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156522

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Leader of the House of Lords
	answering dept id	92
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Leader of the House of Lords
	hansard heading	Written Questions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Leader of the House what steps she takes to ensure the quality of answers to parliamentary questions; and what assessment she has made of the length of time taken to provide them.
	tabling member printed	Lord Laird
	uin	HL2945
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2014 answer text <p>It is the responsibility of individual ministers to decide what answers they give to Questions for Written Answer (QWAs), and they are of course accountable to the House for those answers. That direct accountability is important: that is why Ministers in this House must provide personally signed answers to members. The Ministerial Code states that <em>“It is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament”.<br><br></em>As Leader of the House I have a particular responsibility to encourage Ministers and their departments to be punctual in answering written questions. My office immediately approach departments who have not responded to questions after 10 working days, and remain in contact with them until the questions are answered. At the end of this Session I will publish data on the annual performance of departments on their promptness in dealing with QWAs.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Stowell of Beeston question first answered 03/12/2014 12:49:49 answering member 4205 label Biography information for Baroness Stowell of Beeston
	tabling member	2479 label Biography information for Lord Laird

156540

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Council Tax: Greater Manchester
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of local authority income was raised by Council Tax in each of the 10 districts of Greater Manchester for each of the last five years.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradley
	uin	HL2963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2014 answer text <p>The table below shows the proportion of local authority income raised from council tax by the metropolitan districts of Greater Manchester for each year from 2009-10 to 2013-14. Income is defined as the sum of council tax, specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance, Revenue Support Grant, and for the relevant years, redistributed business rates, retained business rates, Local Services Support Grant and Area Based Grant. Council tax amounts are gross of payments of council tax benefit for years up to 2012-13.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2009-10</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2010-11</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2011-12</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012-13</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013-14</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Bolton</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>22%</p></td><td><p>18%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Bury</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td><td><p>26%</p></td><td><p>22%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Manchester</p></td><td><p>14%</p></td><td><p>14%</p></td><td><p>15%</p></td><td><p>15%</p></td><td><p>11%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Oldham</p></td><td><p>18%</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>16%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Rochdale</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td><td><p>16%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Salford</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>22%</p></td><td><p>16%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Stockport</p></td><td><p>31%</p></td><td><p>31%</p></td><td><p>32%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td><td><p>28%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Tameside</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>18%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Trafford</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td><td><p>28%</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td><td><p>25%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Wigan</p></td><td><p>22%</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td><td><p>23%</p></td><td><p>23%</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Greater Manchester</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>21%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>22%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>22%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>18%</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><em>Source: Revenue Outturn returns</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The figures have fallen in 2013-14 due to a technical, accounting consequence of the localisation of council tax benefit. Councils now apply local council tax support in the form of a council tax discount and receive a DCLG grant through Revenue Support Grant. Previously, councils received a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions, which refunded the tax revenue that was ‘paid’ by the council through council tax benefit.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 08/12/2014 12:18:19 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	452 label Biography information for Lord Bradley

156579

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Planning Permission
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether planning authorities are required to notify town or parish councils of planning applications relating to their towns or parishes.
	tabling member printed	Lord Marlesford
	uin	HL3002
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2014 answer text <p>Yes, if the council of any parish makes a request to the local planning authority that they be consulted on planning applications in their area, they must be given the opportunity to make representations about a planning application. The local planning authority must take into account any relevant representations made and notify the council of any parish of the decision.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/12/2014 17:59:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1854 label Biography information for Lord Marlesford

156659

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Change of Use
	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 14 October 2014 to Question 209429, and the Housing Standards Review Technical Consultation issued in September 2014, if he will make it his policy that a national standard to replace the existing space standards used by local authorities apply to new dwellings created by conversion from other uses under permitted development rights.
	tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
	tabling member printed	Mr Nick Raynsford
	uin	215249
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>The published proposals from our Housing Standards Review relate to new build housing. The conversion of an existing building is technically more complex than a new build – as the existing configuration of internal walls and structures will influence the spatial dimensions of the new dwelling.</p><p> </p><p>Notwithstanding, any new dwellings created by change of use would be subject to Housing Health and Safety Rating System regulations on space and crowding, as well as aspects of the building regulations including fire safety, sound insulation and energy efficiency.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 01/12/2014 09:36:14 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	171 label Biography information for Mr Nick Raynsford

156660

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Local Government: Publications
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities he has written to about the frequency of their publications since entry into force of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Corby
	tabling member printed	Andy Sawford
	uin	215230
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2015 answer text <p>The Coalition Agreement outlined this Government's clear intention to protect the independent free press by tackling unfair competition from local authority newspapers, reflecting the manifesto commitments of both Coalition parties.</p><p> </p><p>Localism needs robust and independent scrutiny by the press and public.</p><p> </p><p>The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 gives the Secretary of State the power to direct compliance with the provisions in the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity ('the Publicity Code'). Ministers have clearly stated that they are prepared to use those powers, if necessary, where local authorities are failing to comply with the provisions in the Code.</p><p> </p><p>In March 2014, Ministers wrote to Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Nottingham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest councils requesting that they take steps to ensure their councils comply with the Publicity Code.</p><p> </p><p>In April 2014, formal notice that the Secretary of State was minded to direct compliance with the provisions in Code were served on Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest councils. In August 2014, Ministers wrote to Enfield, Hillingdon, Lambeth, Luton, Medway, Mid Devon and North Somerset Councils, requesting they comply with the Publicity Code.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2014, further formal notice that the Secretary of State was minded to direct compliance with the provisions in the Publicity Code was served on Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hillingdon, Lambeth, Luton, Newham, North Somerset, Medway, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest councils.</p><p> </p><p>In October 2014, North Somerset Council wrote to confirm that they would be complying with the Code, terminating contracts for printing and distribution.</p><p> </p><p>This illustrates that we have taken extensive steps to encourage councils to review their practices, given that central intervention is the last resort. Subsequently, I can tell the House:</p><p> </p><p>As stated in the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 December 2014 (<em>Official Report</em>, Column 91WS), in December 2014, the Secretary of State has issued a direction against the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and appointed Commissioners. The intervention package includes steps to ensure the Council's publicity functions are properly exercised and ensure compliance with the Code.</p><p> </p><p>As stated in my Written Ministerial Statement of 3 March 2015 (<em>Official Report</em>, Column 49WS), the Secretary of State issued a direction to the Royal Borough of Greenwich.</p><p> </p><p>As stated in my Written Ministerial Statement of 10 March 2015 (<em>Official Report</em>, Column 6WS), the Secretary of State has published notices of directions that he proposes to issue to the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Waltham Forest.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 12/03/2015 17:15:16 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	4265 label Biography information for Andy Sawford

156661

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Health: Males
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to support the work of the UK Men's Sheds Association.
	tabling member constituency	Gosport
	tabling member printed	Caroline Dinenage
	uin	215138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2014 answer text <p>We welcome the work done by organisations like the UK Men’s Shed Association which help people to keep active. This has significant benefits, which is reflected in the lottery funding which has been given to the Association. As well as the positive impact on the general well-being and health of the participating individuals, the work of the Association also actively supports community engagement and recycling and re-use of materials, both of which are Government priorities.</p><p> </p><p>This Government believes strongly in the importance of allotments within local communities and wants local authorities to do all they can to ensure that allotments are maintained and used effectively. In this context, on 30 January the Department published new guidance, “Allotment Disposal Guidance: Safeguards and alternatives”, to clarify the legal and policy safeguards in place to ensure that disposal is transparent and handled properly and thoroughly.</p><p> </p><p>This guidance is available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allotment-disposal-guidance-safeguards-and-alternatives" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allotment-disposal-guidance-safeguards-and-alternatives</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 08/12/2014 17:01:18 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
	tabling member	4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage

156729

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Flexible Working
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of (a) women and (b) men have made a statutory application to request flexible working in his Department; and how many of those applications have been granted to date.
	tabling member constituency	Ashfield
	tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
	uin	215179
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Communities and Local Government offers a range of flexible working patterns and other combinations of working patterns that allow employees to maintain a good work/life balance.</p><p>At the 31 October 2014 the working pattern breakdown of DCLG staff is shown in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>*</p></td><td><p>Total Staff</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>Female</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>Male</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>No of Staff</p></td><td><p>1677</p></td><td><p>100%</p></td><td><p>850</p></td><td><p>50.7%</p></td><td><p>827</p></td><td><p>49.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>No of Staff on Flexible Working Patterns (including Part Time)</p></td><td><p>262</p></td><td><p>15.6%</p></td><td><p>222</p></td><td><p>84.7%</p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>15.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>No of Staff on Part Time Hours</p></td><td><p>205</p></td><td><p>12.2%</p></td><td><p>179</p></td><td><p>87.3%</p></td><td><p>26</p></td><td><p>12.7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>No of Full Time Staff on Flexible Working Hours</p></td><td><p>57</p></td><td><p>3.4%</p></td><td><p>43</p></td><td><p>75.4%</p></td><td><p>14</p></td><td><p>24.6%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>* Data as at 31/10/2014</p><p> </p><p>An application would only be rejected where there is a clear business case that shows granting the application would be impracticable and inefficient. The specific grounds of the rejection would be stated with an explanation of how it applies to the applicant’s circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 01/12/2014 17:06:24 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

156559

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Young Offender Institutions: Employment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the view of the fact that in 2013 young people in young offender institutions were experiencing on average only 12 hours a week of purposeful activity, what progress has been made towards the 25 hours a week promised in the contract.
	tabling member printed	Lord Quirk
	uin	HL2982
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Government is placing education at the heart of youth custody to equip young offenders with the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to build a life free from crime and become productive, hardworking members of the community.</p><p>As part of the Transforming Youth Custody Programme a competition is underway for new education contracts in directly managed young offender institutions which will more than double existing education provision and enable the delivery of at least 30 hours per week of education, integrated into a wider rehabilitative regime. The contracts will commence in spring 2015. This, in addition to wider provision of purposeful activity will help to equip young people of the skills, qualifications and self discipline they need to lead lives free from crime.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 03/12/2014 17:56:34 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
	tabling member	3254 label Biography information for Lord Quirk

156560

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Secure Colleges
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the secure colleges for under-18s will be providing education at the target rate of 30 hours per week in the new contract by the end of (1) 2015, (2) 2016, and (3) 2017.
	tabling member printed	Lord Quirk
	uin	HL2983
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The first Secure College will open in the East Midlands in 2017. This will be the first of a new generation of secure educational establishments which will put education at the heart of youth custody. If successful, it will inform our vision for the future of the youth custodial estate across England and Wales.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government has recently completed a public consultation on our plans for Secure College Rules. These Rules will provide the statutory framework for the effective operation of Secure Colleges. We have proposed a Rule on education which would set out a requirement for Secure Colleges to establish a minimum of 30 hours of educational activities for young people each week. This, in addition to wider activities, will help to equip young people with the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to lead lives free from crime. We will respond to the consultation in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 03/12/2014 18:02:33 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
	tabling member	3254 label Biography information for Lord Quirk

156563

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Death
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many serving prisoners have died (1) by suicide, and (2) from natural causes, in each year from 2010 to date.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL2986
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The number of deaths in prison by apparent cause is published in the Safety in Custody statistical bulletin which is available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics" target="_blank">http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics</a>.</p><p>Reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons is a key priority for the Government. We are working hard to understand the reasons for the recent rise, but, as is the case in society at large, there is no simple explanation with complex and individual reasons behind any suicide.</p><p>We have dedicated resources providing support every day in prisons and have created a specialist team to help share good practice as part of our strenuous efforts to learn from each death.</p><p>Young adults are a particularly challenging and vulnerable group, and that is why we have commissioned an independent review into the deaths of 18 to 24-year-olds in prison custody.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 03/12/2014 18:01:22 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten