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40536

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2014
	answering body	Leader of the House of Lords
	answering dept id	92
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Leader of the House what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Ministry of Justice with regard to the 13 questions asked of that department out of the 27 which remained unanswered after 10 working days on 27 February.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jopling
	uin	HL5681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2014 answer text <p>Of the 13 questions to the Ministry of Justice that remained unanswered after 10 working days on 27 February, all but one have now been answered. <br><br>I take the matter of late answers to Questions for Written Answer very seriously. My office reviews the &lsquo;Questions unanswered after 10 working days&rsquo; in <em>House of Lords Business </em>every day. As soon as a question appears in this section of <em>House of Lords Business</em>, my office contacts the relevant department&rsquo;s Parliamentary Team, and they remain in contact with the Parliamentary Team and the Minister&rsquo;s Private Office until the question is answered. <br><br>I have also recently taken the opportunity to discuss the need for timely answers with members of the front bench in this House.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Hill of Oareford question first answered 13/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4144 label Biography information for Lord Hill of Oareford
	tabling member	883 label Biography information for Lord Jopling

41618

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Speaker's Committee for Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
	answering dept id	90
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what procurement process was conducted by IPSA in advance of the decision to engage Matrix Chambers to prepare and advise on High Court action in May 2013 in respect of their case against the hon. Member for Peterborough; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Haltemprice and Howden
	tabling member printed	Mr David Davis
	uin	190702
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.</p><p>Letter from Andrew McDonald, March 2013:</p><blockquote><p>As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking about the engagement of Matrix Chambers.</p><p> </p>Counsel from Matrix Chambers were identified as one of IPSA's preferred legal Counsel as part of a tender exercise for legal services in 2010. Accordingly, Counsel from Matrix Chambers were instructed by IPSA's solicitors, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, in connection with the matter in March 2013.</blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxbourne answering member printed Mr Charles Walker question first answered 25/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker
	tabling member	373 label Biography information for Sir David Davis

41377

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, when he was first made aware of the existence of the administrative scheme for on-the-runs.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast North
	tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
	uin	190834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2014 answer text <p>I was first made aware of the existence of the administrative scheme for on-the-runs when in opposition.</p> answering member constituency Beaconsfield answering member printed Mr Dominic Grieve question first answered 26/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 16 label Biography information for Mr Dominic Grieve
	tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

41445

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on devolution of Homes and Communities Agency assets to (a) combined authorities and (b) local enterprise partnerships.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne East
	tabling member printed	Mr Nicholas Brown
	uin	190614
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In disposing of its assets the Homes and Communities Agency is guided by value for money principles; disposals are expected to be at market value for land and other assets in order to protect public investment. The Homes and Communities Agency are open to considering proposals for joint working that will promote development, economic activity and growth.</p><p>These assets were bought by the national taxpayer and therefore the receipts are deployed nationally. Receipts are reinvested to help finance other Government housing and regeneration programmes, as well as fund a range of historic legal commitments and liabilities on land inherited by the Homes and Communities Agency from other bodies (including the liabilities left by the former Regional Development Agencies).</p><p>I would add that neither combined authorities or Local Enterprise Partnerships have responsibility for housing; we should avoid ‘function creep' which would dilute their focus and/or centralise and take power away from local councils (both as local housing authorities and as local planning authorities).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	523 label Biography information for Mr Nicholas Brown

41162

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 694W, on polling stations, what assessment he has made of the effect of foreign language translation by local authorities on integration of non-English speakers into their communities.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	190554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In March 2013, my Department published new guidance for local authorities outlining how councils should stop translating into foreign languages. As outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement of 12 March 2013, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 5WS, such translation weakens integration; discourages communities from learning English; undermines rather than strengthens equality goals; harms community relations; and is an expensive waste of taxpayers' money at a time when councils need to be making sensible savings. It is disappointing that councils like Tower Hamlets have disregarded that guidance, and reflects broader issues with the dysfunctional governance and divisive practices of the council.</p><p>I would add that in light of previous instances of electoral fraud, including impersonation in polling stations, postal voting irregularities and allegations of improper influence, Ministers in this Department have concerns about the practice of allowing foreign language translators/interpreters inside polling stations. The privacy of the ballot must be protected and voters inside a polling station should not be subject to any pressure or influence to vote in a particular way. In that context, the integrity of the ballot box and of the local democratic process requires independent and transparent scrutiny in polling stations by polling agents, council staff, the police and, indeed, passing members of the public who are also voting. This is undermined by polling room administration being conducted in foreign languages.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

40792

	registered interest
	date	28/02/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the (a) fairness, (b) accuracy and (c) completeness of using the (i) census and midterm census and (ii) electoral register to determine the size of constituencies when drawing boundaries.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	190096
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The electoral register has been the basis for parliamentary boundary reviews since the creation of the independent Boundary Commissions. The Government does not believe that using population figures derived from Census data would provide a better basis for a boundary review than using the electoral register. Importantly, the electoral register is updated annually, and census figures will include persons who are not eligible to register to vote, for example on grounds of citizenship or age.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 05/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

40940

	registered interest
	date	03/03/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, (a) how and (b) by whom pay levels for returning officers are set.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	190156
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The amounts recoverable by Returning Officers in respect of services rendered at different national polls vary and have been set out in successive Orders. It is the size of the electorate which determines the maximum amounts that Returning Officers can claim. </p><p> </p><p>Returning Officers are generally entitled to a sum of &pound;475 for every 10,000 electors in their area on a pro rata basis with a minimum of &pound;2,500. This rate has remained unchanged since 2009. </p><p> </p><p>Any Returning Officers acting in an additional capacity, such as Regional Returning Officers at European Parliamentary Elections or Police Area Returning Officers at Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, are entitled to recover an additional flat rate amount for their services in co-ordinating the election over a number of local authorities.</p><p>Returning Officers are not required to claim the full amount. They can choose not to claim or to claim only part of the amount available. They can also choose to re-distribute some or all of the amount amongst any deputies and other staff to whom they delegate their duties. </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 10/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

40899

	registered interest
	date	03/03/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much the 10 most highly-paid returning officers in the UK are paid.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	190165
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The amounts recoverable by Returning Officers in respect of services rendered at different national polls vary and have been set out in successive Orders. It is the size of the electorate which determines the maximum amounts that Returning Officers can claim. </p><p> </p><p>Any Returning Officers acting in an additional capacity, such as Regional Returning Officers at European Parliamentary Elections or Police Area Returning Officers at Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, are entitled to recover an additional flat rate amount for their services in co-ordinating the election over a number of local authorities.</p><p> </p><p>Returning Officers are not required to claim the full amount. They can choose not to claim or to claim only part of the amount available. They can also choose to re-distribute some or all of the amount amongst any deputies and other staff to whom they delegate their duties. </p><p> </p><p>The table below sets out the 10 highest maximum recoverable amounts for services rendered available to Returning Officers at the 2014 European parliamentary elections. Regional Returning Officers will be entitled to claim an additional &pound;12,000. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>Local Authority</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Region</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>RO fee</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>Birmingham</p></td><td><p>West Midlands</p></td><td><p>&pound;39,564</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>Leeds</p></td><td><p>Yorkshire &amp; Humberside</p></td><td><p>&pound;29,406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>Glasgow City</p></td><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>&pound;22,300</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>Sheffield</p></td><td><p>Yorkshire &amp; Humberside</p></td><td><p>&pound;20,900</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>Cornwall</p></td><td><p>South West</p></td><td><p>&pound;20,190</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>Manchester</p></td><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>&pound;19,711</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>County of Durham</p></td><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>&pound;19,455</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>Bradford</p></td><td><p>Yorkshire &amp; Humberside</p></td><td><p>&pound;18,270</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>Liverpool</p></td><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>&pound;16,918</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>City of Bristol</p></td><td><p>South West</p></td><td><p>&pound;16,914</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is up Local Authorities to determine whether or not Returning Officers are entitled to recover an amount in respect of services rendered at local polls. </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 10/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

40939

	registered interest
	date	03/03/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much was paid to returning officers in each of the last 10 years.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	190155
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The amount recoverable by Returning Officers in respect of services rendered at national polls in the last 10 years has been set out in successive Orders. Fees paid to Returning Officers in local polls are the responsibility of their local authorities.</p><p> </p><p><strong>2004/05:</strong> No overall total is available. In 2004 and 2005, the calculations for Returning Officers&rsquo; fees were not listed by individual counting areas in the Orders.</p><p> </p><p><strong>2006/07/08:</strong> No national elections were held</p><p> </p><p><strong>2009: </strong>Total paid: &pound;2,386,069</p><p> </p><p><strong>2010:</strong> Total paid: &pound;2,160,811</p><p> </p><p><strong>2011:</strong> Total paid: &pound;2,468,766</p><p> </p><p><strong>2012:</strong> Total paid: &pound;2,068,931</p><p> </p><p><strong>2013:</strong> No national elections were held</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 06/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

41455

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2014
	answering body	Deputy Prime Minister
	answering dept id	58
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2014, Official Report, columns 509-10W, on electoral registration, if his Department will sponsor a national registration week.
	tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
	tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
	uin	190814
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government welcomes initiatives that promote democratic engagement, such as the British Youth Council&rsquo;s Make Your Mark campaign and the recent Parliament Week programme. In February it announced that all 363 local authorities and valuation joint boards in Great Britain, and five national organisations, will share &pound;4.2 million funding to promote voter registration.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to consider further ways to promote voter registration and welcomes discussions with national organisations about such initiatives.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells answering member printed Greg Clark question first answered 12/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark
	tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane