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91846

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what factors caused the reduced collection rate of Council Tax in England in 2013–14.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1904
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name Council_tax_collection_rate_Statistics July2014 PQ 350200-01.pdf title council Tax Stats Release July 2014 2 file name Total arrears Arrears per Dwellings and collection rates PQ350200-01.xlsx title council tax arrears grouped question UIN HL1905 question first answered 22/10/2014 16:49:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91847

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the average Council Tax arrears per dwelling in England in each year since 2010.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1905
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name Council_tax_collection_rate_Statistics July2014 PQ 350200-01.pdf title council Tax Stats Release July 2014 2 file name Total arrears Arrears per Dwellings and collection rates PQ350200-01.xlsx title council tax arrears grouped question UIN HL1904 question first answered 22/10/2014 16:49:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91853

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Military Aircraft
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in each year since 2007–8, what were the total (1) planned, and (2) actual, usage hours for (a) the C-17 Globemaster, (b) the C-130K Hercules, (c) the C-130J Hercules, (d) the Tristar, and (e) the VC-10, aircraft.
tabling member printed	Lord Moonie
uin	HL1911
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The planned and actual flying hours for financial years 2009-10 onwards are provided in the table below. Figures for the C-130 Hercules reflect the total fleet flying hours irrespective of aircraft Mark as this data is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td>2009-10</td><td>2010-11</td><td>2011-12</td><td>2012-13</td><td>2013-14</td></tr><tr><td>C-17 Planned</td><td>7,800</td><td>8,300</td><td>8,800</td><td>9,580</td><td>10,140</td></tr><tr><td>Actual</td><td>8,320</td><td>8,790</td><td>8,370</td><td>8,230</td><td>8,660</td></tr><tr><td>C-130 Planned</td><td>28,720</td><td>28,060</td><td>26,080</td><td>24,440</td><td>22,150</td></tr><tr><td>Actual</td><td>20,650</td><td>17,970</td><td>16,920</td><td>16,110</td><td>13,850</td></tr><tr><td>Tristar Planned</td><td>11,560</td><td>9,830</td><td>6,000</td><td>6,000</td><td>6,000</td></tr><tr><td>Actual</td><td>6,550</td><td>5,470</td><td>5,820</td><td>5,510</td><td>4,270</td></tr><tr><td>VC-10 Planned</td><td>6,480</td><td>6,480</td><td>4,480</td><td>4,480</td><td>670</td></tr><tr><td>Actual</td><td>7,370</td><td>6,110</td><td>5,360</td><td>2,430</td><td>550</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.</p><p> </p><p>For 2007-08 and 2008-09 I refer the noble Lord to the previous answers given on 15 June 2009 (Official Report, column 8W), 14 May 2009 (Official Report, column 13MC) and 27 April (Official Report, column 1023W).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Astor of Hever question first answered 22/10/2014 16:26:03 answering member 3428 label Biography information for Lord Astor of Hever
tabling member	621 label Biography information for Lord Moonie

91933

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Defence: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's communication to industry of its future requirements.
tabling member constituency	Mid Worcestershire
tabling member printed	Sir Peter Luff
uin	209332
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works closely with defence companies through several forums to ensure the best possible access to its future requirements. The Department engages key suppliers, defence trade associations and SMEs through regular meetings of the Defence Suppliers Forum, the SME Forum and their respective sub-committees. In addition, under the delegated model of defence transformation, each of the Commands have regular interface through their equipment capability teams with relevant industry to apprise them of broad capability issues.</p><p> </p><p>We hold regular industry days focused on particular projects and programmes which allow the department and domains an opportunity to discuss future requirements directly with a wide range of suppliers, including Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. This includes regular events organised by Front Line Commands to share information with industry about future requirements such as the Air Environment Capability Strategy day held in May 2014.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD uses the MOD Defence Contracts Online portal and, where appropriate, the Contracts Finder portal, to advertise all its publishable tenders and contract opportunities valued in excess of £10,000. Access to the portals are free of charge.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne question first answered 23/10/2014 15:37:52 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne previous answer version 22731 answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	268 label Biography information for Sir Peter Luff

91940

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Peacekeeping Operations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK plans to (a) bid to fill any of the nine gender adviser positions that are part of the Afghanistan Operation Resolute Support Force structure and (b) appoint an O7 rank or above to lead the Gender Advisory Unit; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Bridgend
tabling member printed	Mrs Madeleine Moon
uin	209500
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK does not have any current plans to do so.</p> answering member constituency Rayleigh and Wickford answering member printed Mr Mark Francois question first answered 22/10/2014 16:25:20 answering member 1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois previous answer version 22749 answering member constituency Rayleigh and Wickford answering member printed Mr Mark Francois answering member 1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois
tabling member	1490 label Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon

92169

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	USA
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the titles and objectives are of all enhanced collaborations under way under the auspices of the UK-US Mutual Defence Agreement.
tabling member constituency	Moray
tabling member printed	Angus Robertson
uin	209762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>The 1958 UK-US Mutual Defence Agreement is a bilateral treaty which provides the basis of the UK’s relationship with the US in respect of nuclear propulsion and nuclear warheads. <br><br>Most of the activity carried out under the treaty comprises exchanging information, which takes place through a series of joint working groups. <br><br>In addition, there are two enhanced collaborations, which are focused on developing capabilities:<br><br>Enhanced Nuclear Safety – the objective of which is to develop architectures and technologies related to warhead safety.<br><br>Warhead Electrical System – the objective of which is to develop architectures and technologies related to warhead electrical systems.<br><br>Both enhanced collaborations contribute to ensuring that the UK maintains our nuclear warhead stockpile on a continuing basis.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne question first answered 21/10/2014 16:11:25 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne previous answer version 22735 answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	1433 label Biography information for Angus Robertson

92177

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Performance Appraisal
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials in his Department of each (a) gender, (b) ethnicity and (c) age received the Civil Service Employment Policy Performance Management System's (i) exceeded, (ii) met and (iii) must improve performance mark in 2013-14.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	209477
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>41,130 Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian personnel below the Senior Civil Service were the subject of a Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) for reporting year 2013-14 and therefore took part in Performance Management.</p><p> </p><p>The moderated performance outcomes are as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p>Box 1</p></td><td><p>Box 2</p></td><td><p>Box 3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Submitted PARs:</p></td><td><p>9,690</p></td><td><p>28,940</p></td><td><p>2,510</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Proportion:</p></td><td><p>23.5%</p></td><td><p>70.4%</p></td><td><p>6.1%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>A non-consolidated performance award has been made to those individuals who received a Box 1 outcome.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD will publish an annual report on the outcome of the performance management process later this year; this will include a thorough analysis of the 2013-14 data broken down by declared protected characteristics. It will also show the relevant declaration rates in support of this data analysis.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 209625 209647 question first answered 21/10/2014 16:38:58 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry previous answer version 22788 answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

92179

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Performance Appraisal
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials in his Department completed the Civil Service Employment Policy Performance Management System in 2013-14; how many and what proportion of those officials received the (a) exceeded, (b) met and (c) must improve performance mark; and how many and what proportion (i) did and (ii) did not qualify for a bonus under that process.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	209647
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>41,130 Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian personnel below the Senior Civil Service were the subject of a Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) for reporting year 2013-14 and therefore took part in Performance Management.</p><p> </p><p>The moderated performance outcomes are as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p>Box 1</p></td><td><p>Box 2</p></td><td><p>Box 3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Submitted PARs:</p></td><td><p>9,690</p></td><td><p>28,940</p></td><td><p>2,510</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Proportion:</p></td><td><p>23.5%</p></td><td><p>70.4%</p></td><td><p>6.1%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>A non-consolidated performance award has been made to those individuals who received a Box 1 outcome.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD will publish an annual report on the outcome of the performance management process later this year; this will include a thorough analysis of the 2013-14 data broken down by declared protected characteristics. It will also show the relevant declaration rates in support of this data analysis.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 209477 209625 question first answered 21/10/2014 16:38:58 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry previous answer version 22787 answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

92180

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Performance Appraisal
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials in his Department who received the (a) exceeded, (b) met and (c) must improve performance mark under the Civil Service Employment Policy Performance Management System (i) had a disability, (ii) worked full-time and (iii) worked part-time in 2013-14.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	209625
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>41,130 Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian personnel below the Senior Civil Service were the subject of a Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) for reporting year 2013-14 and therefore took part in Performance Management.</p><p> </p><p>The moderated performance outcomes are as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p>Box 1</p></td><td><p>Box 2</p></td><td><p>Box 3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Submitted PARs:</p></td><td><p>9,690</p></td><td><p>28,940</p></td><td><p>2,510</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Proportion:</p></td><td><p>23.5%</p></td><td><p>70.4%</p></td><td><p>6.1%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>A non-consolidated performance award has been made to those individuals who received a Box 1 outcome.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD will publish an annual report on the outcome of the performance management process later this year; this will include a thorough analysis of the 2013-14 data broken down by declared protected characteristics. It will also show the relevant declaration rates in support of this data analysis.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 209477 209647 question first answered 21/10/2014 16:38:58 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry previous answer version 22786 answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

92250

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Immigration Controls: Infectious Diseases
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions officials in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Home Department about steps to identify and segregate travellers entering the UK who may be carrying a virulent communicable disease.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	209703
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>Public Health England (PHE) works closely with all the agencies responsible for supporting travellers at the United Kingdom’s borders, including airline operators, Port Health officials and the UK Border Force.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Established and well-tested procedures are in place to ensure that any traveller exhibiting illness during travel can be assessed and given appropriate care.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In view of the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa PHE issued additional specific guidance to Border Staff to reinforce knowledge of these procedures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Battersea answering member printed Jane Ellison question first answered 23/10/2014 16:28:51 answering member 3918 label Biography information for Jane Ellison
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord