McDonagh: [190748]


representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan on ensuring the security and

protection of (a) lawyers and judges in Pakistan who are involved in blasphemy cases

and (b) (i) Asia Bibi's lawyer Saiful Malook and (ii) the three Supreme Court judges

involved in Asia Bibi’s case.

Mark Field:

In August, the Prime Minister raised with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan the

importance of Pakistan delivering on its commitments to strengthen institutions

responsible for upholding the rule of law. As the Prime Minister recognised in

Parliament on 14 November, Imran Khan has publicly supported the Supreme Court

and promised to uphold the rule of law, while providing continued protection for Asia

Bibi.

The UK is helping improve the justice system in Pakistan. Our Rule of Law

programme aims to strengthen the formal criminal justice system through more

effective investigations and prosecutions of crime.

Rohingya: Children


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is

taking to ensure that the individuals responsible for attacks on Rohingya children are

brought to justice.

Mark Field:

The Government condemns the atrocities that have taken place in Rakhine including

the violence committed against children. The Foreign Secretary made clear to

Burma's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in their meeting of 20 September that

holding to account those responsible for atrocities was of critical importance. The UK

co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution of 27 September that

established a mechanism to collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations

in Burma for use in future prosecutions. The UK ensured the Head of the UN Fact

Finding Mission was invited to brief the UN Security Council on 24 October. The UK

will continue to look at accountability options and work with our international partners

to support those assisting victims and building evidence.

Somalia: Elections


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

discussions he has had with representatives of the (a) Federal Government of Somalia

and (b) United Nations Mission in Somalia on preparations for elections in (i) South West

State; (ii) Puntland and (iii) Jubaland; and what assessment he has made of the




prospects for holding such elections in a safe, free and fair manner in line with current

timescales.

Harriett Baldwin:

I discussed one-person-one-vote elections with Somalia's Prime Minister and the

Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia during a

visit to Mogadishu on 6 October 2018. Our Ambassador to Somalia regularly

discusses all issues related to the elections with the Federal Government of Somalia,

Federal Member State leaders and the United Nations Mission in Somalia. British

Government officials also attend UN-convened electoral information-sharing

meetings. The UK is calling on all parties to ensure credible and peaceful elections.



he has made of the potential implications of the security situation in Somalia’s South

West state for the safe conduct of the presidential election due to take place in that state

on 19 November 2018.

Harriett Baldwin:

The South West State presidential election is now scheduled to take place on 28

November 2018. The election will not be one-person-one-vote as the electorate

comprises Members of the South West State Parliament. The UK is calling on all

parties to ensure a peaceful election. Our Ambassador to Somalia has sought

assurances from the Somali National Army and Police in South West State that there

is a credible plan for security during the election period and that forces will remain

impartial. Election security is expected to be provided by a combination of the African

Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), United Nations Police, South West State Police

and Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency.



he has made of the progress of efforts to establish a credible, nationwide electoral

framework in Somalia ahead of the national elections scheduled to take place in 2020.

Harriett Baldwin:

Somalia has committed to hold inclusive one-person-one-vote elections in 2020 and

progress has been made in charting a path towards this. We call on Somalia's

leaders to honour that commitment with an election that gives voters a meaningful

opportunity to choose their representatives and enables women, minority groups,

internally displaced persons and people with disabilities to participate fully.

It is positive that the National Electoral Law has been drafted. The next steps are the

passage of the National Electoral Law by Parliament, the drafting of supporting

regulations, the amendment to the political parties law and the finalisation of the

Constitutional Review process. In 2019 progress is needed on voter registration,

voter education and practical preparations for election day.



Yemen: Military Intervention


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic

steps his Department is taking to protect the civilians trapped in Hodeidah, Yemen.

Alistair Burt:

We are in regular contact with the Coalition about the need to ensure that any further

military operations in and around Hodeidah are conducted in accordance with

international humanitarian law, including on the protection of civilians, and do not

disrupt commercial and humanitarian flows through the port. The UK has been at the

forefront of the humanitarian response to the Yemeni crisis and addressing this is a

priority for the Government. The Foreign Secretary discussed humanitarian issues

with King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi

Arabia on 12 November. I spoke about these issues to the Saudi Foreign Minister on

30 October, and to the Emirati Deputy Foreign Minister on 7 November.

Yemen: Peace Negotiations


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to use the UK’s penholder status on Yemen at the UN Security

Council to bring a new resolution forward on ending the armed conflict in Yemen.

Alistair Burt:

The UK continues to fulfil its role as penholder on Yemen in the UN Security Council

by coordinating sessions with the Security Council President that respond to

developments in Yemen and the will of the Council as a whole. On Monday 19

November, the UK circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a

cessation of hostilities, steps to improve the humanitarian situation, and support for

the work of the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. Both the Foreign Secretary and I

have recently visited the Middle East to have constructive discussions with the Saudi-

led Coalition on pathways to achieve de-escalation and reduce tensions. The Foreign

Secretary was clear that both sides would need to play their part in confidence-

building measures.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

AAT Deficiency


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he take steps to make

available intravenous alpha-1 augmentation therapy through the NHS to treat alpha-1.

Caroline Dinenage:

NHS England is engaging with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

(NICE) on the Highly Specialised Technologies evaluation of human alpha1-




proteinase inhibitor for treating emphysema in adults with documented severe alpha1

antitrypsin deficiency. NICE has not yet published final guidance and recently

consulted on its draft guidance.

NICE’s evaluation committee is due to meet again to consider its recommendations in

spring next year. This is to enable the company that makes the alpha1-proteinase

inhibitor to prepare and submit additional information for consideration by the

committee. Once NICE guidance is received, NHS England will then consider the

commissioning implications in consultation with the Specialised Respiratory Clinical

Reference Group.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans a NHS service

for alpha-1 to improve patients' access to coordinated multi-disciplinary clinical expertise,

which was approved by the Department's Prescribed Specialised Services Advisory

Group in March 2016, to commence.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Specialised Respiratory Clinical Reference Group (CRG) is maintaining an

oversight of the need to develop a service specification and selection of providers to

offer specialised expertise and management advice for patients diagnosed with

alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).

The CRG has recommended that NHS England wait until it is clear on the outcome of

the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Highly Specialised

Technologies evaluation of human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor for treating

emphysema in adults with documented severe AATD [ID856] until this development

is taken forward.

NICE has not yet published final guidance and recently consulted on its draft

guidance. NICE’s evaluation committee is due to meet again to consider its

recommendations in spring next year. This is to enable the company that makes the

alpha1-proteinase inhibitor to prepare and submit additional information for

consideration by the committee.

Gambling: Rehabilitation


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9

November 2018 to Question 186383 on Gambling: Rehabilitation, what steps his

Department is taking to ensure that local authorities are able to adequately support

people who have gambling addictions.

Steve Brine:

In summer 2018, Public Health England and the Local Government Association

published a guide for local authorities which provides an overview of gambling-related

harms and how councils can begin to try to help local residents who are impacted by

it. It provides information on the current framework for prevention and support,



information on the regulatory tools councils can use to help tackle gambling-related

harm and the role of public health.

‘Tackling Gambling Related Harm: A whole council approach’ is available to view at

the following link:

https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/10.28%20GUIDANCE%20ON

%20PROBLEM%20GAMBLING_07.pdf

GP Surgeries: Rents

Keith Vaz: [190763]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of

the annual rental income received from GP practices for NHS Property Services.

Keith Vaz: [190765]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many complaints has he

received from GP's about NHS Property Services.

Keith Vaz: [190766]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the

agreement between the BMA and NHS Property Services concerning the leases given to

GP practice to be concluded.

Stephen Hammond:

The annual rental income received from general practitioners (GPs) in 2017/18 was

£54 million.

NHS Property Services has 1,215 GP tenants. NHS Property Services has recorded

the following number of complaints from GP tenants over the last three years:

2016/17 – 24

2017/18 - 52

2018/19 (to date) - 34

Agreeing leases with individual GPs is an ongoing process.

Health Services: Standards


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his

Department has made of the potential effectiveness of quality incentive schemes in

improving the quality of care to patients.

Caroline Dinenage:

Several different quality incentive schemes operate in the National Health Service.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework is a voluntary pay for performance scheme

within the general practitioner contract. It focuses upon improving the care of patients

with one or more of 25 long term conditions. In 2018, NHS England undertook and

https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/10.28%20GUIDANCE%20ON%20PROBLEM%20GAMBLING_07.pdf







published a Review of the Quality and Outcomes Framework which drew upon

published evidence to evaluate its effectiveness and identify opportunities for reform.

The recommendations made in the report are the subject of ongoing discussions with

the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association.

The Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) and Quality Premium

schemes are intended to drive improvement by providers, and are administered by

clinical commissioning groups and NHS England. The indicators in both are routinely

reviewed as part of the NHS Planning Round to ensure that the schemes reflect the

latest clinical priorities.

CQUIN has demonstrably helped secure improvements in certain areas: e.g. sepsis

and venous thromboembolism management, hepatitis C treatment and staff flu

vaccinations. However, we are also aware that some indicators have been less

impactful, for example where we have pursued complex service changes or goals

without a standard implementation method. The schemes are being reviewed with a

view to changes in 2019/20.

Hospitals: Standards


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence his Department

holds on the effect on the quality of care of fines levied as a result of hospitals breaching

targets; and whether he is taking steps to ensure that such fines do not detract from the

provision of care to potentially affected populations.

Stephen Hammond:

All providers of National Health Service-funded healthcare services are expected to

meet a range of national standards, other operational standards and quality

requirements. These are set out in the NHS Standard Contract along with the

consequences of breaches of these. In many cases, the consequence would be a

financial sanction.

Since April 2016, most NHS providers agreeing to meet financial control targets as

part of the sustainability funding programme are exempt from such sanctions.

However, any revenue withheld is reinvested in the local healthcare system.

Integrated Care Systems


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to

ensure that the proposed whole population annual budget for Integrated Care Provider

contracts does not create (a) incentives to underbid to obtain contracts and (b) other

perverse incentives.

Stephen Hammond:

NHS England launched a 12 week public consultation on the proposed contracting

arrangements for integrated care providers (ICPs) on 3 August 2018 which concluded

on 26 October. More information is available at the following link:



https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/proposed-contracting-

arrangements-for-icps/

NHS England will publish a response to the consultation following full consideration of

responses and feedback.

The consultation documents provide more detail about NHS England’s current

proposals for ICPs, including the proposed integrated budget.

Learning Disability: Community Care

Luciana Berger: [190870]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the October

2015 Government document Building the Right Support: A national implementation plan

to develop community services and close inpatient facilities, how much money has

accrued to the public purse from changes in the number of beds for people with learning

disabilities and autism; and what proportion of that amount has been reallocated to local

authorities.

Caroline Dinenage:

As set out in ‘Building the Right Support’, any funding released by the transfer of

patients from inpatient to community-based or other models of care will be reinvested

in those better alternatives to hospital.

In 2018/19, NHS England’s specialised commissioning function has transferred £53

million of funds, previously allocated to secure in-patient care, to Transforming Care

Partnerships (TCPs) so that they can support new individual support packages for the

patients discharged, or invest in new community services.

NHS England does not collect data on clinical commissioning group (CCG) funding

which has been reinvested into community-based care.

TCPs continue to develop their funding arrangements between their constituent

CCGs and local authorities, and NHS England is currently collecting data on these

arrangements. This information will help in assessing how much NHS funding is

planned to be transferred to local authorities via pooled budgets and/or funding

transfers under section 256 of the NHS Act 2006 so that the shared ambition of the

Transforming Care programme can be realised.

Mental Health Services: Young People

Kate Green: [190880]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking in

response to the consultation on the Transforming children and young people’s mental

health provision Green Paper in order to improve mental health provision for 18 to 25-

year-olds.

Jackie Doyle-Price:

Some young people need ongoing support into young adulthood, after they leave

children and young people’s mental health services. This point of transition is an

https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/proposed-contracting-arrangements-for-icps/





important stage for young people, and it is not always easy. In January 2015, NHS

England published a Model Specification for Transitions from Child and Adolescent

Mental Health Services, to support better transition planning and delivery by local

providers. Transition from children and young people’s mental health services has

also been included as one of 13 mandatory national indicators in the Commissioning

for Quality and Innovation scheme (2017/19), which offers financial incentives to local

areas to encourage improved transition planning for children and young people. To

address issues of transition, some areas have already also adopted a mental health

service which supports young people from ages 0-25.

NHS Property Services

Keith Vaz: [190764]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he last met the Chief

Executive of NHS Property Services.

Stephen Hammond:

The Secretary of State met the Chief Executive of NHS Property Services last month.

NHS Property Services: Buildings

Keith Vaz: [190761]


the total number of assets managed by NHS Property Service.

Keith Vaz: [190762]


the number of properties owned by NHS Property Services.

Keith Vaz: [190767]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) properties and

(b) assets are in each region of NHS Property Services.

Stephen Hammond:

NHS Property Services has 2,959 properties. The properties are broken down in the

following regions:

North West – 533 properties

East – 468 properties

South East – 459 properties

North Central – 357 properties

London – 347 properties

West Midlands – 289 properties

South West – 287 properties

North East – 219 properties





Total – 2,959 properties

The number and split of assets managed by NHS Property Services is the same as

the number of properties at 2,959. There are no further assets that NHS Property

Services manage.

Palliative Care: Children

David Linden: [191451]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

ensure that all children with life-limiting conditions have access to an advance care plan,

as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Caroline Dinenage:

Local commissioners, who are responsible for delivering the majority of children’s

palliative and end of life care, should take the National Institute of Health and Care

Excellence guidance into account when planning services for local populations.

To support implementation of the guidance NHS England commissioned Together for

Short Lives, a leading children’s end of life care charity, to examine services across

the country to identify best practice in implementation of the guidance, as well as

barriers, through interviews with local NHS services. Together for Short Lives have

now provided a suite of solutions to enable local areas to meet the needs of children

at the end of life. More information about this work can be found at the following link:

www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/changing-lives/supporting-care-

professionals/introduction-childrens-palliative-care/nice-guidelines/

Prescription Drugs


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government has

provided guidance to manufacturers on communicating the potential health benefits of

their products to consumers.

Stephen Hammond:

The Government has not provided guidance to manufacturers on communicating the

potential health benefits of their products provided through the NHS Supply Chain to

consumers.

Preventive Medicine

Jonathan Ashworth: [192129]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the document

entitled Prevention is better than cure, published by his Department on 5 November

2018, what the timetable is for the Green Paper on prevention.

Steve Brine:

On 5 November the Government’s Vision for Prevention was published (entitled

‘Prevention is better than cure’). This set out how prevention will be placed at the


http://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/changing-lives/supporting-care-professionals/introduction-childrens-palliative-care/nice-guidelines/





heart of our health and social care system for the long term. This vision is just the

beginning - much more needs to be done to make it a reality. Next year, the

Government will work with stakeholders to publish a Green Paper on prevention

setting out government plans in more detail, and seeking a wide range of views on

what action is most needed. The Department will work closely across Government,

and with our partners in health, social care, local government, housing and the

voluntary sector.

HOME OFFICE

Asylum: North East

Sir Edward Davey: [191260]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Guardian

article UK asylum seekers refused housing over social cohesion issues, published 27

September 2018, what information his Department holds on whether local authorities

have placed a temporary ban on people seeking asylum from being housed in (a)

Durham, (b) Newcastle upon Tyne and (c) Sunderland; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes:

The dispersal of Asylum Seekers across the UK requires the active participation of

local authorities working with the Home Office in providing support and

accommodation.

Local Authorities work with the Home Office and its partners to manage the housing

of asylum seekers in the UK. We can confirm there are no areas where the dispersal

of asylum seekers has been suspended on the basis of social cohesion issues.

Officials will continue to work with Local Authorities to ensure dispersal of asylum

seekers is managed effectively for those seeking international protection and the

communities in which they are based.

Asylum: Syria


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been

resettled under the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme; and if she will make

a statement.

Caroline Nokes:

The Home Office is committed to publishing data in an orderly way as part of the

regular quarterly Immigration Statistics, in line with the Code of Practice for Official

Statistics.

As of June 2018, a total of 12,851 people had been resettled in the UK under the

Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) since it began across 288 local

authorities.



The statistics are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release

Domestic Violence


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department

plans to take to help SMEs tackle domestic abuse in the workplace.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government are committed to transforming their approach to domestic abuse,

and that includes improving the response of employers to this devastating crime.

We have therefore awarded £1 million to the charity Hestia for its “Tools for the Job”

pilot project, which will help employers to improve their HR policies on domestic

abuse and will fund specialist employment domestic violence advocates.

Immigrants: EU Nationals


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the rights of EU citizens

living in the UK to reside and work in this country will be maintained in the event that the

UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Caroline Nokes:

The Government does not want or expect a no deal outcome, and we have now

reached an agreement, in principle, with the EU. The Prime Minister has been clear

that, in any scenario, there is no question of asking EU citizens resident here to

leave. On 21 September, the Prime Minister confirmed that, in the event of no deal,

all EU citizens resident in the UK before 29 March 2019 will be able to stay, their

rights will be protected, and they will be able to live their lives broadly as they do now.

On 30 October, the Prime Minister extended that commitment to citizens of Norway,

Iceland and Liechtenstein; and we are close to reaching an agreement with

Switzerland. We will set out further details shortly, so those affected can have the

clarity and certainty they need.

Hywel Williams: [191878]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made

of the potential merits of allowing EU citizens living in the UK to retain dual nationality

after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes:

In UK law a British citizen is not prevented from having another nationality. The

Government has no plans to change this.






Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration: Publications

Afzal Khan: [190959]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will plans to publish the

Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's reports on (a) Asylum

Accommodation, (b) Country of Origin Information, (c) Vulnerable Adults and (d) Home

Office (Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System) collaborative working with other

government departments and agencies.

Caroline Nokes:

The ICIBI’s report on the Home Office’s Management of Asylum Accommodation

Provision was published on 20 November, along with the Government’s response.

The Home Secretary is considering the reports on the Country of Origin Information

and Vulnerable Adults, which will be published shortly.

The Home Secretary is also considering the report on the Home Office (Borders,

Immigration and Citizenship System) collaborative working with Other Government

Departments and Agencies, which was received on 30 October 2018. This will be

published in due course.

Kweku Adoboli

Sir Peter Bottomley: [191242]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which year was Kwenku

Adoboli last resident in Ghana.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how old Kweku Adoboli was

when he left Ghana.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for (a) how many months and (b)

in which years was Kweku Adoboli resident in Ghana.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at what age and in which year

did Kweku Aboboli start his residency in the United Kingdom.

Caroline Nokes:

The Home Office does not comment on individual cases.

Migrant Workers: Seasonal Workers


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government will

maintain its policy on seasonal migrant workers after the UK leaves the EU.







Caroline Nokes:

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Darlington on

22nd October 2018, UIN 180695.

Passports

Michael Fabricant: [191265]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans for the first of the

new blue British passports to be issued.

Caroline Nokes:

The return to a blue passport will be introduced in a phased approach, which is now

familiar when bringing in a redesign of the British passport to ensure a smooth and

safe transition. The first of the new blue passports will be issued in late 2019, and all

new British passports will be blue from early 2020.

UK Border Force: Ports

Steve Double: [191440]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Chief

Inspector of Borders and Immigration's report entitled An inspection of Border Force

operations at south coast ports, published November 2018, what plans he has to ensure

that Border Force will have adequate resources and manpower to meet the increasing

operational pressures on UK ports.

Caroline Nokes:

Border Force is currently recruiting c.600 Border Force officers during 2018/19 to

respond to the new requirements at the UK border as a result of EU Exit. This will

provide resilience at key locations – including those on the south coast.

In addition, Border Force has recruited a Readiness Task Force of c.300 to provide

operational resilience to the front line and allow existing staff to undertake EU exit

related training.

By March 2019, Border Force expects to have increased its workforce by

approximately 900 officers, against our March 2018 baseline.The Border Force will

always ensure we have the resources and workforce we need to keep the border

secure.

Visas: Applications

Peter Kyle: [192121]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the booking system for the

new Sopra Steria visa premium service centres is planned to go live.

Caroline Nokes:

The Sopra Steria UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UK VCAS) went live

on 9 November in Manchester. Sopra Steria are delivering a phased transition for UK




VCAS and appointment bookings are available 5 calendar days in advance of each

site opening.

The new Sopra Steria UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UK VCAS)

Premium Lounge went live on 12 November.

Peter Kyle: [192122]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason the opening of

the new booking system for the Sopra Streia Visa Premium Service Centre appointments

has been delayed.

Caroline Nokes:

The Sopra Steria UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UK VCAS) went live

on 9 November in Manchester.

UK VCAS appointment bookings are available 5 calendar days in advance of each

site opening as per the phased transitional rollout.

The new Sopra Steria UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UK VCAS)

Premium Lounge went live on 12 November.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing: Construction

John Healey: [190775]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant

to the Answer of 5 November to Question 186185 on Affordable Housing, what proportion

of the new affordable homes to be delivered by the Affordable Homes Programme will be

for social rent.

James Brokenshire:

The £9 billion Affordable Homes Programme will deliver at least 250,000 homes by

March 2022. At least 12,500 of these will be for social rent outside of London. The

Greater London Authority have the flexibility to deliver social rent in London.

Council Housing: Construction


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

funding is available to help local authorities build additional capacity to provide more

council housing.

James Brokenshire:

We are giving local authorities the tools they need to build. We have abolished the

Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap, giving local authorities the freedom to

borrow to build, in line with the Prudential Code. Local authorities can bid alongside

housing associations for the £9 billion Affordable Homes Programme to build

affordable homes. We are also providing a longer term rent deal for 5 years from




2020 to provide local authorities with a stable investment environment to deliver new

homes and we have consulted on options for allowing local authorities more flexibility

in the use of their Right to Buy receipts.

We are developing the planning capacity local authorities need to increase the

delivery of new homes through the Planning Delivery Fund. Local authorities are able

to draw from a wide range of sector led advice, good practice, and case study

examples and we will also be working closely with local authorities to ensure they are

able to make the most of the tools we have given them.



to the Answer of 12 November 2018 to Question 188715, what proportion of the 20,000

homes which were to be delivered would have been directly supported by the additional

£800 million of grant funding.



to the Answer of 12 November 2018 to Question 188715 on Council housing:

construction, what the value was of the average grant requested per unit by the tenure

types (a) social rent, (b) affordable rent and (c) other.

James Brokenshire:

Given that local authorities are now free to borrow for all their housing schemes and

bids through the original borrowing programme have fallen away, we are unable to

answer this question without incurring disproportionate cost.

Energy Performance Certificates

Dr David Drew: [191856]


estimate he has made of the number of buildings with a total floor area between 250 and

1,000 square metres which are required to possess a display energy certificate; and what

proportion of those buildings are compliant to date.

Kit Malthouse:

There is no recent estimate of the number of public authority buildings between 250

and 1,000 square metres which are required to possess a Display Energy Certificate

(DEC). The current number of DECs for buildings of between 250 and 1,000 square

meters, including voluntary DECs, is 29,209.

Health: Children


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with

reference to page 9 of the Health and Social care document entitled Prevention is better

than cure published on 5 November 2018, what estimate he has made of the number of





children in each constituent part of the UK that live in homes that are (a) badly

maintained, (b) overcrowded, and (c) in areas of high air pollution.

Kit Malthouse:

The Department does not publish information on the number of children who live in

homes that are badly maintained, overcrowded, and in areas of high air population.

The English Housing Survey collects and publishes information about the condition of

dwellings and levels of overcrowding, at a national level. The latest results can be

found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/english-housing-survey.

Housing Infrastructure Fund



to the Answer of 12 November 2018 to Question 185514 on Housing Infrastructure Fund,

if he will publish the amount of funding allocated to the Fund in each of the last five

financial years.

James Brokenshire:

The Housing Infrastructure Fund was increased and extended at Autumn Budget

2018 to £5.5 billion in grant funding across the financial years 2018/19 to 2023/14 to

assist local authorities in the delivery of infrastructure for homes.

Leasehold: Ground Rent



to the Answer of 7 November 2018 to Question 186951 on Leasehold: Ground Rent,

what the average ground rent paid was in each region based on the the latest English

Housing Survey data.

James Brokenshire:

I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer to Question UIN 186951 on 7 November

2018.

Local Government: Buckinghamshire

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [191992]


to the Written Statement of 1 November 2018, Local Government Update, HCWS 1058,

from which businesses and organisations in Buckinghamshire he has received

representations on local government reorganisation; and what information his

Department holds on the amount of grant funding or financial support those businesses

and organisations have received from Buckinghamshire County Council in the last three

years.




Rishi Sunak:

I received representations on unitarisation in Buckinghamshire from the following

local business organisations: Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire

Business Group, Chiltern Chamber of Commerce, Thames Valley Chamber of

Commerce; 18 individual local businesses also made representations. Information

about grant funding and support provided by local authorities to business

organisations is not held centrally. The Local Government Transparency Code 2015

requires local authorities to publicise specified data on financial transactions including

publishing details of all grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise

organisations.

Mobile Homes: Fees and Charges



steps he is taking to protect park home owners from unfair terms and fees.

James Brokenshire:

The Government set out proposals to improve the rights of park home residents in its

response to the review of park homes legislation published on 22 October.

The Government will introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows, to prevent

the use of terms in agreements requiring residents to pay variable service charges. A

working group has been set up to explore how information about residents’ rights and

responsibilities can be communicated more effectively to existing and prospective

residents, and those working in this sector.

A copy of the Government’s response is available at


ent_data/file/749771/Park_homes_Review_Government_response.pdf.

Parks: Finance

Mr John Hayes: [191282]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with

reference to the Fields in Trust report on revaluing parks and green spaces, published on

7 May, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the level of funding for

parks on (a) public health and (b) NHS costs.

Rishi Sunak:

The Secretary of State welcomes the research from Fields in Trust and recognises

the benefits accessing good quality parks and spaces can make to people’s health

and wellbeing.

While no specific assessment has been made on the effect of changes to the level of

funding on health and the NHS, we know that increasing the use of good quality

green space for all social groups is likely to improve health outcomes and reduce

health inequalities. It can also bring other benefits such as greater community

cohesion and reduced social isolation.Public Health England’s briefing, written by the


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/749771/Park_homes_Review_Government_response.pdf




Institute of Health Equity, summarise a detailed evidence review here:


ent_data/file/355792/Briefing8_Green_spaces_health_inequalities.pdf

In September 2017, the Government created the ‘Parks Action Group’ to address the

issues facing public parks. The Government is working closely with the experts on the

group - including Fields in Trust to develop our understanding of the matters facing

our public parks and green spaces. Work is currently underway to develop a clearer

understanding of the funding picture and to identify a range of initiatives to support

the long-term sustainability of our parks and green spaces.

Public Sector: Land


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his

Department plans to publish the next Public Land for Housing Programme progress

report.

James Brokenshire:

Our intention is to publish the next Public Land for Housing Programme progress

report in the new year.

Sleeping Rough



to the Answer of 6 November to Question 185505 on Sleeping Rough, in which local

authority areas the Rough Sleepers Initiative operates; and in each of those local

authority areas (a) how much has been spent from the targeted fund and (b) how many

individuals have been relieved or prevented from rough sleeping.

James Brokenshire:

The Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) currently operates in 83 local authorities and we

allocated £30 million funding to these local authorities in June 2018 which is currently

being spent. You can find individual allocations and the local authorities here:


ent_data/file/723358/Updated_-_18-19_allocations.pdf

Our expert team of advisers work closely with the 83 areas to support their work in

implementing the interventions to help tackle rough sleeping in their local area.

Through this interaction we are able to monitor the progress of rough sleeping

responses and obtain a better picture of those prevented and relieved from rough

sleeping. The annual statistical release, based on street counts and estimates by all

local authorities each autumn and published in January, will allow us to assess the

extent of this.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355792/Briefing8_Green_spaces_health_inequalities.pdf







to the Answer of 6 November to Question 185506 on Sleeping Rough, how many (a)

units of accommodation have been made available and (b) lettings have been taken up

through the (i) Rapid Rehousing Pathway and (ii) Supported Lettings Fund.

James Brokenshire:

We have invited all local authorities to express an interest in being early adopters of

the Rapid Rehousing Pathway and will announce the successful allocations in due

course.

Social Rented Housing



estimate he has made of the number of (a) social rent, (b) affordable rent and (c) low-cost

ownership homes held in local authority housing revenue accounts.

James Brokenshire:

Figures for the number of properties owned by local authorities for social rent,

affordable rent and in total as part of their housing revenue account are published in

section A of the Local Authority Housing Statistics data return. The latest return is

published and available online: http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-

sets/local-authority-housing-statistics-data-returns-for-2016-to-2017.

Social Rented Housing: Energy


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

the Regulator of Social Housing has estimated how much providers will spend on

increasing the energy efficiency of their housing stock over the next (a) five and (b) 10

years.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

the Regulator of Social Housing has information on the spending plans of housing

providers to tackle fuel poverty among people in their housing stock over the next (a) five

and (b) 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse:

The Regulator of Social Housing does not produce estimates of, or collect information

on, future spending on energy efficiency by housing providers.

Unitary Councils: Buckinghamshire

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [191845]


steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities in Buckinghamshire are able to manage






the planning process for the development of High Speed 2 Oxford and Cambridge arc

during the transition of those authorities to a single unitary council.

Rishi Sunak:

The existing councils will continue to fulfil their role until the new council is in place.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, implementing secondary legislation will provide

that planning for and implementing the transition to the new unitary council is to be

the responsibility of the shadow authority and shadow executive. This will include

members of the five existing councils. This ensures that expertise will be available

from across the area for such key issues such as HS2 and the Oxford-Cambridge

arc.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Developing Countries: Educational Exchanges

Preet Kaur Gill: [191463]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the

Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme, what steps her Department

is taking to train 60,000 teachers and schools leaders in the UK and developing

countries.

Harriett Baldwin

The Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme (2018-2021) aims to reach 3 million pupils in over 4,000 schools partnerships by 2021. It will train 60,000 teachers and school leaders in both the UK and developing countries on the following:

1. setting up and running equitable partnerships, which will focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

2. teaching and mainstreaming development education and global citizenship content, such as the SDGs;

3. teaching transferable skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving; and

4. ensuring that education is inclusive and of high quality.

This training will be provided in line with best practice, using the model of two days of input, followed by approximately six weeks of putting the learning into practice, and then a follow-up to share the learning. This model worked well in the previous Connecting Classrooms programme (2015-2018), through which over 56,000 teachers were trained in the UK and overseas. Delivery of teacher training will begin in January 2019.

Developing Countries: Poliomyelitis


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her

Department has made of whether the global polio eradication initiative will be completed

by September 2019.



Alistair Burt:

The UK is a strong supporter of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and we

work closely with the partnership. The GPEI has reduced cases of polio by 99.9%

since 1988. Notwithstanding its success, transmission of the poliovirus has not been

interrupted. This means the world cannot yet be certified polio free and as such GPEI

are developing a new strategy taking them past 2019.

International Citizen Service

Mr Steve Reed: [907730]

What assessment she has made of the future funding needs of the International Citizen

Service.

Harriett Baldwin:

Almost 35,000 young people have completed the International Citizen Service to

date. Thanks to a £15m extension to the programme, 3,000 more young people will

complete placements before the end of next year.

As we continue with our ambitious redesign, funding details beyond next year have

not been confirmed. However, I can confirm that £8.5 million has been allocated for

the 2019/20 financial year.

Islamic State


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to

support redevelopment and deradicalisation programmes in territory previously occupied

by Daesh.

Alistair Burt:

The UK is proud of our role in the Global Coalition’s fight against Daesh. DFID is also

at the forefront of the humanitarian response in the region, working to address

humanitarian needs in the region, and to ensure that all vulnerable people, including

those affected by Daesh in Syria and Iraq receive help.

In Northeast Syria, including areas previously occupied by Daesh, we provide support

to address individual’s basic needs, including restocking health facilities with

medicines and equipment, non-food items, and water and sanitation support.

Additionally, we have provided funding and announced new support to help clear

landmines and explosives which will ensure humanitarian agencies can reach those

in need.

In formerly-Daesh controlled territories in Iraq, the UK provides redevelopment

support and funds community cohesion projects to help kick-start local economies

and create the appropriate conditions for sustainable population return.

In areas formerly controlled by Daesh in Syria and Iraq, we are also providing

education and psychosocial support services, aimed at children affected by trauma.



Palestinians: Females

Richard Burden: [191273]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department is

supporting the Arab Women’s Enterprise Fund initiative in the Occupied Palestinian

Territories; and if she will make a statement.

Alistair Burt:

DFID funded the Arab Women’s Enterprise Fund (AWEF) in the Occupied Palestinian

Territories (OPTs) between October 2015 and March 2018, and currently funds the

programme in Jordan and Egypt. DFID continues to monitor the sustainability and

impact of AWEF in the OPTs.

St Helena: Airports

Meg Hillier: [907738]

How many planes have successfully (a) landed and (b) taken off from St Helena's airport

since that airport was built.

Penny Mordaunt:

Since the airport opened in April 2016, there have been 278 flights. This consists of

139 arrivals and 139 departures.

Syria: Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether funding from her

Department has been used in financial years (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19 to

support humanitarian assistance programmes in areas of Syria controlled by the Ha’yat

Tahrir Al-Sham militia .


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will ask the National

Audit Office to investigate whether funding from her Department has been diverted in

financial years (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19 to support the activities of the

Ha’yat Tahrir Al-Sham militia.

Alistair Burt:

The UK is at the forefront of the humanitarian response providing life-saving and life-

changing support for millions of people across Syria, including those living in

Northwest Syria where Ha’yat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) is present.

In 2016/17 and 2017/18, DFID spent £205 million and £152 million respectively on

humanitarian projects in Syria. In 2017/18, over a third of this was delivered cross-

border from Turkey, mostly to Idlib governate in Northwest Syria, where in 2017 we

reached over 600,000 people in need. For 2018/19, DFID plans to spend £174 million

for life-saving support in Syria.





While we acknowledge that working in fragile and conflict-affected countries carries

risks, DFID has robust and extensive controls in place to ensure that tax payers’

money is used appropriately and effectively, that UK aid reaches those who need it

most and that it does not benefit extremist groups such as HTS. Our programmes are

delivered by trusted NGO and UN partners with proven expertise and track records.

We do not provide funding unless these organisations can assure DFID that it will not

benefit extremists. All our assistance is monitored robustly, and DFID will withdraw

support if there is a reason to believe UK tax payer’s money may be at risk. For

example, in September 2018, DFID took the precautionary measure to pause all

cross-border assistance at Bab Al Hawa in Northwest Syria, while we investigated

concern around whether HTS collected fees from trucks delivering humanitarian aid.

Whilst this situation was swiftly resolved, it demonstrates the robust approach we

take to these matters, and are working with other donors to mitigate the risks of a

similar situation reoccurring in the future.

As with other DFID programmes, our work in Syria remains under subject to regular

review and close scrutiny, both through internal and independent processes,

including by the National Audit Office and the Independent Commission for Aid

Impact, which last examined DFID’s Syria humanitarian programmes in May 2018.

World Health Organisation

Rosie Cooper: [907734]

What steps her Department is taking with the World Health Organisation to achieve the

sustainable development goals to (a) end preventable child deaths and (b) establish

universal health coverage.

Alistair Burt:

The UK supports WHO’s leadership on health systems and work to achieve Universal

Health coverage, including ending preventable child deaths and addressing global

health security, and I commend WHO’s leadership on the recent Ebola outbreaks in

DRC. DFID funds WHO to provide technical assistance, develop global standards

and norms, strengthen country health systems and support health and wellbeing for

all.

Yemen: Famine

Paula Sherriff: [907733]

What steps the Government is taking to respond to the risk of mass famine in Yemen.

Alistair Burt:

The UK is playing a lead role preventing famine in Yemen, with our funding meeting

the immediate food needs of 4 million Yemenis this year.

We also recently announced support for UNICEF to screen over 2 million children for

severe acute malnutrition, and provide treatment for 70,000 of the most vulnerable

children.



Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Victoria Prentis: [191942]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department

is taking to get (a) food and (b) fuel imports into Yemen during the ongoing humanitarian

crisis.

Alistair Burt:

The UK government continues to raise concerns with the Saudi led-Coalition about

the potential impact of any assault on the port and city of Hodeidah and is in regular

contact with the Coalition about the need to ensure that any further military

operations do not disrupt commercial and humanitarian flows both through the port

and onwards across the country. To date, Red Sea ports remain operational and

continue to import most of the food and fuel on which Yemenis rely.

As we have consistently made clear, the Houthis must facilitate access throughout

areas they control which is where most of the population live.

As part of our effort to secure vital access for food, fuel, and medicine into and

throughout Yemen, the UK is also providing £1.3 million to the UN Verification and

Inspection Mechanism to give the Saudi-led Coalition confidence that weapons are

not coming in to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on large commercial ships.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Exports

Alex Burghart: [190521]

What progress the Government has made on its export strategy.

Graham Stuart:

The Export Strategy, launched in August this year, sets out a new offer to business

that provides the support and finance to help UK businesses export. This was created

in consultation with business and business organisations to help maximise our

exports across the whole of the UK.

Much has already been achieved, like the expansion of finance-led Supplier Fairs

delivered by UK Export Finance and an enhanced digital service linking businesses

with thousands of export opportunities on great.gov.uk. Preparations to implement

further commitments are also well developed, with a view to these being rolled out

over coming months.



JUSTICE

Legal Aid Scheme

Gloria De Piero: [191365]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many legal aid providers there were in

each region of England and Wales in each year since 2010.

Lucy Frazer:

[Holding answer 19 November 2018]:

LAA

REGIONAL

OFFICE

31ST

MARCH

2010

31ST

MARCH

2011

31ST

MARCH

2012

31ST

MARCH

2013

31ST

MARCH

2014

31ST

MARCH

2015

31ST

MARCH

2016

31ST

MARCH

2017

31ST

MARCH

2018

31ST

OCTOBER

2018

Birmingham 408 426 394 401 380 363 357 337 353 363

Brighton 269 280 261 255 239 233 219 212 207 212

Bristol 440 418 372 371 327 323 306 284 279 273

Cambridge 378 420 381 365 326 332 302 289 294 280

Cardiff 330 363 357 357 336 328 298 283 283 270

Leeds 409 425 400 392 391 393 389 371 382 395

Liverpool 118 130 118 115 114 113 106 101 100 102

London 859 939 917 907 937 898 864 805 811 841

Manchester 495 543 500 479 460 449 422 392 397 386

Newcastle 245 265 242 234 226 225 209 197 189 189

Nottingham 293 313 276 271 268 267 258 237 243 235

Reading 241 265 251 244 219 219 211 200 198 194

Grand

Total

4,485 4,787 4,469 4,391 4,223 4,143 3,941 3,708 3,736 3,740

Prisoners' Release

David Hanson: [190796]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people were released from prison on

22 December 2017; and how many of those people were recalled within one month of

release.




To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people were released from prison

between 18 and 22 December 2017; and how many of those people were recalled within

one month of release.

Rory Stewart:

791(1)people were released from prison, from determinate and indeterminate

sentences, on 22 December 2017.

Of those 791, 98 were recalled within one month of their release date.

1,777 (1) people were released from prison, from determinate and indeterminate

sentences, between 18 December and 22 December 2017 (inclusive).

Of those 1,777, 200 were recalled within one month of their release date.

(1) The number of offenders released do not include those re-released

following recall.

Public protection is our priority and recall is used to ensure that offenders on licence

who present a high risk of harm to the public or are at risk of re-offending are

returned to custody as quickly as possible.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people were released from prison on

each Friday in the last six months.

Rory Stewart:

The information requested is extracted from the most recent data available and is

detailed in the table attached.

Prisoners are released when they have a statutory entitlement to be released once

they have reached their automatic release date, or are released on a discretionary

basis by the Parole Board, the Secretary of State or through early release on Home

Detention Curfew (HDC) by prison governors.

If the automatic release date – which for the majority of prisoners is the half-way point

in their sentence – falls on a weekend or Bank holiday, the law (Section 23(3)

Criminal Justice Act 1961) requires the release to be brought forward to the first

preceding working day. To defer the release date would mean holding the person

unlawfully.

The exception is where the sentence is 5 days or less. In such cases the law

provides for release to be on the Saturday if the automatic release date falls on a

weekend or Bank Holiday.

We have no evidence of any statistically significant difference in reoffending

outcomes for prisoners released on a Friday.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of PQ190798.xlsx]



Prisons: Capital Investment

Richard Burgon: [188115]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, to which programmes the £1.3 billion of capital

spending on prisons announced following the 2015 spending review has been allocated.

Rory Stewart:

As set out on the 26 June at the Justice Select Committee and in the 2017 manifesto,

we remain committed to building up to 10,000 modern and decent prison places to

replace old, expensive and unsuitable accommodation. We will deliver this through a

combination of both new prisons and the reconfiguration of existing establishments,

to enable governors to achieve better outcomes.

While our ambition remains the same, the way that we will deliver this programme

has changed meaning that a direct comparison to the £1.3 billion figure is not

appropriate. As the Chancellor set out in the budget on 30 October, we now intend to

build the first two prisons through public capital at Wellingborough, which is due to

open in 2021 and Glen Parva, which we expect to open in 2022 and we continue to

explore funding options for the remaining prison places. We are planning to launch a

competition later this year to establish a framework from which the operators of the

new prisons will be chosen.

Prisons: Drugs


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to paragraph 77 on page 27 of

the report of the Health and Social Care Committee Prison Health, published on 1

November 2018, HC 963, what steps he plans to take to prevent prisoners from

developing a problem with illicit drugs while in prison.

Rory Stewart:

I am grateful for the time that the Committee has spent looking at prison healthcare.

We are considering carefully the Committee’s recommendations and will respond in

due course. Tackling drugs is vital to ensure safe and productive prison environments

and this includes preventing prisoners developing substance misuse issues.

To do this, we have formed a Drugs Taskforce, working with law enforcement and

health partners across government. The Taskforce is developing a national drugs

strategy, underpinned by advice and guidance that will support the whole of the

estate to restrict supply, reduce demand and build recovery. Restricting access to

illicit drugs in prison is crucial to preventing substance misuse. We are working with

the police to catch and convict criminals who smuggle contraband into prisons, and

exploring additional security measures and new technology to stop these incursions.

Reducing demand for drugs in prison also requires us to get the incentives right. We

have developed the concept of ‘Incentivised Substance Free Living’, where prisoners

who can demonstrate – through regular compact-based and random mandatory

testing – that they are not misusing drugs can experience better living conditions.

This will support prisoners to make good decisions and prevent them developing



issues with substance misuse. We are also testing innovative approaches through

our £9 million joint Ministry of Justice and Department of Health and Social Care Drug

Recovery Prison pilot at HMP Holme House.

Prisons: Private Sector

Liz Saville Roberts: [190556]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2018

to Question 172523 on Prisons: Private Sector, when his Department stopped holding

data on the number of staff certified under Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.



to Question 172523 on Prisons: Private Sector, for what reason his Department stopped

holding data on the number of staff at each privately operated prison certified under

Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many new Officer Certificates under

Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 have been issued by his Department in each

month since January 2018.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many officer certificates under Section 89

of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 have been withdrawn by his Department in each month

since January 2018.



to Question 172523 on Prisons: Private Sector, what information his Department holds on

individual prison custody officers approved under Section 89 of the Criminal Justice Act

1991.

Rory Stewart:

[Holding answer 20 November 2018]: With regards to when the Ministry of Justice

stopped holding data on the number of certified staff and the reasons for doing so, it

may help if I explain that the MoJ has never collected this information. Whilst Section

89 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 confirms that a Prison Custody Officer (PCO) is

approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of performing escort and custodial

duties, it does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish the information

requested.

The Secretary of State approves PCOs for the purpose of performing escort functions

or custodial duties or both and PCO’s are accordingly authorised to perform them.

However, there is not a process in place whereby the Secretary of State formally

issues certificates to new PCOs, and as mentioned previously, Section 89 of the






Criminal Justice Act 1991 does not oblige the Secretary of State to collect or publish

such information.

All staffing matters, including the responsibility for ensuring the availability of

sufficiently trained and experienced staff to maintain safe and decent prisons, lies

with contractors. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing levels with

the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, all staff working in privately managed prisons are

fully certified and, as such, the figures we hold, and have provided on several

occasions, include the funded posts for fully certified staff.

As you know, each privately managed prison has a full-time on-site Controller

employed by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The Controller has regular

review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that

will reflect numbers of staff in post, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition. Any

concerns in relation to these performance indicators are discussed at these meetings.

Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the Controller and escalated within

HMPPS where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. This

may include a requirement for urgent improvement and/or financial deductions.

Violent and Sex Offender Register: Cross Border Cooperation


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what liaison arrangements exist between the

multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) framework in England and Wales

and the MAPPA frameworks in (a) Scotland and (b) Northern Ireland.

Rory Stewart:

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are separate, distinct

frameworks in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However,

practitioners from Scotland and Northern Ireland are invited to attend MAPPA

Improvement Group meetings in England and Wales and may join the MAPPA

website (a secure online tool to facilitate policy announcements, consultation and

communication between MAPPA practitioners). The Police National Lead for MAPPA

in England and Wales visited colleagues in Scotland in May 2017 and Northern

Ireland in October 2018.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Family Support Interdepartmental Working Group: Meetings


To ask the Leader of the House, how many meetings of the cross-departmental

ministerial working group on family support from conception to the age of two have

occurred since that group was announced in July 2018.



Andrea Leadsom:

There have been both informal and formal discussions between members of the

ministerial working group on family support from conception to the age of two since

July 2018. The Group will publish the outcomes of its work in due course.

NORTHERN IRELAND

National Crime Agency: Northern Ireland

David Simpson: [191362]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had

with the National Crime Agency on its work in Northern Ireland.

John Penrose:

Ministerial responsibility for the National Crime Agency sits with the Home Office. In

Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Policing Board has a statutory duty to monitor

the exercise of the functions of the NCA in Northern Ireland and has a Memorandum

of Understanding with the NCA to support this. The Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland receives regular reports from the Director General of the NCA which outlines

their performance and activity in Northern Ireland. I am pleased the NCA collaborates

closely with law enforcement partners in Northern Ireland to tackle serious and

organised crime.

TRANSPORT

Aviation

Hugh Gaffney: [190968]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the

potential effect on the viability of the aviation sector of the UK leaving the EU.

Chris Grayling:

The Government is undertaking a wide range of ongoing analysis in support of our

EU exit negotiations and preparations. Our overall programme of work is

comprehensive, thorough and is continuously updated. The Department for Transport

is working closely with the sector to ensure that the requirements of the industry are

factored into negotiations.

The UK government and European Commission have agreed in principle that the two

sides should negotiate a comprehensive air transport agreement. This will ensure

that the aviation sector can continue to provide the connectivity that is vital for both

the UK and EU. We are focused on securing the right arrangements for the future, so

that our aviation industry can continue to thrive and passengers across the UK and

the EU continue to have high levels of connectivity and choice at attractive prices.

The EU model of liberalisation has enhanced competition which has led to these

benefits we see today.



Boeing 737: Safety

Andy McDonald: [191427]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the

safety of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft for UK air passengers following the recent incident in

Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

The safety of the traveling public will always be a priority for the Government. Both

the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department for Transport continue to

closely monitor the situation following the tragic incident in Indonesia.

The safety assessment of the Boeing 737 MAX is the responsibility of the US Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), as the national authority of the state of design, and the

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is responsible for the safety

certification of aircraft types in the EU.

Following the tragic accident in Indonesia last month, the FAA issued an Emergency

Airworthiness Directive requiring changes to the aircraft’s flight manuals. This has

also been mandated by EASA.

There are no Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in service with UK airlines currently. The CAA

will ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and directives before any aircraft

of this type can enter service with UK airlines.

Cycling: Road Traffic Offences


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will consider the potential merits of

widening the remit of the consultation on proposed new cycling offences to include other

road traffic offences.

Jesse Norman:

The consultation on new offences for causing death or serious injury by dangerous or

careless cycling launched on 12 August and closed on 5 November. The Department

is now considering submissions and will publish a response in due course.

Highways England: Pay


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what external organisations he has asked to

review executive pay in Highways England.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Department has commissioned EY to review remuneration arrangements across

Highways England.




Railways: Compensation

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [191961]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made

of the accuracy of delay repay decisions.

Andrew Jones:

Train operators are expected to have fair and transparent processes for considering

Delay Repay applications as set out in detail in their Passenger’s Charter. The train

operators use industry delay data provided by Network Rail, who have an obligation

to ensure that this delay data is accurate.

If any passenger is unhappy with the decision taken by the train operator with regards

to a Delay Repay claim, then they will shortly be able to take this up with the new Rail

Ombudsman.

Railways: Croydon


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to make a decision on the

Windmill Junction East Croydon grade-separated capacity enhancement.

Andrew Jones:

The proposed works at Windmill Bridge Junction and East Croydon form part of a

wider Brighton Mainline (BML) upgrade programme, led by Network Rail.

An Outline Business Case (OBC) is expected to be complete in late 2019. Consistent

with our new Rail Enhancements Pipeline process, once the OBC is finalised, a

decision will be made whether to progress and fund the Final Business Case (FBC)

stage and further development of the project, leading ultimately to a final investment

decision over the coming years. Our decision to deliver the programme will be based

on there being a sound business case, planning permission, and overall affordability.

Railways: Tickets


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018

to Question 183470 on Railways and Aviation: Fares, what proportion of the UK rail

network passengers are planned to be able to use (a) smart cards and (b) mobile phones

for fares by the end of 2018.

Andrew Jones:

The Government’s £80m investment in accelerating smart ticketing builds on

previous and existing franchise commitments, and sits alongside Government funding

for Transport for the North’s smart ticketing programme and the Rail Delivery Group’s

investment in barcode technology.




Together, these programmes mean that the rail industry is on track to deliver a smart

card or barcode option that passengers can choose to use for singles, returns and

seasons on journeys across almost all of the rail network by the end of the year.

Reading-Basingstoke Railway Line: Electrification

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [191962]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2018 to

Question 904102, when his Department plans to review the need for the electrification of

the Reading to Basingstoke line.

Andrew Jones:

There are currently no plans for a review by the Department of the need for

electrification of the Reading to Basingstoke line. As previously stated in the Answer

of 1 March 2018, a feasibility assessment identified that electrification of this line is

not required to deliver improvements to passengers.

Taxis: Fares

Laura Smith: [191983]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to

safeguard taxi drivers from taxi fare evaders.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Department’s Best Practice Guidance suggests that signs or notices that set out

the expectations of passengers when travelling in a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV)

are displayed. This could include that passengers ensure they are aware of the fare

on the meter and notify the driver if it is approaching the limit of their financial means.

When a fare has been agreed before setting off passengers should ensure they have

the means to pay before travelling.

Legislation allows taxi drivers to recover unpaid fares and costs to be recovered

should a passenger refuse to pay.

Transport: Exhaust Emissions


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the annual targets of his Department

are for reducing transport emissions in the next 15 years.

Jesse Norman:

The UK has statutory targets for both air quality and greenhouse gas emissions

across the whole economy. For greenhouse gases, statutory mechanisms set

national targets every five years in the form of carbon budgets, as established by the

Climate Change Act 2008.

For air quality, the Government consulted on a world leading Clean Air Strategy

earlier this year, which includes 2020 and 2030 targets for five key air pollutants

(nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and volatile organic




compounds). The Government intends to publish the final strategy by the end of this

year. At a local level, the Government and Local Authorities are working to comply

with our legal targets for roadside nitrogen dioxide through the UK Plan for Tackling

Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations, supported by a £3.5 billion investment

into air quality and cleaner transport.

Transport: Noise


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the

implications for his policies of the October 2018 World Health Organisation report on

noise and health; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

The Government has noted the recent new Environmental Noise Guidelines for the

European Region published by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO

report agrees with the ambition to reduce noise and to minimise adverse health

effects, but it also emphasizes the importance of policy being underpinned by the

most robust evidence available on these effects.

The Government is committed to ensuring that noise is managed to promote good

health and quality of life effectively. Between 4 October and 15 November 2018 the

Government consulted on the Noise Action Plans, which are designed to manage

environmental noise and its effects arising from road, rail and agglomerations (large

urban areas). Airport operators have submitted their own separate plans covering

their operations.

TREASURY

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Neil Coyle: [190902]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library a copy of all

economic analyses the Government has undertaken on banning post duty point dilution

or processing.

Mel Stride:

Published policy costings provide information on the analysis undertaken to calculate

the exchequer impact of every announced policy. This is published alongside the

Redbook at each fiscal event. It is not government policy to make publically available

detailed economic analysis that feeds into budget decision making.

Corporation Tax


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of

lowering the rate of corporation tax on corporation tax receipts since 2017.




Mel Stride:

The OECD has concluded that corporation tax is the most harmful tax for growth and

productivity.

In April 2017, the corporation tax rate was reduced from 20% to 19%. This is the

continuation of this government’s reduction in the rate from 28% in 2010.

Lower corporation taxes can result in increased profits, wages, employment and

consumption that all feed through into higher tax revenues that support our vital

public services.

Despite the rate cut in 2017, the onshore corporation tax revenues have increased

from £53.6 billion in 2016-17 to £56.1 billion in 2017-18. Since 2010, onshore

corporation tax revenues have increased by 55%.

Customs

Sir Michael Fallon: [190735]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

effect on SMEs in Kent of making customs declarations for the first time in the event that

the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Mel Stride:

The Government remains confident of agreeing a mutually advantageous deal with

the EU. However, we understand that if in the unlikely event that the UK leaves

without a deal, customs declarations will become a new obligation for UK-EU trade

which could affect many small and medium sized businesses.

HMRC continues to engage with businesses and their representative trade bodies

and undertakes further specific engagement to understand how they will be affected

by these new obligations. HMRC has written to 145,000 traders over the VAT

threshold who currently only trade with the EU to help them plan for a no deal

scenario. Alongside this, HMT and HMRC are supporting the intermediaries sector to

expand ahead of March 19, so that they can provide services to SMEs.

Debt Collection: Regulation

Scott Mann: [190922]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has plans amend the

regulation of debt collection agencies.

John Glen:

The Government continually monitors the regulation of sectors to ensure good

outcomes for consumers. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation of debt

collection agencies (DCAs) provides strong protections for consumers.

DCAs under FCA regulation have to comply with the FCA’s high-level principle to

treat customers fairly, as well as offer appropriate forbearance and signpost

individuals to free and impartial debt advice should a consumer be in default, or in

arrears difficulty.



Financial Services


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of

the effect on the financial sector of the UK leaving the EU without a trade deal.

John Glen:

UK and EU negotiators have agreed in principle the terms of the UK’s smooth and

orderly exit from the EU, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement. We have also

agreed the broad terms of our future relationship as set out in the outline Political

Declaration.

We will ensure Parliament can make an informed decision and business and citizens

have a clear understanding of our future relationship. The Government is undertaking

a programme of analysis in support of our EU exit negotiations and preparations. The

Government has confirmed that when we bring forward the vote on the final deal, we

will ensure that Parliament is presented with the appropriate analysis to make an

informed decision. As the Chancellor set out in his letter of 23 August to the chair of

the Treasury Select Committee, the analysis will look at the economic and fiscal

effects of leaving the EU.

Foreign Investment in UK


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the level of foreign direct investment was in

the 12 months from July 2017.

John Glen:

The latest ONS Balance of Payments data shows that in the year to 2018 Q2, foreign

direct investment flows (net incurrence of liabilities) into the UK measured £58.1bn.

Free Zones


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of

the potential merits of introducing free port schemes across the UK.

Mel Stride:

The Government has been clear that it is open to ideas that deliver economic

advantages for the UK.

Section 100A of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA) provides

the legal basis for the designation of free zones by HM Treasury and will continue to

do so following UK withdrawal from the EU. Applying for designation as a free zone

will be a commercial decision to be taken by private port operators.

It is worth noting that many of the customs-related benefits of free ports are already

available through existing customs facilitations, for example inward processing relief.




Home Shopping: Taxation


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of

the potential merits of using revenue from the online sales tax to support high streets.

Mel Stride:

The Budget 2018 announced Our Plan for the High Street, a support package worth

£1.5 billion that aims to help high streets and town centres in England to evolve and

adapt to changing consumer demands.

This support includes a two-year business rates cut of one third to the bills of small

retailers, a £675m Future High Streets Fund to support high streets to evolve, and

planning reforms.

The measures apply to England. The UK Government is providing Barnett

consequential funding to the Devolved Administrations so that they may offer similar

support if they wish.

At the Budget, the government announced a Digital Services Tax. This is not a tax on

online sales but a tax on the revenues of certain digital business activities which

derive value from UK users.

Motorways: Speed Limits

John Spellar: [190758]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the news report entitled

Raising motorway speed limit could boost economy, Treasury Minister says on Tory

conference fringe, published by the Mirror in October 2018, whether the Chief Secretary's

comments that raising the speed limit to 80 mph would increase national productivity

represented Government policy.

Elizabeth Truss:

These comments did not represent current government policy. The government is

committed to increasing national productivity, and is exploring transport’s full potential

to enable this.

Small Businesses: Tax Allowances


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will consider further tax breaks for

micro businesses and small business to enable those businesses to take on more

employees.

Mel Stride:

This government recognises the UK’s 5.7 million small and medium businesses play

a vital role in the economy, employing 16.1 million people.

Since April 2014, businesses and charities have been entitled to the Employment

Allowance (EA) to reduce their employer NICs bill every year to enable them to grow




and hire new staff. The EA was increased in 2015 to £3,000 per employer and from

April 2020 will be targeted at the smallest businesses, who need it most.

Tobacco: Excise Duties


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what effect has plain packaging had on the tax

received from tobacco duty receipts in each financial year since that policy was

introduced.

Robert Jenrick:

There has been a long term reduction in annual tobacco duty receipts, driven by

above-RPI increases in duty and changing attitudes to smoking. As shown in the

published Tobacco Bulletin July 2018.

In their November 2016 Economic and fiscal outlook the Office of Budget

Responsibility revised their estimates of the underlying downward trend in clearances

of tobacco. This was to account for various factors including weakness in tobacco

receipts and the expected effects of the Tobacco Products Directive. Paragraph 4.75

noted that the effect on receipts from the introduction of standardised tobacco

packaging is assumed to be captured by this downward trend in clearances across

the forecast period.

Trade: Channel Islands


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the

net benefits to the economy of trade with the Channel Islands.

John Glen:

The Channel Islands contribute significantly to UK trade. Specifically, the UK

exported services worth £7.2bn, 2.6% of our total service exports, to Guernsey in

2017. As a result, they were the UK’s ninth largest services export market in 2017.

Additionally, in 2017, the UK imported services worth £4.1bn from Jersey,

representing 2.5% of all UK service imports. As such, they were the UK’s ninth

largest services import market.

More widely, the constitutional relationships between the UK and the Channel Islands

are historic and highly valued, and there is a constructive working relationship

between the UK Government and those jurisdictions.

Treasury: Brexit


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many non-disclosure agreements his

Department has made in relation to preparations for the UK leaving the EU.




John Glen:

The Government has non-disclosure agreements with some private sector

organisations. Confidentiality requirements are a common element of contractual

obligations and are used by departments to protect commercial considerations; to

reflect the sensitive nature of some discussions; and to facilitate conversations that

otherwise may not have been able to take place, due to concerns around sensitive

information.

As part of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, HM Treasury and the UK Government as

a whole continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Angela Crawley: [192925]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps can be taken by the

child maintenance service against non-resident parents when they have failed to report

any changes to their income of greater than 25 per cent.

Justin Tomlinson:

Where there has been a reported change in Paying Parents income which exceeds

the 25% tolerance, the first step we would take is to obtain evidence to verify the

income. Dependant on how the change is reported, this could be via the employer,

receiving parent, HMRC or the Paying Parent. Where an income change is proven,

the next step would be to complete a reassessment/supersession and pursue any

arrears payments with the Paying Parent. All steps /actions will be specific to the

detail of the case. Ultimately where there is evidence of criminal activity CMG can

pursue a criminal prosecution through the CPS.

Crisis Loans

David Simpson: [191359]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many crisis loans were

awarded in 2017.

Justin Tomlinson:

No Crisis Loans were awarded in 2017.

Crisis Loans were abolished in England, Scotland and Wales from 1 st April 2013 and

in Northern Ireland from November 27 th 2016 as part of Welfare Reform.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Stephen Timms: [191251]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11

September to Question 171273, what plans she has to publish data on the outcomes for

people receiving support through the Youth Obligation.




Alok Sharma:

[Holding answer 19 November 2018]: The Department monitors requests we receive

for new statistics and will consider whether we can produce and release analysis that

will helpfully inform public debate.

The Department is looking at this issue and considering what statistics could be

produced.

Occupational Pensions: EU Law

Jack Dromey: [191898]


November 2018 Question 186293 on Occupational Pensions, when the transposition

table that is required by the EU Commission as part of the IORP2 Directive will be

published.

Guy Opperman:

The Transposition Table for IORP II is being prepared and will be submitted to the EU

Commission by the transposition date of 13 January 2019. There is no requirement in

the Directive for publication by either the EU Commission or UK Government.

Personal Independence Payment: Cancer

Nic Dakin: [190873]


November to Question 187017 on Personal Independence Payment: Cancer, how many

people with (a) leukaemia, (b) myeloma, (c) Hodgkin's lymphoma and (d) non-Hodgkin's

lymphoma have (i) applied for personal independence payment and (ii) unsuccessfully

appealed a decision not to award personal independence payment.

Sarah Newton:

Since Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was introduced up to June 2018, there

have been:

(a) 5,780 decisions for people with a primary disabling condition of leukaemia. There

were 90 appeals against disallowances, 30 of which were unsuccessful.

(b) 3,430 decision for people with a primary disabling condition of myeloma. There

were 30 appeals against disallowances, fewer than five of which were unsuccessful.

(c) 2,680 decisions for people with a primary disabling condition of Hodgkin’s

lymphoma. There were 40 appeals against disallowances, 10 of which were

unsuccessful.

(d) 4,240 decisions for people with a primary disabling condition of non-Hodgkin’s

lymphoma. There were 70 appeals against disallowance, 30 of which were

unsuccessful.



The data at (a) to (d) has been rounded to the nearest 10. The number of decisions

does not include people who applied for PIP but withdrew their application before

their initial assessment.

Since PIP was introduced 3.5m decisions have been made up to June 2018, of these

9% have been appealed and 4% have been overturned.

The table below puts these figures in the context of the total number of disallowances

and appeals. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. # denotes fewer than 5.

Components of this answer and the answer to PQ187017 may not sum to totals due

to rounding.

The number of decisions does not include people who applied for PIP but withdrew

their application before their initial assessment.

PIP decisions, disallowances and appeals up to June 2018

(A) LEUKAEMIA (B) MYELOMA

(C) HODGKIN’S

LYMPHOMA

(D) NON-

HODGKIN’S

LYMPHOMA

Number of

decisions

5,780 3,430 2,680 4,240

Number of

disallowances

1,040 350 490 680

Number of

appeals against

disallowances

90 30 40 70

Number of

disallowances

maintained at

appeal

30 # 10 30

Not all Tribunal appeals will relate to the outcome of the PIP assessment, but other

aspects of the PIP process. The appeals may include decisions which are changed at

mandatory reconsideration, and where the claimant continues to appeal for a higher

PIP award, are then changed again at tribunal appeal.

Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer

systems. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the

decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Kevin Brennan: [190376]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will a publish a list of

newspapers in which adverts on the change to the state pension age for women were

placed since 2010.

Guy Opperman:

As reported in the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee report;

Communication of state pension age changes, published in March 2016, there were

more than 600 mentions of state pension age equalisation in the national broadsheet

and tabloid press between 1993 and 2006 – an average of just under one per week –

on “front pages, News and City sections as well as personal finance pages”, and

most concentrated “in 1993-95 and again from 2005-06”.

The Department does not have any records that suggest it has used paid newspaper

advertising since 2010 specifically to advertise State Pension age changes.

Universal Credit


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases relating to

universal credit have been referred to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

in each of the last three years.

Alok Sharma:

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is independent of Government,

therefore we do not hold this information.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has

received about the effect on vulnerable people and those with mental health conditions of

joint claims for Universal Credit which are paid to one person in the family.

Alok Sharma:

We recognise that the move to a single monthly household payment is a significant

change and therefore for a minority of claimants, alternative payment arrangements

can be provided to help them manage that change. These include: managed

payment of the Universal Credit housing cost to landlords; making payments more

frequently than monthly (e.g. twice monthly); and splitting the payment between

partners within the household.

Splitting payments between partners is normally considered to prevent hardship to a

claimant and their family, for example if the Universal Credit claimant is not managing

their financial affairs and cannot or will not budget for their own or their family’s basic

day to day needs.

We take seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants. Universal Credit

provides enhanced personalised support for people by simplifying the benefits




system. All claimants, including vulnerable claimants and those with mental health

conditions, receive continuous tailored support managed through personal work

coaches, who know each person’s case.

Additionally we can offer Personal Budgeting Support which aims to prepare

claimants for the financial changes Universal Credit brings. It provides transitional

support to help them manage their monthly payments and prioritise essential bills,

such as rent and utilities.

MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

JUSTICE

Prisons: Crimes of Violence and Self-harm

Chris Ruane: [186964]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents of (a) self harm, (b)

violence against prisoners and (c) violence against prison staff per 100 prisoners there

were in each prison in each of the last five years.

An error has been identified in the written answer given on 9 November 2018. The

correct answer should have been:

Rory Stewart:

The tables show the numbers of self-harm incidents, assault incidents on prisoners,

and assault incidents on staff, per 100 prisoners, for each prison from 2013 to 2017

inclusive.

The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to keep prisoners safe, and we

are committed to reducing the incidence of self-harm across the estate. This is why

we have established a prison safety programme through which we are taking forward

a comprehensive set of actions to improve safety in custody. We have invested in

over 3,000 additional staff in order to deliver consistent, purposeful regimes. We have

also introduced the new key worker role, under which staff can give prisoners more

effective challenge and support.

Our prison staff work incredibly hard and we are under no illusions about the

challenges they face. We are taking urgent action to make prisons safer, and

assaults on our staff will never be tolerated. That is why we are working with the

Police and Crown Prosecution Service to ensure successful prosecutions of those

who assault them. It is also why the Government supported the recently passed

Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which increases sentences for those

who attack emergency workers, including prison officers.

Attachments:

1. PQ 186964 - Tables.xlsx

Probation: Death

Richard Burgon: [188194]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2018 to

Question 184996 on Probation: Death, if he will provide that information for each year

since 2010.

An error has been identified in the written answer given on 14 November 2018. The

correct answer should have been:



Rory Stewart:

The information requested is provided in the attached table. As per the answer to PQ

184996, please note that offenders may appear both within the caseload figures of

court orders (including community orders and suspended sentence orders), and post-

release supervision.

The National Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation Companies work

closely with other agencies to support offenders in the community. When an offender

being supervised by Probation dies, the Probation provider must examine the

circumstances of the death and identify areas to improve practice. While we work

extremely closely with each offender before and after release to help them find the

support they need, we do not have sole responsibility for caring for these offenders.

We are clear, however, that they should receive the same level of care as other

members of the public.

Attachments:

1. PQ 188194 - table.xlsx

WRITTEN STATEMENTS

DEFENCE

The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018

Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mr Tobias Ellwood): [HCWS1094]

I am today laying before Parliament the Armed Forces Covenant annual report 2018. This

is the seventh report since the Armed Forces Act 2011 established the Armed Forces

Covenant and set out the requirement for the Defence Secretary to report progress

annually to Parliament. The Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who

serve, or have served, and their families are treated fairly and suffer no disadvantage.

Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given

the most such as the injured or the bereaved. The sacrifices made by serving personnel,

veterans and their families should be recognised accordingly.

I am proud to present this report to Parliament, describing what the Government has

done to uphold the principles of the Covenant. In the context of the 100 year anniversary

of the Armistice, it is particularly important to consider the role of the Armed Forces in

society today. Following the recent launch of the “Strategy for our Veterans” (Cm 9726)

and the consultation paper (Cm 9727), the annual report focuses on serving personnel

and families, explaining how we provide support to the whole of the Armed Forces

community. The theme of Delivering Effective Support acknowledges the nation’s

improving understanding of not just the needs of the Armed Forces community, but also

how we can support them to make best use of the diverse skills and experiences that

they offer wider society. While we are now better placed to measure our progress in

delivering the Covenant and mitigating disadvantage to the Armed Forces community, we

know there is much more still to be achieved, particularly in ensuring consistency of

outcomes.

The report covers progress on healthcare, education, accommodation, inquests, family

life, through-life support, and business and community. Key highlights of this year’s report

include: the expansion of the Department for Education’s Common Transfer File to

capture more contextual information on Service children from September 2018; the

publication of guidance to ease the impact on serving personnel and families moving

between administrations; the announcement of the 3,000th signatory to the Covenant; the

relocation of the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre to a new purpose-built facility at

Stanford Hall; and the launch of NHS England’s Veterans Mental Health Complex

Treatment Service.

The report also explains the creation of the independent Armed Forces Covenant Fund

Trust as an independent charity, to manage the £10 million per annum Covenant Fund.

The new status will allow a more flexible approach to grant-making.

The report has been compiled in consultation with other Government Departments, the

devolved Governments in Wales and Scotland, and with key stakeholders in Northern

Ireland. The external members of the Covenant Reference Group, which includes the

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-11-21/HCWS1094/

three Service Families Federations, the Confederation of Service Charities, the Royal

British Legion, SSAFA, the War Widows Association and Professor Hew Strachan, have

also been consulted.

EDUCATION

Tailored Review of the Student Loans Company

The Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Mr Sam

Gyimah): [HCWS1095]

I am announcing today the start of a Tailored Review of the Student Loans Company, a

non-profit making Government-owned organisation, which disperses grants to students in

universities and colleges in the UK. The SLC has been classified as an executive NDPB

since 1996 and its current shareholding structure, split between Department for

Education (DfE) and the devolved administrations has been in place since 2013.

As a Non-Department Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by DfE, the Student Loans

Company is required to undergo a Tailored Review at least once in every parliament. The

principal aims of Tailored Reviews are to ensure public bodies remain fit for purpose, are

well governed and properly accountable for what they do.

The Review will provide a robust scrutiny of, and assurance on, the continuing need for

the Student Loans Company – both its function and its form. It will assess the governance

and control arrangements in place to ensure they are compliant with the recognised

principles of good corporate governance and delivering good value for money. The

structure, efficiency and effectiveness of the Student Loans Company will be considered

throughout the Review.

A Challenge Panel, chaired by a DfE Non Executive Director, will examine the findings of

both stages of the Review.

The Review will follow guidance published in 2016 by the Cabinet Office: ‘Tailored

Reviews: guidance on reviews of public bodies’. This can be found on Gov.uk.

In conducting this Tailored Review, officials will engage with a broad range of

stakeholders across the UK, including across UK Government, Devolved Administrations,

business and civil society, as well as with the Student Loans Company’s own staff and

management.

I shall inform the House of the outcome of the Review when it is completed and copies of

the report of the Review will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

TEF reviewer appointment

The Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Mr Sam

Gyimah): [HCWS1097]

I am pleased to announce today that the Secretary of State for Education has appointed

Dame Shirley Pearce DBE to report on the operation of the Teaching Excellence and


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tailored-reviews-of-public-bodies-guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tailored-reviews-of-public-bodies-guidance


Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) in line with the process set out in section 26 of the

Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

The Review will commence in December this year and we expect the reviewer to report in

summer 2019.

Dame Shirley has a distinguished track record in higher education and has made an

outstanding contribution to a number of other areas of public life.

This makes her an excellent choice to lead this Review and clearly shows that she will

command the confidence of HE providers.

Her detailed biography is attached, and I will deposit a copy in the House Libraries.

Further details and guidance will be published on .gov.uk.

Attachments:

1. Biography of Dame Shirley Pearce DBE [Biography of Dame Shirley Pearce DBE.docx]

EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION

General Affairs Council, 12 November 2018

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Exiting the European Union

(Mr Robin Walker): [HCWS1096]

Lord Callanan, Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, has made the following

statement:

I represented the UK at the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting on 12 November in

Brussels. A provisional report of the meeting and the conclusions adopted can be found

on the Council of the European Union’s website at:

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2018/11/12/

Values of the Union - Hungary / Article 7(1) TEU Reasoned Proposal

The Presidency informed Ministers of their meeting with the European Parliament to

discuss the reasoned opinion.

Rule of law in Poland - Article 7(1) TEU Reasoned Proposal

The Commission briefed Ministers on developments since the GAC meeting in October

and recommended that there should be a third hearing on the rule of law in Poland at the

December GAC.

Preparation of December European Council on 13-14 December 2018

Ministers discussed the draft agenda for the December European Council which

comprises the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Single Market, Migration and

External Relations. Ministers welcomed the agenda and, in discussions on Migration,

called for more progress to be made on the implementation of the approach agreed at

previous meetings of the European Council. I intervened to underline the need to disrupt




people smuggling networks and their business models and to tackle the challenges of

migration upstream.

As part of the discussions on External Relations, the European Council will consider

measures to address online disinformation. Ministers welcomed the inclusion of a new

Joint Action Plan to tackle disinformation in the 2019 Commission Work Programme. I

intervened to highlight the UK’s support for this work and reminded Ministers of the need

to ensure that freedom of speech was respected.

Annual Rule of Law dialogue

Ministers took part in the fourth annual rule of law dialogue and considered the levels of

trust that EU citizens have in public institutions. Ministers discussed the threat posed by

political apathy, online disinformation and hostile cyber activity in electoral processes.

The Presidency will prepare draft conclusions on the dialogue and these will be

discussed further by Council working groups.

Multiannual Financial Framework 2021 - 2027

The Council discussed progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)

proposals. The Commission and the Presidency noted that the significant progress made

since June would ensure that Leaders would be in a position to discuss the MFF at the

European Council meeting in December.

Legislative programming - Commission’s Work Programme 2019

The Commission presented the Commission Work Programme for 2019 and set out the

measures it will take over the next ten weeks to conclude proposals in relation to

economic growth, competition, climate change, cyber attacks and disinformation.

Subsidiarity Package

The Commission presented its subsidiarity package which was published on 23 October.

The package seeks to strengthen the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity in EU

decision-making. In those areas which do not form part of the EU’s exclusive

competence, the principle of subsidiarity means that action should only be taken at EU

level when the desired objectives cannot be effectively achieved by action taken at

national or regional level.

European Semester 2019 - Roadmap

The Austrian Presidency and the incoming Romanian Presidency presented the timetable

for the 2019 European Semester, which will provide a framework for the coordination of

economic policies across the EU.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

The Government Hospitality Wine Cellar Annual Report 2017-18

Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alan Duncan):

[HCWS1098]

I have today placed a copy of the Government Hospitality Wine Cellar Annual Report for

the Financial Year 2017-18 in the Libraries of both Houses.

Following the outcome of the review of the Government Hospitality Wine Cellar in 2011,

this seventh Annual Report continues our commitment to annual reporting to Parliament

on the use of the Wine Cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value

for money. The wine cellar has been self-funding since 2011/12, through the sale of some

high-value stock and payments made by other Government departments for events

organised by Government Hospitality.

The report notes that:

• The highest consumption level by volume was again of English and Welsh wine, at 57%

of the total (cf. 52% in 16/17); • The highest volume of purchases was of English and

Welsh wines at 64% of the total; • Consumption by volume increased by some 20% in FY

2017/18 due to an increased number of larger events; • Sales of stock amounted to

£50,600 (cf. £40,800 in FY 16/17); • Further funds from other government departments

added £26,494 to the overall receipts (cf. £16,234 in 16/17); • Purchases amounted to

£56,976 (ex-VAT), an increase of 26% by value cf. £45,042 in 16/17.

1.0.0.20

Attachments:

1. Annex A [Annex A - Wine and Spirit Consumption and Sales 2017-18.xlsx]

2. Annex B [Annex B Wine Cellar Stock.xlsx]

3. Annual Report [Annual Report GH Wine Cellar 2017-18 Final 15 11 18.doc.pdf]

4. Wine Cellar Key Facts [Wine Cellar Key Facts.xlsx]



Documents

Daily Report Wednesday, 21 November 2018 …...2018/11/21 · Daily Report Wednesday, 21 November 2018 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 21 November 2018