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Department for Business and Trade Trade Agreements: China Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK–China trade agreement aligns with human rights, labour standards, and environmental protections. Lord Offord of Garvel: The Government has no plans to negotiate a free trade agreement with China. Food: Industry Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatplans they have, if any, to introduce financial assistance programmes to aid in the (1) recovery, and (2) sustainability, of food and beverage businesses. Lord Offord of Garvel: Government recognises the pressures faced by food and drink manufacturing businesses, which account for nearly 20% of UK manufacturing. The Autumn Statement 2022 announced a package of changes to business rates worth £13.6bn over the next 5 years. Government also works with the British Business Bank to help SMEs access finance. For example, the Recovery Loan Scheme helps smaller businesses, including those in the food and beverage sector, access loans and other kinds of finance up to £2 million per business group so they can grow and invest. SMEs can access a range of guidance via the free Business Support Helpline and network of Growth Hubs across England. Finally, the Brexit Pubs Guarantee announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget secures the pledge that pubs will always pay less alcohol duty than supermarkets going forwards. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Occupied Territories Lord Collins of Highbury: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding (1) the closure of the village of al-Mughayyir for three weeks, and (2) the arrest of 50 of al-Mughayyir’s residents. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have not raised this case specifically with the Israeli authorities but we stress to them the damage that their restrictions on movement, access, and trade are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians. We are frustrated by the reports of access restrictions to the village of al-Mughayyir and instances of settler-related violence. All Israelis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace and security. As the occupying power, we urge Israel to fulfil its responsibilities, including ensuring the protection of the civilian population, including from acts of violence by Israeli settlers. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made this clear most recently in a phone call with the Israeli chargé d'affaires on July 4. Department of Health and Social Care Alcoholic Drinks: Minimum Unit Prices Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the evaluation published on 7 June 2022 by Public Health Scotland of Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland on people who are drinking at harmful levels, which found thatalcohol specific deaths fell by 13.4 per cent and hospitalisations by 4.1 per cent. Lord Markham: Legislative competence for alcohol pricing policy is devolved. A formal assessment has not been carried out, however we are following developments on alcohol policies in other nations closely to see what works.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2023-08-10

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief Lord Singh of Wimbledon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any working group was set up at theInternational Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Beliefin July toaddress cultural practices that stigmatise other faiths and beliefs. Lord Singh of Wimbledon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any working group comprising members of different faiths was established at the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief in July to highlight important commonalities between different faiths and eradicate the myth of irreconcilable differences. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting FoRB, we hosted an International Ministerial Conference on FoRB on 5-6 July 2022.No specific working groups were set up during the Conference, however, we worked closely with our international and domestic partners in the run up to the Conference and set up a Conference Advisory Committee with representatives from a range of religion or belief communities, academia and human rights groups. We successfully brought together over 800 faith and belief leaders, human rights actors, civil society and 100 government delegations to agree and work towards joint action on promoting FoRB for all. As outlined in our Written Ministerial Statement following the Conference ( https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-07-15/hlws204), we will continue to build coalitions of government and civil society actors focussed on key themes from the Conference, drawing on the convening power of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance to promote FoRB for all. Tigray: Humanitarian Aid Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches rural areas in Tigray. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The conflict in northern Ethiopia has contributed to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, leaving 13 million people in Tigray, Amhara and Afar requiring humanitarian assistance. The UK has provided more than £80 million to respond to the humanitarian crises Ethiopia since November 2020. Our support has reached civilians across the country including in conflict areas, drought affected areas, and to refugees. UK support has gone towards water and sanitation, health and nutrition, child protection and gender-based violence prevention and response, livelihoods, logistics, communications, and technical expertise seconded to the UN.The return to conflict, including the seizure of fuel by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) from the World Food Programme, makes the work of humanitarian agencies more difficult. The UK, working closely with international partners and the UN, is urging all parties to the conflict to guarantee unfettered humanitarian access by immediately ceasing hostilities and allowing aid in. Tigray: Humanitarian Aid Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the status of the humanitarian truce between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front. Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with international partners over the renewed conflict in Ethiopia. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The breakdown of the truce and return to conflict between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the Ethiopian Government is catastrophic for the people of Ethiopia. It risks tens of thousands of deaths, both directly through fighting and indirectly through a further deepening of the already dire humanitarian situation. 22 months since fighting began, it is clear that there is no military solution to the conflict.The UK is heavily involved in international efforts to de-escalate conflict, stressing the need for a political solution, humanitarian access and accountability for atrocities. We support the African Union's mediation efforts to this end, and encourage a redoubling of these efforts to avert further escalation. The UK urges Tigrayan troops to leave Amhara and Eritrean troops to leave Tigray. We urge the Ethiopian Government to restore services to Tigray and both parties to begin direct talks without preconditions. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa is engaging with all parties to the conflict to deliver these messages. Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in securing an international convention prohibiting the use of rape or sexual violence as a weapon of war, including enforceable and effective sanctions in response to any breaches. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: It is unacceptable that sexual violence and rape continue to take place in conflicts around the world and are, in some cases, used as a method of warfare. Among other things, rape can be a war crime, a crime against humanity and a form of torture. Rape is prohibited under international humanitarian law, international criminal law, international human rights law and UN Security Council resolutions.The UK is stepping up its ambition to end the culture of impunity that has pervaded acts of Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). In the first instance, we are focused on addressing the gaps in implementation of existing laws at the national level. We are also seeking further concerted action on the Crimes Against Humanity (CAH) Convention, which is vital to strengthen the international legal architecture and prosecute atrocity crimes including some forms of CRSV. Both of these steps could pave the way for a CRSV Convention in due course.The UK will host the international Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) conference in November 2022. This will be a key opportunity to show UK leadership and rally international support to agree further action on sexual violence in conflict to eliminate this crime, including stronger international action to promote accountability. Kenya: Development Aid The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government how much UK overseas aid they provided to Kenya in (1) 2017, (2) 2018, (3) 2019, (4) 2020, and (5) 2021. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK provided the following amounts of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Kenya:1) 2017 - £153 million2) 2018 - £116 million3) 2019 - £134 million4) 2020 - £92 million5) 2021 - final figures have not yet been released by the FCDO.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2022-09-27

Department for Transport Shipping: Carbon Emissions Lord Mountevans: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the level of economic development that investing in maritime decarbonisation will provide to the UK’s coastal communities. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department has made no assessment of the potential effect on coastal communities of providing Government funding for maritime decarbonisation. However, in 2019, alongside the Clean Maritime Plan, the Department published an assessment which identified that low and zero emissions shipping could result in potential economic benefits to the UK of around £360-£510 million per year by the middle of the century.Maritime UK has published its views that investment in maritime decarbonisation could in future create jobs in all four nations of the United Kingdom, particularly in coastal communities with a tradition of maritime economic activity, including shipbuilding.Industry research estimates that in 2017 the UK maritime sector as a whole directly supported more than 220,000 jobs for UK employees. Shipping: Carbon Emissions Lord Mountevans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to invest further in maritime decarbonisation, following on from the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Spending review launched on 7 September by the Chancellor of the Exchequer will conclude alongside an Autumn Budget on 27 October. It would be premature for me to comment on any plans for further investment in maritime decarbonisation before a settlement has been agreed. Great British Railways Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timetable for introducing legislation to establish Great British Railways; when they expect the organisation will be operational; and whether they expect to introduce intermediate arrangements with train operating companies until it is established. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Legislation to establish Great British Railways (GBR) will be introduced when the Parliamentary timetable allows. A confirmed date will be announced in due course. In the interim, the GBR Transition Team has been mobilised by Andrew Haines, alongside his current role as CEO of Network Rail, fulfilling the Plan for Rail’s commitment to start interim arrangements immediately. The Transition Team will be responsible for driving forward reforms and creating the railway’s new guiding mind. There is much we can do to deliver benefits to passengers ahead of legislation.   To this end, the transition from the Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs, introduced in September 2020) to new National Rail Contracts is underway. These contracts will strengthen and build on existing cooperation arrangements in the ERMAs and represent a ‘bridge’ to the new Passenger Service Contracts. Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Vacancies Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the shortage of HGV drivers on the gritting of roads during the forthcoming winter. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Section 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980 places a duty on local authorities to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice. It is the local authority’s responsibility to ensure that there are adequate drivers available to carry out gritting. Alongside the interventions that Government has made to mitigate any possible HGV driver shortage, the DfT is working closely with local authorities and stakeholder bodies such as ADEPT and will be monitoring the capacity of local authorities with respect to driver numbers over the winter period. Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Vacancies Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential shortage of gritter drivers in winter 2021–22; and what plans they have to address any such shortage. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Section 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980 places a duty on local authorities to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice. It is the local authority’s responsibility to ensure that there are adequate drivers available to carry out gritting. Alongside the interventions that Government has made to mitigate any possible HGV driver shortage, the DfT is working closely with local authorities and stakeholder bodies such as ADEPT and will be monitoring the capacity of local authorities with respect to driver numbers over the winter period. Electric Vehicles: Charging Points Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to create a comprehensive UK-wide electric vehicle charging network by 2028. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government is investing £1.3 billion to accelerate the roll out of charging infrastructure over the next four years. We are targeting this support on rapid chargepoints on motorways and major roads, and installing more on-street chargepoints near homes and workplaces to make charging as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car. Later this year Government will publish our EV Infrastructure Strategy. This will define our vision for the continued roll-out of a world-leading charging infrastructure network across the UK. It will also set out the action plan for charging infrastructure rollout to ensure this is delivered at the pace needed to achieve the 2030/35 phase out successfully and to accelerate the transition to a zero-emission car and van fleet. We will set out our next steps to address barriers to private investment, level up charge point provision, and regulate to protect consumers. Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Driving Licences Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many HGV licences are currently suspended pending a decision by the relevant Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency medical board. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: On 14 October, 2,052 vocational drivers were awaiting a decision after having reapplied for driving entitlement that had previously been revoked or an application had been refused on medical grounds. It is not possible to determine how many of these are specifically for HGV driving entitlement. Railway Stations: Cambridge Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of the planned Cambridge South railway station and the projected demand, given the developments in the area. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We have undertaken passenger forecasting in line with the Government’s Transport Appraisal Guidance, as well as station capacity analysis in line with rail industry standards. On this basis, we are confident the proposed Cambridge South station would support the continued growth and development of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and its surrounding area. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Natural Gas: Russia Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Russia concerning gas supplies. Lord Callanan: The UK benefits from diverse sources of gas supply, including domestic production, pipeline imports from reliable suppliers like Norway, and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Antisocial Behaviour: Young People Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 21 September (HL2514) regarding anti-loitering devices known as Mosquito devices, what requirements must be met before they are installed. Lord Callanan: The safety of acoustic anti-loitering devices, commonly known as Mosquito devices, is regulated by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and other product specific laws, such as the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations. These provide a baseline of safety for applicable products, requiring that only safe products, in their normal or reasonably foreseeable usage, can be placed on the market.The laws place obligations on producers, manufacturers, importers and distributors to ensure consumers are provided with safety information including instructions for assembly, installation and maintenance. Department of Health and Social Care Hospital Wards: Gender Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 29 September (HL2490), whether organisations that work on men's violence against women and girls will be consulted as part of the review of NHS England and NHS Improvement’s guidance, 'Delivering same-sex accommodation'. Lord Kamall: The review of the guidance will include a six-week engagement period, during which all relevant stakeholders, including organisations that work on men’s violence against women and girls and gender critical organisations, will have the opportunity to contribute. Hospital Wards: Gender Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Kamall on 29 September (HL2490), whether they plan to consult gender critical organisations in the review of mixed sex accommodation guidance. Lord Kamall: The review of the guidance will include a six-week engagement period, during which all relevant stakeholders, including organisations that work on men’s violence against women and girls and gender critical organisations, will have the opportunity to contribute. Health Services: Females Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the NHS refers to "women" whenever appropriate in its publications and clinical guidance. Lord Kamall: It is for individual National Health Service organisations to decide on the format and content of any publications or clinical guidance they produce, taking into account any legislative requirements or examples of good practice. NHS England and NHS Improvement refer to ‘women’ in their publications and clinical guidance where appropriate. Influenza: Vaccination Lord Colwyn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all dentists are eligible for free influenza vaccinations. Lord Kamall: Dentists are eligible for a free flu vaccine through occupational health arrangements made by their employer. Flu vaccination is recommended for all frontline healthcare workers who have direct contact with patients and service users. Employers should commission a service which makes access easy for all frontline staff, encourage staff to get vaccinated and monitor the delivery of their programmes. NHS: Finance Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to fund permanent surge capacity in the NHS to manage significant increases in demand. Lord Kamall: There are no such plans to separately fund permanent surge capacity. National Health Service funding to meet total patient demand is being agreed as part of the forthcoming Spending Review. Disability: Children Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Disabled Children’s Partnership The Gap Widens, published on 14 October, which found that the funding gap in disabled children’s health and social care had increased to £2.1 billion. Lord Kamall: Although no specific assessments have been made, we are working with the Department for Education and NHS England and NHS Improvement to improve the provision of health and care services for disabled children.On 6 September, we announced an additional £5.4 billion for the National Health Service over the next six months, bringing the total Government support for health services in response to COVID-19 to over £34 billion in 2021/22. This includes £2 billion to reduce waiting times for patients, including disabled children. Councils have access to £51.3 billion to deliver core services, including a £1.7 billion grant for social care. To support local areas, we have provided over £6 billion in un-ringfenced funding directly to councils for the immediate and longer-term impacts of COVID-19 spending pressures, including for children’s social care. Social Services: Finance Lord Lipsey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, for each year from 2014, how many people used deferred payment schemes that enable older people to avoid sellingtheir houses to pay for care. Lord Kamall: The data is not available in the format requested. From 2015 NHS Digital collected data the number of new Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs) agreed during the year and the total number of outstanding DPAs at the end of the year on a voluntary basis. In 2016-17 the collection became part mandatory and later fully mandatory in 2017-18. However, this data does not include the total number of DPAs concluded, therefore does not confirm how many people used a DPA on an annual basis. Cervical Cancer: Screening Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the NHS refers to "women" when sending out invitations for cervical screening, as proposed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in his speech on 5 October. Lord Kamall: The invitation letter for a cervical screening appointment and the information available online states that ‘cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix’. This wording has been tested with users and there are a range of measures to ensure that as many of the population eligible for cervical screening as possible attend screening. This includes providing appointments in sexual health clinics and information and resources to reassure those worried about attending. Health Services: Gender Recognition Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that debates in the NHS over transgender rights are conducted with "compassion and sensitivity", as proposed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in his speech on 5 October. Lord Kamall: The National Health Service provides care to all people regardless of their gender identity and we are working with the NHS to ensure that the rights of all groups are protected. Discussions on transgender care take place professionally, where all views are considered and where the focus is on delivering improved healthcare outcomes. Health Services: Equality Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government when NHS England's Unified Information Standard on Protected Characteristics report will be published; and what engagement with stakeholders will take place before its publication. Lord Kamall: NHS England and NHS Improvement have submitted the Unified Information Standard for Protected Characteristics scoping project reports to the Department.We are currently reviewing the recommendations of the reports and will provide an update shortly. We are also considering continued engagement with stakeholders who contributed to the development of the scoping project. Influenza: Vaccination Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to make the flu vaccination programme permanent for the over 50s age group. Lord Kamall: Advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) noted that it was advisable to continue the vaccination of the 50 to 64-year-old cohort as these individuals are at greater risk of being hospitalised as a result of COVID-19 and co-infection with flu is likely to be more severe. However, no decision has been made about whether the eligibility of this cohort will be made permanent. Travel: Coronavirus Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide a date for when mandatory PCR tests for foreign travel will be stopped. Lord Kamall: We keep our travel testing regime under constant review to ensure it provides adequate protection against risks at the border. From 24 October, fully vaccinated passengers and most aged under 18 years old arriving in England from countries not on the ‘red list’ can take a lateral flow test, instead of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, on or before day two of their arrival into the United Kingdom. These tests can be booked from 22 October. A date for when mandatory PCR tests for arrivals from ‘red list’ countries will be stopped is not yet available. Coronavirus: Screening Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that (1) PCR, and (2) other COVID-19 test providers listed on the gov.uk website, provide accurate information regarding prices for those tests; and to whom should consumers direct any complaints about inaccurate price descriptions. Lord Kamall: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a robust process to ensure that prices and information listed on GOV.UK are accurate. All price changes must be submitted to UKHSA which are reviewed for accuracy and providers’ listed pricing must be consistent with the final price that a customer pays. Any provider found to have inaccurate pricing on two separate occasions will be removed from GOV.UK. Department for Education Pupils: Absenteeism Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of school days missed in England since the start of the school year as a result of COVID-19 absence; and what steps they intend to take to assist pupils who have missed school. Baroness Barran: The department regularly publishes the number of school days missed due to COVID-19. The most recent publication can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak. On 14 October, 2.6% (209,000) of all pupils on roll in state-funded schools did not attend school for COVID-19 related reasons.Among pupils absent for COVID-19 reasons, the main reasons for absence on 14 October were: pupils with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (1.4%), and pupils with a suspected case of COVID-19 (1.0%). Overall, the attendance in state funded schools was 90.0% on 14 October, up from 89.5% on 30 September.The department has a comprehensive attendance strategy that has been implemented since the beginning of this academic year to ensure that any absence as a result of COVID-19 is minimised. We also recognise that extended school and college restrictions and absences have had a substantial impact on children and young people’s education. The department is committed to helping pupils catch up as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and has committed to an ambitious, long term recovery plan.Since June 2020, the department has announced more than £3 billion to support education recovery in schools, colleges, and nurseries. This is already making a difference and helping children to catch up. Over 500,000 children were invited to participate in summer schools, 308,000 children were reached through the National Tutoring Programme in year one, and over three-quarters (77%) of eligible 16-19 colleges in the 2020/21 academic year were allocated funds for delivering tutoring for 16–19-year-olds.Over the coming three academic years, the department has announced the extension of the 16-19 tuition fund to support the equivalent of around 2 million 15-hour courses to accelerate the progression of lower attaining students, with a total investment of £324 million over the next three years.The department has also dedicated over £950 million worth of additional funding for catch-up in schools. Through the one-off catch-up premium, schools have already received £650 million worth of funding during the 2020/2021 academic year and the new one-off recovery premium which will provide over £300 million worth of funding during the 2021/2022 academic year. The recovery premium allocations have also now been published: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-recovery-premium-funding-allocations. Allocations are weighted so that schools with more disadvantaged pupils receive more funding.Recovery programmes have been designed to allow nursery, school and college leaders the flexibility to support those pupils most in need, including the most disadvantaged. The department is investing in high quality tutoring and great teaching because evidence is clear this will have a significant impact for disadvantaged children. Secondary Education: Coronavirus Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reintroduce COVID-19 safety measures in secondary schools in light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in younger people. Baroness Barran: The department’s priority is for schools to deliver face to face, high quality education to all pupils. The evidence is clear that being out of education can cause significant harm to educational attainment, life chances, and mental and physical health. As COVID-19 becomes a virus that we learn to live with, there is now an imperative to reduce the disruption to children and young people’s education.While the latest data and scientific modelling suggest that cases will continue to rise as restrictions are eased, we are now in a context that has fundamentally changed due to the success of the vaccination programme.We have therefore moved away from stringent restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives, towards advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk.All young people aged 16 and 17 years have already been offered a first dose of vaccine and 12 to 17 year olds with certain medical conditions that make them more at risk of serious illness, or who are living with someone who is immunosuppressed, are eligible for 2 doses.To reduce transmission, the department is keeping some measures in place across nurseries, schools and colleges to enable us to provide as normal an experience as possible. This will be supported by our ability to respond swiftly and consistently to any exceptional circumstances should it prove necessary and may include reintroducing additional control measures for a limited period to deal with outbreaks. These are set out in the contingency framework: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-restrictions-in-education-and-childcare-settings.Schools continue to have their own health and safety risk assessments and keep these under review. As part of this there are certain control measures we have asked schools to maintain in order to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. This includes ensuring good hygiene for everyone, maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes and keeping occupied spaces well ventilated.Carbon dioxide monitors have also been provided to all state-funded schools starting from September, so staff can quickly identify where ventilation needs to be improved. The government has also launched a trial of air purifiers in 30 schools in Bradford, which is designed to assess the technology in education settings and whether they could reduce the risk of transmission.The department will continue to keep these measures under review, in partnership with health experts and informed by the latest scientific evidence and advice. Department for International Trade Agriculture: Trade Agreements Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a framework for national food and farming standards against which any proposed Free Trade Deal could be measured, as proposed by the Trade and Agriculture Commission. Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The Government published its response to the report of the Trade and Agriculture Commission on 21 October. The Government response explicitly upholds and affirms the manifesto commitment to not compromise on the UK’s high food production, animal welfare and environmental standards for which our country is rightly renowned. Our response makes clear that we will not pursue any trade deals that would undermine UK farmers unfairly or compromise these high standards and that all food imports must comply with our high standards. Nor will we put consumers at risk from unsafe food which does not meet those high standards. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Departmental Responsibilities Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government where Ministerial responsibility lies in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for inclusive societies; and which Minister is responsible for ensuring that the work of the Department takes account of the rights and needs of (1) older people, and (2) people with disabilities. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, UN and the Commonwealth, is the Minister responsible for policy on open societies and Minister Morton is responsible for gender and equalities, including the rights and needs of older people and people with disabilities. Ethiopia: Politics and Government Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations theyhave made to the government of Ethiopia regarding the expulsion of seven United Nations officials from that country. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: On 30 September the Minister for Africa called on the Government of Ethiopia to reverse the decision to expel seven United Nations Officials from the country with immediate effect. The removal of key UN personnel will have a direct impact on the ability of the international community to deliver vital humanitarian assistance. The UK's Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, Nick Dyer visited Tigray where he saw first-hand the UN's efforts to respond to this emergency. This was reiterated at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 4 October where a joint statement was issued by the UK Ambassador to the UN on behalf of over 40 countries, and raised at the UN Security Council briefing on Ethiopia on 6 October. The Minister for Africa also raised the expulsions and situation in Ethiopia on her visit to the UN on 13 October, with many senior representatives of the UN and the three current African members of the UNSC. She urged consensus to press all parties in Ethiopia to deliver an urgent ceasefire and for a humanitarian corridor to be opened to deliver then humanitarian assistance that is urgently required. Developing Countries: Climate Change The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking tosupport countries that are vulnerable to disruption caused by climate change; what discussions they have had with the government of Burundi about the impact of rising water levels of Lake Tanganyika on the displacement of people; and what support, if any, they intend to provide to that country to mitigate the effects of climate change. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We recognise that it is often the most vulnerable countries who are being hit hardest by the impact of climate change. We are clear that COP26 needs to deliver ambitious outcomes on adaptation as well as mitigation. That is why the UK has committed to doubling our climate finance for mitigation and adaptation to £11.6 billion from 2021-2025. This will help developing countries take action to tackle climate change. During discussions in June, the former Minister for Africa encouraged Burundi to engage on climate adaptation, including through COP26. Ministry of Defence Ajax Vehicles: Procurement Lord Coaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have made with General Dynamics to recover taxpayer money from that company if the Ajax programme is terminated. Baroness Goldie: I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement (HCWS322) made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin) in the House of Commons on 18 October 2021. Armoured Cavalry Programme: AJAX Update (docx, 17.9KB) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Food: Industry Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking totackle the estimated 500,000 job vacancies across the food and drink sector. Lord Benyon: Defra is working closely with the food and drink sector to understand labour demand and supply, including both permanent and seasonal workforce requirements. The Seasonal Workers Pilot was expanded for 2021, from 10,000 to 30,000 visas, granted for workers to come to the UK for a period of up to six months to work in the edible horticulture sector. Although pilot numbers have increased, it is not designed to meet the full labour needs of the horticultural sector. This workforce boost will complement the workers already resident in the UK and looking to take up farm work during the busy harvest months, following in the footsteps of those who took up positions last summer to help keep the nation fed despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. In response to the current exceptional circumstances, up to 5500 poultry workers and 5000 HGV drivers transporting food and fuel will be able to enter the UK for work in the lead up to Christmas 2021. This is a temporary, emergency measure. 800 pork butchers will also be able to enter and work in the UK for a period of six months. This additional temporary adjustment is in addition to foreign butchers already being eligible since January 2021 to apply to come to the UK through the Skilled Worker Route as part of the point-based immigration system. In 2021 and beyond, businesses will continue to be able to rely on EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status. Over 5.3 million EU citizens and their families have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The Government is encouraging all sectors, including the food and drink sector, to make employment more attractive to UK domestic workers through offering training, careers options, wage increases and to invest in automation technology. To help with these efforts, Defra is working with industry and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to raise awareness of career opportunities within the food and drink sector among UK workers. All food and drink sector businesses are encouraged to advertise roles through the Find A Job website, where they can upload and manage their vacancies. DWP does not charge for this service and it is available across the United Kingdom. Defra also welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s work on the Release On Temporary Licence scheme for work across a number of sectors, including the food and drink sector. The scheme aims to help prisoners gain useful skills and work experience as they approach their release. Food: Public Sector Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that public sector food procurement policies give priority to locally sourced food. Lord Benyon: We want the public sector to lead by example, championing local food and farmers, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), high production standards and sustainable produce. We have a manifesto commitment to encourage the public sector to buy British, to support our farmers and reduce environmental costs. To help meet this commitment, we will be consulting on proposals to strengthen the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services early in 2022. The consultation will seek views on ways to promote greater take-up of local produce and make public procurement more accessible to SMEs. We are also working across Government to identify and trial new approaches to public food procurement. This includes a pilot in collaboration with Crown Commercial Service, aimed at simplifying the route into the public sector for local and sustainable SME businesses. If successful, the approach will be rolled out nationally, extending opportunities to local food producers from all regions and nations of the UK. National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations: Finance Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of thereport by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations Brexit Balance Sheet,published on 30 September. Lord Benyon: Now we have left the EU, we have taken back control of our waters, and we will always work hard to deliver sustainable and viable fishing opportunities for fishers across the UK. We have greater shares of fishing quota, and the total value of UK-EU fishing opportunities for the UK in 2021 is approximately £333 million – an increase of £27 million on last year. We have agreed a quota exchange mechanism and recently announced the first investment from our £100 million UK Seafood Fund to boost science and innovation in the industry. Environment Protection: Public Consultation Baroness Parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) when they will publish their response to the consultation on the environmental principles draft policy statement, and (2) why their response to that consultation has been delayed. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We will publish the response to the consultation on the Environmental principles draft policy statement later in the year. We received 216 responses to the consultation and have been considering them carefully over the summer and alongside the passage of the Environment Bill. Waste Disposal Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) prosecutions, and (2) convictions, have been obtained in each of the last five years for discharging (a) general garbage, (b) plastic materials, and (c) fishing nets, into natural waters in England. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan sets out our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. In December 2018, we published the Resources and Waste Strategy, which sets out how we want to achieve this and move towards a circular economy while stamping out waste crime. We also committed in the Strategy to consult on measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility for fishing gear.The number of prosecutions and convictions on discharging (a) general garbage, (b) plastic materials, and (c) fishing nets, into natural waters in England are not centrally held in the court proceedings database as these specific offences are not separately defined in legislation. Identifying prosecutions and convictions for such actions would require a manual search of court records, which would incur disproportionate costs. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it is an offence to litter or to knowingly cause or permit the unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal of waste.Published figures for prosecutions and convictions for these offences are available in the Home Office code principal offence tool at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/987731/HO-code-tool-principal-offence-2020.xlsx It is important to note that these numbers include all prosecutions and convictions that fall within each offence category, beyond those specifically requested and beyond just natural waterways. Defra also publishes annual statistics for fly-tipping, which include enforcement actions. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england Under the Merchant Shipping Regulations on the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (2020), the discharge of all garbage into the sea is prohibited with very limited exceptions. In all cases the discharge of plastic is prohibited. These regulations bring the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (MARPOL Annex V) into UK law. No data has yet been collected for these regulations. Livestock: Animal Welfare Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will end the use of cages for animals reared on British farms. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare. We are delivering a series of ambitious reforms, as outlined in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare which was published in May this year. The Action Plan for Animal Welfare is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/action-plan-for-animal-welfare and as an attachment to this answer. One of the ways we wish to improve the welfare of farm animals is strengthening protections against animal confinement. We have a strong track record for raising the bar when it comes to animal welfare. We want to improve and build upon that record and are currently exploring the options around introducing further cage reforms, in areas such as the use of farrowing crates for pigs and cages for laying hens. Ending the use of cages would have a significant impact on some sectors of the farming industry and so we would need to consult.Action Plan for Animal Welfare (pdf, 5996.9KB) Home Office Refugees: Afghanistan Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme is scheduled to open. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not yet open. Officials are working urgently to stand up the remaining elements of the scheme, amid the complex and changing picture.The Government will continue to work closely with other government departments, non-governmental organisations, charities, local authorities and other partners and relevant organisations in the development and implementation of the ACRS. Afghanistan: Children Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take in response to reports that unaccompanied minors with family links to the UK were recently evacuated from Afghanistan and are currently in temporary accommodation in Qatar. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office is aware of a group of unaccompanied Afghan minors with family links to the UK in Qatar and officials are working closely with UNICEF and the US State Department to ensure the most appropriate outcomes for these children.Our priority is to ensure that the children will be safe and well cared for and to ensure any outcome is in the best interests of the children. Where it is deemed to be in the best interest of a child to come to the UK, suitable support arrangements will be made available. Refugees: Afghanistan Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will start operating the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme; whether they will establish a working group for its implementation; and if so, whether it will include the civil society organisations funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to develop the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and other related programmes in Afghanistan. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not yet open. Officials are working urgently to stand up the remaining elements of the scheme, amid the complex and changing picture.The Government will continue to work closely with other government departments, non-governmental organisations, charities, local authorities and other partners and relevant organisations in the development and implementation of the ACRS. Asylum: Standards Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) number, and (2) proportion, of asylum claims made before August had been awaiting an interview for more than (a) 6 months, (b) a year, and (c) two years. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office does not publish this data as it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.Therefore, the Home Office is unable to state the number and proportion of asylum claims made before August, awaiting interview for more than 6 months, a year and two years. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Buildings: Safety Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve building safety. Lord Greenhalgh: The Building Safety Bill was introduced on 5 July 2021 and began Public Committee on 9 September. Alongside the Fire Safety Act, the Building Safety Bill implements the key recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and will drive the regulatory, cultural and behavioural changes needed to make sure people are safe in their homes and that residents are at the heart of the new, robust system.The Bill will strengthen the regulatory system for the built environment based upon the principles of safety and proportionality. It will make sure there is greater accountability and responsibility for fire and structural safety issues throughout the lifecycle of higher-risk buildings within the scope of a more stringent regime. The Bill also paves the way for a National Regulator for Construction Products with a UK wide remit to enforce the law, encourage good practice and educate the industry. Social Rented Housing Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many new homes were provided for social rent by (1) councils, and (2) housing associations, in each of the last three financial years. Lord Greenhalgh: The Government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing of a variety of tenures so that we can support a range of people in different circumstances and stages in their lives. We’re investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over 5 years, the largest investment in affordable housing in a decade. Since 2010, we’ve delivered over 542,400 new affordable homes, including over 382,300 affordable homes for rent, of which over 149,400 homes for social rent.The table below shows the number of new social rent homes delivered in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 by provider. The figures include both new build and acquisitions of existing dwellings for affordable housing. Local AuthorityPrivate Registered ProvidersNon-registered ProvidersUnknownAll2017-181,4574,5992844026,7422018-191,7464,001735176,3372019-201,7654,231735756,644 Planning Permission: Public Participation Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support public participation in the planning process. Lord Greenhalgh: We have given many communities direct power to shape the development of their areas through neighbourhood planning, and we have invested £31million supporting local communities to get over 1000 neighbourhood plans in place. The National Model Design Code, published in July, shows how design codes based on genuine community involvement can let local people have a real say in the design of new homes and neighbourhoods.Looking beyond this, we are considering the next steps for planning reform, and will announce our next steps on this in due course. Affordable Housing: Construction Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the supply of affordable housing. Lord Greenhalgh: The Government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and are investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over 5 years, the largest investment in affordable housing in a decadeThis includes the new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme (AHP), which will provide up to 180,000 new homes across the country, should economic conditions allow. We’re committed to delivering affordable homes of a variety of tenures so that we can support a range of people in different circumstances and stages in their lives. Since 2010, we’ve delivered over 542,400 new affordable homes, including over 382,300 affordable homes for rent, of which over 149,400 homes are for social rent. The new Affordable Homes Programme will deliver more than double the social rent than the current programme, with around 32,000 social rent homes due to be delivered. Approximately half of the homes delivered will be for affordable home ownership, supporting aspiring homeowners to take their first step on to the housing ladder. As part of this new programme, in August 2021 we announced a £8.6 billion funding package to build 119,000 affordable homes to boost home ownership and build the homes the country needs. Nearly 90 partnerships across England, including councils, housing associations and private providers, successfully bid for a share of the cash. Supporting our levelling up agenda, nearly £5.2 billion of this will be spent outside of London and 75% of the 119,000 new homes will be built outside London. Derelict Land Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the total number of Brownfield sites available for use in England. Lord Greenhalgh: My Department's analysis of data from local authority websites, including brownfield land registers, suggests that there are over 28,000 hectares of developable brownfield land across England, enough for at least a million dwellings. It should be noted, however, that brownfield land registers record only a subset of brownfield land: only that which is regarded as being suitable for housing and where certain criteria have been met. The most relevant and up-to-date statistics published by the department are its Land use in England 2018 figures, which are available (attached) in several spreadsheets at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-land-use. These tables include regional breakdowns.Land Use live table (xlsx, 5121.1KB) Poverty Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relative importance of (1) improving health and education, and (2) increasing GDP per capita, in reducing poverty in the UK. Lord Greenhalgh: Increasing GDP per capita leads to higher individual income on average, though its impact on poverty will depend on how that increase is distributed. If there is a real terms increase in household incomes for those at the bottom of the income distribution, this reduces the number of people in absolute poverty. Higher household incomes for those at the bottom would also reduce the number of people in relative poverty, if the household incomes for those at the bottom of the income distribution were to increase relative to the median household income.For example, from 2010 to 2019, GDP per capita grew by 10.4%. Over a similar period, from 2009-10 to 2019-20, the number of people in absolute poverty before housing costs fell by 700,000, and the number of people in relative poverty before housing costs increased by 1.4 million.As our economic recovery gathers pace, we are continuing to help people to move into and to progress in work through our expanded Plan for Jobs. Our approach is based on clear evidence that work, particularly full time, is the most effective way of tackling poverty. In 2019/20, working age adults in households where all adults were in work were 6 times less likely to be in absolute poverty (after housing costs) than adults in a household where nobody works. Elections: Proof of Identity Lord Tyler: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 29 September (HL2635),what period the agreed full cost support for local authorities to implement the voter ID provisions in the Elections Bill will cover. Lord Greenhalgh: These costs will be covered by Central Government under the New Burdens doctrine, until such time as they can be mainstreamed into the grants provided to Local Authorities in accordance with usual practice. Constitutions and Devolution: Departmental Responsibilities Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government who has replaced Chloe Smith MP as the Minister in the Cabinet Office responsible for the Constitution and Devolution; and in particular, for the work on Common Frameworks. Lord Greenhalgh: Following the recent Government reshuffle, Neil O’Brien MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has taken on the role of Minister for Levelling Up, the Union and the Constitution. As part of this role, Minister O’Brien has assumed responsibility for the Union and Constitution, including the Common Frameworks programme. Fracking: Planning Permission Baroness Grender: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have blocked planning permission for new oil drilling extraction sites in the UK over the past five years; and if so, (1) how many permissions they have refused, (2) when these were refused, and (3) where the application sites were located. Lord Greenhalgh: All questions of planning permission for oil drilling extraction sites in the last 5 years have been local planning matters. Therefore central government has not made decisions on this. As planning is a devolved matter, this answer relates to England only. Tenants: Loans Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to establish interest free, government-guaranteed hardship loans to support housing tenants with debts incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lord Greenhalgh: The UK Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support which is available to tenants.We have targeted our interventions as non-repayable forms of support, which offer a sustainable form of support for vulnerable renters, and do not encourage more debt.As emergency measures are lifted, support continues to be in place for renters through the welfare system. Local housing allowance rates have been maintained at their increased level in cash terms in 2021/22, meaning claimants renting in the private rented sector continue to benefit from the significant increase in the local housing allowance rates applied in April 2020. For those who require additional support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are available. For 2021-22 the Government has made £140 million available in DHP funding, building on the £180m provided last year.The Government has also introduced a new £500 million Household Support Fund which will support millions of households in England who need it most, including for example to meet daily needs such as food, clothing and utilities. Households will continue to benefit from the energy price cap and increases in the National Living Wage.As our recovery gathers pace, the government is continuing to help people into work and increase their earning potential – the most sustainable route to financial security. We’re investing billions through our Plan for Jobs and the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.We continue to monitor the effectiveness of other examples of support, such as those from the devolved administrations in the UK, and note that uptake for loan support has been relatively low in Scotland and Wales. Treasury Workplace Pensions: Public Sector Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what rate of interest is applied to refunds of public sector workers’ partner pension contributions if the pension holder retires without a partner, and (2) how much money has been refunded to such pension holders for each of the past ten years. Lord Agnew of Oulton: Partner pension contributions are refunded with interest to members of the Classic section of the PCSPS when they leave at or after age 60 with immediate payment of pension in full if they neither married nor entered a civil partnership throughout their service, or in part for members who have been married or in a civil partnership for part of their service. The interest rate applied is currently 0.25%. Partner pension contributions can also be refunded in the 1981 Judicial Pension Scheme and the Judicial Pension Scheme 1993 (JUPRA). The interest rate applied in the 1981 Judicial Pension Scheme is 4% while the interest rates used in JUPRA follow those in the PCSPS. Data on refunds in the PCSPS in the years from 2015 to 2021 (year to date) is as follows: YearTotal paid as WPS refund2015£26,939,123.322016£30,835,627.792017£26,790,088.992018£25,628,031.082019£25,314,289.972020£20,698,765.322021£19,692,619.50 Refunds in years prior to 2015 occurred under a previous administrative arrangement and so data could only be collected to a longer timeline. Similarly, administrators for the judicial pension schemes do not keep cumulative records of refunds awarded by year, and the second part of the question could thus only be answered to a longer timeline. Individual Savings Accounts Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how much money has been invested in individual savings accounts (ISAs) in total, (2) how muchmoney has been invested in ISAs by different age groups, (3) how many individuals have invested in ISAs, and (4) what is the average amount invested in ISAs per person. Lord Agnew of Oulton: HMRC produces an Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) tables document as part of its Annual savings statistics publication on Gov.uk. The amount invested in ISAs, how many individuals have invested in ISAs and the average amount invested in ISAs is in table 9.4. This information is on a per account basis; individuals may sign up to multiple ISA accounts. The number of individuals that have invested in ISAs and average amount invested per person for the 2018 to 2019 tax year can be found in table 9.11. An age breakdown of the money invested in ISAs can only be made available at a disproportionate cost. However, table 9.11 gives a breakdown of ISA market values by age.The ISA Tables are found on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics Table 9.4 (pdf, 373.1KB)Table 9.1.1 (pdf, 370.3KB) Care Homes: Older People Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthey will introducesavings incentives to help people pay for elderly care. Lord Agnew of Oulton: The government is committed to both supporting individuals at all stages of life to save and delivering world-leading health and social care across the whole of the UK. The government already provides extensive support to individuals to save for retirement and later life. Individuals are currently able to save up to £20,000 each year across the four types of Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), which offer a range of mechanisms to save or invest tax-free. This includes the Lifetime ISA which allows savers to benefit from a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 of savings each year and supports saving towards later life. These savings, including the government bonus, can be withdrawn from the age of 60 and may be used to pay for care. And more broadly, for the majority of savers, pension contributions made from income during working life is tax-free. Investment growth of assets in a pension scheme is also not subject to tax and, from age 55 (or when scheme rules allow a pension to be taken), up to 25 per cent of the pension can be taken tax-free, depending on scheme rules.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2021-10-26

Department for Transport Rolling Stock: Procurement Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 13 February (HL4676), what is the difference in the total volume of luggage space in an InterCity Express train saloon and the current Mk4 carriages in use on the East Coast Main Line. Baroness Kramer: The provision for luggage in the InterCity Express Programme, passenger saloon has 2 x luggage stacks as well as a overhead luggage shelf, which compares favourably with the current Mk4. The InterCity Express interiors, including luggage provision, have been designed flexibly so they can be changed to meet changing market requirements. Railways Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the progress on resignalling the Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal, the Great Western Route Modernisation, and the Oxford-Didcot resignalling projects. Baroness Kramer: The Great Western Route Modernisation programme, including these resignalling and electrification projects, is central to our ambitious plans to transform the rail network, providing faster and more reliable journeys and helping to secure long-term economic growth. Network Rail is working hard to deliver the modernisation of the Great Western in order to achieve the outcomes outlined in the Rail Investment Strategy. We are working closely with Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation to ensure successful delivery. Rolling Stock Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contingency plans they have in place for ensuring sufficient diesel-powered passenger rolling stock in areas where electrification and modernised signalling is planned to be introduced but is likely to be delayed. Baroness Kramer: The rolling stock market is a private sector one and the Government is committed to giving greater flexibility to the market to deliver innovative rolling stock solutions to the benefit of the passenger and the taxpayer. For example, as part of the Northern franchise competition, the Invitation to Tender, published on 27 February 2015, requires bidders to deliver 120 new carriages suitable for use on non-electrified routes. It will be for bidders to determine how to meet this requirement. Home Office Slavery Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address concerns that the Modern Slavery Bill in its current form does not provide compensation for victims of modern slavery. Lord Bates: The Government takes the issue of compensation for victims of modern slavery very seriously. That is why the Modern Slavery Bill introduces a new kind of bespoke Reparation Order which will enable the courts to ensure that more money from convicted slave drivers goes directly to their victims. Where the perpetrator has assets available, as evidenced by a Confiscation Order, the court will have to consider making a Reparation Order to provide reparation to the victim for the harm that they have suffered and give reasons if it does not.The Modern Slavery Bill will also make both modern slavery offences - slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking - "criminal lifestyle" offences. This will mean those that commit these heinous crimes are subject to the most robust confiscation regime available under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.This will help law enforcement and the courts recover assets from these criminals and so should increase the money collected and available to be distributed to victims. Mohammed Emwazi Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the abolition of control orders and Mohammed Emwazi's evasion of British security services and departure from the United Kingdom. Lord Bates: The Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases.Prosecution and conviction are always our preference for dealing with terrorists. Following the increase in the threat level last summer by the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and discussions with operational partners, the Prime Minister announced in another place (Commons Hansard, 1 September 2014, co.23-27) the Government’s intention to introduce several new measures to disrupt attempted travel for terrorism-related purposes and dealing decisively with terrorism suspects already here.The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 received Royal Assent last month, providing the legislative basis for a suite of enhanced measures to tackle the threat posed to this country, including:• providing the police with a power to seize a passport at the border temporarily, during which time they will be able to investigate the individual concerned.• creating a Temporary Exclusion Order that can temporarily disrupt the return to the UK of a British citizen suspected of involvement in terrorist activity abroad.• modifications to the existing TPIM regime, introducing the possibility for relocation and enhancing the safeguards around this power.• improving law enforcement agencies’ ability to identify who is responsible for sending a communication on the internet or accessing an internet communications service.• enhancing our border security for aviation, maritime and rail travel, with provisions relating to passenger data, ‘no fly’ lists, security and screening measures.• creating a general duty on a range of organisations to prevent people being drawn into terrorism;• putting Channel – the government’s voluntary programme for people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism – on a statutory basis.These measures are designed to enhance the powers already available to the police and Security Service to keep this country safe. Thailand Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they sought assurances from the government of Thailand that a death sentence would not be imposed upon the men accused of the murder of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller prior to the provision of evidence by United Kingdom police forces; and why the Foreign and Commonwealth Office declined to comment to The Guardian on that issue. Lord Bates: The Home Office provided a specific authorisation to UK police officers for assistance to be provided overseas to the Royal Thai Police should it be requested and conditional upon assurances regarding the death penalty being received where required. No such assistance was requested or given under or by virtue of that authorisation. Police to police co-operation in accordance with published guidance, on any other basis, is an operational matter for the relevant police forces. It is inappropriate for Her Majesty's Government to publicly comment upon ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions. Asylum: Syria The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to review their resettlement policy for Syrian refugees in the light of the number who are continuing to seek refuge. Lord Bates: The Government is deeply concerned about the crisis in Syria, the suffering and hardship it is causing for millions of displaced Syrians in the region, and the strain it is placing on their host countries. Given the scale of the crisis, we believe the most effective way to ensure the UK’s help has the greatest impact for displaced people and their host countries is through substantial humanitarian aid and actively seeking an end to the conflict so that refugees can return to their homes and livelihoods safely. We have committed £800 million in response to the crisis, making us the second largest bilateral donor in the world, and UK funding is helping to support hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the region, providing food, healthcare and essential supplies. Compared with aid, resettlement can only ever help a minority of those in need.However, we launched the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme to complement our humanitarian aid efforts by offering protection in the UK to some of the most vulnerable refugees, who cannot be supported effectively in the region. The scheme is based on need rather than fulfilling a quota, but we have said that we expect it to help several hundred people over three years, and we remain on track to deliver that commitment. We therefore have no current plans to change the way the scheme operates. However, we continue to monitor the situation in Syria and the surrounding region and work closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to identify the most vulnerable people displaced by the conflict to ensure that the scheme remains responsive to need. Ketamine Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what negotiating position they are adopting at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs on imminent proposals to restrict the supply and use of ketamine. Lord Bates: The Coalition Government does not believe that controlling ketamine internationally is appropriate. It could result in reduced access to a substance listed as an essential medicine by the World Health Organisation and widely used as an anaesthetic in low and middle income countries. We will be adopting this position at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.However, we are determined to clamp down on the illegal misuse of ketamine, which leaves young people in the UK hospitalised with serious bladder and kidney damage every year.To prevent its misuse, we have made ketamine a Class B drug and taken action to ensure its availability for health and veterinary care in the UK is properly regulated. Developing Countries: Ketamine Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of restrictions on the supply and use of ketamine on people living in the most rural areas of developing countries with no alternative anaesthetic for surgical procedures. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the British Medical Association, Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists about the potential impact on the world’s rural poor of restrictions on the availability of ketamine. Lord Bates: Ketamine is widely used as an anaesthetic in low and middle income countries. The Coalition Government believes that it is inappropriate to control ketamine internationally as it could result in reduced access to a substance listed as an essential medicine by the World Health Organisation. We will be adopting this position at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.However, we are determined to clamp down on the illegal misuse of ketamine, which is why we have made ketamine a Class B drug and taken action to ensure its availability for health and veterinary care in the UK is properly regulated.We continue to discuss our concerns over the impact of international control with a range of civil society groups and professional bodies, including bodies representing anaesthetists. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills European Union Baroness Quin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of the Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and its associated agencies, broken down by (1) staff time, (2) printing costs, (3) running of engagement events, (4) witness expenses, (5) publicity of the reports, and (6) any and all other associated costs. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 19 February 2015.The correct answer should have been: As you will be aware, the Balance of Competences Review concluded in December. It was the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s relationship with the EU ever undertaken. The review involved a large number of Departments across Whitehall to produce 32 reports. The Review was based on the evidence and views received through widespread consultation with interested parties from across society. Across the whole review, departments received close to 2,300 evidence submissions. Departments held over 250 events, attended by around 2,100 stakeholders. It was important that what is an unprecedented examination of EU membership was done with appropriate time and care. But the government is also very conscious of the need to ensure value for money in everything it does. (1) Staff time Between 2012-2013, the Balance of Competences Review Team in the Department was staffed by the equivalent of one Grade 7 (salary range £47, 545 - £55,882), and one intern (salary range £23,869 – £27, 281) dedicating 100% of their time to the review to project manage 7 BIS led reports and 1 joint report. Between 2013 – 2014 this was reduced to one Grade 7. Between 2012 – 2014 one Deputy Director (salary range £62,000 - £117,800) dedicated 20% of their time as the senior reporting officer for the review. All other work on the review was allocated, according to need, to existing staff within the Department. Therefore, providing a full breakdown of staff time and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. (2) Printing costs Printing and publication for the 8 Departmental reports, was coordinated centrally but paid for by the Department, with the exception of the Single Market Report which was printed in-house. Printing and publication costs for all 8 reports totalled £32,821.94. The costs for all 32 reports was £133, 053 This figure was a partial figure, covering the printing of some, but not all, reports across the whole review. (3) Running of Engagement events Each policy team in the Department held a wide range of engagement events over the 2 years; the department did not incur any costs for the running of these events. The facilities for hosting these events were either provided by other Government Departments or by business partners or were held on department premises at no extra cost to the department.(4) WitnessFrom centrally held figures, we understand that across the whole of the Balance of Competences Review witness expenses amounted to approximately £2,255.00. (5) Publicity The Department did not incur any publicity costs as we published the reports and the call for evidence via email, social media and the Government website. (6) All other associated costs Between 2012 – 2014 the Department commissioned research and analysis to form part of the literature review to provide the reports with legal analysis to ensure the reports were neither too analytical or too speculative and political, but instead adhere to the agreed treaties. The cost for all 8 reports was £108, 738.28. Department officials incurred some additional associated costs due to travel to meetings and stakeholder events in the UK. Some officials also incurred costs related to events in Brussels. We estimate that the additional travel costs incurred amounted to less than £300. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: As you will be aware, the Balance of Competences Review concluded in December. It was the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s relationship with the EU ever undertaken. The review involved a large number of Departments across Whitehall to produce 32 reports. The Review was based on the evidence and views received through widespread consultation with interested parties from across society. Across the whole review, departments received close to 2,300 evidence submissions. Departments held over 250 events, attended by around 2,100 stakeholders. It was important that what is an unprecedented examination of EU membership was done with appropriate time and care. But the government is also very conscious of the need to ensure value for money in everything it does. (1) Staff time Between 2012-2013, the Balance of Competences Review Team in the Department was staffed by the equivalent of one Grade 7 (salary range £47, 545 - £55,882), and one intern (salary range £23,869 – £27, 281) dedicating 100% of their time to the review to project manage 7 BIS led reports and 1 joint report. Between 2013 – 2014 this was reduced to one Grade 7. Between 2012 – 2014 one Deputy Director (salary range £62,000 - £117,800) dedicated 20% of their time as the senior reporting officer for the review. All other work on the review was allocated, according to need, to existing staff within the Department. Therefore, providing a full breakdown of staff time and costs would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. (2) Printing costs Printing and publication for the 8 Departmental reports, was coordinated centrally but paid for by the Department, with the exception of the Single Market Report which was printed in-house. Printing and publication costs for all 8 reports totalled £32,821.94. The costs for all 32 reports was £133, 053 This figure was a partial figure, covering the printing of some, but not all, reports across the whole review. (3) Running of Engagement events Each policy team in the Department held a wide range of engagement events over the 2 years; the department did not incur any costs for the running of these events. The facilities for hosting these events were either provided by other Government Departments or by business partners or were held on department premises at no extra cost to the department.(4) WitnessFrom centrally held figures, we understand that across the whole of the Balance of Competences Review witness expenses amounted to approximately £2,255.00. (5) Publicity The Department did not incur any publicity costs as we published the reports and the call for evidence via email, social media and the Government website. (6) All other associated costs Between 2012 – 2014 the Department commissioned research and analysis to form part of the literature review to provide the reports with legal analysis to ensure the reports were neither too analytical or too speculative and political, but instead adhere to the agreed treaties. The cost for all 8 reports was £108, 738.28. Department officials incurred some additional associated costs due to travel to meetings and stakeholder events in the UK. Some officials also incurred costs related to events in Brussels. We estimate that the additional travel costs incurred amounted to less than £300. Consumer Goods Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 26 February (HL4989), what are the terms of reference for the review of unsafe product recall; what is the name of the chair of the review; and what is its timescale. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: I refer the Noble Lady to my previous answer on 26 February. Ministry of Justice Prisons: Libraries Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is (1) the average number of visits, and (2) the average length of visits, by prisoners to libraries, in each prison establishment in England and wales, in each month of the last three years. Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prisoners were able, and were not able, in accordance with PSI 45/2011, for the mandatory 30 minutes every two weeks in each month since that regulation came into force, to access the library in each prison establishment in England and Wales. Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions access to the prison library in accordance with PSI 45/2011 has been restricted due to lack of staff available to escort prisoners (1) in total, and (2) for each prison in England and Wales, in each of the last three years. Lord Faulks: Prison libraries play a positive role in supporting rehabilitation and resettlement through offering a range of resources and activities, including literacy and reader development work. However, information about the average number and length of visits to prison libraries, and the extent to which prisoners had access to the library, is not held centrally and would need to be collated through enquiries at every prison. This would incur disproportionate cost. Sexual Offences Lord Morrow: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the pilot projects in five regions in England on the use of polygraph tests on sex offenders who are being managed in the community. Lord Faulks: In April 2009 the National Offender Management Service commenced a pilot of mandatory polygraph examinations on sexual offenders in nine former Probation Trusts. Operating under legislation introduced in the Offender Management Act 2007, provision was made for all adult sexual offenders sentenced to 12 months or more for a sexual offence and released into the pilot areas to be required to comply with polygraph testing as one of their licence conditions. The pilot involved 332 offenders who were subject to the polygraph licence condition and 303 in a comparison group who were not. The independent evaluation of the pilot concluded that sexual offenders subject to testing made more than twice the number of clinically significant disclosures than those in the comparison group who had not been subject to polygraph testing. In particular, the evaluation showed that polygraph testing increased the likelihood of preventative actions being taken by offender managers that would contribute to greater protection of the public from harm. The full report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-evaluation-of-the-mandatory-polygraph-pilot In response to the positive outcomes of the pilot, provisions of the Offender Management Act 2007 were commenced in 2014 to impose the polygraph on all high risk sexual offenders released on licence. With effect from August 2014, all high risk sex offenders on licence are subject to polygraph tests conducted by specially trained staff in the National Probation Service. Secure Colleges Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the proposed Secure College is to be classified as a place of safety for children under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Lord Faulks: We do not propose that the Secure College should be identified as a place of safety for children detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The Mental Health Act Code of Practice, presented to Parliament in January this year, indicates that local authorities, NHS commissioners, hospitals and police forces should have a jointly agreed local policy in place governing the use of section 135 and 136 of the Act and that this should contain a list of identified places of safety. The Government has made clear that these should be a hospital or other health based place of safety where mental health services are provided, except in exceptional circumstances. Ministry of Defence Armoured Fighting Vehicles Lord Stevens of Ludgate: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 23 February (HL4781), how many of the other armoured vehicles, totalling over 1,500, have been in service since the 1960s. Lord Astor of Hever: 883 Bulldog armoured vehicles entered service in the 1960s. These vehicles, previously named AFV 432, underwent a substantial upgrade programme between 2006 and 2010 and are now expected to remain in service until 2030. Type 26 Frigates Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the planned build rate for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. Lord Astor of Hever: The build rate of the Type 26 Global Combat Ships will be agreed at the programme's main gate decision point when the ship's design is sufficiently mature, the supply chain is fully mobilised and a full joint analysis of programme risk has been completed. Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the unit price of each of the F35B aircraft so far purchased by the United Kingdom. Lord Astor of Hever: The Department does not release detailed breakdowns of F-35 expenditure or future cost estimates as to do so could undermine its commercial position. However, within previous US Department of Defense (DoD) annual Selected Acquisition Reports (SAR) for the Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft the F-35B variant has previously been estimated as costing: $174 million for aircraft bought within Low Rate Initial Production lot three (LRIP 3), where the UK purchased two aircraft; $163 million for aircraft purchased within LRIP 4, where the UK purchased one aircraft; and $151 million for aircraft purchased in LRIP 7, where the UK purchased one aircraft. These are not the final settlement values as release of this information could undermine future contract negotiations.Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney have a track record for delivering the airframe and engine below US government SAR estimates with the F-35 unit cost continuing to reduce in line with the aircraft manufacture's predicted cost reduction profile. It should be noted that three of the UK's first four aircraft are instrumented test and evaluation aircraft, which are typically more expensive than operational aircraft. Strategic Defence and Security Review The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review will be strategy or resource led. Lord Astor of Hever: The Strategic Defence and Security Review will be conducted at broadly the same time as the Comprehensive Spending Review to ensure that our strategy is deliverable. Aircraft Carriers The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the main purposes for which the new aircraft carriers will be used. Lord Astor of Hever: With an expected service life of up to 50 years, the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers will be highly versatile and potent warships, able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world; to include carrier strike, support to amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and defence engagement. Army Reserve The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the latest monthly figures for recruitment to the Army Reserve; and how they compare with recruitment targets. Lord Astor of Hever: The UK Armed Forces Quarterly Personnel report, which is published by Defence Statistics, shows Reserve trained and untrained strength figures, as well as movements into the Future Reserves 2020 population.Target figures for recruiting and trained strength are defined for each Financial Year and were set out in the written ministerial statement and paper that the former Defence Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) released to the Library of the House on 19 December 2013, (Official Report, column 124WS).The trained strength of the Army Reserve as at 1 January 2015 was 20,480 against the March 2015 target of 19,900. The three months to 1 January 2015, intake in to the Army Reserve, trained and untrained strength, was 1,490. This is up from 600 in the equivalent period last year.The Ministry of Defence does not publish figures for individual months' intake to the Reserves. Unmanned Air Vehicles The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether and where they have deployed military unmanned aerial vehicles in the last six months. Lord Astor of Hever: UK Armed Forces used a variety of Unmanned and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (UAS/RPAS) on Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan. All of these systems were redeployed from Afghanistan by 31 December 2014. In October 2014, UK Reaper RPAS were deployed to the Middle East to support the Iraqi Government and coalition allies' ongoing operation to counter the threat of ISIL.Over the last six months Scan Eagle UAS has also been used to improve the situational awareness of Royal Navy ships at sea. Ukraine Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the deployment of Armed Forces personnel as trainers to Ukraine will cost. Lord Astor of Hever: The costs of Ministry of Defence (MOD) support of this nature are compiled retrospectively on the basis of the net additional costs incurred. Since much of the necessary detail is still emerging, the net additional costs of the MOD's training assistance to Ukraine in financial year 2014-15 will not be available until after the end of the financial year. Iraq Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British military trainers and Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed to Iraq (including Kurdistan) to counter ISIL; and at what cost. Lord Astor of Hever: As at 3 March 2015 there were 154 UK Armed Forces personnel deployed to Iraq in support of the Iraqi Government to counter ISIL.The net additional costs of training and equipping the Iraqi and Kurdish Security Forces as well as providing UK enablers is currently being met from the £50 million Deployed Military Activity Pool (DMAP). The net costings for UK military operational activity are published in the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts after the end of each financial year. Unidentified Flying Objects Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the 18 Ministry of Defence unexplained flying object files that have yet to be released to the public have been passed from the Ministry of Defence to the National Archives; what is their current estimate of when the National Archives will make the files public; and whether the files will be released in a single batch or in multiple batches. Lord Astor of Hever: None of the 18 Ministry of Defence (MOD) unexplained flying object files have been passed from the MOD to The National Archives for release. The MOD is working with The National Archives to facilitate the transfer, which we estimate will be in the next 9-12 months. The release mechanism will then be agreed between the MOD and The National Archives. Veterans Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 2 March (HL Deb, col 6), when the programme of preparing servicemen and servicewomen to leave the services and return to civilian life was last reviewed and revised. Lord Astor of Hever: Resettlement policy is continuously reviewed and updated, with the most recent update issued in February 2015.In his comprehensive 2014 review of transition arrangements, Lord Ashcroft concluded that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust measures in place which ensure that the vast majority of Service leavers make a successful transition to civilian life. Resettlement support is available for all Service leavers and can include training grants, allowances, travel warrants, resettlement leave, transition workshops, one-to-one career support, subsidised vocational training support, housing advice, financial briefs and employment support. This support is used by the vast majority of Service leavers and historically around 83% of those who look for work are in full-time employment within six months of leaving.With regard to the specific issue of veterans homelessness, we recognise that there are some who require additional support which is why the MOD provides extensive help to minimise the risk of military personnel becoming homeless on leaving the Armed Forces. This includes the provision of targeted housing advice and support during resettlement and the introduction in April 2014 of the £200 million Forces Help to Buy Scheme. The MOD also works closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government to honour the commitments made under the Armed Forces Covenant.In 2014, LIBOR funding was used to launch the £40 million Veterans Accommodation Fund (VAF). The most recently announced VAF project was £8.5 million to the Aldershot Accommodation Pathway, which caters for veterans making the transition from hostel accommodation to independent living. Approximately 275 vulnerable, injured or sick ex-Service personnel from across the country will benefit. Type 45 Destroyers Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in fitting the co-operative engagement capability to Type 45 destroyers. Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Ministry of Defence is considering fitting land attack cruise missiles to Type 45 destroyers. Lord Astor of Hever: There are currently no plans to fit either land attack cruise missiles or the co-operative engagement capability to the Type 45 Destroyer.The Type 45 Destroyer remains fully capable of delivering all military tasking. Aircraft Carriers Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth has had to have an extra steel covering because Sea Lightning jet efflux has proven more powerful than predicted. Lord Astor of Hever: The Queen Elizabeth Class carrier Flight Deck steel remains the same thickness and specification as per the original contracted design; a design which catered for both F35 B and C variants from the outset. Department for Work and Pensions Jobseeker's Allowance Sanctions Independent Review Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which of the recommendations of the independent review by Matthew Oakley in July 2014 of the operation of Jobseeker’s Allowance sanctions validated by the Jobseekers Act 2013 have been implemented; and what plans there are to implement any outstanding recommendations. Lord Freud: The Government has published our response to the Oakley Report and a copy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/332137/jsa-sanctions-independent-review-government-response.pdf We have accepted all recommendations made by the Oakley Report and we have already implemented a number of improvements. Our response sets out a number of target completion dates for recommendations made by the Oakley Report. In the Government Response to the Oakley Review we committed to report on the progress of the Communications Review by the end of 2014. The Department published an update on improvements to communications following the review, on 18 December 2014. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/387727/jsa-sanctions-independent-review-government-response-update.pdf We will continue to implement the remaining recommendations and will keep the House informed on progress. Employment and Support Allowance Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will undertake an independent review of the operation of Employment and Support Allowance sanctions, with particular emphasis on their impact on those with mental health problems. Lord Freud: As with all of our policies, we keep the operation of the sanctions system under review to ensure that it continues to operate effectively and as fairly as possible. We continue to make improvements to the sanctions system as committed to in our response to the Oakley Review. The Government has gone further than the scope of the Review, for example, we are reviewing all claimant communications and sanctions processes, not only for those Jobseekers Allowance claimants who come under the remit of the Review, but all Jobseekers Allowance claimants and also all Employment Support Allowance claimants. Social Security Benefits Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure benefits claimants facing hardship difficulties are provided with appropriate welfare advice by front-line Jobcentre Plus staff, and to publicise the availability of such advice. Lord Freud: As part of helping claimants with employment-related support, Jobcentre Plus work coaches provide those facing ''hardship difficulties'' with appropriate information, advice and guidance. Depending upon individual circumstances, this could include information about and help to claim Hardship Payments (where a sanction has been applied), raising awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances for those awaiting initial payment of benefit; and signposting claimants to other sources of help available locally. As the support on offer is tailored to local need, Jobcentre Plus offices have the flexibility to promote these services through the means that best suits their local needs. This may include displaying leaflets or posters of the types of services on offer or holding a list of the different organisations providing support which will be issued to claimants in ‘’hardship’’. National Insurance Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many National Insurance numbers were (1) created, and (2) deleted due to death, in each of the last 10 years; and what was the total number of valid numbers at the end of each year. Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the conditions in respect of (1) age, (2) nationality, (3) residence status, (4) tax status, and (5) identity, which have to be fulfilled before a National Insurance number is issued to an individual; and whether the Department for Work and Pensions seeks to verify those conditions with (a) the Home Office, (b) HM Revenue and Customs, (c) the Department of Health, and (d) the Department for Transport, before issuing such numbers. Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the issuing of National Insurance numbers is processed centrally for the whole of the United Kingdom or whether it is administered separately in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the administrative arrangements for notifying the Department for Work and Pensions of the death of holders of National Insurance numbers; and how soon after death they aim to be able to mark as deceased the records of the deceased person. Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many non-British nationals currently hold United Kingdom National Insurance numbers; and how many of those are citizens of other European Union countries and non-European Union countries respectively. Lord Freud: The information relating to how many National Insurance numbers were created in the last 10 years could only be provided at disproportionate cost. For a National Insurance number to be allocated under the adult allocation process, which mainly affects adults entering the UK from abroad, an individual must be 16 or over, be able to prove their identity and immigration status. For employment related applications individuals must be able to prove that they have a legal right to work in the UK. There are no conditions for tax status. Information and documents provided to support a National Insurance number application are checked and corroborated with Other Government Departments and third parties. The only legislative conditions that DWP will seek to verify are with the Home Office. The allocation of National Insurance numbers under the adult allocation process is processed centrally for Great Britain but Northern Ireland is administered separately by the Department for Social Development Northern Ireland. Upon the death of an individual, DWP receive automatic updates from the three General Register Offices (GRO), England & Wales, Scotland on a daily basis and Northern Ireland on a weekly basis. DWP undertakes a rigorous matching process against the updates received from the GROs to ensure that DWP IT Customer Information System (CIS) records are annotated with the Date of Death within 24 hours of the GRO notification being received. Also when notified of a death DWP staff can input death data, as long as it is supported by appropriate documentation i.e. death certificate, which is updated in real time to the DWP IT Customer Information System. It is not possible to advise how many non-British nationals have UK National Insurance numbers. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs National Parks Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have given to National Park Authorities on (1) the disposal of land and in particular on publicising and allowing consultation on proposals for disposing of land before decisions are made, (2) the criteria that should be applied in deciding whether to dispose of particular pieces of land, and (3) the priorities that should be applied in such cases. Lord De Mauley: The Local Government Act 1972 provides local authorities, including national parks, with the powers to dispose of land. It details the procedure to be followed in doing so, including the responsibility to advertise the disposal of any Open Space. ODPM Circular 06/2003 provides additional guidance on the disposal of land at less than best consideration. Department for Communities and Local Government Local Government Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support and champion England’s traditional counties. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: England’s traditional counties date back over a thousand years of English history, but many of the counties have been sidelined by Whitehall in recent decades, whether by the bland municipal restructuring of Edward Heath’s Government in 1972, or by the imposition of artificial regional structures by the last Labour Government based on the EU’s Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (the appropriately-named “NUTS” Regulations). Yet the tapestry of England’s counties binds our nation together, and is interwoven with our cultural fabric – from our cricket to our ales. So this Government has taken a series of steps to champion our traditional counties: • We have amended planning regulations to allow local and county flags to be flown without planning permission, and published a plain English guide to flying flags. Previously, flying a county flag on an existing flag pole required a princely sum of £335 to be paid to the council.• We have supported the Flag Institute in publishing a new guide for would-be vexillologists to encourage a new wave of county and other local flags to be designed and flown. http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/creating-local-and-community-flags/• My Department has flown a range of county flags in Whitehall to mark different county days, including Cumberland, Huntingdonshire, Westmorland and Middlesex. We have also flown flags to celebrate other historic localities such as those of the Ridings of Yorkshire and of Wessex – the kingdom which gave birth to the united English nation.• We are changing highways regulations to allow traditional county names to appear on boundary road signs. The previous rules prevented unitary councils like Blackpool from having a road sign saying ‘Lancashire’, or Poole saying ‘Dorset’ – since they were not considered to be part of the ‘administrative county’.• We have a new online interactive map of England’s different county boundaries. http://communities.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Compare/storytelling_compare/index.html?appid=7b0e661ef66b4a7aacb5a9acf55108ac• Ordnance Survey, the Government’s National Mapping Agency, now provides a dataset of current, ceremonial counties (counties retained for the purposes of representing Her Majesty by Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs). http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-and-government/help-and-support/products/boundary-line.html• I can also announce to the House today that from May a dataset of the traditional, historic counties based on 19th Century boundaries will be available on the OS OpenData portal. These datasets are compatible with the OS Boundary-Line product which is available to all free of charge. Ordnance Survey is also going to provide a viewing map window on their website showing both the historic and ceremonial County boundaries on top of a base map.• Later in the year, Ordnance Survey is hoping to publish a paper map of the Historic Counties of England, Scotland and Wales (as defined in the Local Government Act 1888 for England and Wales and the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 for Scotland), which will be available to the general public to purchase and proudly display. We are stronger as a nation when we cherish and champion our local and traditional ties. This Government is proud to wave the flag of St George and Union flag alongside our county flags. Whatever one’s class, colour or creed, we should have pride in our English identity within the United Kingdom’s Union that binds us all together. Sefton Park Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have had any discussion with Liverpool City Council about the sale of Liverpool Sefton Park Meadows land. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Secretary of State has received a request to call in a planning application for residential dwellings at land off Park Avenue, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. I understand that this is generally referred to as Sefton Park Meadows. The application is still under consideration by Liverpool City Council and it is not the policy of the Government to intervene at such an early stage in the process. In the meantime it would be inappropriate of me to comment on the application as it may come before the Secretary of State in the future. Department for Energy and Climate Change Solar Power Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of solar panels in the United Kingdom include technologies incorporating (1) cadmium, and (2) cadmium telluride. Baroness Verma: The Government does not keep statistics on the specific technology of installed solar panels. Department for Culture Media and Sport Religion: Equality Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of public sensitivity caused by Marks and Spencer's refusal to acknowledge and use the words "Jesus Christ" in a greeting attached to a gift purchased within its premises, they have issued guidance on the application of equality legislation to policies to be adopted by companies in respect of words and phrases they are prepared to reproduce when offering such a service; and if so, in what terms. Baroness Garden of Frognal: Statutory guidance about compliance with equality legislation is issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and is intended to give businesses and service providers the information they need to understand the Act and meet their responsibilities. A copy of the guidance can be found at:http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/services-public-functions-and-associations-statutory-code-practice The Government has no current plans to supplement this guidance. Department of Health Naloxone Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve access to Naloxone in England. Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have given consideration to making Naloxone an over-the-counter drug in England. Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether draft regulations for making Naloxone more widely available will be published in draft ahead of the October 2015 implementation, to enable organisations including police, hostels and drugs misuse services to make advance plans. Earl Howe: Naloxone has a vital role in saving lives and we are committed to widening its use in England. We have accepted the recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to make this life-saving medicine available more widely and Departmental officials are drafting new regulations to give effect to this decision. This legislative change is due to commence in October 2015. Public Health England has recently published advice for commissioners and providers on the provision of take-home naloxone for reversing overdose in people who use heroin and other opiates, so that commissioners and providers can take action, both now and following the October 2015 legislative change, to widen the supply of naloxone. In addition, the issue of naloxone supply is also being considered by the independent expert group updating the 2007 drug misuse clinical guidelines, Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK Guidelines on Clinical Management. As it is formulated as an injectable medicine, naloxone does not meet the criteria set out in legislation for classification as an over-the-counter medicine. Amended regulations will be publicly available when they are laid before Parliament. Embryos Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL4885), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is required to maintain records regarding the size of embryos; if so, what is the mean, median and standard deviation for the diameter of (1) embryos transferred, (2) embryos stored for research, and (3) embryos allowed to perish; and if not, how providing a repeated reference to the size of an embryo has been considered to be relevant to the number of embryos destroyed when no such request for information regarding the size of embryos was previously made. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that it is not required to maintain records regarding the size of embryos. With regard to the size of the embryo, I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 24 February 2015 (HL4885). Embryos Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL4885), whether the reference to reconciliation work performed on the data by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) indicates that previously supplied figures have been inaccurate; if so, what is the extent to which the HFEA has provided inaccurate information and who accepts responsibility for this; and why the embryos stored for research are not included among the number of embryos allowed to perish if embryos used in research are not allowed to persist beyond 14 days. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that data it has supplied in response to any given question is correct when it is provided. Such data may change slightly over time. The supplied figures were not inaccurate and responsibility for inaccuracy does not, therefore, arise. Embryos stored for research are not, by definition, perished until they are used. Human-animal Hybrid Embryos Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they now have to repeal those provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 which permit the creation of animal-human hybrid embryos. Earl Howe: The Government has no plans to repeal the provisions in question.

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lordswrans2015-03-10

Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012-13 by HM Treasury. Lord Deighton: A record of alcoholic refreshments is not held centrally within our accounting system and the information could not be provided within the disproportionate costs threshold. All staff and senior officials are required to refer to the department's travel and subsistence policy, which provides clear guidance with regards to the purchase of alcohol. Antarctic Lord Hunt of Chesterton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the advice of the British Antarctic Survey about (1) the current position and future trends of net movement of ice from the land areas of Antarctica to the ocean, (2) the increase of the area of sea ice surrounding Antarctica, and (3) changes in temperature over the Antarctic peninsula and over the main Antarctic continent. Viscount Younger of Leckie: The British Antarctic Survey, part of the Natural Environment Research Council, works alongside others in the UK polar science community to monitor change in the Antarctic environment—using data collected from satellites, from ship and by scientists on the ground. 1. Currently, scientists report that glacial ice is being lost from several parts of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, notably the Antarctic Peninsula and the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica. Loss from the Antarctic Peninsula is probably a result of atmospheric warming in this region (see below), while loss from the Amundsen Sea sector is thought to be caused by changes in the coastal sea into which it flows. In East Antarctica, only a few areas of ice loss have been identified, and elsewhere the ice is slowly thickening. Overall, however, the Antarctic ice sheet is losing glacial ice and making a significant contribution (0.20 to 0.62 mm per year, 2002-2011) to observed rates of global sea-level rise which has been 2.8 to 3.6 mm per year, 1993-2010. Scientific advice is that in the future, it is very unlikely that increases in snowfall could outweigh the increases in ice loss, and there is thus a high likelihood that the Antarctic contribution to global sea-level rise will increase in future decades and centuries. 2. In marked contrast to the Arctic, over the 35 years for which satellite records are available, the extent of the seasonal sea ice (frozen sea water) floating in the seas around Antarctica has increased—2013 saw the largest extent on record. More than one mechanism is thought to be contributing to this observed increase. First, sea ice drifts under the influence of near-surface winds, and there has been an increase in the northerly winds blowing sea ice away from the Antarctic continent. Second, these increased winds carry more cold air off the continent, freezing more ice. Third, changes in the temperature and salinity of the coastal seas around Antarctica may have altered sea-ice production. The increase in Antarctic sea-ice extent (1.2 to 1.8% per decade, 1979-2012) is statistically significant, but is considerably less than the corresponding decrease in the Arctic sea ice (3.5 to 4.1% per decade, 1979-2012). It is unknown whether the small Antarctic increase is simply the result of natural variability or results from anthropogenic effects. 3. Over the past ~60 years, temperatures on parts of the Antarctic Peninsula have increased faster than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere, and possibly anywhere on Earth. Meteorological records from Faraday/Vernadsky Station show a warming of over 3.3°C. Temperature changes measured at climate stations in East Antarctica have generally been much smaller in amplitude and in recent decades some have shown a cooling trend. Several studies suggest that the pattern of warming and cooling was driven by changes in atmospheric circulation linked to the Antarctic ozone hole. A paucity of long-term meteorological records from West Antarctica means that changes in this region can only be inferred from statistical temperature reconstructions, which are not as robust as those based on direct measurements. Such studies do, however, suggest decadal warming in this region, again strongly linked to wider patterns of atmospheric circulation. These apparently diverse changes in the temperature, sea ice and glacial ice across Antarctica demonstrate the complexity of the Antarctic system but none of the observed changes is in contradiction to our overall understanding of anthropogenic climate change. Apprenticeships Lord Smith of Clifton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employers in England who offer publicly funded apprenticeships employ (1) 1–24, (2) 25–49, (3) 50–99, (4) 100–249, and (5) 250 or more, staff. To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many employers in England offer publicly funded apprenticeships to apprentices aged (1) 16–18, (2) 19–24, and (3) 25 and over; and how many apprenticeships are offered nationally to each age group. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Information is not available on the number of employers offering or employing Apprentices by size. Information on the number of employers who offer apprenticeships by age is not available as Apprenticeships places are open to individuals of all ages. The online Apprenticeship Vacancies Report shows the number of vacancies updated on a monthly basis and published by the Data Service on at the following link: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Statistics/fe_data_library/Apprenticeships/ Provisional data for the 2012/13 academic year show that over 225,9001 employer workplaces (site level) employed Apprentices in England. An employer workplace may employ Apprentices of different ages. Information on Apprenticeship participation and starts by age in England is published in the Statistical First Release (SFR): http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D37C3948-A652-4894-B686-9D28D8ACACD0/0/All_SFR_Tables_Oct13.xls http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current/ This figure is rounded to the nearest hundred Badgers Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that badgers are not trapped for long periods inside cages in winter weather conditions as a result of attempts to reach the killing target for the Gloucestershire pilot trial; and whether they will ensure that pregnant female badgers that have been trapped are tested for tuberculosis and released if they are free of the disease. Lord De Mauley: Requirements for cage trapping and shooting are set out in best practice guidance, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69544/pb13715-badger-shooting-cage-trapping.pdf Natural England carry out monitoring to ensure that the culls are being conducted in accordance with the Best Practice Guidance. Cage-trapping and shooting, controlled shooting and vaccination require adherence to a closed season to avoid cruel ill treatment to the animal or to any dependent off-spring. The duration and timing of the closed season balances badgers’ welfare requirements against disease control requirements. In the winter, the closed season for cage trapping (which starts at the beginning of December) aims to protect trapped badgers from poor weather conditions. In the spring, it aims to minimise the risk of removing lactating sows and so leaving dependent cubs underground. The timing of these seasons has been set using evidence from culling during the RBCT and expert ecological advice. Implantation and the onset of pregnancy in badger sows is unlikely to take place before mid-December. No routine testing of badgers for bovine TB is being carried out during the culls. The purpose of the pilots was to find out whether controlled shooting is safe, effective and humane. Badgers Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking against farmers and others who attempt to gas badgers. Lord De Mauley: The police are responsible for investigating wildlife crime, and any suspicions of possible illegal culling should be reported to them. Commonwealth: Heads of Government Meeting Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the government of Canada’s decision to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka. Baroness Warsi: The Government of Canada has not decided to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka. As Prime Minister Harper of Canada said in his statement of 7 October, he would not be attending the CHOGM, he would instead be sending the hon. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights. Like Canada, the UK is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. CHOGM will shine a spotlight on Sri Lanka and our attendance will provide the opportunity for the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to deliver direct messages to the Sri Lankan government: that they must make real progress on issues of human rights, reconciliation, and political reform. Democratic Republic of the Congo Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the prospects for a credible peace agreement in that area. Baroness Warsi: We welcome the M23 militia’s announcement on 5 November that it would lay down its arms. It is now important that the Kampala process is completed quickly. This will be an important step towards stabilising the region, and will allow the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Government, with support from the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), to move on to tackling other armed groups in the region. But this military activity is only part of what is needed. We urge the region’s leaders to return their focus to the implementation of the Peace, Security and Co-operation Framework for the Great Lakes, underpinned by regional political dialogue. This offers the best hope for building sustainable peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region. The UK will continue to support this important process by working closely with the UN and countries of the region, as well as the US and EU. Energy: Carbon Capture and Storage Lord Hunt of Chesterton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when their programme to promote carbon capture and storage will lead to construction of the first installation; and how much carbon they plan to capture by 2020. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government is strongly committed to the development of Carbon Capture and Storage. In April 2012, we published the CCS Roadmap which sets out a comprehensive strategy for the development of cost-competitive CCS and launched the £1bn Commercialisation Programme, together with a £125m four-year Research and Development programme. Budget 2013 announced the selection of two preferred bidders in the CCS Competition. We are currently working with these preferred bidders to develop detailed contracts for Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies of their projects which will inform final investment decisions. We expect to sign FEED contracts around the turn of the year. Information coming from the FEED process will provide greater clarity on timelines and the amount of carbon dioxide they expect to capture, but we expect projects to complete construction before 2020. Energy: Electricity Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of their agreement with EDF and the government of China to provide nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom and the recent price increase by the large energy companies, they have any plans to consider renationalising the electricity supply industry. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government has no plans to renationalise the electricity supply industry. Energy: Prices Lord Higgins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Ofgem about their decision that energy companies should no longer be allowed to offer tariffs that track competitors' prices. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Ofgem’s rules on the structure of tariffs and the other reforms under the Retail Market Review are designed to make the market similar, clearer and fairer. This work was done by Ofgem in their role as the independent regulator of the gas and electricity markets and they undertook formal consultations together with bilateral meetings and seminars with large and small suppliers, consumer groups, Government and other interested stakeholders. Energy: Prices Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they ensure energy consumers can make appropriate comparisons with differing suppliers. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government is providing legislative backing to Ofgem's Retail Market Review measures which will simplify and standardise tariff structures and require suppliers to provide consumers with clearer and better quality information so that it will be far easier for consumers to compare tariffs. These measures include requiring suppliers to adopt a standardised Tariff Information Label on bills. websites and promotional material which contains the key features of a tariff and requiring suppliers to use a standardised way of estimating the total cost of a tariff to an individual consumer, the Personal Projection. Energy: Wind Farms Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of wind farms on rural house prices in Britain. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The evidence of the impact on property prices in the presence of a windfarm is mixed and not conclusive.DECC recognises that there is scope for new up-to-date research on the impact that energy infrastructure has on house prices. Any evidence on the impact of wind farms on rural house prices will be assessed as part of the wider work that Defra is doing working with DECC to investigate the effects of electricity generation on the natural environment. A report setting out the findings of this analysis will be published in due course once it has been through the usual quality assurance processes. EU: Vacuum Cleaners Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, and if so why, they supported European Union Regulation 666/2012 reducing the permissible power rating for vacuum cleaners. Lord De Mauley: The UK Government supported Regulation 666/2013 on the Ecodesign of vacuum cleaners, together with the Commission Delegated Act 665/2013 concerning energy labelling, viewing both as a necessary and important contribution to reducing electricity use and making savings in greenhouse gas emissions and consumer bills. For the first time, these regulations introduce a minimum standard for cleaning performance, helping consumers choose vacuum cleaners that are both effective and energy efficient. Vacuum cleaners have long been sold under the misapprehension that greater power equals greater cleaning, which has led to a proliferation of models with ever increasing electricity demands. Gaza Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Israel about the six-mile fishing limit for Gazan fishermen. Baroness Warsi: We regularly make representations at both ministerial and official level to the Israeli authorities on the urgent need to ease restrictions on Gaza, including fishing limits, most recently with the Israeli Ministry of Defence on 17 October. Genetic Modification Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 30 October (WA 259), whether their definition of genetic modification is limited to recombinant nucleic acid techniques, or whether it also includes either the direct introduction into a cell of heritable genetic material from another source or cell fusion techniques whereby live cells with new combinations of heritable genetic material are formed by means of methods that do not occur naturally. Viscount Younger of Leckie: There is no universally accepted definition of ‘genetic modification’. However, the term is commonly used to describe the artificial modification of a gene or other genetic material of a cell or organism to alter the biological characteristics in some way. The genes present in the donated mitochondria will not be altered nor will the nuclear DNA of the child's parents' egg or embryo that will be used in these new IVF procedures. At this time there is no agreement that this procedure constitutes genetic modification. Geneva II Peace Talks Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that the United Kingdom delegation to the Geneva II peace talks includes (1) women at a senior level, and (2) a gender expert. Baroness Warsi: The format for Geneva II has yet to be decided, though we look forward to hearing from the United Nations what formal role the UK will have. As a result, it would be premature to appoint a UK delegation at this time. However, we place a high priority on ensuring that women’s rights are fully taken into account in peace talks. We are actively encouraging the National Coalition to appoint women to their delegation to Geneva II and are working with international partners on other means to ensure the involvement of women’s groups in the process. Government Departments: Ministerial Agreements Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will release a copy of the tripartite ministerial agreement between the Department of Health, HM Treasury and the Department for Communities and Local Government governing the operation of the Integration Transformation Fund. Earl Howe: The tri-partite agreement referred to is within the content of the spending round settlement letters between HM Treasury, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government. Her Majesty's Government will not release a copy of these letters as this relates to confidential ministerial communications. Detail of the agreement is set out in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Spending Round 2015 statement to parliament1 on 26 June 2013 and the Spending Round 2013 document published by HM Treasury in June2. NHS England and the Local Government Association have published further details as to how this will be implemented in practice, and fuller guidance will be published in the coming weeks. Notes: 1. www.gov.uk/government/speeches/spending-round-2013-speech 2. www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/209036/spending-round-2013-complete.pdf Israel Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Israel to declare (1) any stocks of nuclear weapons they possess, and (2) any facilities they fund to research and produce such weapons. Baroness Warsi: Israel has not declared a nuclear weapons programme. We have regular discussions with the Government of Israel on a range of nuclear-related issues. The Government of Israel is in no doubt as to our views. We encourage Israel to become a state party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We also call on Israel to agree a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israel Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or plan to have, with the government of Israel about UNICEF's report Children in Israeli Military Detention, published in March; and what action they will be encouraging Israel to take in the light of that report's conclusions. Baroness Warsi: Our Ambassador to Tel Aviv raised the issue of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention again with the Israeli Minister of Justice on 16 October. The issue was also highlighted by the UK during Israel's Universal Peer Review at the UN Human Rights Council on 29 October. We will continue to raise this issue with the Israeli authorities and encourage further progress, including on the recommendations in the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report as well as the independent UK-funded report published in June 2012. Israel and Palestine Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about Palestinian access to gas and oil fields off the coast of Palestine. Baroness Warsi: We have regular discussions with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities about Palestinian Authority development of the gas and oil fields off the coast of Gaza. The issue was last raised by our Ambassador to Tel Aviv with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on 30 October. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are giving any support to the Palestinian Authority in its recent request that countries impose tighter controls on companies doing business with Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Baroness Warsi: We are not providing support to the Palestinian Authority regarding its recent request that countries impose tighter controls on companies doing business with Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We are in the process of updating our online guidance for citizens and businesses on overseas markets, including Israel and the OPTs, in line with the UK Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. We expect this guidance to be published in the coming weeks. NHS: Lewisham Hospital Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to make an announcement in response to the judgment of the Court of Appeal on 29 October in respect of Lewisham Hospital. Earl Howe: The debates in both Houses on 30 October 2013 on changes to health services in London included responses from the Secretary of State and myself about the Court of Appeal's judgment of 29 October in relation to the Trust Special Administrator's regime. House of Commons: 30 October 2013, Official report, columns 921 to 938. House of Lords: 30 October 2013, Official report, columns 1585 to 1595. The judgment was formally handed down in the Court of Appeal on 8 November 2013. We have considered it carefully and will not be pursuing any further appeal. NHS: NHS Choices Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the procurement process to outsource a revamped NHS Choices website will meet the deadline set by Earl Howe for retendering to begin in 2013. Earl Howe: The current NHS Choices website is evolving into a new online service as part of the Health and Social Care Digital Service. As a result, several of the components previously managed by the supplier are in the process of being outsourced using the Government procurement framework G Cloud. In addition NHS Choices is already supported by close to 50 contracts from industry suppliers many of whom are United Kingdom Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). A comprehensive market engagement exercise has been conducted with more than 200 UK SMEs briefed on NHS England's plans for NHS Choices. Many of them have provided feedback and cost saving ideas that are being incorporated into the re-procurement plans. Subject to appropriate business case and technical approvals, NHS England plans to commence procurement of more of these services from industry from April 2014. Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the level of grant paid to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in each of the last five years; what were the full-time equivalent staff numbers in each of those years; what was the total cost of their salaries and pension contributions; and what percentage of the total grant that comprised. Baroness Randerson: The information can be found in the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House or on the NIHRC website, www.nihrc.org. Railways: Compensation Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 31 October (WA 298), what financial compensation is paid to train operating companies in respect of free and reduced travel facilities for former British Rail staff on trains. Baroness Kramer: Free and reduced travel facilities on trains may be offered by train operators to their staff who were formerly employed by British Rail, as part of their employment package. Specific financial compensation is not paid to train operators to offset any notional cost or revenue loss to train operators. Royal Charter: Press Regulation Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in implanting the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practice and ethics of the press. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Following the Report of the Leveson Inquiry, on 30 October 2013, acting on the advice of the Government, the Privy Council granted a Royal Charter on the self-regulation of the Press. The Secretary of State for Culture has written to all MPs and Peers updating them on this matter, and the published version of the Charter can be found in the library of the House. Both the industry and the Government agree that independent self-regulation of the press is the way forward and that a Royal Charter is the best framework. At its heart, the Charter sets up a new Recognition Panel, independent of politicians. Its role is to recognise that independent press self-regulator(s) meet agreed criteria set out in the Charter. It does not seek to regulate the press in any way and cannot interfere with what they choose to publish. However, as a voluntary system, the choice to seek recognition, as well as to sign up to self-regulation, lies with the industry, and I would encourage them to look at that. The Charter will be sealed shortly, which will enable the appointment process for the Chair and initial Board members of the Recognition Panel to commence. Free speech underpins our democracy and the Royal Charter will protect freedom of the press whilst offering real redress when mistakes are made. Scotland: Independence Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what meetings have taken place between the Scottish Government and (1) the Ministry of Defence, (2) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (3) HM Treasury, (4) the Department of Work and Pensions, and (5) the Department for International Development, to discuss the contents of the White Paper on Independence to be published by the Scottish Government. Lord Wallace of Tankerness: No meetings have taken place between the named departments and the Scottish Government regarding the contents of its White Paper on Independence. Smoking Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 24 October (WA 199–200), when they expect to see a decrease after the workplace ban in the number of admissions to hospitals attributable to smoking; whether there are any extra health risks involved in the percentage of people who smoke hand-rolled tobacco rising from 26 per cent to 35 per cent; and what proportion of the decrease of 17 per cent in cigarette consumption is estimated to be due to illegal imports. Earl Howe: Smokefree legislation has already had a beneficial effect on admissions to hospital attributable to smoking. As part of a Department funded study assessing trends in key health outcomes, an analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics was conducted to explore the impact of smokefree legislation on admissions for myocardial infarction (MI). The study examined emergency admissions from July 2002 to September 2008 and so included 15 months of data from the period after smokefree legislation was implemented. The study found a statistically significant reduction of 2.4% in the number of admissions for MI following the implementation of smokefree legislation. This was equivalent to 1,200 fewer emergency admissions for heart attacks in the first year following the implementation of the legislation. This study is referenced in the academic review of the evidence of the impact of smokefree legislation that was published alongside the Government's Tobacco Control Plan for England in 2011. A copy has already been placed in the Library. The rate of smoking-related hospital admissions per 100,000 population aged 35 or over decreased from 1569 in 2006-07 to 1563 in 2011-12. Over the same period, the total number of hospital admissions increased by 16%. Smoking of tobacco is harmful to health and the Department is aware of evidence that suggests that smoking hand-rolling tobacco is not less harmful than smoking factory made cigarettes. There is no way to estimate what proportion of the 17% decrease in United Kingdom duty paid tobacco released for domestic UK consumption between 2006-7 and 2012-13 could be attributed to illegal imports. However HM Revenue and Customs' tax gap estimates indicate that the UK's total consumption of cigarettes fell from 61 billion sticks to 44 billion sticks from 2006-07 to 2012-13, a reduction of 28%. Over the same period, consumption of illicit cigarettes has fallen from an estimated 9 billion sticks per year to 4 billion, a reduction of 56%. As a result, the cigarette illicit market share has reduced from an estimated 15% in 2006-07 to 9% in 2012-13. Sport: Racism Lord Hanningfield: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provisions they are making to support anti-discrimination campaigns, such as “Kick it Out”, in their efforts to deal with racism in sport. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Racism is absolutely indefensible and must not be tolerated in any form. We have come a long way in tackling racism in sport in this country in the last 25 years and anti-discrimination campaigns such as “Kick it Out” are vital in ensuring that we continue to push for positive change. Through Sport England, we are investing over £1m in ‘Sporting Equals’ who actively tackle discrimination and promote greater involvement in sport and physical activity by all communities that are disengaged, especially the black and minority ethnic (BME) population. Sri Lanka Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to the principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. Baroness Warsi: Like every other Commonwealth country, Sri Lanka is expected to live up to the values of the Commonwealth. Over the last few years and in particular in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting, the UK has regularly raised concerns with the Sri Lankan government about human rights and the need to uphold Commonwealth values. Progress has been made in the areas of demining, the resettlement of internally displaced people, first ever Northern Provincial Council elections since the start of the conflict in 1983, and infrastructure development. But there needs to be further progress in a number of areas including freedom of expression; judicial independence; issues of accountability that arose after the conflict; and achieving a lasting reconciliation and political settlement between Sri Lanka’s communities. Sri Lanka Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what efforts they are making to support Commonwealth values and principles in Sri Lanka. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Like every other Commonwealth country, Sri Lanka is expected to live up to the values of the Commonwealth, as set out in the Commonwealth Charter. In recent years, in the wake of Sri Lanka's conflict, and in particular in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the UK has regularly raised concerns with the Sri Lankan government about human rights and the need to uphold Commonwealth values. We will use our attendance at CHOGM to raise concerns with the Sri Lankan government and to engage directly with local communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The UK is engaged in supporting Commonwealth values and principles in Sri Lanka through a variety of means. UK funding, bilaterally and through the UN and the EU, supports the delivery of a range of capacity building projects in Sri Lanka. We are also engaging with the Commonwealth on how its ‘Good Offices’ work can have a measurable impact, sharing UK experiences with Sri Lankan Ministries and regularly meeting with and supporting the activities of local NGOs and human rights defenders. Sri Lanka Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what reports they have received regarding sexual violence committed against women in Sri Lanka; and whether they have made representations to their Sri Lankan counterparts on this issue. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We continue to be concerned at reports of a culture of impunity for rape and sexual violence and the lack of support for victims in Sri Lanka. The British Government is supporting projects to ensure a zero tolerance approach to rape and sexual violence in Sri Lanka. Tackling sexual violence is central to conflict prevention and peace-building worldwide, as recognised in the Preventing Sexual Violence initiative (PSVI) by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague). The then Parliamentary-Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), raised the PSVI declaration in his meeting with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 25 September 2013. We have encouraged Sri Lanka to endorse the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, launched by the Foreign Secretary on 24 September, and we will take the opportunity to raise these issues with Sri Lanka as Chair and host of CHOGM. Syria Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether and in which ways they are supporting the appeal by the International Committee of the Red Cross and 150 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies for full access to provide humanitarian services and supplies within Syria. Baroness Northover: At the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the UK called for action to implement the UN’s proposals for unfettered humanitarian access inside Syria. This resulted in a Presidential Statement on the humanitarian situation in Syria which called for a humanitarian ceasefire as well as unhindered humanitarian access, lifting bureaucratic obstacles, granting visas/permits, assisting cross-border delivery and demilitarising schools and medical centres. We are actively supporting the UN High Level Group led by Baroness Amos which is being established to oversee implementation. Syria Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will support requests for ceasefires, both local and national, in Syria. Baroness Warsi: The Syria conflict can only be resolved through a political settlement. The planned Geneva II talks are the best hope of delivering one. Ceasefires, whether local or national, agreed between the regime and opposition forces could play an important role in building confidence between the parties and in facilitating humanitarian access to the millions of Syrians in desperate need of assistance. Syria Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the emergency aid they provide Syria is assisting the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional government in making provision for refugees from Syria. Baroness Northover: The UK has allocated over £5.3 million to partners working in Iraq to provide essential support to Syrian refugees. This represents 1.5% of the total UK aid allocated so far for specific programmes. Syria Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports about the discovery of two new mass graves in Sadad, in Syria; and whether they have verified reports that 45 people have been killed there by the Islamist militias of Al Nusra Front and Daash since 21 October. Baroness Warsi: We are deeply concerned by recent media reports of mass graves being discovered in Sadad. We have not been able to verify these reports, but we condemn all instances of human rights abuses in Syria. We have consistently made clear that those responsible for the most serious crimes should be held to account. To this end, we have trained over 100 Syrian activists to document human rights violations and abuses to assist in any future accountability process, and continue to support efforts to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Syria Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Syrian women are fully included in the preparations for the Geneva II peace conference. Baroness Warsi: The British Government places a high priority on ensuring that any peace process reflects the interests of all Syrian people, including women. We are encouraging the National Coalition to appoint women to their delegation and to work with international partners on other means to ensure the involvement of women’s groups in the Geneva II process. Telephone Calls: Cold Calling Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take to prevent telephone cold calling. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Consumers are protected from telephone cold calling through the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003, which prohibits unsolicited marketing calls to numbers registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), or if a recipient has previously advised the calling company that further calls should not made. The TPS is a free service and more than 19.3 million numbers are currently registered with them. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) considers complaints about breaches of the PECR and can issue a monetary penalty of up to £500,000 for the most serious breaches. We outlined our future plans in our strategy paper Connectivity, Content and Consumers: Britain's digital platform for growth, which was published on 30 July. This includes enabling Ofcom to share information more easily with the ICO in relation to organisations that make unsolicited marketing calls, so more effective action can be taken. We are also continuing to work with industry and regulators to ensure better enforcement to target those that break the rules. Other measures include supporting efforts to enable calls to be traced where a caller conceals or withholds their number and considering the scope to lower the legal threshold, which needs to be met before the ICO can issue a monetary penalty. Further information about our proposals is set out at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connectivity-content-and-consumers-britains-digital-platform-for-growth. Also, a joint action plan was published in July by ICO and the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which identifies steps they are taking to improve guidance, pursue on-going targeted enforcement and improve call and message tracing processes to track down those responsible for making calls. Ofcom will also be conducting a review of the effectiveness of the TPS and further details are available at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/silent-calls/ joint-action-plan/. We will review their findings carefully to see what further action can be taken to tackle nuisance calls. Uganda Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of the Public Order Management Act recently passed in Uganda which makes it illegal to hold a meeting of more than three people at which government policy is discussed without the written authority of the head of the Ugandan police. Baroness Warsi: We have been closely following the Public Order Management Bill, which was passed by Uganda’s Parliament on 6 August. We are working with local and international partners to understand fully the Act’s implications. However, the final Act had been amended during Parliamentary debates and is substantially different from the original bill. The clause regarding meetings of more than three people is not included in the final Act. It is important that implementation of the Act strikes the right balance between maintaining order and freedom of assembly. Vehicles: Heavy Goods Vehicles Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many heavy goods vehicles have been stopped by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency examiners on the A55 since European Union regulations 1072/2009 and 1073/2009 came into effect; and how many immediate prohibitions were issued to drivers of those vehicles. Baroness Kramer: 1072/2009 relates to cabotage and regulation1073/2009 relates to most serious infringements. The figures provided below relate to all our prohibitions: Regulation 1072/2009 14th May 2010 to 30th October 2013 Mechanical Checks Immediate Prohibitions HGV 2408 178 Trailer 1652 203 Traffic Checks Offence Prohibitions HGV 6624 1684 Of which Weighed Overload Prohibitions 597 371 Regulation 1073/2009 4th December 2011 to 30th October 2013 Mechanical Checks Immediate Prohibitions HGV 1808 122 Trailer 1196 145 Traffic Checks Offence Prohibitions HGV 3807 825 Of which Weighed Overload Prohibitions 478 293 Vehicles: Heavy Goods Vehicles Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many heavy goods vehicles have been checked on the A55 in North Wales from (1) the United Kingdom, and (2) other countries, during the last year for (a) weight offences, (b) drivers' hours offences, (c) mechanical condition offences, and (d) speeding; and how many of those vehicles received immediate prohibitions. Baroness Kramer: The tables below outline how many heavy goods vehicles that have been checked on the A55 in North Wales from (1) the United Kingdom, and (2) other countries, during the last year for (a) weight offences, (b) drivers’ hours offences, (c) mechanical condition offences, and how many of those vehicles received immediate prohibitions. However we are unable to comment on part (d) speeding; as speeding offences are not within the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency's (VOSA)'s remit. Drivers’ hours offences are included in the figures given as they are unable to be split out. 1st November 2012 to 30th October 2013 by VOSA UK Vehicles Mechanical Checks Immediate Prohibitions HGV 801 52 Trailer 540 77 Traffic Checks (includes drivers’ hours) Offence Prohibitions HGV 1568 291 of which Weighed Overload Prohibitions 244 164 Traffic Checks include some of the weightings Other Countries Mechanical Checks Immediate Prohibitions HGV 420 35 Trailer 191 24 Traffic Checks (includes drivers’ hours) Offence Prohibitions HGV 851 147 of which Weighed Overload Prohibitions 89 43 Waterways: Rivers and Estuaries Lord Hunt of Chesterton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have commissioned any studies about constructing a barrier across the Mersey estuary; and if so, what conclusions those studies have reached about the practicality and economic costs and benefits of a barrier. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government has not commissioned any studies on constructing a barrier across the Mersey estuary.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2013-11-12a

Queen's Counsel Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the holder of the title and role of Queen's Counsel may have that removed; and, if so, under what circumstances. Lord Irvine of Lairg: Barrister or solicitor advocates are appointed as Queen's Counsel as a public recognition of their outstanding legal, professional and advocacy skills. Those barrister and solicitor advocates so appointed continue, however, to be subject to the codes of practice of the General Council of the Bar and Law Society respectively, and so can be disbarred, or struck from the roll, for misconduct. Were this to happen, they would retain their Queen's Counsel status but would be unable to practise. In cases of gross misconduct, it is open to the Lord Chancellor to recommend to Her Majesty that the appointment as Queen's Counsel is also revoked. Crown Dependencies Lord Wallace of Saltaire: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are accountable to Parliament for their oversight of the Crown Dependencies; and, if so, how that accountability is assured. Lord Irvine of Lairg: The three Crown Dependencies are the bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man. They all have full internal self-government and their own legislatures. They are not represented in the United Kingdom Parliament. The United Kingdom is responsible for the islands' international relations and for their defence and the Crown is ultimately responsible for their good government. I am the Privy Counsellor primarily concerned with the affairs of the Crown Dependencies and, as a Minister of the Crown, am accountable to Parliament. Irish Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10 December (WA 24) concerning the Irish Human Rights Commission and its lack of representation from Ulster protestants, Ulster Scots and Ulster Unionist communities: (a) what information was sought from applicants that informed the Answer that no one from the groups mentioned applied; (b) what was the recruitment process; (c) whether any special activity aimed at these groups was undertaken during the process; (d) whether the lack of appointments from these groups was drawn to the appropriate Minister's attention; and, if so , by whom and when; and why no action was taken; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10 December (WA 24), whether the composition of the Irish Human Rights Commission was referred to the Equality Commission in the Irish Republic; and, if so, by whom, when and what action resulted. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The subjects raised are a matter for the Government of Ireland. The noble Lord might wish to write to Mr Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, 17-19 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for further information. I apologise to the noble Lord for the delay in answering this Question. Irish Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, following the Belfast Agreement of 1998, the following issues have been considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission: (a) the requirement for Irish language for a range of state posts; (b) the special position of the Irish language in the constitution; and (c) the playing of the Angelus daily by the state television and radio networks; if so, what was the result; and, if not, why not; and In view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which the Government of the Republic of Ireland promised to introduce human rights protection to at least the equivalent level as that in Northern Ireland, whether that Government have informed them of any proposals to create a police ombudsman similar to the one in Northern Ireland; and In view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, what criteria were used in the appointment of commissioners to the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; whether at any stage extra commissioners were appointed to reflect Irish society better; and, if so, why this facility was not accorded to the Ulster Scots, protestants and British communities; and Whether the action of Galway County Council in restricting planning permission only to those who speak Irish fluently will be considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; and, if not, why not. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The subjects raised are a matter for the Government of Ireland. The noble Lord might wish to write to Mr Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, 17-19 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for further information. County Donegal: Civil Servants Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: In view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which total parity of esteem and equality was promised to all on the island of Ireland, what is the percentage of protestant civil servants in County Donegal; and, if it is less than 11 per cent of the population, why this is the case. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The subject raised is a matter for the Government of the Republic of Ireland. The noble Lord may like to write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowan, Iveagh House, 80 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2 for further information. Northern Ireland: Food Safety Promotion Board Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9 December (WA 1) concerning the Food Safety Promotion Board, how the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 can be monitored if the religious breakdown of the board's employees is not recorded; and what information about each employee is recorded. Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer given on 9 December 2002 (WA 1). UK Diplomatic Missions: Shared Facilities Lord Wallace of Saltaire: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which facilities are shared by United Kingdom diplomatic missions abroad; and with which other missions. Baroness Amos: The UK missions which share facilities with the missions of other countries or international organisations are: Almaty (France, Germany) Ashgabat (France, Germany), Astana (EU partners), Dar-es-Salaam (Germany, Netherlands, European Commission), Freetown (France), Gaborone (France), Minsk (Italy), Nicosia (Italy), Pyongyang (Germany), Quito (Germany) and Sofia (European Commission). Crime Reduction and Tackling Drugs Misuse: Funding Baroness Pitkeathley: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they will allocate funding for crime reduction and tackling drugs misuse. Lord Filkin: My right honourable friend, the Home Secretary is making a total of £144 million available for crime reduction spending and combating drugs, in the light of local needs. In addition, we will be spending £46.2 million on expanding services to refer people into treatment through the criminal justice system. We have allocated £94 million on local crime and drugs spend for 2003–04 on building safer communities. The co-ordination between the current funding streams (the Safer Communities Initiative, Communities Against Drugs and Partnership Development Fund, along with the Drug Action Team (DAT) Development Fund) will be enhanced, and we are consulting whether they should be merged into a single pot. This would help to devolve resources and responsibility to the local level; further, the Government's policy under the review of area-based initiatives of reducing the number of funding streams will enable local partnerships to focus on reducing crime rather than on paperwork. We hope to make a further announcement about this very shortly. These funds will include money specifically earmarked to strengthen partnerships' and drugs teams' capacity to deliver, through training and other support, to ensure those fighting crime and drugs are as well equipped as possible in their efforts. They recognise the integration of DATs and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) and the need to streamline their working practices. Enhanced co-ordination will encourage partnerships to look at both aspects of the problem, and the misery it causes communities, as one issue to be tackled holistically. The money can be used in a huge variety of ways. Partnerships are showing that they can use our programme funding to deliver a wide range of interventions. They are using it to reduce gun crime; to disrupt drugs markets through direct police work; running activities designed to divert children from getting involved in crime and drugs; paying for more close circuit television (CCTV) cameras or targeted campaigns on particular crimes or drugs hotspots, or for warden schemes. These are just examples and the views of the community are key for informing local decisions. Partnerships can spend less time dealing with the paperwork, separate reports for each funding stream etc, and more on driving down crime and delivering safer communities. The allocation also includes the details of what each basic command unit (BCU) will receive from the £50 million BCU fund, with shares ranging from £590,000 to £30,000. This annual fund is designed to help police to meet the individual crime reduction needs of their local area and tackle the priorities set out in the National Policing Plan—which includes combating gun crime. The fund can be spent on crime prevention work such as targeted police operations, youth diversionary schemes, or security advice campaigns for the public. £73 million of the money is going direct to partnerships with a further £21.7 million available locally for capacity and training purposes for them and DATs. The £50 million BCU fund should be used to complement this expenditure to tackle the priorities set out in the National Policing Plan and in local crime reduction strategies. We said we would be introducing a comprehensive end-to-end approach to refer people into treatment via the criminal justice system in the highest crime areas with the worst drug problems. These areas will be those containing the 30 basic command units with the highest rates of acquisitive crime. A total of £46.2 million will be spent in these areas to deliver a range of services we outlined previously. A copy of the allocations and a note summarising the proposed interventions and a list of the 30 BCUs and the relevant DAT areas has been placed in the Library and my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Policing and Crime Reduction, Mr Denham, is writing to honourable Members with further information about the allocations. Ex-service Personnel: Housing Needs Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assistance they give to Armed Forces personnel who are homeless after leaving their period in service. Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Homelessness Directorate and with the ex-service benevolent sector to ensure that the best advice, practical assistance and support are given to the small proportion of service leavers who are vulnerable to homelessness. Advice and assistance are co-ordinated by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office, which is a tri-service funded organisation tasked with providing information on all aspects of housing needs, including purchase or renting either privately or through a council or housing association. Ex-service Personnel: Housing Needs Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have held in the past six months with voluntary agencies to determine how further assistance might be given to ex-forces personnel to ensure that they are not homeless; and what are those agencies. Lord Bach: Through their membership of the Ex-Services Action Group on Homelessness (ESAG), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Homelessness Directorate have regular discussions with the voluntary agencies which are working to help service leavers make a better transition back to civilian life. The last ESAG meeting was held on 11 November last year. ESAG members from the voluntary sector include Home Base, Haig Homes, Ex-Service Followship Centres, Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, Alcohol Recovery Project, Training for Life, Business in the Community, SSAFA, Forces Help, The Royal British Legion and the Single Service Benevolent Charities. MoD has also held bilateral meetings with the English Churches Housing Group in connection with Single Person Accommodation Centre for Ex Service (SPACES) project, with Shelter on the Armed Forces project and with Business in the Community to develop a new partnership project to help the small number of ex-service personnel among the long-term homeless. Social Fund: Flood Insurance Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have any plans to increase the Social Fund allocation to areas which have lost their insurance cover as a result of flooding. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: It has never been the intention that the Social Fund should act as a replacement for household insurance. I am pleased to confirm that following a series of meetings with the Government, the Association of British Insurers has this month issued a positive statement that flood insurance will continue to be available for the large majority of people living on floodplains. The discretionary Social Fund provides people on low incomes with grants and loans to help them manage a wide range of unexpected or occasional costs depending on their personal circumstances. We announced in the Pre-Budget Report that from April 2003, £90 million will be added to the discretionary fund over the three years to 2005-06. This extra investment will enhance the fund's ability to help those on low incomes manage their finances. Where people are affected by flooding, the Social Fund can provide emergency financial help through community care grants and crisis loans. This help can be claimed by people who are receiving income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance and to others who have limited resources. Social Fund districts can apply to the Social Fund Contingency Reserve for an increase in their Community Care Grant allocation where this is under particular pressure because of a local disaster or emergency such as flooding. The contingency reserve for 2002-03 is £1 million. All districts have been reminded of the availability of the reserve. Animal Movements Arrangements: Local Authority Finance The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether extra finance has had to be supplied to local authorities in England and Wales since the introduction of regulations requiring the licensing and recording of sheep movements to cover the administration costs; if so, how much; whether extra staff have been employed as a result; and, if so, how many. Lord Whitty: Extra finance has been supplied to local authorities to cover the additional administration costs involved in data capture and for other activities required to ensure traceability of livestock and compliance with the Disease Control Order and other regulations. Additional staff have been employed by many authorities to carry out these tasks, although this varies according to the size of the authority. As payment is made on the basis of time spent on the additional activities, no figures are available for the total number of staff so employed. Payments to local authorities in England and Wales for additional activities carried out under the interim animal movements arrangements for the period 11 February 2002 to date (17 January) total £4,924,440. The records do not distinguish between the costs of administration for sheep and other species.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2003-01-21a

Department for Transport Motor Vehicles: Exports Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) procedure, and (2) protocol, for the temporary export of classic cars to (a) Hungary, and (b) the rest of the EU, for (i) repair, and (ii) return, to the UK. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: There is no requirement to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that a vehicle has been temporarily exported. All UK-registered vehicles must either remain registered or the keeper must only notify the DVLA if it has been permanently exported. A UK-registered vehicle can be driven to Hungary or an EU member state and used in that country for up to six months in any 12-month period. The vehicle must remain properly registered and licensed in the UK and have a valid MoT (if needed). If a vehicle is to be permanently exported, the vehicle keeper must complete the ‘export’ section of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) and return it to the DVLA. The vehicle record will then be amended to show that the vehicle has been permanently exported. The remaining part of the V5C will need to be retained and provided to the relevant vehicle registration authority as required. The keeper of a vehicle which is registered in the UK and is significantly restored or rebuilt should notify the DVLA. An inspection of the vehicle or other evidence may be required to ensure the vehicle register is updated where necessary. Electric Vehicles: Charging Points Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plansthey have tooffer incentives for companies to invest in a nationwide system of publicelectric vehiclecharging stations. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The UK has been a global front-runner in supporting provision of charging infrastructure along with private sector investment. Of the £2.5 billion of Government funding committed to the electric vehicle (EV) transition since 2020, over £1.6 billion will be used to support charging infrastructure. Our UK electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy (published 25 March 2022) sets out our vision and commitments to make EV charging cheaper and more convenient than refuelling at a petrol station. To ensure that the transition to EVs takes place in every part of the country, we are pledging at least £500 million to support local chargepoint provision. As part of this, the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) fund will provide approximately £400 million of capital and £50 million of resource funding to support local authorities to work with industry and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. In addition, to ensure the private sector can continue to expand the charging network at pace in the 2020s, the Government will invest £950 million in future proofing grid capacity at motorway and major A road service areas to prepare the network for uptake of zero emission cars and vans ahead of need. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Energy: Billing Lord Sikka: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation requiringenergy supply companies to ring-fence credit balances owed to customers. Lord Callanan: Ofgem published a consultation on 20 June setting out their proposals for protecting customer credit balances, including a ringfencing mechanism. Department of Health and Social Care Cannabis: Prescriptions Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prescriptions for cannabis have been issued each year since 2018in England Lord Kamall: The following table shows the number of items for licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed on a National Health Service prescription, dispensed in the community and submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority in England between January 2018 and April 2022, the latest data available. We are unable to provide data on NHS prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based medicines, due to the number of items attributed to fewer than five patients which could identify individuals.NHS prescription items20182019202020212022 January to AprilLicensed cannabis-based medicines2,5912,6362,6812,9811,171 The following table shows the number of items for licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed on a private prescription, dispensed in the community and submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority between January 2018 and April 2022, the latest data available. Data on unlicensed prescriptions in 2018 is held for November and December only and January in 2022. Private prescription items dispensed20182019202020212022Licensed cannabis-based medicines2435292817Unlicensed cannabis-based medicines02784,46942,393385 Data licensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed in secondary care since 2018 is not collected centrally. Department for Education Health Services and Social Services: BTEC Qualifications Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken an impact assessment on the decision to end the provision of the BTEC qualification in Health and Social Care with regard to (1) NHS workforce numbers, (2) social care workforce numbers, and (3) patient safety. Baroness Barran: The department has been clear that we will continue to fund some BTECs and other qualifications in future, where there is a clear need for skills and knowledge that A levels and T Levels cannot provide, and where they meet new quality standards. These will continue to play an important role for 16 to 19 year olds and adults. This includes for students taking qualifications such as BTECs as their full programme of study, where there is no A level or T Level, and those taking mixed programmes of A levels and other qualifications. We expect to fund small academic qualifications that should typically be taken alongside A levels in priority subject areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and in areas where an A level is not available, such as health and social care. We will set out the full approval criteria in due course.The health T Level will help raise awareness amongst young people of the occupational choices within the healthcare sector and provide an opportunity for employers to strengthen their engagement with local schools and colleges. In addition, the health T Level will provide a pipeline of young talent who may move into Trainee Nursing Associate and Assistant Health Practitioner roles, later progressing to the registered occupations.In November last year the department announced an extra year before our reforms are implemented, including the removal of overlapping qualifications. This extra year will allow the department to continue to support the growth of T Levels and gives more notice to providers, awarding organisations, employers, students and parents so that they can prepare for the changes. The Senior Deputy Speaker Parliament: Telephone Services Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessmenthas been made of dissatisfaction with the parliamentary phone system expressed in the House of Lords Members Survey; and whether that will lead to a procurement review. Lord Touhig: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The Chief Information Officer and Managing Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service has noted Members’ dissatisfaction with the existing telephone handset solution expressed in the House of Lords’ Member Survey and has accepted the need to take remedial action.An investment programme mandate to replace the current service which is now end of life has been recently approved by the bicameral Digital Strategy Board and will formally begin over the summer recess with the development of a business case alongside continued market research and implementation planning. The programme will prioritise addressing Members’ clear dissatisfaction with the telephone handsets. The programme has begun engaging with Members to ensure that the replacement solution addresses the dissatisfaction and will continue to do so after the summer recess.At its meeting on the 26 May the Services Committee was advised that the project timelines had not yet been defined but it was expected that all user migration would be completed by the end of 2023. Treasury Russia: Sanctions Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applications have been made for licences to permit legal advice to be given to sanctioned (1) individuals, or (2) entities, since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February; and how many of those applications have been (a) granted, (b) refused, and (c) not yet dealt with. Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manyapplications have been made for licences to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation, since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February; and how many of those applications have been (a) granted, (b) refused, and (c) not yet dealt with. Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government what isthe median time taken to determine licence applications to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation. Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manyapplications for licences to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation, have been made by (a) barristers, or (b) solicitors. Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government howmany people are employed to deal with applications for licences to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation. Baroness Penn: The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for financial sanctions enforcement. OFSI may issue a licence to enable the payment of reasonable fees and/or expenses for the provision of legal services. Providing legal services to a designated person or entity subject to financial sanctions restrictions is not prohibited, a licence is only required to permit payment for these services. OFSI aims to engage with the substance of licence applications within 4 weeks, however application times can vary where further information is required. From June 2021 to June 2022 OFSI issued 29 licences for the payment of legal fees. OFSI is unable to provide all of the information requested as it does not collate information on legal expenses licence applications broken down by (a) legal advice and (b) legal representation, or by the involvement of sanctioned (1) individuals or (2) entities, or by the live status of the application, and it would involve disproportionate costs to gather. The number of active staff in OFSI since Financial Year 2016-2017 can be found in the table below:Financial YearTotal number of staff2016-2017272017-2018302018-2019362019-2020382020-202140 In light of recent developments in Ukraine, the number of staff has since increased. Releasing further details of OFSI’s headcount by function could prejudice its operational effectiveness.OFSI publishes an Annual Review containing information on the breakdown of legal expenses licences issued during the preceding financial year. The 2020/21 Annual Review can be found on gov.uk. Data for the 2021/22 financial year is expected to be published in the Autumn and this will include a further update of total OFSI headcount. Cryptocurrencies: Regulation Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to create a bespoke regulatory framework for the UK cryptoasset sector. Baroness Penn: At Fintech Week 2022, the Government set out our firm ambition to make Britain a global hub for cryptoasset technology and investment. The UK is committed to creating a regulatory environment in which firms can innovate, while crucially maintaining financial stability and regulatory standards so that people can use new technologies both reliably and safely. The UK is taking a dynamic approach to engagement with the industry, and the government has committed to consult later this year on the broader regulation of cryptoassets, as part of a staged approach to developing a world-leading regime for cryptoasset activities. Ukraine: Refugees Baroness Sugg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of hosting refugees from Ukraine for the calendar year 2022; and whether this cost will be borne by the Official Development Assistance budget. Baroness Penn: The cost of hosting refugees from Ukraine for the calendar year 2022 will be determined by the number of arrivals by year end. As of 14 July, total arrivals of Ukraine Scheme visa holders in the UK are 95,400, of which 29,700 have arrived under the Ukraine Family Scheme and 65,600 have arrived under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. Under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the government is providing sponsors £350 per month per address for up to 12 months. Local Authorities will also receive an extra £10,500 for every arrival under this scheme. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published Local Authority funding allocations for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland[1]. An extra tariff has also been agreed for children’s education costs. Arrivals under both schemes have immediate entitlement to employment support, pensions, health provision, education and access to benefits. Eligible costs will be reported as ODA and counted towards the 0.5% GNI ODA spending commitment. ODA eligible spend will be reported in the annual Statistics on International Development publication.[2] [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-for-ukraine-funding-march-to-may-2022[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-on-international-development Finance Act 1986 Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to replace the reference of the “recognised stock exchange” with "multilateral trading facility" in section 99A(5) of the Finance Act 1986. Baroness Penn: Section 99A(5) of the Finance Act 1986 sets out the conditions by which a market qualifies for recognition by HMRC as a recognised growth market for the purposes of the growth market exemption from Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Replacing the reference to a ‘recognised stock exchange’ with ‘multilateral trading facility’ would have the effect of extending the recognised growth market exemption from Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax to markets that are not part of a recognised stock exchange. There are currently no plans to extend the recognised growth market exemption from Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax to markets that are not part of a recognised stock exchange. However, as with all aspects of the tax system, the Government will continue to keep this legislation under review. Economic Situation Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of total global debt reaching 352 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of this year; and what steps they will take in response. Baroness Penn: HM Government continually monitors developments in the global economy, including public and private debt levels, interest rates and the growth outlook, among other macroeconomic indicators. Total global debt increased following the onset of the pandemic in 2020, reflecting a rise in public and private debt. Public debt increased as governments introduced fiscal support to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods, whilst revenues fell in line with the broader decline in economic activity. This fiscal support helped maintain living standards and support global growth. Private debt has also increased, with government policies helping to maintain private access to credit to mitigate a more severe downturn. Higher global debt levels can increase financial fragilities and lower growth by reducing investment. Against a backdrop of higher debt levels, rapidly rising global interest rates and higher energy and food prices may worsen balance of payment and fiscal pressures and increase risks of debt distress, particularly for some emerging and developing economies. HMG works closely with major international organisations, including the IMF, World Bank, to understand how debt levels are changing, and on necessary international policy responses, including appropriate support for economies experiencing debt distress. For example, the UK has committed to channelling circa up to 20% of its allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the IMF’s 2021 general allocation of SDRs to those countries most in need; and is driving forward the implementation of the G20/Paris Club Common Framework for debt treatment to support eligible low-income countries with unsustainable debt. In the April World Economic Outlook the IMF emphasised the need for guaranteeing an orderly system for resolving debt, including the continued application of the Common Framework, where liquidity support alone is not sufficient. In the UK, public debt increased during the pandemic, in line with other countries around the world. In recognition of the risks of high debt, the UK government has already made responsible decisions which return public debt levels to a sustainable path, supported by fiscal rules which require debt to fall as a proportion of GDP over the medium-term. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ian Khama Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for (1) Her Majesty’s High Commissioner in Pretoria, and (2) the Prime Minister, to meet former President of Botswana Ian Khama to discuss why he was forced to flee to South Africa. Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will offer to the former President of Botswana, Ian Khama,in response to the treatment he has received fromhis successor. Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Government of Botswana’s use of AfriForum. Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthe Minister for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, during her visit to Pretoria on 11 and 12 July, discussed with the government of South Africa former President of Botswana Ian Khama taking refuge in South Africa. Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported attacks by thegovernment of Botswanaon the South African Reserve Bank and the South African banking system, including RBS/NatWest and Ambassador Bridgette Motsepe. Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HerMajesty’s Global Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva will engage with Botswana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva on how the government of Botswana intends to comply with UN Special Rapporteurs’ recommendations regarding the threat to former President of Botswana Ian Khama’s life. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: There have not been, nor are there any planned discussions between former President Khama and representatives of the UK Government on these issues. We are aware of the correspondence between the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings and the Government of Botswana regarding former President Khama. These communications form part of the range of direct interactions between the United Nations and a sovereign State, and other States do not tend to intervene in this process. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the Government of Botswana's choice of legal representation, or its bilateral relationship with the South African institutions referred to. Former President Khama has not sought the assistance of the UK Government. Capital Punishment Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the governments of (1) the United States of America, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) China, and (4) Malawi, regarding abolishing the death penalty in those countries. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We work through multilateral organisations, such as the UN Human Rights Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to raise concerns about the use of the death penalty, as well as through direct conversations with states that continue to retain the death penalty, including with the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Malawi. Afghanistan: Refugees Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to have discussions with the government of the United States of America aboutthe situation ofthe more than 40 former Afghan officials, held at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, who are reportedly not allowed to leave that camp. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have frequent discussions with our allies and partners, including the US Government, about our respective efforts to resettle eligible, vulnerable Afghan citizens. It is for each country to establish their own arrangements for processing those they deem eligible for resettlement, including crucial security checks. Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Sudan regarding the death sentence by stoning given to Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab for adultery. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We most strongly condemn the decision of a Sudanese court to sentence Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab to death by stoning for adultery. It is a longstanding policy of the UK Government to oppose the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. Our Embassy in Khartoum has engaged the Sudanese authorities to raise our concerns and seek further clarification on the detail of this case. Sudan's transitional government had made significant progress on human rights, including on legal reforms and the rights of women and girls. It is vital that this progress is not put at risk following the military coup on 25 October. Darfur: Gender Based Violence Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of (1) an increase in sexual and gender-based violence in the states of Darfur, and (2) the intentional destruction of medical and educational infrastructure in the region between January and May. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Our thoughts are with those affected by the current situation in Darfur, we continue to condemn the violence. On 29 April, the UN Security Council responded to our request by issuing a press statement, calling for the cessation of violence and destruction, the need for Sudanese authorities to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and for transparent investigations into any crimes committed. We have also reinforced our concerns with the Sudanese authorities, most recently during a visit to Khartoum by the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan on 25-28 June. The UK continues to push for an end to sexual and gender-based violence. Those working to prevent sexual violence against women and girls must be able to do so without fear of reprisal.We understand that the fragile security situation across Sudan has been exacerbated by the political crisis since the military coup. The UK continues to call for all political actors to engage in dialogue to resolve the current crisis, and implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, including deployment of the National Action Plan for Civilian Protection. Darfur: Crimes against Humanity Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to instigate an assessment of the signs of atrocities in Darfur; and what plans they have to commission a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability strategic assessment to investigate (1) whether crimes against humanity are being committed, and (2) whether these crimes could develop into genocide. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK and Germany completed a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) on Sudan in 2019. This was used by the UK to help support conflict resolution mechanisms, create a supportive regional environment and improve governance by supporting fair power structures. Whilst we have not commissioned a recent JACS on Sudan, the UK continues to work closely with a wide range of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on understanding atrocity prevention, early warning and early response systems.The UK also remains a staunch advocate for justice and accountability for past crimes, something the former Foreign Secretary urged Sudan's leaders to deliver progress on during his visit to Khartoum in January 2021. The Minister for Africa welcomed the start of Ali Kushayb's trial on 5 April in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. We hope that this trial marks a wider process of accountability and reconciliation in Sudan. We continue to support the International Criminal Court Prosecutor in his important work to investigate crimes in Darfur and regularly raise concerns of human rights abuses in international fora such as the UN Human Rights Council. On 7 July, we successful secured a resolution to maintain monitoring and reporting on human rights violations at the UN Human Rights Council. Department for Work and Pensions Universal Credit Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of recipients of universal credit discouraged from taking employment by the low level of net financial benefit from being employed due to associated costs, such as transport and childcare, known as the "benefit trap". Baroness Stedman-Scott: No such assessment has been undertaken. UC recipients in work now benefit from a reduction in the UC taper rate from 63% to 55%, and for those eligible customers an increase in the work allowance by £500 per year meaning that working households will be able to keep more of what they earn and strengthening incentives to move into and progress in work. The National Living Wage has risen from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour from 1 April. That means a pay rise for millions of the country’s lowest paid workers – worth an increase of over £1,000 to the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage. The Department is aware that for some UC claimants’ childcare costs presents challenges to entering employment. To support parents to become financially resilient by moving into work and progressing in work, eligible UC claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month regardless of the number of hours they work, compared to 70% in Tax Credits. This is up to the maximum amount of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 per month for two or more children. For families with two children, this could be worth over £13,000 a year. This support is available to all lone parents and couples, regardless of the number of hours they work. For couples, both parents need to be in paid work to be eligible unless one of the allowable exceptions is met. The UC childcare policy aligns with the wider government childcare offer in England and there are similar funded early learning offers in devolved nations. The Free Childcare offer provides 15 hours a week of free childcare in England for all 3- and 4-year old’s and disadvantaged 2 year old’s, doubling for working parents of 3 and 4 year old’s to 30 hours a week. The UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible free childcare hours if more hours are worked and childcare required. This offer means that for some claimants’ childcare costs should not present any barriers to entering work. UC claimants who need help with upfront childcare costs to enter employment or significantly increase their working hours can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund (FSF). This is a non-repayable payment that will pay their initial childcare costs directly to the provider up to the first salary received. In order to achieve our long-term goals of driving up productivity and levelling up, we are supporting people in work to ensure they have the right skills and opportunities to progress out of low pay. Through providing right infrastructure we will support an ambitious and productive workforce suited to meet the UK’s future demand. Through a staged rollout from April 2022 onwards, 2.1m low paid Universal Credit claimants will be eligible for support to progress into higher paid work. This will be provided by work coaches and focus on career progression advice, such as considering skills gaps, identifying training opportunities, or looking for opportunities for the claimant to progress in their current role or in a new role. Jobcentres will be supported in this new role by a network of 37 Progression Champions across Great Britain who will spearhead the scheme. They will work with partners to address local barriers that limit progression, such as transport and childcare. Employment: Health Baroness Jolly: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will allocate funding to deliver the commitments made in their response to the 'Health is everyone’s business' consultation, published on 4 October 2021; and whether this will include funding for the establishment of a Centre for Work and Health. Baroness Stedman-Scott: The UK Government committed to provide £1.3bn over the SR21 period for employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions in the Levelling-Up White Paper. This includes commitments set out in joint DWP-DHSC consultation response “Health is Everyone’s Business” (HiEB). We are working with stakeholders including the Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health and Care Research to identify the most efficient and effective way to improve the research infrastructure that supports innovation as outlined in HiEB. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Water: Sewage Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan will be ready by 1 September 2022; and when it will be published. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: As set out in the Environment Act (2021), the Government will publish the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan by 1st September 2022. Flood Control: Housing Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they (1) are taking, and (2) plan to take, to encourage households to (a) store, and (b) provide soakaways for, rainwater; and what assessment they have made of incentivising the adoption of such practices through reductions in (i) council tax, or (ii) water and drainage fixed rates. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We support the use of blue green infrastructure, such as sustainable drainage systems and grey water recycling to manage surface water, across existing and new communities. We have placed a greater emphasis on this in our 25 Year Environment Plan, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Policy Statement and updated planning policy.We are currently reviewing the implementation of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010). This schedule introduces standards for new sustainable drainage systems and makes connection to public sewers conditional on approval of the drainage system before any construction work can commence. National standards will set out a hierarchy of destinations for surface water runoff to ensure the most effective drainage system is delivered that will help alleviate pressures on the sewer network, as well as reducing flood risk, harvesting rainwater and improving water quality, amenity and biodiversity.As set out in our Written Ministerial Statement on Water Demand in July 2021, we are developing a roadmap towards greater water efficiency in new housing developments and retrofits. This includes the exploration of revised building regulations and how the development of new technologies can contribute to meeting these standards. We will ensure that the underlying legislation can, where appropriate, accommodate any potential future expansion of rainwater harvesting, water re-use and storage options.Households who can show that their premises are not connected to the public sewer for surface water drainage are already entitled to a bill discount via a surface water drainage rebate from their water company. Avian Influenza: Disease Control Lord Selkirk of Douglas: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to coordinate a response to the outbreak of avian influenza in seabird colonies across Britain, (2) to put in place a surveillance programme that will improve the early detection of avian flu in wild bird populations in the future, and (3) to (a) plan for, and (b) mitigate the risk of, the spread of avian flu to other species, including marine mammals such as grey seals. Lord Benyon: The UK’s seabirds are an important part of our natural heritage, and their protection is a high priority for the Government. We recognise the significant threat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses to our seabird populations. Defra is working with Devolved Administrations, Arm’s Length Bodies and charities to monitor and respond to the effect of avian influenza on wild birds. This includes providing advice on mitigation measures that can be put in place to both protect public health and the impact on wild birds where possible. However, avian influenza is a natural transmission process in wild birds and there is limited evidence that mitigation measures are effective at reducing mortality or morbidity in seabird colonies. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) operate a robust programme of wild bird surveillance across Great Britain and engages in year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols. Between 25 October 2021 and 8 July 2022, over 3,000 wild birds have been tested. Of these, 1422 have tested positive for H5 HPAI. There have been findings in 343 different locations in 61 different species in 78 different counties. A report (updated weekly) of findings of HPAI in wild birds is published on GOV.UK together with outbreak and risk assessments (www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds). Last month a new consortium was launched, led by Defra and APHA, to fund research to look into how avian influenza viruses are emerging in wild populations and help us understand the risk posed to both domestic and wild birds. While avian influenza viruses are predominantly considered a pathogen of birds, the virus can infect mammals. While there is no routine surveillance for avian influenza in seals in Great Britain, causes of death of stranded marine mammals are monitored and investigated through the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme. Where appropriate, stranded seals are tested for avian influenza in collaboration with the APHA avian influenza National Reference Laboratory. Controlled Burning Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to investigate the data from the monitoring reports by the RSPB and Unearthed which suggest that over50 burns in protected areashave taken place that may be in breach of the Heather and Grass Etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021. Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the effectiveness of the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021given evidence from the RSPB and Unearthed suggesting widespread breaches. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Reports of suspected unlawful burning received by Defra are being assessed and reviewed.  Early indications are that only a small number of those presented to us may represent a potential breach of the regulations. Suspected breaches will be investigated, with the outcomes forming part of our ongoing review of the effectiveness of the Regulations. Home Office General Practitioners: Migrant Workers Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the negotiations between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office regarding the approximately 1,000 foreign GPs working for the NHS who are threatened with deportation because they do not meet the requirements of the skilled worker scheme. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Deportation relates to the removal from the UK of Foreign Nationals who are serious or persistent criminal offenders. It is wrong to suggest 1,000 foreign national GPs fall within this category or to imply they have been threatened with this by the Home Office. We therefore would not be having any negotiations with the Department for Health and Social Care on this basis.General Practitioner (GP) is a role which qualifies for the Skilled Worker Visa, in particular the Health and Care visa which makes it easier, cheaper, and quicker for health workers – including GPs - to come to the UK to work compared to other immigration routes. This route also exempts them from the need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.The Home Office works with employers in the sector to ensure they can recruit under the Skilled Worker route by becoming a licensed sponsor, with tens of thousands of employers having done so, including many small and medium size businesses. Those who are licensed sponsors can recruit for any role which qualifies for the Skilled Worker Visa. Refugees: Syria Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to expand the terms of reference of the UK Resettlement Scheme; whether the Scheme is available to (1) British nationals, and (2) the children of British nationals, in detention camps in North-East Syria; and if so, what plans they have to communicate this to such individuals. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK is a global leader in resettlement. Since 2015, we have resettled more than 27,000 refugees through safe and legal routes direct from regions of conflict and instability - around half of whom were children.There are currently no plans to expand the terms of reference of the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS). The UK will continue to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to receive referrals of vulnerable refugees from across the globe.Our approach is to resettle refugees in line with the global need identified by UNHCR who will refer individuals in accordance with their standard resettlement categories and policies, based on an assessment of protection needs and vulnerabilities.British nationals or their dependants would not be referred for resettlement under the UKRS. However, the government does seek to facilitate the return of British orphans and unaccompanied minors from North-East Syria where feasible, subject to national security concerns, and on a case-by-case basis. In line with this policy, the government has already facilitated the return of several orphaned and unaccompanied British children to the UK and will continue to do so. Cabinet Office Privy Council Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government which minister made the decision (1) to reduce the size of the Accession Council, and (2) to hold a ballot of Privy Councillors to attend the Council. Lord True: The decision not to summons all Privy Counsellors to the next Accession Council, and to hold a ballot of Privy Counsellors not eligible to attend on an ex officio basis, was taken with the collective agreement of the Lord President of the Council and Number 10. The Royal Household was also consulted on the basis of this collective advice. This decision-making process is consistent with the decision-making process for previous Accession Councils. The decision to reduce the size of the Accession Council and to hold a ballot for those ineligible to attend on an ex officio basis applies to all Privy Councillors, regardless of their nationality or their usual place of residence. St. James’s Palace is the senior Royal Palace in the United Kingdom and the Court of St. James is the Royal Court to which all Realm High Commissioners are accredited. St. James’s Palace has therefore long been agreed to be the most appropriate setting for the Accession Council. In any case, Westminster Hall will not be available to host the Accession Council because an intensive and time critical series of works will begin on the Parliamentary estate, including Westminster Hall, as soon as Demise is announced. The purpose of these works is to prepare the estate and surrounding areas for significant elements of ceremonial and procedural activity. Hosting the Accession Council in Westminster Hall would prevent the completion of these critical works, resulting in significant disruption to other national activity. Attendance at an Accession Council is not a statutory matter and there is no constitutional requirement to consult Privy Counsellors on any amendments to attendance arrangements. Decisions on attendance arrangements for future Accession Councils will be taken at the appropriate time. Conservative Party Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) civil servants, and (2) special advisers, in 10 Downing Street are restricted from commenting on the process to elect a new leader of the Conservative Party. Lord True: The Civil Service should act as it did during previous periods in 2016 and 2019. Official resources must not be used to support leadership campaign activity. As at all times, the Civil Service must serve the Government in a way which maintains political impartiality and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring it will be able to establish the same relationship with those who may go on to lead the Government. Special advisers are exempt from the Civil Service Code requirement of political impartiality. Therefore, as laid out in the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, their involvement in political activity does not need to be restricted in the same way as it is for other civil servants. All Special Advisers have been made aware of the expectations regarding their role and conduct during this period. If they wish to take part in leadership campaign activity, they must do so in their own time, out of office hours or via unpaid leave, and not involve the use of departmental resources. Conservative Party: Elections Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Cabinet Secretary has issued any new guidelines to Special Advisers in 10 Downing Street relating to their role during the period in which the new leader of the Conservative Party is being elected. Lord True: The Civil Service should act as it did during previous periods in 2016 and 2019. Official resources must not be used to support leadership campaign activity. As at all times, the Civil Service must serve the Government in a way which maintains political impartiality and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring it will be able to establish the same relationship with those who may go on to lead the Government. Special advisers are exempt from the Civil Service Code requirement of political impartiality. Therefore, as laid out in the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, their involvement in political activity does not need to be restricted in the same way as it is for other civil servants. All Special Advisers have been made aware of the expectations regarding their role and conduct during this period. If they wish to take part in leadership campaign activity, they must do so in their own time, out of office hours or via unpaid leave, and not involve the use of departmental resources. Redundancy Pay Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what payments will be made to each of the ministers who recently resigned from the Government; and whether they have plans to introduce legislation to make employers liable for similar payments to those who voluntarily resign from the (1) public, and (2) private, sector. Lord True: Under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, a former minister only becomes entitled to a severance payment in the event that they are not appointed to another relevant office within three weeks of stepping down. The provision of severance payments is set out in legislation, passed by Parliament, that has been applied by successive administrations over a significant period. Severance pay reflects the unpredictable nature of ministerial office. Department for International Trade Overseas Trade: Republic of Ireland Lord Hay of Ballyore: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of jobs in the Republic of Ireland dependent on trade with the UK in June. Viscount Younger of Leckie: Experimental estimates published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report around 207,000 workers in the Republic of Ireland were supported by exports to the UK in 2018 (latest year for which estimates are available). More timely estimates for June 2022 or estimates for employment supported by total trade between the Republic of Ireland and the UK (exports plus imports), are not available. Source: OECD Trade in Employment (2021 ed.) database, https://www.oecd.org/sti/ind/trade-in-employment.htm

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2022-07-22

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rights of Way: Metherell Lord Teverson: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to make a determination on WCA 547 Modification Order 2021 regarding the addition of a footpath and a restricted byway at Metherell in the Parish of Calstock, Cornwall. Lord Benyon: The Planning Inspectorate administer rights of way casework for Defra. We are unable to comment on individual cases, to avoid prejudicing the outcome, and individual timescales can vary considerably. Department of Health and Social Care Gender Dysphoria: Health Services Lord Triesman: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Markham on 19 April (HL Deb col 671), what are thelegal remedies available in (1) criminal or civil law, or in (2) relevant employment contracts, for staff failing to keep or report medical data on the whole patient cohort which attended the Gender Identity Development Service. Lord Markham: National Health Service providers are expected to handle all medical data in line with data protection and data retention policies and comply with reporting requirements placed on them by NHS England. The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) for children and young people are commissioned on the terms of the NHS Standard Contract. These terms are mandated and include standard escalation and contract management terms applicable across NHS clinical services. Whooping Cough: Vaccination Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatdata are collected on rates of uptake of the pertussis vaccine among healthcare workers. Lord Markham: The United Kingdom Health Security Agency does not collect data on rates of uptake of the pertussis vaccine among healthcare workers. National Women's Prisons Health and Social Care Review Lord Bradley: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect the report of the National Women’s Prisons Health and Social Care Review to be published. Lord Markham: NHS England has advised that they are working with their partners to finalise the review and anticipate publication will be during the Summer of 2023. Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support (1) research, and (2) clinical interventions in all NHS settings, to facilitate a reduction in the incidence of spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Lord Markham: The Department is funding research on spontaneous coronary artery disease through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre are investigating the genetic risks of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection to improve treatment and prevention of the condition.In March 2022, NHS England launched the Aortic Dissection Toolkit which sets out key actions that commissioners, service providers and clinicians should take to improve the care of patients with acute aortic dissection. The toolkit covers all aspects of care from recognition and diagnosis of the condition to treatment.In addition, the National Health Service has also made changes to NHS Pathways, the triage system used by NHS 111 and 999, to help improve the recognition of chest pain likely to be associated with aortic dissection. This will assist in the rapid diagnosis of the condition to help save lives. Suicide: Men Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the incidence of suicide amongst young men. Lord Markham: We are investing an additional £57 million in suicide prevention, including for young men, by March 2024 through the NHS Long Term Plan. This will see investment in all areas of the country to support local suicide prevention plans. This was supplemented in 2021/22 by providing over £550,000 of funding to the Local Government Association for a support programme to help local authorities strengthen their plans and an additional £5.4 million of funding, distributed to 113 suicide prevention voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE) through the Suicide Prevention Grant Fund to support service delivery.In addition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Spring Budget that we will assign an extra £10 million over the next two years for a Suicide Prevention VCSE Grant Fund. This competitive grant fund will support the suicide prevention VCSE sector to deliver activity that can help sustain their services to help meet increased demand for support, or to embed preventative activity that can help to prevent suicides and stem the flow into crisis services. Antibiotics: Prescriptions Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the delivery plan for recovering access to primary care published on 9 May, what steps theyare taking to ensurethat the training provided to pharmacists and pharmacy staff equips them with the necessary skills to prescribe antibiotics. Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the delivery plan for recovering access to primary care published on 9 May, whatmeasures are in place to ensure proper monitoring and surveillance when community pharmacists prescribe antibiotics. Lord Markham: The delivery plan for recovering access to primary care will enable community pharmacies to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions under Patient Group Directions (PGDs). PGDs are written instructions enabling certain health care professionals to supply or administer medicines to patients without a prescription. Any pharmacy offering this service will have to declare they are competent to deliver the service and pharmacists supplying medicines under PGDs must have undertaken the training set out in those specific PGDs.Antimicrobial stewardship is a priority for the Government and NHS England. Action to embed antimicrobial stewardship principles in community pharmacy teams has formed part of the Pharmacy Quality Scheme in the National Health Service contractual arrangements.The supply of antibiotics under the new service will be monitored by collecting and analysing data about the supply of medicines, including antibiotics, in the same way that data is collected on prescribing in general practice.In addition, in May, the National Institute for Health and Care Research issued a research call for a robust wrap around evaluation of the Pharmacy First service to understand its impact, safety, cost effectiveness, acceptability and implications for antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Vaccination Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Main Committee meeting on 7 June, whether the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended the extension of the respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programme to protect all infants; and if so, whether they plan to implement that programme ahead of the coming winter. Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Main Committee meeting on 7 June, whether the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended that a respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programme be offered to older adults; and if so, whether they plan to implement that programme ahead of this winter. Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Main Committee meeting on 7 June, whether they expect to accept the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s recommendation regarding a respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programme; and if so, when. Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Main Committee meeting on 7 June, what discussions have taken place between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to ensure rapid implementation of a respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programme; and if none, when if at all these will start. Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Main Committee meeting on 7 June, what discussions have taken place between the Department of Health and Social Care and vaccine manufacturers to secure supply of respiratory syncytial virus immunisations for this winter; and if none, when if at all these will start. Lord Markham: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), is actively reviewing new and emerging products to provide immunisation against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Any advice agreed on during the JCVI meeting on 7 June 2023 will be published shortly. Once the JCVI has published its advice, the Government will consider this carefully, based on the evidence and scientific position.Once advice has been considered, the Government will stand up any new or expanded RSV programme as soon as is practicable, this includes any conversations with manufacturers of immunisation products as well as NHS England to operationalise a potential new or expanded programme. Treasury Mortgages: Interest Rates Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of recent increases in fixed-term mortgage interest rates. Baroness Penn: The pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, if mortgage holders do fall into financial difficulty, Financial Conduct Authority guidance requires firms to offer tailored support. This could include a range of measures depending on individual circumstances. The Government have also taken a number of measures aimed at helping people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans for those in receipt of an income-related benefit, and protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol, which makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders. Mortgages: Arrears and Repossession Orders The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any increase in (1) homeowner mortgage arrears, and (2) house repossession orders as a result of homeowner mortgage arrears, since the rise in interest rates began in December 2021; and whether they have had any recent discussions with mortgage lenders to discuss concerns over rising mortgage arrears. Baroness Penn: HM Treasury is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their mortgage business to understand their position and current lending conditions, including at a roundtable hosted by the Chancellor on this topic in December. Mortgage arrears and repossessions remain below pre-pandemic levels. However, where mortgage borrowers do fall in financial difficulty, Financial Conduct Authority guidance requires firms to offer tailored support. This could include a range of measures depending on individual circumstances. The Government has also taken a number of measures aimed at helping people to avoid repossession, including Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans for those in receipt of an income-related benefit, and protection in the courts through the Pre Action Protocol, which makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders. Department for Culture, Media and Sport Gambling: Credit Cards The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent gambling from an e-wallet, such as PayPal, where the money was loaded from a credit card. The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they have in placeto prevent the purchase of lottery tickets and scratchcards with credit cards. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: It is not possible to use a credit card to play the National Lottery online or via the National Lottery smartphone application.Licence conditions for gambling operators make clear that, where businesses take deposits via an electronic wallet, they must ensure that the money was not loaded from a credit card. If they cannot verify this, they must not accept the deposit.Shoppers can use credit cards to buy National Lottery and society lottery products in retailers, recognising the lower risk posed by lottery products relative to other gambling products – along with the controls which are already in place, such as the training provided to retailers.There are currently no plans to change this position under the 4th National Lottery licence but, in any case, the licence increases player protection requirements. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Lord Bowness: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to secure an agreement within theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on (1) a budget, and (2) a Chair-in-Office, for 2024. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We recognise the challenges faced by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a result of Russia's weaponisation of the consensus principle, including delaying critical decisions on the budget and 2024 Chair. We fully support the efforts of current Chair, North Macedonian Foreign Minister Osmani, to reach an agreement on next year's budget and to alleviate immediate financial pressures. We are also working closely with like-minded countries on options for reaching consensus on next year's chair. Kosovo: Serbia Lord Bowness: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current situation between Serbia and Kosovo. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We condemned the unprovoked attack on NATO troops in northern Kosovo on 29 May and, alongside our partners, are calling on Serbia and Kosovo to take immediate steps to de-escalate and return to dialogue. The Foreign Secretary reiterated these messages when he spoke to the Kosovo Prime Minister on 8 June, as did the Prime Minister's Envoy, Lord Peach when he spoke to President Vucic on 7 June. I [Lord Ahmad] discussed the current tensions with Kosovo's Foreign Minister on 8 June.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2023-06-15

Aviation: London Airports Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 April (WA 296-297), what is the estimated revenue generated by a transit flight into a London airport and what are the associated costs. Earl Attlee: Tax revenue and setting are a matter for the Treasury. Paragraph 3.4 of HMRC Notice 550 specifies that transit and transfer passengers are exempt from air passenger duty (APD). APD revenue for flights consisting solely of transfer and transit passengers will therefore be zero. Airline revenues and costs for flights carrying transit (and or transfer) passengers are commercial matters for individual airlines. The CAA publishes UK Airline Financial tables that can be found at: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx? catid=80&pagetype=88&pageid=13&sglid=13. This has information on UK airlines balance sheets but does not detail the costs and revenues of individual flights. Disabled People: Blue Badges The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government why, in the guidance related to Blue Badge eligibility, conditions including myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) are expressly identified as not being "in themselves a qualification for a badge"; and to what other medical conditions this guidance relates. Earl Attlee: Eligibility for a Blue Badge is set out in the governing regulations. These are the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) 2000, as amended. Since the 1980s, the regulations allow people to apply to local authorities for a badge through two main routes: "without further assessment" and "with further assessment". Under the "with further assessment" category, a person may be eligible for a badge if they have a permanent and substantial disability which means they are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty walking. It is for the relevant local authority to make decisions on whether or not a person is eligible for a badge. To help ensure consistency, the Department for Transport issues non-statutory guidance to local authorities on the factors that should be taken into account when they are making an assessment. As part of major reforms to the scheme, the department published updated guidance in June 2011 and again in February 2012. The guidance is intended to explain that eligibility for a badge under the "with further assessment" criteria is not condition specific. Local authorities should take into account the effect of a person's condition on their ability to walk. The guidance gives examples of conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and mental and cognitive impairments like autism and dementia. In these cases, people might be eligible for a badge if their condition means they are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty walking. They might, however, not be eligible if their ability to walk is unaffected. As part of wide-ranging reforms, the Government considered extending eligibility for a Blue Badge. They announced on February 2011 that they had no plans to extend eligibility to other groups of disabled people. With over 2.5 million badges already on issue, the Government decided that it was important to ensure the Blue Badge scheme remains sustainable in the long term and that it protected the concession for those who need it the most, that is, those who are unable to walk or have considerable difficulty walking. NHS: Salaries Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many National Health Service general practitioners earned more than the Prime Minister in the latest year for which figures are available, and what is their estimate of the number who will do so after the Health and Social Care Act 2012 comes into force. Earl Howe: The latest available earnings data for general practitioners (GPs) are set out in GP Earnings and Expenses 2009-10 Final Report, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre on 11 November 2011. The report shows the numbers of general medical practitioners within each £10,000 earnings bracket. There are no available data on the precise number of GPs who earn more than the Prime Minister's salary. The publication has already been placed in the Library. It is not possible to make accurate projections of future trends in earnings for general practitioners, which will depend on a range of factors. The main determinant of GP earnings will continue to be the payments made under GP contractual arrangements, which will only be affected by the Health and Social Care Act in as much as the NHS Commissioning Board will, from April 2013, take over from primary care trusts the responsibility for commissioning primary care services. NHS: Salaries Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many chairmen of National Health Service Trusts are paid more than the proposed salary of the chairman of HealthWatch England. Earl Howe: The expected remuneration for the chair of Healthwatch England is greater than the standard remuneration for National Health Service Trust chairs. Exceptionally the Secretary of State may agree to pay an NHS Trust chair a higher rate. There are currently five chairs who are paid within the £35,000-£40,000 envisaged for the chair of Healthwatch England and none is paid higher. Pensions Baroness Benjamin: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British people started receiving the basic United Kingdom state pension in (1) Jamaica and (2) Trinidad and Tobago, in each of the years (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011. Lord Freud: The information for all people receiving state pension provided in the table below includes basic state pension, graduated retirement benefit, state earnings related pension scheme, and state second pension. The information for the number of people starting to receive basic state pension only in the years specified is not available. Country of residence Caseload Total August 2011 August 2010 August 2009 Jamaica 19,000 19,750 20,380 Trinidad & Tobago 1,590 1,550 1,490 Source: DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Survey. Notes: 1. Figures are available on the Tabulation Tool page of the DWP website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool 2. The data relate to all state pension paid to eligible people resident in the countries named, regardless of their nationality, rather than British citizens only. Pensions Baroness Benjamin: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average rate of basic United Kingdom state pension currently paid to British claimants normally resident in (1) Jamaica and (2) Trinidad and Tobago. Lord Freud: The state pension data provided below include basic state pension, graduated retirement benefit, state earnings related pension scheme, and state second pension. The information for only basic state pension is not available. The average weekly rate of United Kingdom state pension currently paid to residents in Jamaica is £82.57 and £44.02 to residents in Trinidad and Tobago. Source: DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Survey, August 11. Notes: 1. Figures are available on the Tabulation Tool page of the DWP website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool 2. The data relate to all state pension paid to eligible people resident in the countries named, regardless of their nationality, rather than British citizens only. Pensions Baroness Benjamin: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the United Kingdom state pension payable to British expatriates living in Jamaica is uprated annually, but that payable to those living in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries is not. Lord Freud: Uprating of state pension only occurs where there is a bilateral social security convention in force with another country. The United Kingdom has operated these conventions since the 1950's and 15 contain reciprocal arrangements allowing for the uprating of state pension, among them Jamaica. The United Kingdom has not entered into a social security convention with Trinidad and Tobago. Since 1981, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to seek to enter into new reciprocal agreements with other countries covering social security benefits.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2012-05-15a

Baroness Andrews: The Standards Board for England is an independent body. Management of individual cases is entirely a matter for the board itself. I have asked the board's chairman to write to you directly in response to your Question, setting out the circumstances in which the investigation and determination of these cases took place, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library. I regret the delays in these cases, but I understand that there were special circumstances. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has agreed with the board the performance targets of completing 40 per cent of investigations within four months and 90 per cent within six months. The board is currently meeting its four-month target and is completing 82 per cent of investigations within six months.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2006-02-06b

Agriculture: Theft Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many successful prosecutions have been made for thefts of (a) livestock, (b) vehicles, and (c) other items, from farms during each of the past three years in (1) England, (2) Scotland, and (3) Wales. Lord McNally: It is not possible from information collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice or the Scottish Government, other than where specified in a statute, to identify the location of a theft or description of the items that were stolen. This level of detail will only be held on individual court records. Airports: Security Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK Border Agency desks there are at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted for checking passengers arriving from and departing to overseas destinations. Baroness Neville-Jones: The UK Border Agency has the following capability to check passengers arriving from and departing to overseas locations: Port Arrivals (Fixed) Departures (Mobile) Heathrow 164 27 Gatwick 38 19 Stansted 24 2 Checks are made on an intelligence-led basis. Airports: Security Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of the departure desks at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted, are fitted with electronic terminals for the checking of travel documents; and what would be the cost of installing such terminals at those desks where they are not fitted. Baroness Neville-Jones: The UK Border Agency has a mobile capability to undertake departure checks at the airports listed. The electronic checking of travel documents is carried out using portable devices as set out below. This is done on an intelligence-led basis. Port Mobile Departures Mobile Devices Heathrow 27 9 Gatwick 0* 19 Stansted two 2 * Currently nil. However, following re-development there will be a total of 14. Armed Forces: Overseas Bases Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, in light of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, of the future of the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Alberta, Canada. Lord Astor of Hever: As stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, we will maintain our training areas in Canada to prepare our forces for operations. Our presence at the British Army Training Unit Suffield also reflects the UK's close and valued defence relationship with Canada. Armed Forces: Uniforms Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was spent on replacing the ceremonial uniforms of (a) the Grenadier Guards, (b) the Coldstream Guards, (c) the Scots Guards, (d) the Irish Guards, and (e) the Welsh Guards, in each of the last five years. Lord Astor of Hever: The expenditure over the past five complete financial years for replacing ceremonial uniforms, including hats, boots, belts, jackets, trousers and gloves, is provided in the following table. Guard Regiment Financial Year 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Grenadier Guards £38,000 £170,000 £349,000 £282,000 £86,000 Coldstream Guards £151,000 £290,000 £146,000 £188,000 £35,000 Scots Guards £28,000 £172,000 £69,000 £185,000 £37,000 Irish Guards £33,000 £172,000 £114,000 £872,000 £61,000 Welsh Guards £129,000 £163,000 £109,000 £86,000 £78,000 The expenditure for the Irish Guards in 2008-09 was necessarily higher because the cloth and colour of the ceremonial uniform striping was changed. Expenditure in 2009-10 was lower than previous financial years, principally as there has been no business requirement to replace so many uniforms. Asylum Seekers Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent destitution among unsuccessful asylum applicants, following the report on this matter by the British Red Cross. Baroness Neville-Jones: Failed asylum seekers whose asylum applications have been fully determined and whose appeal rights are exhausted are required to leave the UK as soon as possible. It is accepted that there will be some failed asylum seekers who are destitute and who are unable to leave the UK immediately due to circumstances beyond their control. These individuals can request the provision of support under section four of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 pending the resolution of the temporary barrier to their return. There are additional safeguards for families with dependent children under 18 when their appeal rights are exhausted who continue receiving support until they leave the UK. Therefore, no asylum seeker or failed asylum seeker need be destitute while they have a valid reason to be here Aviation: Air Quality The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the report on cabin air quality research conducted by Cranfield University. Earl Attlee: The Cranfield University research on cabin air has been completed and the report has been sent out to independent scientific peer review. We expect publication of the report to take place in the new year. Aviation: Air Quality The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the swab tests mentioned in Note 4.2 of the meeting of the Aviation Health Working Group on 18 February 2010 have been conducted; if not, why not; and, if they have, when the results will be published. Earl Attlee: The Cranfield University research on cabin air has been completed and the report has been sent out to independent scientific peer review. We expect publication of the report to take place in the new year. Aviation: Aviation Health Working Group The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government why there is no longer representation from the Department of Health on the Aviation Health Working Group; when was the last meeting of the Group; and when their next meeting is scheduled to take place. Earl Attlee: Sufficiently close links exist between the Department of Health and the Department for Transport at the policy level to enable any concerns about aviation health matters to be raised with the Department of Health if necessary. The Aviation Health Working Group (AHWG) last met on 18 February 2010; a further meeting has not been scheduled. Aviation: Security Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council Statement by Lord McNally on 9 December (Official Report, col. WS 46), what are the implications for air travellers of the proposal that passengers' name records data are collected on flights within the European Union as well as between member states and Australia, Canada and the United States of America. Baroness Neville-Jones: Passenger name record (PNR) data are only collected by the UK's e-Borders system to the extent that it is known to the carrier. The Immigration and Police (Passenger, Crew and Service Information) Order 2008 specifies that only passenger information that is routinely held by the carrier on their reservation system or departure control system, or information that is obtained during the ordinary course of the carrier's business, may be required. PNR collection on flights between member states and Australia, Canada and the United States of America under EU agreements with those countries follows the same principle, as will PNR collection on flights between member states and third countries, and potentially between member states, when an EU PNR Directive is introduced. Therefore, there are no implications for ordinary air travellers, as they are not required to provide any more data than they would normally provide in the course of booking their flight. Collection and analysis of PNR data will assist in preventing those travellers who wish to cause harm from doing so. Banking Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take in response to the report of the Institutional Investor Council on the process and cost of equity capital raising. Lord Sassoon: The Office of Fair Trading is currently investigating the way that the equity underwriting market works and will, no doubt, carefully consider the findings of the Institutional Investor Council's report. Banking: Equity Underwriting Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the announcement in March by the Office of Fair Trading that it was looking into aspects of investment banking, when they expect a report to be published. Baroness Wilcox: The OFT launched a market study of equity underwriting services for the different types of share issue used by FTSE 350 companies to raise equity capital in the UK (including rights issues, placings and other types of follow-on offer) on 6 August 2010. OFT intends to publish its report in late January 2011. For further details please see the OFT page: http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/markets-work/current/equity-underwriting. Banks: Information Sharing Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any evidence of collusion between major United Kingdom banks in respect of the sharing of credit information, purchasing of resources, setting tariffs, or agreement on remuneration. Baroness Wilcox: The Government have no such evidence. Anyone with information as to whether enterprises may be acting in breach of competition law should submit that information to the Office of Fair Trading, which has the relevant powers to take appropriate action. Benefits Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possibility of immigrants in receipt of benefits sending money to their families abroad. Baroness Neville-Jones: There are strict controls on temporary migrants' access to benefits. Upon acquiring settled status, migrants are able to access benefits in the same way as British citizens. There is no comprehensive assessment of the possibility that immigrants send money to their families. British Transport Police Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 1 March (WA 319), when they expect the quinquennial review of the British Transport Police, due to take place in 2010, to be completed; and what issues are being taken into account in this review. Earl Attlee: The Cabinet Office-led review of public bodies, which preceded the introduction of the Public Bodies Bill, considered whether the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) should be retained and, if so, in what form. The conclusion was that the BTPA should be retained on the grounds that it performs a technical function that should remain independent of government. The Public Bodies Bill is currently before Parliament. BTPA is listed in Schedule 7 to the Bill, reflecting the agreement that the body be retained in its current form at this stage. The Cabinet Office is developing proposals for future review of those non-departmental public bodies that are to be retained. Decisions on when next to review BTPA will be taken in due course. Broadcasting: Licence Fee Lord Roberts of Conwy: To ask Her Majesty's Government who is responsible for the collection of the broadcasting licence fee and for the expenditure of the money collected. Baroness Rawlings: The administration and enforcement of the television licensing system are the responsibility of the BBC, which operates independently of government. The day-to-day administration and enforcement of licence fees are undertaken by TV Licensing which acts as agent for the Corporation. Under the terms of the BBC's charter, it is the responsibility of the BBC Trust to ensure that the BBC executive board delivers financial efficiency and value for money. The trust is responsible for approving budgets, at the level of service licences or other significant activities likely to have implications for the delivery of the BBC's public purposes, put forward by the executive. Within this framework, day-to-day decisions about expenditure are the responsibility of the BBC executive. Broadcasting: Offensive Material Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what monitoring they undertake of items broadcast to ensure that they do not ridicule, and are not otherwise offensive to, the parents and families of disabled children; and what action they can take in cases where offence is caused. Baroness Rawlings: In relation to broadcasting, Parliament has charged Ofcom with maintaining standards, notably to protect children and the general public from harmful and offensive material. Ofcom is independent of the Government and responsible for safeguarding the public interest in broadcasting. It sets out the rules and guidance with which broadcasters must comply. Within this framework, it is the broadcasters' job to make judgments about what individual programmes should contain and the time at which they are broadcast. It is a long-standing principle that the Government do not interfere in programme matters, either on arrangements for scheduling or on content. Census Lord Lea of Crondall: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will include a category of "British Arabs" in the 2011 Census, as distinct from the category "Other". Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Lea of Crondall, dated December 2010. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking whether or not a category of "British Arabs" will be included in the 2011 Census, as distinct from the category "Other". HL5400 The content of the census questions to be asked in the 2011 Census was set out in the Census Order (England and Wales) 2009 which has been debated and approved by Parliament and is now law. The questionnaires for the England and Wales census have been printed. The 2011 Census questionnaire will provide the opportunity for people to record themselves as being both British and Arab, by ticking "British" in the national identity question and then "Arab" in the ethnic group question. The results from these two questions can then be grouped together to provide statistics on "British Arabs". Children: Poverty Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the impact of welfare reforms on children living in poverty in working households. Lord Sassoon: The Government have taken action in the June Budget and this Spending Review to help low-income families. These steps have ensured that measures that can be robustly assessed from this Spending Review and June Budget will not lead to a measurable increase in child poverty over the next two years. The Government believe that poverty is best tackled by addressing the causes of poverty, rather than the consequences. At the June Budget and Spending Review 2010, they set out a programme of welfare reform designed to simplify the welfare system and make work pay. The Prime Minister has asked Frank Field MP to conduct an independent review on poverty and life chances in the UK; this has now been published and the Government welcomes his report. The Prime Minister also asked Graham Allen MP to conduct an independent review into early intervention. While awaiting the conclusions of these reviews, the Government chose to use some of the savings from withdrawing child benefit from families with a higher-rate taxpayer to fund significant above-indexation increases in the child tax credit, worth £180 in 2011-12 and £110 in 2012-13. Civil Partnerships Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote international recognition of United Kingdom civil partnerships. Lord Howell of Guildford: In July the Government published Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality, a programme of work including a commitment to update the list of overseas same-sex partnerships automatically recognised by the UK as equivalent to UK civil partnerships and to work bilaterally with other European countries to overcome the legislative or policy barriers which prevent UK civil partnerships being recognised abroad. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently working with the Government Equalities Office to take forward this work. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides UK civil partnership registrations in 20 posts worldwide where prior approval has been obtained from the respective host Governments of these countries. 256 civil partnerships were registered in 2009. Civil Service: Salaries Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants presently earn more than 20 times the minimum wage; and what is their response to the factor proposed in the Hutton Review of Fair pay in the public sector: interim report. Lord Sassoon: Under the Government's transparency commitment, the Cabinet Office has published departmental structure charts showing the name, job title and salary of all senior civil servants across central government. This can be found at: http://transparency.numberlO.gov.uk/org-charts.php. The Hutton Review of Fair Pay calculated 20 times the minimum wage as £228,186, assuming a 37 hour working week. The Government have welcomed the publication of this report and will give careful consideration to the findings so far. The Government look forward to the outcome of the final report and recommendations in March and will respond in more detail once they are in receipt of this. Cluster Bombs Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date cluster bombs were removed from the United Kingdom. Lord Astor of Hever: All UK cluster munitions were withdrawn from service in May 2008. To date 48 per cent of the UK's stocks have been destroyed. As the UK has no specialist cluster munition destruction facilities of its own, destruction has had to be contracted overseas. As a result, UK cluster munitions continue to be removed from the UK as they are called forward as part of the ongoing destruction process. It is our intention to have completed the destruction of all UK cluster munitions by the end of 2013. As was announced to Parliament during the passage of the Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010, the US agreed to remove all of their stockpiles from UK territory by 2013. Since then the UK was able to announce to the First Meeting of States Parties to the Cluster Munitions Convention in November 2010 that, in fact, the US has now withdrawn all stockpiles from UK territory ahead of schedule. Cluster Bombs Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government where cluster bombs removed from the United Kingdom have been relocated. Lord Astor of Hever: All UK cluster munitions are in a destruction programme and have been removed from service. As part of this destruction programme UK cluster bombs are only removed from the UK for destruction. As part of the destruction process, UK cluster munitions are securely stored at specialist facilities in Germany, while awaiting collection by the disposal contractor. Under current plans, it is our intention to have destroyed all UK cluster munitions by the end of 2013. We cannot comment on where US cluster munitions have been relocated. That is a matter for the USA. Cluster Bombs Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government where cluster bomb stocks owned by the United Kingdom are stored and maintained. Lord Astor of Hever: Approximately 48 per cent of UK cluster munitions have now been destroyed. The remainder are stored safely either in the UK or in Germany, pending disposal. The majority of the remaining stocks are stored by Joint Support Chain Services (JSCS) (formerly the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency) at their explosives storage facilities at Kineton (Warwickshire), Longtown (Cumbria), Eastriggs (Dumfries and Galloway) and Wulfen (Germany). Some stocks of UK M26 rockets are also stored at the US ammunition base at Miseau (Germany), due to JSCS's temporary storage capacity limitations and by one of our disposal contractors, NAMMO Buck, in Germany. All stocks are maintained for the purpose of ensuring their safe storage and, where appropriate, transportation. It is our intention to have completed the destruction of all UK cluster munitions by the end of 2013. Cluster Bombs Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements have been made with United States officials for the stockpiling and maintenance of cluster bombs; when those arrangements were agreed; and when they were last reviewed. Lord Astor of Hever: Section 8 of the Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Act 2010 sets out that the Secretary of State is able to grant authorisation for visiting forces of states not party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions to possess cluster munitions on, or transfer them through, UK territory. The US were made aware of this provision within the Bill, not least as it was required to enable the removal of their cluster munitions stockpiles. Authorisation was subsequently granted to the US to allow them to remove their cluster munitions in accordance with the legislation. This removal has now been completed and there are no foreign stockpiles of cluster munitions on UK territory. No arrangements have been made with United States officials for future stockpiling and maintenance of cluster bombs. Crime: Electronic Tagging Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there have been any recent cases of wrongful arrest arising in respect of tagging conducted by Serco on behalf of the Serious Fraud Office; and what ongoing role the Serious Fraud Office has in the implementation of tagging by Serco on its behalf. Lord McNally: I believe the noble Lord may be referring to the arrest of Mr Asil Nadir on 4 December 2010. The Ministry of Justice and the Serious Fraud Officer are investigating this matter. Where an electronic monitoring condition is imposed by the court the responsibility for fitting the tagging device and monitoring its operation is undertaken by Serco, a private company. In the case of Mr Nadir the condition of his electronic monitoring was agreed between the Serious Fraud Office and Mr Nadir before his return to the UK in September 2010 from northern Cyprus, where he had been resident for the past 17 years. The Serious Fraud Office had no contact with any Serco employees concerning reporting of breach of bail conditions until Monday 6 December 2010 when the Serious Fraud Office along with others began investigations to determine what had happened over the preceding week. I cannot comment any further on this case which is subject to ongoing judicial proceedings. Crime: Re-offending Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations the Lord Chancellor has received from the Citizens Trust about its Pathways from Re-Offending project and what reply has been sent. Lord McNally: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice responsible for Prisons (Crispin Blunt) wrote to Theresa K Moore MBE, chief executive of the Citizens Trust on 6 September 2010 following her letter to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice dated July 2010 about their Pathways from Re-Offending project. In his reply, the Minister confirmed an interest in the initiative and suggested that the most appropriate way forward was for the Citizens Trust to contribute their ideas and experiences in response to the Call for Evidence-Review of Offender Learning which closed on 24 September and/or the Green Paper Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing for Offenders which opened for consultation on 7 December and ends on 4 March 2011. Crime: Violence Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to introduce legislation to allow victims of violent crime to learn where the offenders are living after they have been released from prison. Lord McNally: The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 allows victims of certain serious violent and sexual offences, where the offender receives a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, to receive information about key developments in the offender's sentence. Such key developments will include where offenders are being considered for or granted a move to open conditions, a work placement in the community and release from prison. Where the offender's release is determined by the Parole Board, victims can also choose to submit a victim personal statement to the board which sets out how the offence has affected them. Eligible victims are also able to make representations about conditions which may be attached to the offender's licence on release. They can, for example, request that the offender is excluded from a particular area, such as where they (the victims) live. In all cases, licence conditions must be proportionate, reasonable and necessary and, in the case of indeterminate sentenced prisoners, must be approved by the independent Parole Board. The interests of the victim to be provided with the personal information of the offender, such as their release location, must be balanced against the offender's interests and privacy and the need to rehabilitate the offender. There are sound public protection reasons for doing this, as it is necessary to ensure the successful supervision and re-integration of offenders into the community and prevent reoffending. Releasing the whereabouts of a particular offender's location could undermine this process and reduce the likelihood of a successful, law abiding resettlement. Furthermore, all information disclosed to victims must be compliant with the Data Protection Act 1998, which regulates the processing of any personal data about individuals including offenders, and with human rights legislation. Disclosing very specific information such as an offender's location could be potentially unlawful. There may, however, be circumstances in which it may be proportionate, lawful and in the public interest to provide victims with more specific information about an offender's location. One example might be where the victim is at risk of serious harm from the offender. Data Protection Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Statement on European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council by Lord McNally on 9 December (WS 48), whether they will maintain their position that the United Kingdom, and not the European Union, should negotiate with the Government of the United States on the protection of personal data transferred for law enforcement purposes. Lord McNally: The Government support the proposed agreement and share the European Commission's goal of continuing to ensure a high level of protection for personal data that are processed as part of transatlantic co-operation in criminal matters. However, the Government maintain their position that the United Kingdom, rather than the European Union, should negotiate rules concerning data exchanges between the United Kingdom and the United States under their bilateral arrangements. Negotiations between the European Union and the United States began on 9 December. The Government will consider their position on the final agreement at the end of the negotiations. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current food security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Baroness Verma: The food security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is very poor, with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ranking DRC as one of the countries most affected by chronic hunger and undernutrition. An estimated one in every four children under the age of five are underweight. A survey in 2008 established that 15 million people are severely and moderately food insecure and recent surveys suggest the situation is not improving. Through our humanitarian programme, The Department for International Development (DfID) is helping many thousands of children every year receive therapeutic food and treatment. Last year, we helped more than 55,000 children and expect to double our assistance to malnourished children in the year ahead. The UK is also tackling food insecurity by building roads, stimulating food production by making it easier for farmers to get goods to market. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for assisting the Democratic Republic of Congo with its agricultural development. Baroness Verma: The UK aid programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) does not specifically focus on agriculture. Belgium, the United States and the World Bank lead on this sector, which is consistent with donor efforts for burden sharing and division of labour. The UK aid programme in the DRC does invest heavily in the rehabilitation of the national priority roads network which stimulates agriculture by opening local and regional markets to food produced by Congolese farmers. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to assist the Democratic Republic of Congo to meet its existing Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme commitments to achieve 10 per cent budgetary investment in agricultural development and a 6 per cent annual growth in the same sector. Baroness Verma: The UK Government strongly support implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), as well as related initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and African Union work to establish long-term investment plans and increase the proportion of national budgets for agriculture. The Department for International Development (DfID) is providing a £10 million grant to a multi-donor trust fund, with the World Bank, which will facilitate the implementation of the CAADP. DfID does not provide separate bilateral funding to the DRC to support CAADP implementation. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of climate change on agriculture and food security in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Baroness Verma: The UK aid programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) does not specifically focus on climate change and has not directly funded any assessment of the effect of climate change on agriculture and food security. In December 2010, the Secretary of State for International Development announced extra support to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which will include £7.2 million for a programme to help adapt farming systems in the developing world to climate change. The UK Government also support the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa-of which DRC is a member-to support research into agricultural issues, including climate change adaptation. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have spent on agricultural development in the Democratic Republic of Congo in each of the last five years. Baroness Verma: The UK aid programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) does not specifically focus on agriculture. Belgium, the United States and the World Bank lead on this sector which is consistent with donor efforts for burden sharing and division of labour. The UK aid programme in the DRC does invest heavily in the rehabilitation of the national priority road network which stimulates agriculture by opening local and regional markets to food produced by Congolese farmers. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have spent on emergency food aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo in each of the last five years. Baroness Verma: The UK Government have spent £31.25 million on emergency food aid over the past five calendar years as set out in the table below. Figures for 2010 will be available in mid-2011. 2005 n/a 2006 £8,250,000 2007 £6,100,000 2008 £11,000,000 2009 £5,900,000 Egypt Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the recent parliamentary elections in Egypt. Lord Howell of Guildford: We followed the elections with close interest. We are deeply concerned by reports of widespread fraud, media restrictions and of denials of access to polling stations for independent national observers and candidate representatives. We are also concerned by reports of harassment and arrest of opposition candidates and their supporters in the run up to, and on the days of the elections, and cases of irregularities, which in some cases amount to serious allegations of interference in and disruption of the electoral process and call into question its credibility. We remain convinced that a democratic government is the best environment for ensuring the full enjoyment and protection of human rights in Egypt. We will continue to work to support free, fair and transparent presidential elections in 2011 and to call on the Egyptian Government to permit international observers to visit Egypt during election periods. Employment Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to assist private industry to create more long-term jobs. Baroness Wilcox: It is the Government's role to create an environment conducive to private sector growth and job creation. The Path to Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth sets out our approach to achieving this, including the launch of the growth review. This process will challenge all government departments on how they can better enable long-term private sector growth. Equal Pay Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce the pay gap between male and female employees in Britain. Baroness Verma: This Government are committed to tackling the barriers that women face in the workplace and are taking a range of measures, including making pay secrecy clauses unenforceable, extending positive action and the right to request flexible working, consulting on a new system of parental leave, and promoting gender equality on company boards, including asking Lord Davies to fully investigate the issue. On 2 December, the Government also announced they working with partners to develop a voluntary approach on gender pay reporting in the private and voluntary sector. EU: Accession Fund Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government who will be responsible for the expenditure of £8.3 billion in the European Union's Accession Fund; whether a named person will be accountable for expenditure in each accession state; and whether aid to Turkey will be made conditional on constitutional reform. Baroness Verma: The EU's pre-accession assistance for all enlargement countries is provided through the instrument for pre-accession (IPA). The candidate countries of Turkey, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia work under a decentralised management system. For these countries, the national authorising officer (NAO) is responsible for the expenditure of IPA funds. The NAO is typically a high-level public servant of the Treasury or Ministry of Finance in the country concerned. For all other enlargement countries, the Commission remains responsible for the expenditure of funds. Member states have full oversight of all proposals for the use of IPA funds. Pre-accession assistance for Turkey is not directly conditional on Turkey making progress with constitutional reforms, but rather aims to support these reforms. For example, in the area of judicial reform, the setting up of an ombudsman or data protection authority depends on adequate legal frameworks being in place. EU: European Investigation Order Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in relation to the European Union presidency's report that it had made good progress on the draft directive on the European Investigation Order (EIO), they have the option to withdraw support for the EIO if the final draft is not in the United Kingdom's best interests. Baroness Neville-Jones: I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 22 October 2010 (Official Report, WA 207). In this I explained that the United Kingdom is unable to withdraw from the European Investigation Order and why this is the case. EU: Hungarian Presidency Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what items for discussion they will put on the agenda for their first meeting with the Hungarian European Union presidency representatives after 1 January 2011. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Hungarian Government will not publish its final presidency programme until late December. Based on the Government's ongoing contacts with the Hungarian Government, we expect the presidency programme to focus on consolidating economic recovery, enlargement, the Eastern Partnership and the EU budget. The Government will discuss these issues in detail with the Hungarian Government in early 2011. EU: UK National Sovereignty Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they reconcile the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 November (WA 432) stating that "no areas of competence have been transferred from the United Kingdom to the European Union" with his Written Answer on 18 October (WA 110) stating that "there should be no further transfer of sovereignty or powers from the United Kingdom to the European Union over the course of this Parliament". Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have no difficulty reconciling the two Answers given to the Questions referred to above. The first Answer responded to a Question as to what transfers of competence had occurred since 1972 on the basis of either qualified majority voting or unanimity and made it clear that transfer of competence could only take place by way of a treaty amendment. The answer to the second question set out the Government's clear intention not to agree to any treaty which transfers competence or power from the UK to the EU during the course of this Parliament. EU: UK National Sovereignty Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 November (WA 432), what areas of United Kingdom national sovereignty or powers have been transferred to the European Union since 1972 under (a) majority voting, and (b) unanimity, in the Council of Ministers, until they are reclaimed by Parliament; and what areas remain under the unfettered control of Parliament in the meantime. Lord Howell of Guildford: Article 5 of the Treaty on the European Union makes clear that the Union shall act only within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the member states in the treaties. The treaties and subsequent amendments thereto have been agreed by the member states by consensus and not by either majority voting or unanimity in the Council of Ministers. The current categories and areas of the Union competence are set out in Articles 2-6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: Article 2 When the treaties confer on the Union exclusive competence in a specific area, only the Union may legislate and adopt legally binding acts, the member states being able to do so themselves only if so empowered by the Union or for the implementation of Union acts. When the treaties confer on the Union a competence shared with the member states in a specific area, the Union and the member states may legislate and adopt legally binding acts in that area. The member states shall exercise their competence to the extent that the Union has not exercised its competence. The member states shall again exercise their competence to the extent that the Union has decided to cease exercising its competence. The member states shall co-ordinate their economic and employment policies within arrangements as determined by this treaty, which the Union shall have competence to provide. The Union shall have competence, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on European Union, to define and implement a common foreign and security policy, including the progressive framing of a common defence policy. In certain areas and under the conditions laid down in the treaties, the Union shall have competence to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of the member states, without thereby superseding their competence in these areas. Legally binding acts of the Union adopted on the basis of the provisions of the treaties relating to these areas shall not entail harmonisation of member states' laws or regulations. The scope of and arrangements for exercising the Union's competences shall be determined by the provisions of the treaties relating to each area. Article 3 The Union shall have exclusive competence in the following areas: customs union;the establishing of the competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market;monetary policy for the member states whose currency is the euro;the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy; andcommon commercial policy. The Union shall also have exclusive competence for the conclusion of an international agreement when its conclusion is provided for in a legislative act of the Union or is necessary to enable the Union to exercise its internal competence, or in so far as its conclusion may affect common rules or alter their scope. Article 4 The Union shall share competence with the member states where the treaties confer on it a competence which does not relate to the areas referred to in Articles 3 and 6. Shared competence between the Union and the member states applies in the following principal areas: internal market;social policy, for the aspects defined in this treaty;economic, social and territorial cohesion;agriculture and fisheries, excluding the conservation of marine biological resources;environment;consumer protection;transport;trans-European networks;energy;area of freedom, security and justice; andcommon safety concerns in public health matters, for the aspects defined in this treaty. In the areas of research, technological development and space, the Union shall have competence to carry out activities, in particular to define and implement programmes; however, the exercise of that competence shall not result in member states being prevented from exercising theirs. In the areas of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, the Union shall have competence to carry out activities and conduct a common policy; however, the exercise of that competence shall not result in member states being prevented from exercising theirs. Article 5 The member states shall coordinate their economic policies within the Union. To this end, the council shall adopt measures, in particular broad guidelines for these policies. Specific provisions shall apply to those member states whose currency is the euro. The Union shall take measures to ensure coordination of the employment policies of the member states, in particular by defining guidelines for these policies. The Union may take initiatives to ensure coordination of member states' social policies. Article 6 The Union shall have competence to carry out actions to support, co-ordinate or supplement the actions of the member states. The areas of such action shall, at European level, be: protection and improvement of human health;industry;culture;tourism;education, vocational training, youth and sport;civil protection; andadministrative co-operation. Competences not conferred upon the Union in the treaties remain with the member states. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 26 October (WA 256), whether the absence of citation of any free websites at references 12 and 13 of the South Central Strategic Health Authority's consultation document on water fluoridation, which would facilitate the assessment of the evidence by an average member of the public, conforms with the intentions for public consultation under the Water Act 2003. Earl Howe: The requirements for consultations under the Water Industry Act 1991 are detailed in the Water Fluoridation (Consultation) (England) Regulations 2005. The regulations require that a "strategic health authority shall: publish details of the steps they propose to take, and the manner in which individuals who would be affected by it and bodies with an interest can make representations regarding the proposal in one or more newspapers circulating within the area to which the arrangements relate; andin such other media accessible within that area as the authority consider appropriate for the purpose of bringing the proposal to the attention of individuals affected and bodies with an interest". Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 7 December (WA 34-5), whether the recommendations in Sections 12.4, 12.7.2 and 12.9.1 to 3 of the York report will form part of the programme of further research into water fluoridation to which they are committed. Earl Howe: The department has publicised the fact that it wishes to strengthen the evidence base on fluoridation and will consider, within available resources, soundly based proposals for research projects, including ones which reflect the recommendations of both the York report and the review by the Medical Research Council, Water Fluoridation and Health, published in 2002. A research project is under way on the extent and aesthetic effects of dental fluorosis and I understand the chief dental officer indicated, at a meeting with the noble Earl, that the evaluation of a new fluoride scheme would offer an opportunity to assess the effects on dental decay whilst adjusting for confounding factors. Any such evaluation could also be used to assess the cost-effectiveness of fluoridation. Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the full United Nations Relief and Works Agency programme for building works in Gaza cannot be started, given that funds are available to pay for it. Baroness Verma: According to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) $43 million worth of Gaza reconstruction projects have now been approved by Israel, out of $190 million submitted. It is for UNRWA to set its priorities, and to liaise with Israel for project approval and entry of the necessary reconstruction materials. Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 25 November (WA 383) and given that water supplies and sewage are essential to public health, whether they will seek assurances from the Government of Israel on those matters in so far as they affect Gaza and the West Bank. Baroness Verma: The UK Government recognise the importance of water supplies and sewage to public health, but have no plans to seek such assurances, as the lead on these issues lies with the Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene group (EWASH). EWASH co-ordinates project management among almost 30 donors, agencies and organisations working on water and sanitation projects in both the West Bank and Gaza, and also ensures that the donor community's messages to the appropriate Israeli authorities on these issues are coherent and consistent. Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report by 21 non-governmental organisations Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade. Baroness Verma: The Government are extremely concerned about the situation in Gaza, and agree with the report that, despite some progress following Israel's June announcement on easing of movement and access restrictions, changes on the ground have so far been limited and insufficient. The UK reiterates the need for immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and people to and from Gaza. Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answers by Baroness Verma on 13 December (Official Report, cols. 395-7), what assessment they have made of (a) whether, and (b) when, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency will receive the building materials necessary for its minimum building programme. Baroness Verma: The UK Government have not made such an assessment. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) are in regular contact with the Israeli authorities on these matters and will be able to provide information on whether and when they expect to receive the construction materials needed for their projects. The UK and EU continue to call on the Government of Israel to allow fully implement measures they announced in June to ease movement and access restrictions on Gaza. Government Departments: Cars Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 9 November (WA 55-6), whether they will list all government car allocations across the Government as at 30 April and, on the same basis, how many cars are allocated as at 18 November. Earl Attlee: The number of government car allocations supplied to Ministers by the Government Car and Despatch Agency as at 30 April 2010 was 77. As at 18 November 2010, the number of ministerial allocations stood at 13. A list of the departments and ministerial positions supplied with an allocation for each date specified has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Government Departments: Websites Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there have been recent examples of computer hacking which have put at risk any government websites and other computer services. Baroness Neville-Jones: The Director of the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) recently estimated that over 20,000 malicious e-mails are detected on government networks each month, 1,000 of which are deliberately targeting them. It would not be in the interests of the UK's national security to provide further details of cyberattacks against government ICT systems. Such disclosure could undermine the integrity and security of departmental systems and thereby expose them to potential threats. Government departments are required through the security policy framework to have technical controls in place to protect their ICT systems and web sites from a range of threats including cyberthreats. GCHQ, through CESG and GovCertUK, provides government departments with guidance on how to protect them against, detect and mitigate various types of cyberattack, as well as providing a single point for reporting government network security incidents. Health: Dentistry Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve access to dentists for NHS patients. Earl Howe: We are committed to improving access to National Health Service dentistry. The operating framework for the NHS in England 2011-12 which sets out the key priorities for the NHS over the next year states that primary care trusts should continue to commission improvements in access to NHS dentistry and we have now published our proposals for pilots to run in advance of a new dental contract we intend to introduce designed to increase access further and improve oral health particularly of children. Health: Diabetes Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding is devoted annually to research into (a) type 1 diabetes, and (b) type 2 diabetes. Earl Howe: The information requested is not held centrally. The Government's recent spending review confirmed that the department will increase spending on health research in real terms, through the National Institute for Health Research. Health: Diabetes Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the annual cost to the NHS of treating people with type 1 diabetes; and how many children are estimated to have type 1 diabetes. Earl Howe: The department does not collect data on the cost of treating type 1 diabetes and its complications. Diabetes is a complex condition that affects all parts of the body, making it difficult to calculate an exact cost. The research report, Growing Up With Diabetes: Children and Young People with Diabetes in England states that in January 2009, 22,783 children and young people aged 0-17 years in England were recorded as having diabetes. Of these, 21,136 were classified by type and the vast majority (20,488) had type 1 diabetes. Health: Drugs Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the drug Ellaone is currently a prescription-only or an over-the-counter drug. To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have (a) taken, and (b) plan to take, to restrict access to Ellaone; whether they will limit online distribution; and what discussions they have had with the manufacturers about those issues. To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they have (a) issued, and (b) plan to issue, to (1) doctors, and (2) individual patients, about (i) the abortifacient nature, and (ii) side-effects, of Ellaone. Earl Howe: Ellaone contains ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator. Ellaone was licensed for use as a single 30 mg dose for emergency contraception by the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human use (CHMP) in May 2009. It is used to prevent pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure, mainly by preventing or delaying ovulation. Ellaone is contraindicated for use during an existing or suspected pregnancy. In the United Kingdom, Ellaone is licensed as a prescription-only medicine. Under medicines legislation, prescription-only medicines may generally only be sold or supplied by, or under the supervision of, a pharmacist on registered pharmacy premises against a prescription written by an independent prescriber. These legal restrictions apply equally to sale, supply and advertising of medicines via the internet. Full information relating to the safe and appropriate use of a medicine is provided to healthcare professionals in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) and to women in the patient information leaflet (PIL). The SmPC and PIL for Ellaone clearly inform women and healthcare professionals that it should not be taken by a woman who knows she is pregnant and that a pregnancy test should be undertaken if she suspects she is pregnant. The SmPC and PIL also provide information on the known side-effects for Ellaone, most common of which are headache, nausea, menstrual disorders, and abdominal pain. There is no published experience of pregnancy termination with Ellaone and in clinical studies a 30 mg dose of ulipristal acetate did not interrupt existing pregnancies. Nevertheless, CHMP considered that such an effect could not be excluded and that Ellaone could potentially be used off-label in an attempt to terminate pregnancy. On this basis, no information on the potential use of ulipristal as an abortifacient has been included in the information provided for doctors and women. However, the publicly available risk management plan for Ellaone includes a number of measures taken to minimise the potential risk of off-label use, including a post marketing study to monitor how Ellaone is being used in real life. When used in accordance with the product information, Ellaone is a safe and effective option for emergency contraception. As with all marketed medicines used in the UK, the safety of Ellaone is continuously monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with independent expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines. In the event of any important new safety information emerging, the MHRA will take action to ensure that this is accurately reflected in the product information and communicated to health professionals and women. Health: Drugs Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government which body will be responsible for determining the value of a drug under the value-based pricing scheme. To ask Her Majesty's Government how the value of a drug under the value-based pricing scheme will be determined. To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultation will take place before the value of a drug is determined under the value-based pricing scheme. To ask Her Majesty's Government what value the new value-based pricing scheme will put upon a Quality Adjusted Life Year gain. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether drugs dealt with through the cancer drug fund because they have been found by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to have a low value in comparison to other NHS treatments will be rejected by the National Health Service unless their price is reduced to match their value. Earl Howe: The department will await the outcome of the current public consultation, A new value-based approach to the pricing of branded medicines, to inform further development on how value-based pricing will be implemented. The consultation commenced on 16 December 2010 and will close on 17 March 2011. A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library. Higher Education: Student Loans Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to reform the process by which students receive their student loans. Lord Henley: We are currently in the process of reforming the way student support is delivered in England. The Student Loans Company (SLC) is in the last phase of a three-year service transformation programme, which began in 2009 to deliver a centralised, predominantly online student finance service for students known as Student Finance England (SFE). SFE has been taking on board one new academic cohort at a time from local authorities and progressively implementing improvements to the way students apply for support and graduates throughout the UK repay their loans. The weak performance of the Student Loans Company in 2009 under the previous Administration was completely unacceptable. The new Government acted quickly, replacing the company's senior team and making clear our expectation for substantial improvements for students taking out a loan last summer. The Student Loans Company has significantly improved its service this year, though there is no room for complacency. There is still more to do to ensure that the service continues to improve and that students and their families receive the level of service that they have a right to expect. My department continues to work with the SLC to that end. To date, the SLC has already made some major technological improvements, including data links with UCAS and with the Immigration and Passport Service. My department is currently working in partnership with the SLC and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to make further improvements to the way household income is validated. HMS "Caroline" Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any decision has been taken concerning the future of HMS "Caroline", currently in Belfast. Lord Astor of Hever: As I informed the noble Lord in my letter dated 13 September 2010, I expect to be in a position to update the noble Lord on the future of HMS "Caroline" early next year. Homelessness: Rough Sleepers Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the overall trend of rough sleeping in (a) the City of London, and (b) Westminster, is increasing or decreasing. Baroness Hanham: Since 1998, rough sleeping has been measured by single night street counts in areas where there was a known, or suspected, rough sleeping problem. The table below shows street counts for the City of London and Westminster in the latest 10-year period. Year City of London Westminster 2001 30 169 2002 41 169 2003 36 133 2004 22 175 2005 12 133 2006 25 173 2007 45 112 2008 48 111 2009 38 110 2010 29 147 The rough sleeping street counts in the City of London and Westminster have not shown a consistent upward or downward trend throughout this period. Since 1998, only councils in areas with a known, or suspected, rough sleeping problem were required to conduct an official rough sleeper count, which meant that only 70 councils submitted information to central government. Figures published in July 2010 showed that, under this previous method, on any given night there were 440 rough sleepers in England. However, the coalition Government wanted a more accurate measure of rough sleeping and when the remaining 256 councils provided estimates of the scale of the problem in their areas this added a further estimated 807 rough sleepers, taking the national total to 1,247 rough sleepers on any given night. Under new guidance, all councils across England will now provide information on rough sleeping. This move follows consultation with homelessness charities and councils and is aimed at getting a clearer picture of the scale of the problem in each area so that more targeted support can be provided to some of the most vulnerable in society. Housing Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of their reply to the letter containing allegations from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing. Baroness Wilcox: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing wrote to Her Majesty's Government on 12 April 2010 asking a number of questions about a traveller site in Essex. The Government replied to her letter on 31 August 2010. Communications between the special rapporteur and Governments are confidential at an initial stage until the summary of the letters and the answer of the Government are included in an addendum to the annual report submitted by the special rapporteur to the United Nations Human Rights Council. I will place a copy in the Library once the United Nations has made the correspondence public. Immigration: Deportation Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in agreeing arrangements for foreign prisoners who have served their sentences to return to their home countries. Lord McNally: It is government policy that foreign national prisoners should serve their sentences in their home countries, where this is possible. The United Kingdom is a party to prisoner transfer arrangements with 106 countries and territories. In addition, a prisoner transfer agreement with Rwanda came into force on 23 November 2010 and arrangements are being made for the implementation of the EU prisoner transfer agreement in December 2011. Immigration: Deportation Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will halt the deportation of Ahmer Rana to Pakistan. Baroness Neville-Jones: Given the personal nature of this enquiry and public nature of the response, I am unable to divulge any details of the individual case. If he would like to write to me on this matter, I would be willing to respond in confidence in a more substantive manner. Immigration: Detention Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 7 December (WA 42), what is their assessment of the constitutional implications of indefinite detention of refugees in the United Kingdom without the approval of a court. Baroness Neville-Jones: Individuals who have been recognised as refugees would not normally be detained. Immigration Act powers of detention are not time-limited, nor do they require judicial involvement. This is a long-standing position that has been accepted by the courts and is fully in accord with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Individuals who are detained under Immigration Act powers are able to apply to an immigration judge for release on bail and can challenge the lawfulness of their detention by way of judicial review. The question of possible constitutional implications does not, therefore, arise. India Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received assurances that the Government of India's Education for All scheme, which is supported by United Kingdom financial aid, operates without discrimination against Dalit school pupils. Baroness Verma: The goal of the Government of India's Education for All scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), is to give all children eight years of good quality basic education. The number of Dalit children now enrolled in school is in proportion with their share of the overall population. However, there are significant economic and social challenges in ensuring that Dalit and other disadvantaged children remain in school. The Indian Government, state governments and the Department for International Development (DfID) are working together to support disadvantaged children to complete their education, including by improving classroom practices and involving the community. We are looking at specific help for Dalit children and hope to make a further announcement on this shortly. India Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last discussed the numbers of Dalit girls allegedly caught in the Devadasi system with (a) the Government of India, and (b) British non-governmental organisations working with Dalit communities; and what were the estimates given by both sources. Lord Howell of Guildford: We have not raised the specific issue of the Devadasi system with the Government of India or British non-governmental organisations, and are therefore unable to give their estimates of the numbers involved. However, through the EU-India human rights dialogue, we regularly raise the issues of women's rights and trafficking of children. We welcome the steps taken by the Indian Government and state governments to address the issue. We have also discussed Dalit and trafficking issues with British non-governmental organisations. Through the EU we funded a project on the Education, Empowerment, Participation and Rehabilitation of Children vulnerable to or survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation, in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh from June 2006 to June 2010. Inflation Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they monitor public expectations for inflation; and, if so, how those in the United Kingdom compare with those in other major developed economies. Lord Sassoon: As previously explained, the Bank of England assesses public expectations for the rate of inflation by monitoring independent surveys. The latest Bank assessments of a range of surveys can be found on page 37 of the November 2010 Inflation Report, which can be found at: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/inflationreport/irlatest.htm HM Treasury publishes a monthly compilation of independent forecasts of inflation. The December edition of 'Forecasts for the UK economy: a comparison of independent forecasts' can be found on the Treasury website: Forecasts for the UK economy-HM Treasury. Inflation Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 13 December (WA 128) on inflation, whether they will calculate and publish the two figures requested based on published data. Lord Sassoon: As explained in previous Answers, inflation statistics are published on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website. Institutional Investor Council Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions in the last six months Ministers and senior officials from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have met with the Institutional Investor Council. Baroness Wilcox: There have been no occasions when Ministers or the Permanent Secretary have met the Institutional Investor Council. Information on meetings with other senior officials is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. IRA Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the cable from the United States Ambassador which reported that the Government of the Republic of Ireland had evidence that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were members of the IRA military command and that they knew about the Northern Bank robbery in advance. Lord Shutt of Greetland: It is government policy not to discuss the detail of leaked documents. Israel Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about their recent approval of 625 new houses in Pisgat Zeev, in East Jerusalem. Lord Howell of Guildford: It is the Government's long-standing view that settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. We have made our views clear to the Government of Israel. We support the EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of 13 December 2010 which underline these points. Israel Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of the United States concerning their decision not to press the Government of Israel to suspend settlement building in the occupied territories. Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary made our position clear in his Statement of 9 December in which he said: "I am disappointed that Israel has not renewed the freeze on settlement construction and that peace talks are currently on hold. It is Britain's long-standing view that settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. "I spoke to US Envoy Senator Mitchell today to underline Britain's support for work to find a way forward. The leadership of the United States remains vital. "There is an urgent need for progress to secure a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the future capital of two states and with a fair settlement for refugees. This is important for Israelis, for Palestinians and for the international community, including the UK. We will continue to work with the United States, the parties to the conflict and with our EU and UN partners to achieve a two state solution. In addition, we will continue to press for an end to all settlement activity". Israel Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will respond to the Israeli peace initiative as recently outlined by Mr Yuval Rabin. Lord Howell of Guildford: We agree with the main elements of Mr Rabin's proposal: that there is an urgent need to secure a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the future capital of two states and with a fair settlement for refugees. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear in his public statement on 9 December 2010, underlining his disappointment at Israel's failure to renew the settlements moratorium. The EU's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) also underlined these points on 13 December, making clear that "the EU will not recognise any changes to 1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties"". The EU's FAC made clear that this could include agreed territorial swaps. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are making representations to the Government of Israel about (a) the arrest on or about 2 December of Mr Nayif al-Rujut, an elected member of the Palestinian National Assembly, and (b) the treatment during interrogations of Palestinian youths suspected of stone throwing. Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Tel Aviv discusses concerns regarding the treatment of all Palestinian prisoners with the Government of Israel on a regular basis, underlining our view on the need for immediate action to ensure all cases are reviewed by a court in accordance with fair procedures, and that rights, particularly to a fair trial and family visits, are upheld. We have made clear our concerns regarding administrative detention. In this context, we also raise concerns with the Israeli Government about the application of due process and the treatment of Palestinian detainees, where Palestinian children are involved. I would refer my noble Friend to the Hansard record of the Westminster Hall Adjournment Debate, Official Report 7 Dec 2010, column 23-44WH, for further detail. We are aware of the recent reports documenting alleged abuse of Palestinian children by Israeli security forces and are currently looking into these allegations. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of allegations that Israel is denying water to Palestinian growers and farmers in the Jordan Valley, and attempting to sever the Jordan Valley from the West Bank by means including demolition of houses. Lord Howell of Guildford: Israel's occupation of the West Bank has a considerable negative effect on the daily lives of Palestinians. One of the ways in which this most clearly manifests itself is through the construction of settlements. As the EU's Foreign Affairs Council made clear on 13 December 2010, settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. The Government of Israel's policy of connecting settlements to already scarce water supplies and restricting Palestinian movement and access in occupied territory, including establishing a secondary road system, makes matters worse. It will be important to ensure a just solution on shared water resources as part of a final status agreement. The UK Government continue to lobby hard on house demolitions and evictions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We have made clear to the Israeli Government that, subject to limited exceptions, house demolitions are in breach of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israel and Palestine Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from members of the public concerning the Government of the United States' statement that they are unable to stop Israeli settlement building in Palestinian territory. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government receive a significant amount of correspondence from members of the public on the Middle East peace process, including on developments in recent weeks. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary made clear in his public statement on 9 December 2010, we are disappointed that Israel has not renewed the freeze on settlement construction and that peace talks are currently on hold. It is Britain's long-standing view that settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. The Foreign Secretary spoke to US Envoy Senator Mitchell on 8 December to underline Britain's support for work to find a way forward. The leadership of the United States remains vital. We believe that there is an urgent need for progress to secure a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the future capital of two states and with a fair settlement for refugees. This is important for Israelis, for Palestinians and for the international community including the UK. We will continue to work with the United States, the parties to the conflict and with our EU and UN partners to achieve a two state solution. In addition, we will continue to press for an end to all settlement activity. ITER Fusion Project Lord Jenkin of Roding: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the decision of the European Parliament not to reallocate €1.4 billion from unspent funds towards financing further progress on the ITER Fusion Project, what is the outlook for continuing finance for this project; and why the cost of the European Union share of construction costs has more than doubled in the last two years. Lord Sassoon: The Government are disappointed that the European Parliament was not able to agree on financing the funding shortfall required for the ITER Fusion Project for 2012 and 2013. We will continue to work actively towards a funding solution, based on the types of elements already proposed and agreed in council, and are determined that this issue will be resolved before the additional commitment appropriations agreed on are required. Funding for ITER for 2014 onwards will depend on the outcome of EURATOM Framework Programme 8 negotiations. The European Commission, managing the EURATOM funding for ITER, has said that the main reasons for the construction cost increase include insufficiently rigorous cost estimates in 2001; the need for additional, more complex technical components; material and construction costs rising at faster than average inflation rates; higher resources than foreseen for complying with quality assurance requirements; and greater complexity than envisaged in project integration with seven parties involved and in the process of calls for tender from industry. Ivory Coast Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they recognise the Government of Mr Laurent Gbagho to be the legitimate Government of Ivory Coast. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK Government recognise states rather than Governments. However, in line with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Côte D'Ivoire and others in the international community, we are of the view that Mr Alassane Ouattara won the presidential election run-off on 28 November 2010. It is he, rather than Mr Laurent Gbagbo, who has the democratic legitimacy to form a Government. Kosovo Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total United Kingdom contribution to the cost of United Nations and European Union institutions working in Kosovo; whether any bilateral aid has been given to Kosovo this year; whether any is planned for 2011-12; and if so, how much. Baroness Verma: I refer my noble friend to the answer provided by my noble friend Lord de Mauley on 27 September 2010, Official Report col. WA544 on Kosovo. The bilateral aid allocation to Kosovo for 2011-12, which to date has included Department for International Development (DfID), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Conflict Prevention Pool funding, is still being finalised following the Spending Review. The EU's Common Security and Defence Policy budget for the period October 2010 to October 2011 will provide €165 million to the Common Security and Defence Policy Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo. Approximately 15 per cent of this expenditure can be attributed to UK funds. There are currently 17 United Nation (UN) development and humanitarian agencies operating in Kosovo. DfID support takes the form of core funding to the headquarters of a number of these agencies. The level of funding varies from agency to agency and is not earmarked for use in Kosovo. However, we estimate that the UK contribution to the Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) budget will be approximately £0.46m in 2010-11. We are not yet in a position to estimate 2011-12 costs. Kosovo Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people are serving in the Kosovo Peacekeeping Force; and what is their annual cost. Lord Howell of Guildford: As of 27 November 2010, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)'s Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR) had 8,430 military personnel. As NATO does not break down the total cost of operations to the level of individual operations such as KFOR, it is not possible to give an overall headline cost figure for the mission. We continue to push for greater transparency as part of broader NATO reforms. This includes greater transparency on individual operation costs. Kosovo Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the effectiveness of the international and supranational agencies working in Kosovo; and what plans exist for reducing their number and transferring their functions to the Government of Kosovo. Lord Howell of Guildford: We continue to welcome the international community's engagement in Kosovo and its assistance in helping Kosovo make further progress towards a stable, secure and prosperous European future. There is a significant international presence in Kosovo. Each agency has a specific role to play. Some, such as the International Civilian Office, have a supervisory role. Others, such as the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), have, primarily, a mentoring, monitoring and advisory role. The Government believe that these organisations should remain in Kosovo until the conditions for their departure, or for the transfer of their powers to the Government of Kosovo, have been met. For example, the UN Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) has significantly reduced its operation, with the Government of Kosovo, supported by EULEX, taking on responsibility in the field of rule of law. The Kosova Force (KFOR), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation peacekeeping force, has drawn down to a deterrent presence of 8,430 military personnel, with plans for a further drawdown to 5,000 in February 2011, and to 2,500 when conditions allow. The International Civilian Office, which will remain present until the International Steering Group determines that Kosovo has implemented the terms of the Comprehensive Settlement Proposal, has already downsized aspects of its operation in line with progress made. Kosovo Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they assess the progress of EULEX in asserting the rule of law, controlling frontiers, training Kosovan police and officials, tracing missing persons, and reducing organised crime. Lord Howell of Guildford: The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) has made a significant and positive contribution to building up Kosov''s rule of law institutions. The mission plays a vital role in supporting greater Euro-Atlantic integration for Kosovo. The Government would also like to see EULEX further increase its presence and visibility in the north and strengthen its response to organised crime and corruption. For more detailed examples and an exposition of government policy, I refer the noble Lord to comments made during a 15 November 2010 European Committee Debate in the other place by my honourable friend the Minister for Europe (David Lidington), [General Committee Debates, Official Report, cols. 3-18]. Kosovo Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report of the Institute for Democracy and Cooperation (Paris) of November 2009 on Kosovo. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not carried out an assessment of this report. The UK is committed to stability in Kosovo and the western Balkans. Working with other international actors, we will continue to support Kosovo's progress towards a stable and prosperous European future. Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Lord Smith of Finsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in light of the forthcoming abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), what future arrangements will be put in place for the continuation of the MLA/V&A purchase grant fund to assist museums, galleries, and arts organisations across the country with acquisitions. Baroness Rawlings: On 9 December Arts Council England announced that it was to take over a number of the functions relating to museums and libraries, including the V&A purchase grant, following the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Arts Council England will be consulting with the museums sector in the new year on this and other aspects of the museums functions it is inheriting, before reaching a conclusion about the level of funding that will be made available to these grants for the next spending period. NHS: Admissions Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report by the Royal College of Physicians on the effects of sectoral cutbacks and extra admissions pressures on the National Health Service. Earl Howe: The Government agree that patients do deserve better care at night and weekends and senior doctors should be available to provide medical care as needed. We are committed to the National Health Service-to sustain and to improve services in the face of a tough economic climate. NHS trusts are responsible for deciding the number of consultant posts required to meet local needs and we have made it clear that efficiency savings must not impact adversely on patient care and that every penny saved must be reinvested in support of frontline services and improving quality. Medical Education England has been asked to consider with the profession, the service and medical Royal Colleges, how best to secure better patient outcomes and the right level of supervision for trainees through greater consultant involvement in direct clinical care at night and at weekends. NHS: Reform Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current representations requesting a delay for further thought on the proposed NHS reforms; and what plans they have to respond. Earl Howe: The Government have received responses to the NHS White Paper consultations both that argue that the timetable is too challenging and should give more time to pilot the changes, and that ask us to act more quickly and press ahead with our reforms. Rapid progress on reform, within a carefully designed and managed transition process, is essential to deliver vital short-term productivity improvements. Liberating the NHS: Legislative Framework and Next Steps, published on 15 December 2010, explains our approach to the transition and shows how we have refined the timetable in response to the views raised during the consultations. Northern Ireland Office: Political Directorate Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland (WA 134) about the Political Liaison and Protocol Division of the Northern Ireland Office, on what basis it collects information on the political climate; who provides this information; and how and when the information is provided. Lord Shutt of Greetland: Officials from the Political Liaison and Protocol Division hold meetings and have discussions, as appropriate, with a range of contacts on matters relevant to the policy responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Office. Office for Budget Responsibility Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will describe the methodology used by the Office for Budget Responsibility to audit annual managed expenditure during the current Comprehensive Spending Review period and the limitations, if any, of this audit. Lord Sassoon: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). I have asked the OBR to reply. Letter from Robert Chote, Chairman, Office for Budget Responsibility, to Lord Myners, dated 10- December 2010. As chair of the Budget Responsibility Committee of the Office for Budget Responsibility I have been asked to reply to your recent question. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will describe the methodology used by the Office for Budget Responsibility to audit annual managed expenditure during the current Comprehensive Spending Review period and the limitations, if any, of this audit. The OBR's terms of reference state that: "As part of the Spending Review, and consistent with the approach taken in the June Budget, the OBR provided independent scrutiny of the Government's estimated costing of annually managed expenditure (AME) policies". The methodology used by the Office for Budget Responsibility for this scrutiny, and a discussion of the uncertainties involved in costing policies, is set out in Chapter 3 of "Spending Review 2010 policy costings" document, which was published alongside the Spending Review. You can find this at: http://cdn.hm-treasury. gov.uk/sr2010_policycostings.pdf. The OBR then published a full updated forecast of total AME spending to 2014-15 in Chapter 4 of the November Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The foreword in this publication explains the methodology used to compile these forecasts. We will publish further detail on forecast methodology next year. Office for Budget Responsibility Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many officials currently report to or work for Mr Dave Ramsden, Chief Economic Adviser at HM Treasury; how this number has changed since the establishment of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR); and how many staff members at the OBR formerly reported to Mr Ramsden. Lord Sassoon: Dave Ramsden is managing director of the Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy Directorate in HM Treasury. There are currently 114 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in this directorate. In April 2010, prior to the interim Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) being established, there were 129 FTE staff in this directorate reporting to Dave Ramsden. 12 OBR staff members were formerly in the Macroeconomic and Fiscal Policy Directorate in HM Treasury. Overseas Aid The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many programme partnership agreements with British and indigenous non-governmental organisations in developing countries are currently operating; how many are being reviewed; how many will terminate next year; and according to what criteria. Baroness Verma: The Department for International Development (DfID) currently has programme partnership arrangements (PPAs) with 31 civil society organisations. All but two of these (Fairtrade Labelling Organisation and International Planned Parenthood Federation) are due to end on 31 March 2011. Following a review of DfID support to civil society organisations, it was decided to run a new competitive round of PPAs, which would include all PPAs due to end in March 2011. We are in the final stages of the PPA appraisal and decision-making process and will inform all applicants of the outcome shortly. Overseas Aid The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to renew the Latin American programme partnership agreement next year, given that 12 British non-governmental organisations are making "significant and sustainable improvements in the lives of the poorest Peruvians", according to the Department for International Development's press release of 18 November. Baroness Verma: The Latin America partnership programme arrangement (LAPPA) was developed in 2008 as part of the Department for International Development's (DfID's) graduation strategy from the previous Latin America programme. It was seen as a cost-effective, administratively light way for DfID to support development in, as well as lesson learning from, an important region of the world. The existing programme of support ends in March 2011. Consistent with DfID's graduation policy, DfID will not be extending this support beyond the current PPA period. DfID has advised all successful PPA applicants to ensure that their work in Latin America is covered as part of their organisation's general PPA arrangement for 2011-14. This includes the 12 British non-governmental organisations currently receiving additional PPA funding to support their work in Latin America. Overseas Aid Lord Elton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 22 November (WA 282), how much overseas aid paid (a) directly, and (b) through the European Union, reaches its intended destination; how much in both cash and percentage terms is spent on purposes for which it was not intended; and what degree of uncertainty is attached to those figures and for what reasons. Baroness Verma: Our central records do not hold information at this level of detail. The Department for International Development's (DfID's) Counter-Fraud Unit takes a robust approach to investigating and pursuing allegations of unintended use. The Counter-Fraud Unit's records of completed fraud investigations show losses of £260,477 for the 2009-10 financial year. This relates to direct payments only. All attempts are made to recover funds, where possible, to ensure losses to DfID are minimised. Investigations by the Counter-Fraud Unit also seek to identify areas that require strengthening and learn lessons to ensure aid funds are used as intended. The central losses register, maintained by the department, shows losses advised to the department for the 2009-10 financial year of £313,612. This includes the figure of £260,477 identified by the Counter-Fraud Unit. The main difference between this figure and those recorded by the Counter-Fraud Unit is accounted for by an inability to trace detailed records in a recipient organisation. Total losses on the register equates to 0.004 per cent of total UK ODA and 0.006 per cent of the aid paid directly by the UK. We do not include details of losses disbursed by the European Union, directly on behalf of the UK, in our records. Questions for Written Answer Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the reason for the delay in answering (HL2293) tabled by Lord Stoddart of Swindon on 5 October and answered on 13 December. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: I regret the delay in responding to the Question for Written Answer tabled by Lord Stoddart of Swindon. The Cabinet Office aims to answer Questions within the 10 working day period. Railways: Compensation Baroness Scott of Needham Market: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to ensure that rail delay compensation will be made in a form which can be used by those utilising ticket machines and online booking. Earl Attlee: For franchised operators, compensation entitlements for poor performance are set out in a passengers' charter. The detailed arrangements for the operation of compensation schemes are a matter for individual train operators. We have no current plans to mandate the way compensation is paid to customers. Railways: Railcards Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 13 December (WA 145), whether they subsidise the senior railcard concession; and if so, in what form. Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport does not subsidise the senior railcard in any way. Railways: South West Trains Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of levels of service and passenger comfort provided by South West Trains. Earl Attlee: The National Passenger Survey (NPS) produced by Passenger Focus provides a network-wide picture of customers' satisfaction with rail travel. Passengers' opinions are collected twice a year from a representative sample of passenger journeys. Passengers' overall satisfaction and satisfaction with 30 specific aspects of service can be compared over time. Stagecoach South West Trains Limited has to deliver a specified level of train services under terms set out in its franchise agreement. Every four weeks, Department for Transport officials review train operator performance against the obligations contained in the franchise including cancellations, delays and the level of capacity provided. The most recent assessment covered the period 17 October to 13 November 2010. Railways: Ticketing Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 3 December (WA 504), what are the latest available figures for queuing times at Basingstoke, Guildford and Winchester train station booking offices; when those figures were collected; and on what date they were supplied to the Government. Earl Attlee: Queue times are monitored by Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd (SSWT). The most recent summary information on this was received by the Department for Transport on 10 December 2010 and covered Railway Period 11-08 (17 October 2010 - 13 November 2010) and is set out in the table below: Number of monitoring sessions undertaken Number of sessions not meeting the standards Period Station Peak Off-Peak Peak Off-Peak 11-08 Basingstoke 4 4 1 0 11-08 Guildford 4 1 0 0 11-08 Winchester 10 5 5 0 Republic of Ireland: Financial Support Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements were required by the government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the operation of its economy as part of the recent loan. Lord Sassoon: Ireland will contribute €17.5 billion towards the financial assistance package, which will be used to support its banking sector, including immediate bank recapitalisation. The arrangements required of the Irish Government fall broadly within three areas: the banking system, fiscal adjustment and growth-enhancing reforms. The specific policies that the Irish Government have undertaken to implement are outlined in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the International Monetary Fund, which is available on its website, and available at the following link: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10366.pdf. Republic of Ireland: Financial Support Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the loans to the government of the Republic of Ireland are conditional on any rate of corporation tax being applied in the Republic of Ireland. Lord Sassoon: The UK's bilateral loan to Ireland will not be conditional on the Irish Government raising their corporate tax rate. The Government believe national tax rates are matters for national Governments to decide. Roads: Construction Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their cost-benefit analyses of road construction schemes explain what proportion of the benefits arise out of small time savings of two minutes or less aggregated together; and whether they will publish such analyses. Earl Attlee: In January 2010, the Department for Transport issued "in draft" scheme appraisal guidance requiring scheme promoters to report how benefits from travel time changes break down into time bands, one of which is zero to two minutes per trip. The guidance is available at: http://www.dit.gov.uk/webtag/documents/expert/pdf/unit3.5.3d.pdf. Appraisal results are published by scheme promoters when appropriate. For example, the Highways Agency publishes appraisal information on its website: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/29639.aspx The Department for Transport's Business Plan for 2011-2015 states it will reform the way transport projects are assessed, and funding prioritisation decisions are made, so that the benefits of low-carbon proposals are fully recognised. This includes reviewing and revising its guidance on appraising transport projects, as well as its processes for assessing schemes and supporting ministerial decisions. We aim to announce the scope and timetable of this review shortly. Savings Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 13 December (WA 145), whether offering retail savers a product through National Savings and Investments is consistent with NS&I operating within and to their publicly agreed targets. Lord Sassoon: National Savings & Investments is operating within and to its publicly agreed targets. Shipping: General Lighthouse Authority Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 27 September (WA 565), (a) whether the figures for cost of flights included taxes; and (b) what was the breakdown of the cost of the flights and taxes for each of the three general lighthouse authorities. Earl Attlee: The information requested is shown in the table below: Trinity House Northern Lighthouse Board Commissioners of Irish Lights Cost of flights included tax Yes Yes Yes Flight cost £6,565 £462 €2,545 Taxes and charges £1,469 £1,470 €980 Total £8,034 £1,932 €3,525 St Helena Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are taken to audit payments made under HealthLink 3 in relation to provision of health facilities and services on St Helena; and whether the scheme provides the taxpayer with value for money. Baroness Verma: The Department for International Development (DfID) provides funding for the HealthLink 3 project to the St Helena Government upon receipt of their audited and certified expenditure statements. A competitive bidding process was held in 2008 to ensure best value for money for the implementation of HealthLink 3. The contract was awarded to the Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas (NI-CO). St Helena: Airport Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 6 December (WA 19), what is the estimated timetable for the completion of the proposed airport for St Helena. Baroness Verma: The Department for International Development (DfID) is currently considering options to conclude a contract for the St Helena airport that will deliver best value for money for the UK taxpayer. Subsequent timetables will be available in due course. Taxation: Havens Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to United Kingdom citizens resident in tax havens to encourage them to cease their current tax status and resume paying United Kingdom personal taxes to contribute to the deficit reduction programme. Lord Sassoon: Individuals' liability to UK tax is based on their residence and domicile status, which is determined by the relevant facts of their circumstances, as outlined in legislation and common law. All individuals, including UK citizens, are free to choose where they live and work, and their tax status will derive from that choice. Taxation: Interest Rates Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in light of rising inflation, they will make representations to the Bank of England to increase interest rates. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in light of rising inflation, they will make representations to banks operating within the United Kingdom to increase interest rates offered on savings accounts. Lord Sassoon: The responsibility for decisions on bank rate lies with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England. The MPC's independence is critical for maintaining credibility in the UK's monetary policy framework. The interest rates offered on savings accounts are a commercial decision for providers and, as such, vary. The Consumer Financial Education Body publishes impartial comparative tables of savings accounts and the interest rates offered as part of its Moneymadeclear initiative. These tables can be found at http://www. moneymadeclear.org.uk/ or by calling the Moneymade clear helpline on 0300 500 5000. Turkey Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey about the postponement until 13 January 2011 of the trial of 151 Kurdish members of parliament, mayors and party members; and whether they will ask for the release from custody of the defendants, on grounds of their long pre-trial detention and of the political nature of their charges. Lord Howell of Guildford: We do not intervene in other countries' judicial proceedings so would not demand the release of suspects. The 2010 EU Progress Report, published on November 9, highlighted the high proportion of prisoners in pre-trial detention as an area of continuing concern. We understand that the 2005 amendments to Article 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedures, reducing the maximum period of time suspects can be held in pre-trial detention, will come into effect on 31 December 2010. Our embassy in Ankara is monitoring the case closely and we expect the highest international standards to be observed when the trial resumes. UN: Women's Agency Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to the United Nations Women's Agency and what support is projected to be given for the following three years. Baroness Verma: The UK Government strongly support the establishment of the new United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN Women. This represents an important opportunity to raise the profile of gender in the UN system, close gaps in delivery at country level and make a real difference to the lives of poor people in developing countries. The Department for International Development is reviewing funding to all multilateral agencies as part of the ongoing multilateral aid review. A decision on funding for UN Women will be made when the review concludes early next year. Universities: Equality Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the finding that 21 Oxbridge colleges took no black undergraduate students last year. Lord Henley: I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House. Visas Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 3 December (WA 506), how many intra-company transfer visa applicants sponsored for employment of 12 months or less in 2009 had a salary of (a) between £24,000 and £40,000, and (b) over £40,000; what were the types of job descriptions for key staff earning less than £24,000 who were granted visas in 2009; and why only staff earning more than £40,000 are eligible for intra-company visa access to the United Kingdom for periods of more than 12 months. Baroness Neville-Jones: The number of visas issued to intra-company transferees in 2009 with a validity of 12 months or less was 5,054. Details of the salaries and job descriptions of these applicants is not held centrally and the information requested could only be produced by checking individual records at disproportionate cost. Intra-company transferees account for a significant proportion of tier 2 numbers and there are concerns that they have been used by some companies to fill jobs that could be done by resident workers. Our new salary threshold of £40,000 for any transfers of longer than 12 months will ensure that those coming are the senior managers and key specialists that the route was intended for. Visas Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many foreign students last year were detected working full-time contrary to their visa requirements; what sanctions are available; and whether those sanctions were applied to them. Baroness Neville-Jones: For the period April 2009 to March 2010, 128 individuals, identified on our systems as students, were arrested during enforcement visits for working in breach of their conditions of leave, of which 88 have subsequently been removed and two have been prosecuted. The figures provided are sourced from management information tools; they are not quality assured under National Statistics protocols and are subject to change. Where a foreign student is found to be working full-time in breach of his or her conditions of leave to enter or remain, there are a range of sanctions that the UK Border Agency can use including prosecution, curtailment of leave, refusal of future applications for leave and removal. Employers who fail to check that employees have the right to work in the UK can be fined up to £10,000 per illegal worker encountered. Employers who knowingly employ an illegal worker may be liable to an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment. The UK Border Agency does not keep central records of the number of individuals whose leave was curtailed or application refused for working in breach of their conditions, or of fines issued to employers for employing students in breach of their conditions. This information could only be obtained by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2010-12-21a

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they last had discussions with the government of the United States about the content of an arms trade treaty. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We envisage that the main bulk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims will be settled by 2009. However, the department remains unable to set firm end dates for the COPD scheme due to the number of current unknowns and uncertainties surrounding the scheme. These are being considered in court. The estimated total costs to be incurred, as categorised above, are: (a) £590 million 1 for administrative costs, including claims handling and consultancy, £357 million for medical costs and £50 million for records management; (b) £1196 million; (c) £44 million; (d) around £12 million; and (e) £2,451 million. 1 Claim handling, records management and defendants' legal costs cannot be broken down. These figures represent the total estimate for both schemes. Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will give effect to the Power commission's recommendation that a concordat should be drawn up between the executive and Parliament indicating where key powers lie, providing significant powers of scrutiny and initiation for Parliament. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: It is a longstanding principle that, where it is cost effective to do so, recovery is sought of all overpayments. The Department for Work and Pensions seeks to recover social security overpayments where customers innocently or otherwise, provide incorrect information in relation to their claim or fail to notify a change of circumstances. In addition, the department seeks to recover overpayments that are not recoverable under social security legislation—for example, paid twice for the same period. This is on the basis that customers have no right to retain money that they should not have received. The department's policy is to seek recovery in the cases where it is reasonable to expect the customer to have been aware of the overpayment. Rates of recovery are set to avoid undue hardship and take account of the financial and personal circumstances of the customer. In exceptional circumstances the Secretary of State can exercise his discretion to waive recovery of an overpayment to avoid severe hardship or where the recovery would be against the public interest. With regard to housing and council tax benefits, the local authority must decide whether an overpayment is legally recoverable and, if it is, whether it should actually recover it. This decision, as well as the method and rate of recovery, is the responsibility of the local authority. The authority must have regard to the customer's financial circumstances and avoid causing hardship to either customers or any of their dependants. The policy of HM Revenue and Customs on recovery of tax credit overpayments is set out in its Code of Practice 26, What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit? The criteria used to determine whether overpayments of tax credits should be remitted are contained in Code of Practice 26.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2006-03-27a

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Azerbaijan: Prisoners of War Baroness Cox: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan regarding their imprisonment of prisoners of war and civilians following the ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded in September 2020. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government welcomed the most recent return of prisoners of war in November 2022 and return of remains of the deceased in December 2022. In engagements since 2020 with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan, UK Government representatives, including successive Ministers for Europe, have urged the parties to prioritise the return of all prisoners of war and the remains of the deceased. We will continue to support constructive dialogue in further contacts with the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments in the coming months to resolve all outstanding issues relating to the conflict. Azerbaijan: Nagorno Karabakh Baroness Cox: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they are making to the government of Azerbaijan regarding that government’s (1) continuing attemptsto resolve the status ofNagorno-Karabakh militarily, and (2) failure to respond to His Majesty's Government's calls to respect international calls for a political solution. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK's longstanding position is that there is no military solution to this conflict and that Armenia and Azerbaijan must engage in substantive negotiations, without preconditions, to secure a sustainable peaceful settlement. The Minister for Europe Leo Docherty underlined this message when he visited Baku in February. We welcome the peace talks that took place recently in Washington and Brussels and will continue to support constructive dialogue in further contacts with the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments in the coming months. Syria: League of Arab States The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions, if any, they had with the Arab League prior to its decision to approve Syria’s readmission as a member on 7 May. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Engaging Bashar al-Assad in the absence of any evidence that his regime will change its behaviour will not help Syrians or the region. We therefore do not support Syria's readmission to the Arab League in current circumstances. Ahead of the decision to re-admit Syria to the Arab League we encouraged Arab states to set firm conditions on refugee return, detainee release and justice reform. We continue to encourage our Arab partners that their further engagement is staggered and supportive of the conditions set out in UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254. The Foreign Secretary has stated that the UK is disappointed with Syria's readmission to the Arab League; ultimately, however, decisions on membership are for League members. Myanmar: Politics and Government The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government (1) what is their assessment of the current political and security situation in Myanmar, and (2) what recent strategic discussions they have held with international partners regarding the situation in Myanmar. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is worried about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, where violence is widespread, human rights violations are increasing and humanitarian needs are growing, especially following Cyclone Mocha. In response, the UK has worked closely with the US, Canada and the EU to target sanctions on the military leadership, its access to revenue, arms and military equipment. On 21 December 2022, the UN Security Council passed the first ever resolution on the situation in Myanmar. This was led by the UK. The resolution demands an end to violence and urges immediate action by the military regime to fully implement the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Five Point Consensus and release all those arbitrarily detained. Russia: Politics and Government The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Russia’s future global priorities as set out in the foreign policy strategy document released by the Kremlin on 31 March. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note Russia's Foreign Policy Concept, which identifies sovereignty, the legal foundations of the international system, and global stability as core to Russia's global priorities. Russia's unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine, in clear disregard for the UN Charter, is entirely contrary to each of these principles. In reality, Putin's war has left Russia isolated on the international stage. If these are truly Russia's priorities, it should withdraw its forces from Ukraine immediately. UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to renegotiate part of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement given reports of threats to (1) export businesses, and (2) the sustainability ofmanufacturing operations in the UK. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We recognise that the Covid pandemic, war in Ukraine and energy crisis have shocked supply chains, meaning raw material costs for manufacturers of electric vehicles have spiked since we signed the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). This is a problem for manufacturers across Europe, not just in the UK. Ministers have raised this with the European Commission and we're ready to work with the EU and industry to find a joint UK-EU solution.The UK Government is supporting industry through the Automotive Transformation Fund and Advanced Propulsion Centre to develop a high-value end-to-end electrified automotive supply chain in the UK and support cutting-edge automotive technologies. In the coming months, the Government will build on these interventions with decisive action to ensure future investment in zero emission vehicle manufacturing. Sudan: Armed Conflict Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 May concerning the conflict in Sudan,what assessment they have made of the declaration by Genocide Watch on 13 May of the risk of genocide occurring in Sudan, including Darfur; and whether they have any plans to authorise a formal UK Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability assessment of (1) any risk of genocide, and (2) any other atrocities and war crimes, occurring. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We have noted the report issued by Genocide Watch on the risk of genocide occurring in Sudan. We have consistently denounced all human rights violations that have taken place since the escalation in incidents since 15 April; the continuing violence and killing of civilians must end. We will continue to support the work of the ICC Prosecutor in his important work to investigate crimes in Darfur, and regularly raise our concerns over human rights violations in international fora such as the UN Human Rights Council. The UK works closely with a wide range of non-governmental organisations and UN partners on understanding conflict, atrocity prevention, early warning and early response systems. We regularly update our conflict analysis to help the UK support conflict resolution mechanisms and create a supportive regional environment. Somalia: Famine The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had withthe government of Somalia about the prevention of famine in that country; and what future engagements they have scheduled. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In 2022 the collective efforts of humanitarian partners and donors, including the UK, averted famine in Somalia. Despite the reduced famine risk, humanitarian needs remain extraordinary. The UK is committed to addressing the acute food security and malnutrition situation. Last financial year we committed over £61million to support the drought response in Somalia. We regularly engage at all levels with the Federal Government and Federal Member States on the humanitarian situation. In December, the Minister of State for Development and Africa's first overseas visit was to Somalia to raise the profile of the crisis and engage the government. Ministers and senior officials continue to engage, up to Presidential level. On 24 May the UK will co-host a UN pledging event in collaboration with the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia to mobilise funding for humanitarian operations in the Horn of Africa. Sudan: Armed Conflict The Earl of Sandwich: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan provide aid to Darfuri victims and survivors of violence in Sudan; and what plans they have to support the mandate of theUN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan to achieve more public awareness of abuses in Darfur. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK's priority is to secure workable humanitarian access, including operational security assurances for humanitarian agencies and ensuring communities can have safe access to working basic services. There can be no aid without access. We will work closely with the UN, our partners and the international humanitarian system so they can move quickly to scale-up delivery within Sudan when the access situation improves. We have raised our concerns on human rights violations in Sudan in statements and resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council and Security Council, and directly with the Sudanese authorities. We continue to call for an end to violence, and for those responsible for human rights violations to be held to account. Development Aid: Genito-urinary Medicine Baroness Northover: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will restore the four per centof UK official development assistance for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is central to achieving FCDO commitments in the International Development Strategy, our approach to end the preventable deaths of mothers, new-borns and children by 2030 and the International Women and Girls Strategy.The FCDO ensures the aid budget is directed towards our priorities, delivers value for the taxpayer and meets the UK Government's commitment to spend 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) until the fiscal situation allows a return to 0.7 per cent. The International Development Strategy, which includes comprehensive SRHR, will guide aid prioritisation decisions, alongside the International Women and Girls Strategy. We will update on planned allocations for this spending review period in due course. Development Aid: Genito-urinary Medicine Baroness Northover: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prioritise (1) sexual and reproductive health, and (2) the rights of women and girls, in the allocation of official development assistance to developing countries. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is proud to defend and promote universal and comprehensive sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR). We are committed to working with our partners to drive progress and demonstrate leadership on SRHR on the global stage and in our programmes. This includes the recent announcement that up to £200 million will be delivered towards the Women's Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Dividend programme focussed between 2024-29 on sub-Saharan Africa, which has the highest rates of maternal mortality, neonatal deaths and unmet need for family planning in the world.In March 2023, the FCDO published the UK's International Women and Girls Strategy which sets out our plan to promote and defend the rights of women and girls. In this, we committed to ensure that at least 80% of FCDO's bilateral aid programmes should have a focus on gender equality, using OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) markers, by 2030. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Energy Bills Rebate Baroness Young of Old Scone: To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of households eligible for Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding have not yet made an application. Lord Callanan: The Department estimated there were around 930,000 households who were potentially eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Figures published on GOV.UK on 11th May show that, as of 3rd May, there were a total of 169,770 applications for the scheme in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Take-up figures for the scheme will be updated on 15th June 2023. Offshore Industry: Licensing Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the compatibility of the licensing of new offshore oil and gas with their commitments under (1) the Paris Climate Agreement, and (2) the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. Lord Callanan: The Government is reducing demand for oil and gas but will still need it for years to come. The independent Climate Change Committee has recognised this transition cannot happen overnight. The Government implemented the Climate Compatibility Checkpoint to assess whether new domestic hydrocarbon licensing is compatible with the UK’s climate targets. New licenses do not involve any slowing of the UK’s transition to net zero. The environmental impact of offshore developments is subject to rigorous regulatory assessment by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning, including a full environmental impact assessment and consultation with statutory nature protection bodies and the public. Home Office Asylum: Pregnancy Baroness Sugg: To ask His Majesty's Government how manypregnant women claimed asylum in each year from 2015 to 2022. Lord Murray of Blidworth: The number of pregnant women that claimed asylum within the timeframe specified is not held in a reportable format and would require a manual search through individual records at disproportionate cost. Asylum: Pregnancy Baroness Sugg: To ask His Majesty's Government how manypregnant women arrived in the UK via small boats in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, and (3) to date in 2023. Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office ensures that vulnerable small boats arrivals are identified quickly and supported accordingly in line with robust safeguarding processes.The Home Office has previously established that a total of 77 pregnant women were accommodated at Manston between April and December 2022.Information about the number of pregnant women that arrived in the UK by small boats in 2021, early 2022, and in 2023 to date is not held in a reportable or readily retrievable format and could also be made available only at a disproportionate cost. Immigration Controls: EU Countries Lord Swire: To ask His Majesty's Government whether foreign nationals entering the UK from Schengen countries are subject to the same rules on the validity of passports as UK nationals travelling to Schengen countries. Lord Murray of Blidworth: Visitors to the UK can enter using a passport which is valid for the whole of the intended visit. UK border measures are set in the interests of the UK.The border measures and passport eligibility requirements of other countries vary globally and are a matter for their governments. Cosmetics: Animal Experiments Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government how many licences, and to whom, they have granted for animal testing of cosmetic ingredients since the start of 2019. Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Animal testing of cosmetics for consumer safety has been banned in the UK since 1998 and this remains in force.On 17 May 2023 the Government announced it is going further by banning, with immediate effect, licences to test ingredients exclusively used in the production of cosmetics for the purposes of worker safety.The Home Secretary has issued a Written Ministerial Statement, which can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-05-17/hcws779.The Home Office does not publish details of licensed establishments. Asylum: Pregnancy Baroness Sugg: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany pregnant women were removed from the UK in accordance with immigration rules in each year from 2018 to 2022. Lord Murray of Blidworth: We do not routinely publish this information, we are unable to provide this information, as it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Cabinet Office Japan: G7 The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what are their key priorities for the forthcoming G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan on 19 to 21 May. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: As the Prime Minister’s Statement to the House of Commons on 22 May set out at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, the UK: led the way in supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes; took action on economic security and resilience; stood united with allies on China’s generational challenge; championed sustainable development; and secured commitments to collaborate on the challenge of illegal migration. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Food: Prices Lord Cruddas: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that food remains affordable in the UK, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged. Lord Benyon: We continue to monitor food prices using the ONS inflation figures. The recent increase in food price inflation is driven by higher utility prices and pressures on global supply chains that are being felt globally. Industry analyst expectations are that we are either at or approaching the food price inflation peak. They then expect food price inflation to gradually decrease over the remainder of 2023. Defra is taking action to maintain an efficient food supply chain by mitigating against any potential burdens or friction which could otherwise drive-up consumer food prices. Through regular engagement, Defra will continue to work with food retailers and producers to explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of affordable food. For example, by maintaining value ranges, price matching and price freezing measures. It is not for HM Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by companies. Rising food prices are dependent on a combination of factors including agri-food import prices, domestic agricultural prices, domestic labour and manufacturing costs The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the current exceptionally high cost of living. To protect the most vulnerable from the worst of cost-of-living pressures, the Chancellor recently announced a package of targeted support worth £26 billion, which includes continued support for rising energy bills. Department for Business and Trade Trade Agreements: Agriculture Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to put greater emphasis on farmers' interests in future trade deals. Lord Johnson of Lainston: British farming is at the heart of British trade. The Prime Minister recently set out in an open letter to farmers, six principles that clearly outline our ambitions for farming and trade. These include protecting sensitive sectors, prioritising new export opportunities, tackling barriers to UK exports, and upholding UK standards. Underlining the Government’s commitment to supporting FTA export opportunities for producers, we recently announced an additional £2 million investment to strengthen our presence at major trade shows, an increase in the number of UK agriculture attachés, and a new £1 million programme to support our dairy sector to export. Export Controls: Northern Ireland Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to using the Export Control Act 2002 to filter unsuitable items crossing from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland to prevent a border in the Irish Sea. Lord Offord of Garvel: The Export Control Act 2002 provides the legal basis for our export control legislation on military and certain dual-use goods. Military list items and certain dual-use items specified within the European Union (EU) Dual-use Regulation (“the Dual-use Regulation”), require an export licence for export from Northern Ireland to Ireland. Export licence applications for these items would be assessed against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which is statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State and laid before Parliament under section 9 of the Export Control Act 2002. We would not issue an export licence in response to an application where to do so would be inconsistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. Unless specified within Annex IV of the Dual-use Regulation, dual-use items exported from Northern Ireland to Ireland would not require a licence.The Windsor Framework ensures the free flow of trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland through a new green lane, removing unacceptable customs processes. The only checks conducted will be risk-based to target smuggling or criminality in the green lane, highly-controlled goods, or any goods bound for the EU in the red lane. Measurement Lord Balfe: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to return to a system of imperial measurement; and, if so, what assessment they have made of (1) levels of understanding among younger people, and (2) any impact upon the UK’s competitiveness in world trade. The Earl of Minto: The Government is reviewing the current law on units of measurement and has gathered information from the consultation ‘Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales’. A government response will be published in due course. The Government recognises that metric units remain essential for international trade. Any legislative changes would require an impact assessment, including an equality impact assessment. Department of Health and Social Care Osteoporosis Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask His Majesty's Government whetherthey intend to encourage NHS England to designate osteoporosis as a ‘long term condition’. Lord Markham: The Department continues to work with NHS England on musculoskeletal policy, including considering classification of conditions such as osteoporosis. Immunotherapy and Transplant Surgery: Cost of Living Lord Mendelsohn: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of the increased cost of living on stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy recipients. Lord Mendelsohn: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to assess (1) the potential benefit of establishing a patient travel fund for stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy recipients, and (2) the potential cost to the Treasury. Lord Mendelsohn: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients in pursuing a safe return to work while maintaining protections for their health. Lord Markham: There are no plans to assess the potential benefits and costs of establishing a patient travel fund for stem cell transplant and CAR-T recipients. NHS England does not provide any specific cost of living support for patients receiving stem cell transplantation, however, trusts can exercise discretion to provide accommodation and/or other support depending on local and individual patient circumstances. The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) provide funded transport where it is considered essential to ensuring an individual’s safety, safe mobilisation, condition management or recovery.Depending on a patient’s financial circumstances, they may be eligible for financial support with costs via the NHS Low Income Scheme and Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. Those who do not qualify for NEPTS and need financial help with travel can access the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. This is aimed specifically at those with a low income and allows patients to claim for all or part their travel costs should they meet the eligibility criteria.We recognise the pressures people are facing with the rising cost of living. Our extensive arrangements to help people afford NHS prescription charges, means that almost 89% of prescription items dispensed in community pharmacies in England are already provided free of charge. For those not exempt from charges, pre-payment certificates can be used to cap costs at just over £2 a week for regular prescriptions.People with long-term health conditions or disabilities, including those requiring stem cell transplants, may be entitled to financial support to contribute towards their extra costs such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Entitlement to PIP is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself.The Government does not any specific support to stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients pursuing a safe return to work. However, the Government has a range of initiatives to support disabled people and people with health conditions, including stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include increasing Work Coach and Disability Employment Advisers’ support in Jobcentres, the Work and Health Programme, Intensive Personalised Employment Support, Access to Work grants, Disability Confident, the Information and Advice Service and support in partnership between Department for Work and Pensions and the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Talking Therapies. Ministry of Defence Strait of Hormuz: Patrol Craft The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to increase defensive patrols in and around the Strait of Hormuz following the undertaking by the United States’ National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on 12 May to seek to increase co-ordination and interoperability of the International Maritime Security construct and European Maritime awareness in the Strait of Hormuz. Baroness Goldie: The UK currently commands the International Maritime Security Construct, which provides an immediate response to the threat in the Persian Gulf by providing reassurance to commercial shipping and maintaining the security of the maritime commons. In addition, the UK demonstrates our commitment to freedom of navigation through the deployment of HMS LANCASTER, a Type 23 Frigate, which regularly patrols the Gulf of Oman and through the Strait of Hormuz. Alongside the US, the UK is currently increasing defensive maritime patrols in the Strait of Hormuz to provide additional security for maritime commerce in the region. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Iron and Steel: Redcar Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government, furtherto the answer by Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 17 May(HL Deb col 251), what discussions they have had with the Tees Valley Mayor about the Redcar Steelworks sites and the Government implementing section 6(3)(d) of the National Audit Act 1983; and whether they plan to implement that section with the agreement of local authorities. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: On 24 May the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities wrote to the Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, confirming that he had taken the exceptional decision to support the commissioning of an independent review to consider the specific allegations made and Tees Valley Combined Authority’s oversight of the South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks joint venture. A copy of his letter has been placed in the House of Commons Library and has also been published on Gov.uk. Furthermore, on 25 May, a Written Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Local Government, Lee Rowley, was made in the house detailing the exceptional decision taken by the Secretary of State and that the Terms of Reference and appointments to undertake the Review will be announced shortly.The Tees Valley Mayor approached Government some time ago regarding the possibility of an independent review of STDC and Teesworks to address allegations which he was concerned could have a damaging effect on investment and job creation across Teesside.The Secretary of State considered calls for such an investigation to be led by the National Audit Office. It is not the NAO’s role to audit or examine individual local government bodies and its powers would not normally be used for that purpose. As the letter to the Mayor confirms, the Secretary of State does not think it would be appropriate to expand so significantly the role of the NAO by asking them to lead an inquiry. The Secretary of State has stated that he would welcome the NAO updating its previous review of Government’s funding arrangements for the South Tees Development Corporation.The Government intends to publish detailed terms of reference for the independent review shortly and confirm the appointments to the review Panel.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2023-06-01

Agriculture: Sheep Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether a regulatory impact assessment has been carried out to ascertain the cost, practicality and purpose of the European Union's proposal to mark by electronic implants millions of sheep in the United Kingdom annually. Lord Rooker: A draft partial regulatory impact assessment on sheep and goat electronic identification was produced in December 2006 and further updated in November 2007. Armed Forces: Morale Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of morale in the Armed Forces, particularly the Army's infantry and logistical units; and whether they are considering measures to improve morale where necessary. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: There is not an exact measure of morale but an assessment is made based on the continuous attitude surveys (CAS) as well as visits to meet personnel by senior staff and bodies such as the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and Directorate of Operational Capability. The results of the latest single service CAS questions on how individuals rate their own morale are shown below; however, this information cannot be broken down to particular units: "Rate your own morale" Royal Navy Royal marines Army RAF Officers Ratings Officers Other Ranks Officers Other Ranks Officers Airmen Very Good 13% 13% 35% 21% 9% 9% 7% 8% Good 50% 36% 45% 42% 42% 32% 43% 38% Average 28% 33% 16% 26% 30% 31% 31% 29% Poor 7% 13% 4% 9% 16% 20% 15% 17% Very Poor 2% 5% 0% 2% 3% 8% 4% 9% Our aim is to maintain morale and promote stable levels of retention through policies that genuinely reflect the priorities of our people and their families while optimising their operational effectiveness. Therefore, for example, we have improved pay and introduced new equipment. We have improved accommodation and continue to do so pledging £8 billion over a 10-year period. We have also made improvements to travel allowances to permit personnel to get home more easily and we continue to refine the operational welfare package while also promoting measures such as work/life balance and career breaks to improve the day-to-day lives of service personnel and their families. However, it is true that there are significant challenges in keeping some groups up to strength. Consequently some areas, for example the infantry and medical specialist, are busier than intended. Retention measures such as commitment bonuses, re-engagement packages, and financial retention initiatives (FRI) continue to be used to encourage longer service, improve morale and reduce voluntary outflow. There is a FRI in place for infantry soldiers at the four-year point, and more than 2,000 soldiers have signed up for this package. CDC Group Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government: What strategy they have for CDC Group plc; what restrictions they have put in place on its investments; and what restrictions there are on any possible sale of it. Baroness Crawley: DfID's objectives for CDC are that it should: invest in the creation and growth of viable private businesses in poorer countries to contribute to economic growth for the benefit of the poor, and secondly, that it mobilise private investment in these markets both directly and by demonstrating profitable investments. In 2004, we agreed an investment policy with CDC which obliges it to make (a) 70 per cent of new investments in developing countries with less than $1,750 GNI/per capita and the remaining 30 per cent in countries below $9,095 and (b) 50 per cent of new investments in sub-Saharan Africa or south Asia. Both targets are measured on a five-year rolling basis. CDC has adopted a set of responsible business principles which covers areas such as the environment, health and safety and social and governance issues. It is prohibited from making investments in the following areas: manufacture of military equipment, illegal drugs, gambling, pornography or tobacco. Any possible sale of CDC is governed by Section 18 of the CDC Act 1999, which requires the Secretary of State to ensure that the Crown (or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Crown) retains at least 25 per cent of CDC's ordinary share capital and continues to hold its special share in CDC. Section 18 may be amended or repealed by statutory instrument, but such order must first be approved by resolution of each House of Parliament. Congo: Forest Fund Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much of the £50 million Congo forest fund has been distributed; what organisations, agencies or governments have benefited and by how much in each case; and what procedure is in place to monitor progress; and In what ways the Congo forest fund is helping (a) to slow the rate of deforestation; (b) local communities to develop livelihoods consistent with the conservation of the forests; and (c) to strengthen the work of international partners in the region. Baroness Crawley: The Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBF) is currently in its inception phase. Funds will be available for spending from 1 April 2008. We have carried out consultation with international partners, governments and civil society in the region to identify funding criteria, distribution and monitoring mechanisms. Our first recommendation will be presented at the conference on Financing Mechanisms for Sustainable Management of the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem in Tunis on 21 and 22 February. Crime: Northern Ireland Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: On how many occasions the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland visited the United States on official business in each of the last five years. Lord Rooker: Since 1999 the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total of all ministerial travel overseas. Details for such travel in 2007 will appear in the next annual report and information regarding previous years are available in the Libraries of the House. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code. Department for International Development: Personnel Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have for ensuring that gender equality is reflected in the Department for International Development's work; who is responsible for ensuring that is the case; and whether any possible staff reductions will affect it. Baroness Crawley: Gender is an essential part of DfID's work to eliminate poverty overseas. The third millennium development goal (MDG) specifically promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women, and evidence also shows that gender equality is key to the achievement of the other MDGs. In line with the commitment in the UK Government's White Paper (2006) to give greater priority to gender equality, DfID carried out an evaluation of how effective the department has been at achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. This led to a three-year gender equality action plan (GEAP). A network of gender champions has been established across the department consisting of deputy directors, who are responsible for promoting gender equality. They report on progress against the GEAP in their divisions on a quarterly basis to the senior gender champion who is the director general for Policy and International Division and a member of DfID's top management team. Gender equality issues are reflected as a target within our first departmental strategic objective in DfID's corporate performance framework, linked to our new PSA Delivery Agreement for 2008-11. DfID will regularly review the gender equality action plan and revise it in the light of progress made and new challenges. A report on the first year's implementation of the plan will be published in April 2008. DfID has a gender equality (duty) scheme and associated action plan covering the period 2007 to 2010. The central diversity team has a systematic process in place to monitor the agreed actions. The action plan is a living document and while the aims will stay the same, the diversity team is in the process of updating the plans to reflect any changes and to show progress. This will feed into DfID's 2007-08 Annual Diversity Report. Gender equality is a priority for DfID. There are no plans that overall staffing forecasts will change this direction. Forced Labour The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: What direct support they are giving to the churches, the International Labour Organisation and other groups in Brazil which are attempting to combat the use of forced labour in the production of food for biofuels. Baroness Crawley: DfID does not give direct support to groups in Brazil that are attempting to combat the use of forced labour in the production of biofuel crops. We are aware that some cases of forced labour are reported in Brazil and monitor the situation. We are engaged in policy discussion with the Brazilian Government on how sustainable biofuels production can contribute to poverty reduction. DfID also supports the development of sustainable biofuels through our support to the Inter-American Development Bank's Sustainable Energy and Climate Change (SECCI) Fund. The UK Government are working with industry to develop sustainability standards for biofuels—including on social and labour dimensions—and reporting to ensure that these recognise poverty as well as environmental concerns. From 2011 the UK Government intend that there will be mandatory minimum sustainability standards for UK biofuels, both domestic and imported. Forced Labour The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are aware of the Government of Bolivia's Action Plan for the Eradication of Forced Labour; and whether they intend to provide assistance to them in implementing this plan. Baroness Crawley: The Department for International Development (DfID) is aware of the measures being taken forward by the Government of Bolivia to eradicate forced labour. The Bolivian Ministry of Labour and the National Commission for the Eradication of Forced Labour have been working since 2004 on this issue, which particularly affects indigenous people, especially Guarani indigenous communities in the Chaco region. DfID ended its bilateral programme of support to Bolivia in March 2006, and since then has not provided assistance directly to the Government of Bolivia. However, the Government of Denmark, through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), has a programme to promote the rights of indigenous peoples, which includes the eradication of forced labour. House of Lords: Scales of Justice Lord Tyler: asked the Chairman of Committees: Whether it is intentional that the scales of justice held by the statue of Justice in the Prince's Chamber of the House are broken; and, if not, whether they will be repaired. Lord Brabazon of Tara: I have sent the noble Lord a history of the statue, its repairs and works planned. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House. International Development The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Department for International Development funding allocated to civil society through the Partnership Programme Arrangements will increase in proportion to the overall planned increases in the department's budget. Baroness Crawley: DfID is currently developing detailed plans for allocating its budget over the three-year period 2008-09 to 2010-11 following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review announced in October. Individual programme allocations will not be finalised until March 2008. Northern Ireland: Human Rights Forum Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether in the process of identifying potential chairmen of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Forum the names of Lord Laird or Lord Maginnis of Drumglass were considered; and, if not, what were the reasons for this. Lord Rooker: It is not our policy to disclose publicly the identity of individuals considered in such a process. In respect of the noble Lord's question about himself, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will write to him with the information requested. If the noble Lord, Lord Maginnis, wishes to make a similar inquiry in respect of himself then the Secretary of State would be happy to write to him also. Police: Flanagan Report Lord Mawhinney: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether at any stage they saw a draft of the Flanagan report which included a graph showing public confidence in, or support for, the police decreasing over time. Lord West of Spithead: Sir Ronnie Flanagan consulted widely with senior stakeholders in policing before arriving at his final decisions on the contents of his report. Regulatory Reform Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which regulations they have reformed since the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform was established; and on which dates those reforms took place. Baroness Vadera: Information on which regulations have been simplified or removed since May 2005 is provided in a report entitled Delivering Simplification Plans which was deposited in the House of Lords Library on 11 December 2007. The report shows that 288 measures were made to reform regulations between May 2005 and December 2007. The 288 measures deliver a total of £1.5 billion of regulatory savings across the private, public and third sectors. A year-by-year analysis of the savings delivered by these measures is provided in the report. The report gives a summary of the significant measures that have been introduced to date, but full details of each measure and when it was introduced can be found in departmental simplification plans online at www.bre.berr.gov.uk/regulation/reform/simplifying/individual.asp. Scotland: First Minister The Earl of Mar and Kellie: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether primary legislation would be required to institute direct election of the First Minister of Scotland. Lord Davidson of Glen Clova: The Scotland Act 1998 provides for the Scottish Parliament to nominate one of its members for appointment as First Minister by Her Majesty. The Government have no intention to review these arrangements. St Helena: Airport Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect to award the contract to build an airport in St Helena. Baroness Crawley: We are currently evaluating bids submitted by two contractors to build an airport on St Helena and we will in due course be able to disseminate more specific information. Warm Front Baroness Scott of Needham Market: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will review the operation of the Warm Front Scheme. Lord Rooker: Warm Front is subject to twice-yearly performance reviews by Defra's independent quality assessors. These assessors also provide ad hoc reviews of individual elements of Warm Front operations, as required.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2008-02-25a

Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish an evaluation of the impact of the Public Health Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network. Earl Howe: A research team at the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is undertaking an independent evaluation of the Responsibility Deal. The evaluation will not examine the alcohol network specifically, but will comment on the role of pledges under the Responsibility Deal more generally. It will run over three years. The evaluation includes: - a process evaluation to look at the Responsibility Deal as a whole;- analysis of likely impact of selected pledges;- a study looking at compliance with reporting and transparency requirements of Responsibility Deal pledges;- interviews with stakeholders, including non-participating organisations; and- some in-depth partner case studies. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Lord De Mauley: This question could only be answered at disproportionate cost as the financial system does not record amounts spent on alcohol separately from other costs charged as hospitality. Core Defra has a number of policies in place which make it clear to staff that purchases of alcohol should not normally be made. Arms Export Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 June (WA 100), whether that answer covered any action taken by the Royal Engineers export team to promote the export of defence equipment. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Royal Engineers export support team was involved in the sale of bomb detection equipment by companies linked to Gary Bolton or James McCormick. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the relationship between the Royal Engineers export support team and the Ministry of Defence. Viscount Younger of Leckie: Pursuant to my answer of 3 June (Official Record WA 100), yes, the answer covered action taken by the Royal Engineers export team to promote the export of defence equipment. We have found no information to indicate that the Royal Engineers Export Support Team (RE EST) was involved in any sale of bomb detection equipment by companies linked to James McCormick. For legal reasons, at present I am unable to comment further on matters relating to Gary Bolton. An application for leave for him to appeal against conviction and sentence has been lodged and is pending. The RE EST was part of the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) within the Ministry of Defence. The unit closed in 2005. The Export Support Team is now part of the UKTI Defence and Security Organisation, although it is staffed by serving members of the British Army. Banking Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any action has been taken to protect the United Kingdom banking system from a possible default by the United States Treasury; and whether UK regulators have given any guidance on the consequences of a default for risk concentration in the repurchase market and short-term secured funding markets. Lord Deighton: The Government and financial sector authorities undertake contingency plans against a range of events. As with previous Governments, it is not the Government’s practice to comment on the detail of these plans. The question of guidance is a matter for the regulators, which operate independently of Government. The Treasury has therefore sent this question to the Prudential Regulation Authority, who will respond to the Noble Lord in writing. A copy of the letter will be placed in the library of both Houses. Banks: Foreign Banks Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government by which criteria they and regulators determine whether an international bank can operate in the United Kingdom through a branch or is required to establish a subsidiary; and whether, in making such a determination, an assessment is made of regulatory standards in the parent bank’s home territory and qualifying tests for deposit protection. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they secured the agreement of Prudential Regulatory Authority prior to offering Chinese banks the opportunity to operate in the United Kingdom as branches; and whether they will place any relevant correspondence Library of the House. Lord Deighton: The decision on whether foreign banks operate in the United Kingdom as branches or subsidiaries is singularly a matter for the Prudential Regulation Authority. The rules for the authorisation of non-European Economic Area banks are set by the Prudential Regulatory Authority, as the independent regulator, and can be found in section 1.1 .10 of its Prudential Sourcebook for Banks, Building Societies and Investment firms. The decision to consider applications from Chinese banks to establish wholesale branches in the United Kingdom was taken by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) alone. The PRA is an independent regulator and the Government has no power to intervene in its regulatory policies or practices. Barnett Formula Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the Barnett Formula. Lord Deighton: As set out in the Coalition Programme for Government, this Government's priority must be to reduce the deficit and therefore any change to the Barnett Formula must await the stabilisation of the public finances. Benefits Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the last three years, what percentage and numbers of adult overseas nationals entering the United Kingdom claimed a Department for Work and Pensions key out-of-work benefit within six and 12 months of national insurance number registration. Lord Freud: The Department has released estimates of the number of adult overseas nationals entering the United Kingdom and claiming a Department for Work and Pensions key out of work benefit within six months of national insurance registration: registrations to March 2013, and this can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nino-allocations-to-adult-overseas-nationals-entering-the-uk-registrations-to-march-2013 This publication also includes estimates of the number of DWP working age benefit claimants, as at February 2013, within Great Britain, who at the time they registered for a National Insurance number, were non-UK nationals. Information on the number of adult overseas nationals entering the United Kingdom and claiming a Department for Work and Pensions key out of work benefit within twelve months of National Insurance registration is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Benefits Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many non-United Kingdom European Union nationals are claiming (1) jobseeker's allowance, (2) income support, (3) employment support allowance, (4) disability living allowance, (5) child benefit and child tax credit, (6) retirement pension, and (7) housing benefit, in the United Kingdom; and what percentage of the total claiming in each case such nationals represent. To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many non-United Kingdom non-European Union nationals are claiming (1) jobseeker's allowance, (2) income support, (3) employment support allowance, (4) disability living allowance, (5) child benefit and child tax credit, (6) retirement pension, and (7) housing benefit, in the United Kingdom; and what percentage of the total claiming in each case such nationals represent. Lord Freud: The information requested is not available. However analysts in my Department have released estimates, for Great Britain and each Region in Great Britain, on working age benefit recipients which can be found in the publication for NINo allocations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK: registrations to March 2013 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nino-allocations-to-adult-overseas-nationals-entering-the-uk-registrations-to-march-2013 Information relating to Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit is the responsibility of HMRC. Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_publications.htm Burma Baroness Nye: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are aware of any restrictions being placed on British-funded international aid agencies and United Nations aid agencies and their workers operating in Arakan State, Burma. Baroness Northover: UK humanitarian aid provided through the UN and international non-governmental organisations is reaching its targeted populations in Rakhine (Arakan) State, Burma. Some other agencies have reported sporadic restrictions on access. In response, the UK consistently calls for open and independent access for humanitarian agencies to reach those in need, and we provide support to the UN to improve communications with the affected communities to help improve acceptance of international assistance to all those in need. Burma Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that Burma’s current rulers, and military leaders, will agree to removing the military’s quota of Members in the Burmese Parliament. Baroness Warsi: We continue to encourage Burma’s government, its military leaders and members of its parliament to listen to the demands of the Burmese people and ensure that international democratic standards are adhered to. Our objective, as the former Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, explained to his Burmese counterpart during his visit to Burma in June, is to support the reform process by helping to facilitate the democratisation of the Burmese military. We believe it is important for the integrity of Burma’s democracy that the Burmese people are free to choose their political leaders and parliamentary representatives. Care Bill Lord Lipsey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of Clause 67(4) of the Care Bill (as at Report stage in the House of Lords) with the European Convention on Human Rights. Earl Howe: The noble Lord has advised that he is referring to clause 67(4). The Care Bill has been analysed for its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights and I provided a signed statement to this effect when the Bill was introduced to the House on 9 May. This statement is recorded at paragraph 655 of the Bill’s explanatory notes. There is nothing improper in a power allowing a local authority to recover public funds which have been paid out due to a mistake. In exercising their powers local authorities are bound by the general public law principle of reasonableness, and must of course also act in accordance with the Convention rights as required by section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Statutory guidance will set out the steps that a local authority is expected to take to recover charges that have not been levied as a result of inaccurate or incomplete information, including through agreement of a repayment plan. Use of formal debt recovery powers to pursue claims through the courts should only be used as a last resort. Climate Change Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conclusions of Professor Richard Tol that climate change global warming in the past century improved human welfare and benefited global economic output; and whether they intend to reassess their energy and climate policies in the light of that research. Baroness Verma: The Government has made no formal assessment of Professor Richard Tol’s conclusions about effects of climate change global warming in the past century on human welfare and global economic output. It should be noted that recent press coverage of this work as an economic consensus and applying it to this century risks being misleading. Only 2 of the 14 papers cited in Tol’s 2009 paper suggested net economic benefits from warming. Professor Tol’s modelling analysis does suggest net benefits from lower levels of warming but others, such as Professor Nordhaus’ and Dr Chris Hope’s respective models, suggest net economic costs even for moderate levels of warming. These modelling frameworks inherently require vast simplifications of the climate system and associated impacts. They only capture a subset of potential impacts due to the uncertainties and challenges in estimating and valuing climate impacts so care needs to be taken before applying them too literally. Global warming over the past century may well have resulted in some net economic benefits so far for some sectors and regions, primarily in Northern latitudes. However, the net global impact so far has not been the subject of much research as further warming is inevitable due to past emissions of greenhouse gases. Even if emissions are cut drastically, global temperatures are still likely to rise by an average 1.6°C above 19th century levels, by the end of this century. The more important policy question that most academic work seeks to address is not the impact of the 0.8°C warming experienced since the 19th century but rather the merits of driving national and global action to limit the future increases in global temperatures beyond the level we are already committed to. Without significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, the world is likely to be on course for average temperature rises in excess of 2°C above 19th century levels and possibly as much as 5°C for the highest emissions scenarios, by the end of this century. Whilst there may be variation in the projected severity of the resulting impacts, all the models are clear that such higher levels of warming will lead to net economic costs and hence there are economic benefits from emissions reductions. Professor Tol’s conclusions on the economic impact of historic warming are not a relevant basis for a reassessment of current energy and climate policies to address future warming. Commonwealth Games 2014 Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial contribution, over and above money provided by the Barnett formula, they will be making towards the costs of hosting the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. Lord Deighton: The 2014 Commonwealth Games are an important sporting and cultural event, the delivery of which Her Majesty’s Government fully supports. While the Scottish Government is sponsoring the Games they will place additional burdens on UK Government departments engaged in the Games. In particular there will be financial costs to the area of security, borders, tax and international relations. Debt Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether persons suffering hardship because of debts have the right to approach a court to secure appropriate repayment conditions; and, if not, whether they will legislate to make it possible. Viscount Younger of Leckie: There are a number of options available to an individual suffering hardship because of debts. These include establishing a debt management plan or individual voluntary arrangement with creditors, approaching the court for a County Court Administration Order, applying to the Insolvency Service for a Debt Relief Order and petitioning the court for a bankruptcy order. In the latter case, where a person can pay some part of their debts there are provisions to provide for this over time. A person should seek free and independent debt advice, which will outline all appropriate debt remedy solutions, to ensure that they have considered all their options. The Money Advice Service, set up by Government, will be able to direct a person to an appropriate adviser and can be contacted on tel: 0300 500 5000 or online at https://www.money adviceservice.org.uk/ Employment: Pay Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the present annual gross salary level required to produce a net take-home pay of £26,000; and what the figure would be taking into account the costs of travel to work and other costs incurred at work. Lord Deighton: The gross salary needed to produce a given level of take-home pay varies widely depending on an individual’s tax circumstances and other deductions such as pension contributions and student loan repayments. This is before their receipt of state benefits is considered. Similarly, the cost of travelling to work varies widely according to personal circumstances. Employment: Websites Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the contractual arrangement between the Department for Work and Pensions and recruitment agencies whose job advertisements are included on the Universal Jobmatch website. Lord Freud: Anyone posting a job on Universal Jobmatch, including recruitment agencies, has to create an account on the Universal Jobmatch website. This requires them to accept the Terms and Conditions for Employers and a contractual relationship is thereby created between the recruitment agency and DWP. At paragraph 9.1.5 of the Terms and Conditions for Employers it states that any job advertised will “have a contract in place with the end employer when the job is being advertised on behalf of another employer (e.g. recruitment agency or job board).” Energy: Nuclear Power Stations Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether HM Treasury will underwrite the decommissioning costs of any new nuclear power installations which private companies (including overseas companies) may be given contractual rights to build and operate; and, if so, in what circumstances. Baroness Verma: The Government will not underwrite the decommissioning costs of new nuclear power installations. The Government’s policy is that operators of new nuclear power stations must have arrangements in place to meet the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management and disposal costs. This policy is being implemented through the Energy Act 2008. This requires operators of new nuclear power stations to have a Funded Decommissioning Programme approved by my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State in place before construction of a new nuclear power station begins and to comply with this programme thereafter. Energy: Nuclear Power Stations Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Office for Nuclear Regulation has approved the application by Magnox Ltd to extend generation at Wylfa unit 2 until the end of 2015; and what are the factors, if any, preventing any further extension. Baroness Verma: Currently, Reactor 2 at Wylfa is permanently shut down and is providing partially spent fuel elements for use in Reactor 1 to allow further electricity generation in the absence of new fuel elements to power the single reactor. In September 2013 the Office for Nuclear Regulation received a periodic safety review from the licensee setting out the case to extend generation at the site to the end of 2015. This is currently being reviewed. The review considers the effects of plant ageing, operational experiences and modifications made to the plant; and it contains actions recommended by the licensee (Magnox Ltd) to address areas identified for improvements arising from their review. Energy: Nuclear Power Stations Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the difference in the estimated cost to the Exchequer between the recent arrangement with China and France for a new nuclear power station and financing the capital by the Exchequer at current interest rates. Baroness Verma: Under the proposed investment contract, it is for the developer and investors and not the Exchequer, to finance the capital. Energy: Pre-paid Meters Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the charges paid for energy by consumers who use pre-paid meters. Baroness Verma: Since 2010, prepayment meter customers have been offered the same prices by large suppliers as customers paying on standard credit. Homosexuality Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 12 October (WA 99), whether their interpretation of “other grounds” in the Commonwealth Charter as including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is accepted by all Commonwealth governments; and how they will ensure Commonwealth members are accountable on those issues. Baroness Warsi: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights remain a deeply controversial issue within the Commonwealth. The UK cannot speak on behalf of other governments. However, the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the UN Human Rights Council in February 2013 said “with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity our position remains that, based on shared Commonwealth principles, we oppose discrimination or stigmatisation on any grounds”. The Commonwealth Secretariat has been building the capacities of youth, national human rights institutions and parliamentarians to engage constructively on this issue. The UK supported the strengthened language in the Commonwealth Charter opposing all forms of discrimination on all grounds and consistently pushed for stronger language on human rights, including reference to LGBT rights, but in order to achieve consensus we accepted a formulation setting out our opposition to all forms of discrimination on any grounds. We continue to press other member states to live up to this commitment. House of Lords: Publications and Print Costs Lord Palmer: To ask the Chairman of Committees how much the House of Lords Annual Report 2012–13 cost to produce and print; and how much it would have cost to print on the quality of paper used for printing the Official Report. Lord Sewel: 275 copies of the House of Lords Annual Report 2012-13 were printed, at a total cost of £3,703.35. This figure includes the costs of the design, origination, printing and finishing. There were no other production costs other than staff time and, as the House does not allocate staff costs to specific projects, it is not possible to estimate the cost of staff time associated with producing the Annual Report. If the same number of copies of the Annual Report had been printed on the quality of paper used for the Official Report, the cost would have been £3,353.35. However, the lower grade paper is not suited to printing graphs or charts and so the overall quality of the product would have been substantially poorer. House of Lords: Staff Lord Storey: To ask the Chairman of Committees how many people are currently employed on zero-hours contracts in the House of Lords; and whether there are plans to introduce zero-hours contracts to departments other than Hansard and Catering and Retail Services. Lord Sewel: 75 people are currently employed on zero-hours contracts in the House of Lords Administration, with 43 of those employed in Hansard and 32 in Catering and Retail Services. The Administration has no plans to introduce zero-hours contracts in other offices. House of Lords: Toilets Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask the Chairman of Committees how many toilets are available within the House of Lords precincts of the Palace of Westminster for (1) female, and (2) male, Peers; whether that number conforms to the provision of the Health and Safety Acts; and what will be the impact of the lists of new Peers. Lord Sewel: The House of Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate contains 57 urinals, 85 male water closets (WCs), 73 female WCs, and 40 WCs which are not assigned to either gender, some of which provide facilities for the disabled. These figures include all the toilets in the Lords part of the Palace of Westminster, as well as the Lords outbuildings, many of which can be used by House staff, Members’ staff and guests, as well as by Members. There is more than one recognised method of calculating toilet provision. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 stipulate the minimum statutory requirements for how many toilets should be made available in a workplace. The British Standards Institution also produces different pieces of guidance on toilet provision, which vary depending on the use of the premises. The House of Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate has a range of uses and could be classified as providing a variety of accommodation, including office accommodation, restaurant and banqueting facilities, a tourist attraction and an event venue. Furthermore, the number and location of people in the Palace and the outbuildings fluctuates throughout the day. It is therefore extremely difficult to calculate accurately the toilet provision just for Members in particular areas. On a whole House basis (excluding toilets and people in the House of Commons), the Parliamentary Estates Directorate has calculated that the House of Lords contains enough toilets for Members and staff (including the Members recently introduced into the House) in a variety of scenarios, according to both the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the British Standards Institution standards. However, given that the number of Members, staff and visitors in the House fluctuates greatly from day to day, the ratio of toilets per person is variable. Housing: Prices Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the ratios of median house prices to median earnings in (1) 1997, (2) 2007, and (3) 2012, for (a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland, and (e) Northern Ireland, and for each local authority area for which those figures are available. To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect 2013 figures for the ratio of median house prices to median earnings to be available for (1) the United Kingdom, (2) England, (3) Wales, (4) Scotland, and (5) Northern Ireland. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Lord Oakeshott dated October 2013 As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary questions To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the ratios of median house prices to median earnings in (1) 1997, (2) 2007, and (3) 2012, for (a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland, and (e) Northern Ireland, and for each local authority area for which those figures are available HL2830, and when they expect 2013 figures for the ratio of median house prices to median earnings to be available for (1) the United Kingdom, (2) England, (3) Wales, (4) Scotland, and (5) Northern Ireland. HL2831 Unfortunately, median house price data are not available from ONS at a local authority level and the earliest period for which estimates at a regional level are available is 2002. Table 1 below provides estimates for 2007 and 2012. Information for 2013 will be available on Tuesday 18 February 2014, when ONS publishes the latest estimate of median house prices for quarter 4 of 2013. Table 1: Ratio of median house prices to median earnings 1997 – 2012, UK and component countries United Kingdom England Wales Year Median Earnings1 (£) Median house price2(£) Ratio (house price to earnings) Median Earnings1 (£) Median house price2(£) Ratio (house price to earnings) Median Earnings1 (£) Median house price2(£) Ratio (house price to earnings) 19973 - - - - - - - - - 2007 20,000 181,000 9.1 20,345 186,000 9.1 17,676 144,000 8.1 2012 21,473 191,000 8.9 21,790 199,000 9.1 19,126 140,000 7.3 1 Median earnings taken from table 7.7a of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) and relate to the median gross annual earnings for all employee jobs 2 Median house price taken from table 19 of the ONS monthly and quarterly House Price Index reference table and reflects the annual average of the quarterly, non-mix adjusted median house price 3 Median house price data not available in 1997 Source: Office for National Statistics Scotland Northern Ireland Year Median Earnings1 (£) Median house price2(£) Ratio (house price to earnings) Median Earnings1 (£) Median house price2(£) Ratio (house price to earnings) 19973 - - - - - - 2007 19,312 134,000 6.9 17,171 207,000 12.1 2012 20,950 154,000 7.4 18,703 115,000 6.1 1 Median earnings taken from table 7.7a of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) and relate to the median gross annual earnings for all employee jobs 2 Median house price taken from table 19 of the ONS monthly and quarterly House Price Index reference table and reflects the annual average of the quarterly, non-mix adjusted median house price 3 Median house price data not available in 1997 Source: Office for National Statistics Human Trafficking Lord Condon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in combating human trafficking during the last three years. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Government published its Human Trafficking Strategy in July 2011 and has reported annually on progress to combat this crime. The second report of the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking was published on 18 October 2013 (Cm8731). Internet: Cyber-bullying Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to combat cyber-bullying; and whether they intend to introduce specific legislation to address the issue. Lord Nash: The law makes it very clear that if something is illegal offline, it is also illegal online. Bullying itself, including cyberbullying, is not a specific criminal offence; although some types of harassing and threatening behaviour or communications could be criminal offences. Current Acts that can be used to prosecute cyberbullying-related offences are: 1. The Protection from Harassment Act 19972. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 3. The Malicious Communications Act 19984. The Communications Act 2003 The Government does not intend to introduce specific additional legislation to address the issue of cyberbullying. The fast-moving and global nature of the internet means that regulation of sites and legislation to tackle problems such as cyberbullying is likely to be ineffective because new social media websites are constantly being developed. The Government has taken, however, steps that will help schools combat cyberbullying and is working with internet providers to address the wider issues. All schools are required to have a behaviour policy which includes measures to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying. They are held to account for their effectiveness through Ofsted. We have given teachers a specific power to search for and, if necessary, delete inappropriate images or files on electronic devices, including mobile phones. From September 2014 schools will teach pupils in all four key stages about e-safety as part of the new curriculum. This will empower young people to tackle cyberbullying through responsible, respectful and secure use of technology, as well as ensuring that pupils are taught age-appropriate ways of reporting any concerns they may have about what they see or encounter online. In addition the Department for Education is providing £4 million of funding over two years to four anti-bullying organisations. This includes Beat Bullying, the National Children’s Bureau, the Diana Award and Kidscape. These organisations carry out important anti-bullying work in schools that is also likely to address the issue of cyberbullying. The Government has also pressed for progress through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). UKCCIS brings together the most important internet—such as Facebook and Microsoft—as well as Ministers, and works to protect children online, including from the risk of cyberbullying. Iraq Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial aid or support the United Kingdom has given, directly or indirectly, to the government of Iraq since 2010. Baroness Warsi: We currently provide no direct budgetary assistance to the Government of Iraq. Since 2010, the Government has spent approximately £23 million through the Department for International Development in Iraq. Of this, approximately £6.2 million has taken the form of UK contributions to EU and other multilateral funds, and £3.3 million has been assistance to the estimated 220,000 Syrian refugees in Iraq. The Government also provides bilateral project funding to various local partners including the Government of Iraq, parliament, judiciary and civil society organisations, which has totalled around £11 million since 2010. Details on this work can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/world/iraq. The UK also supports Iraq through our contributions to the United Nations, including approximately £41.6 million to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq since 2010, and to the European Union. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the use of attack-dogs and the firing of rubber-coated bullets at non-violent civilian demonstrators in recent years in the Palestinian Occupied Territories. Baroness Warsi: The UK has repeatedly made representations to Israel regarding the manner in which the Israeli Defence Force polices non-violent protests, including use of live ammunition. Our officials from the Embassy in Tel Aviv last raised the issue with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on 17 September. The Government has also highlighted the issue of appropriate use of force in policing protests in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual human rights report. We welcomed the second report of the Turkel Commission, which looked at dealing with complaints relating to use of force and urged Israel to implement the report’s recommendations. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent report published by Kerem Navot Israeli Settler Agriculture as a Means of Land Takeover in the West Bank. Baroness Warsi: We are aware of the report mentioned but have made no assessment of it to date. Our position on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories remains clear: they are illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and make a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, harder to achieve. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of structures demolished in Area C of the West Bank in the first half of 2013 that are scheduled for rebuilding. Baroness Warsi: We have made no independent assessment. However, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OHCA), 343 structures were demolished by the Israeli authorities in Area C between 1 January and 1 July 2013. No statistics are available as to how many of those structures are scheduled for rebuilding. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research has been conducted into the effects of Israeli industrial pollutants from the Barqan settlement on the health of Palestinians living in Bruqeen village. Baroness Warsi: The British Government has carried out no independent research into this issue. However, we are aware of a study by Friends of The Earth Middle East which predicted that pollution from the Barqan industrial area will reach groundwater within 15 years. Justice: Community Justice Centres Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of the Community Justice Centre in Liverpool; and what assessment they have made of the impact any such plans will have on the local community. Lord McNally: Following a consultation on the future of North Liverpool Community Justice Centre (NLCJC), I made a Written Ministerial Statement in the House on Tuesday 22 October 2013 which announced the Lord Chancellor’s decision that the proposed closure of the NLCJC should proceed and that the majority of its work be transferred to Sefton Magistrates’ Court. The government’s response to the consultation can be found on the justice website at: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/north-liverpool-community-justice-centre/consult_view An assessment of the impacts of the closure on the local community was made as part of the consultation process on which the consultation response is based. Further details can be found in the response document and impact assessment. Marine Conservation Areas Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to support the proposals for Marine Conservation Areas in the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea to be tabled at the meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources beginning on 23 October; and whether there will be a full report of the views expressed by stakeholders at the meeting. Baroness Warsi: We strongly support the Marine Protected Area proposals currently under discussion at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting in Hobart. We will work towards agreement wherever the final formulation reflects the underpinning science and there is an effective management framework to deliver a practical outcome. The CCAMLR Secretariat produce a report of the proceedings. This will include the views of fishing industry members and non-governmental organisations, and will be available in due course. National Insurance Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many national insurance numbers were registered to adult overseas nationals entering the United Kingdom from (1) the European Union, (2) and the rest of the world, in the last three years; and what were the reasons for any falls or rises in those numbers. Lord Freud: The information requested can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ There is no information available that would provide definitive reasons for any falls or increases in the numbers of National Insurance numbers registered. I understand that the support staff in the House of Lords library are also able to assist the noble Lord in extracting the information he requires. Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much has been paid by HM Treasury to (1) the Welsh Government, (2) the Scottish Government, and (3) the Northern Ireland Executive, as Barnett consequential payments arising from the expenditure in East London in association with the 2012 London Olympic Games. Lord Deighton: In December 2011, the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) announced an agreement on the 2012 Olympics Consequential Funding where the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive would receive a one-off sum equivalent to the Barnett formula consequentials of relevant changes to Olympics funding since the present UK Government took office in May 2010 until the date of the agreement. These sums amount to £30.2m, of which the Scottish Government will receive £16m, the Welsh Government £8.9m and the Northern Ireland Executive £5.4m. Palestine Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Department for International Development's support for "the right to legal representation for the Palestinians" as stated in its Palestinian Programme Operational Plan 2011–15, whether that support has resulted in any Palestinian civilians with life-changing injuries securing compensation through the Israeli legal system. Baroness Northover: DFID helps to fund the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), who work through local partners to provide legal aid to Palestinians, including to farmers and fishermen in the Access Restricted Areas in Gaza. The NRC has taken on some cases where Gazans have been injured by live fire from Israeli forces in the Access Restricted Areas. So far none of these cases has resulted in compensation being paid. Palestine and Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British citizens have been killed in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, including Gaza, since January 1993; and whether the government of Israel has accepted responsibility in any of those cases, to what effect. Baroness Warsi: We are unable to answer the question in the time available as the information requested, covering twenty years, is not held centrally. Public Bodies Lord Dear: To ask Her Majesty’s Government to which public bodies the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed board members since May 2005; who was appointed in each case; and in which year each board member was appointed. To ask Her Majesty’s Government to which of its public bodies the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expects to appoint new board members between 2013 and 2020. Lord De Mauley: There have been Board member appointments to all of Defra’s public bodies since May 2005. The following list covers all public bodies and a link to their websites has been included, where information on board membership and current details can be found. It would be of disproportionate cost to list all appointees for each body and which year the board member was appointed. I expect that there will be new board appointments to all of Defra’s public bodies between 2013 and 2020. Advisory Committee on Pesticides http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/advisory-groups/acp/acp-committee-information/members-of-the-advisory-committee-on-pesticides-2012 Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment http://www.defra.gov.uk/acre/about/membership/ Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board http://www.ahdb.org.uk/about/documents/AHDBboardandsectorboardmembersApril2013.pdf Broads Authority http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/authority/about-us/membership.html Conservation Board for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty http://www.chilternsaonb.org/conservation-board/board-members.html Conservation Board for the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=BoardMembers Consumer Council for Water http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.41 Covent Garden Market Authority http://www.newcoventgardenmarket.com/board Dartmoor National Park Authority http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-theauthority/au-members/au-listofmembers-2 Environment Agency http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/organisation/35669.aspx Exmoor National Park Authority http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/about-us/members Forestry Commissioners http://www.forestry.gov.uk/commissioners Gangmasters Licensing Authority http://gla.defra.gov.uk/PageFiles/921/Gangmasters%20Licensing%20Authority%20Board% 20members.pdf Joint Nature Conservation Committee http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5349 Lake District National Park Authority http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/members Marine Management Organisation http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/about/board_members.htm National Forest Company http://www.nationalforest.org/about_us/organise/ Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/ourpeople/neboard/default.aspx New Forest National Park Authority http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/info/20012/our_people/79/members North York Moors National Park Authority http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/living-in/how-the-authority-works/the-members Northumberland National Park Authority http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/lookingafter/nationalparkorganisation/memberscommittees/members Peak District National Park Authority http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/about-us/who-we-are/members Royal Botanic Gardens Kew http://www.kew.org/about-kew/who-we-are/board-of-trustees/index.htm Science Advisory Council http://www.defra.gov.uk/sac/about-us/members/ Sea Fish Industry Authority http://www.seafish.org/about-seafish/our-structure/meet-the-team South Downs National Park Authority http://www.southdowns.gov.uk/about-us/about-the-authority/members Veterinary Products Committee http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/vpc/membership/members.aspx Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aboutofwat/structure/organisation/ Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/national parkauthority/aboutthenationalparkauthority/whoisintheauthority/members These bodies do not have websites: Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees Agricultural Wages Committees for England Committee on Agricultural Valuation Food from Britain Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel Some Internal Drainage Boards do have their own websites, these can be found by using the search facility on the Association of Drainage Authorities website http://www.ada.org.uk/idb_members_map.html Questions for Written Answer Lord Tebbit: to ask the Leader of the House how many Questions for Written Answer tabled in the House of Lords they have answered in the most recent four weeks for which information is available which related to matters in foreign jurisdictions over which they have no powers. Lord Hill of Oareford: The Government frequently answers Questions for Written Answer relating to its interest in matters in foreign jurisdictions. The Companion to the Standing Orders says that “Questions should not ask about the internal affairs of another country (save for questions about human rights or other matters covered by international conventions to which the United Kingdom is party)” (paragraph 6.19). The Table Office advises Members on the application of this rule. Any Government department which believes that a Question addresses a matter which falls wholly outside Government responsibility can say so in its reply. Rape Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 21 October (WA 119), what consideration is specifically given to corrective rape against homosexual women in the Commonwealth in the framework of violence against women; and whether they have collated statistics pertaining to its proliferation. Baroness Warsi: No statistics have been collated and the Commonwealth Secretariat has not collated statistics on corrective rape of homosexual women in the Commonwealth. Ending all forms of violence against women and girls is a priority for the Government. We are funding programmes in over 20 countries to address it, as well as investing £25 million over five years (2013-18) in a new Research and Innovation Fund on preventing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In addition, we are working with our international partners, including the Commonwealth, to bring this issue to the attention of the world through, for example, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague)’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) and the Department for International Development’s ‘Call to Action’ which aims to mobilise global—within humanitarian agencies, recipient countries and donors—to effect change within the humanitarian system, so that prevention of and response to violence against women and girls is prioritised from the first phase as a life-saving intervention. Republic of Ireland: Financial Assistance Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the Republic of Ireland to repay funding supplied to it at the start of the financial crisis. Lord Deighton: The UK’s bilateral loan to Ireland of £3.2 billion was disbursed in eight tranches of £403.7m each, which will be repaid 7.5 years from the date of disbursement as set out in the bilateral loan agreement. The final tranche was disbursed on 26 September 2013; therefore the final repayment of principal will take place on 26 March 2021. In accordance with the Loans to Ireland Act 2010, HM Treasury reports to Parliament every six months with information on the loan. The UK’s bilateral loan was provided as part of an Economic Adjustment Programme for Ireland which included a joint financing package of €85 billion with contributions from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM) (€22.5 billion), an additional €22.5 billion from euro area Member States under the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and bilateral contributions from Sweden (€0.6 billion) and Denmark (€0.4 billion), as well as funding from the IMF (€22.5 billion). Moreover, there was an Irish contribution through the Treasury cash buffer and investments of the National Pension Reserve Funds (€17.5 billion). The loans have been disbursed in tranches following regular programme reviews. The maximum average maturity for EFSM and EFSF loans is 19.5 years, within this individual disbursements have different maturities. IMF loans have a weighted average of 7.5 years. Denmark and Sweden's bilateral loans have a maturity of 7.5 years. The IMF, EFSM and EFSF have not yet disbursed the full amount of their loans. The maturity of these loans will be determined on disbursement. Russia Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any representations about the imprisonment in Russia of the journalist Kieron Bryan since his arrest on board the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise on 19 September; and, if so, what response they have received. Baroness Warsi: Mr Kieron Bryan is one of six British nationals who were on board the Greenpeace vessel “Arctic Sunrise” who have been detained by the Russian authorities. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed their detention with Russia’s Foreign Minister on 25 September, and subsequently wrote to him on 6 October. The Foreign Secretary continues to follow the case very closely. Senior Foreign and Commonwealth officials also raised this case with the Russian Ambassador to the UK on 26 September. The British Embassy have followed up with the Russian authorities, most recently on 2 October when the British Ambassador in Moscow raised the detentions with Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov. The Russian authorities are fully aware of our concerns, and we will continue to monitor the case closely. We will continue to provide full consular assistance to the six British nationals. Consular staff are also in regular contact with the families of the British nationals detained, including Mr Bryan’s. Saudi Arabia Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make available any relevant material that they hold in respect of the Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Baroness Warsi: The UK’s statement and recommendations made during Saudi Arabia’s recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) are available on webtv.un.org. Our advanced questions for Saudi Arabia’s UPR are on the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (www.ohchr.org). Schools: Free Schools The Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there is a rigorous assessment of the leadership, aims and ethos of free schools. Lord Nash: All free school applications undergo a rigorous assessment against a number of criteria. The areas covered include: the education vision and plan for the school, which will cover its proposed aims and ethos; and the capacity and capability of the applicant group, which covers the track record and expertise of the trust members and proposed governing body, as well as their plans for recruiting a high quality principal. We also carry out due diligence checks on the suitability and track record of key members of the proposer group. The assessment criteria for the next round of applications will be published on the Department’s website shortly. Where an application is approved into the pre-opening phase, those leading the project work closely with a named lead contact and an education adviser from the Department. Where any concerns are reported, including about their leadership, aims or ethos, the matter is escalated and an early decision is taken on what action to take in response, which may include cancellation of the project. Schools: Sex and Relationship Education Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 21 October (WA 124), what they consider to constitute “direct promotion of any sexual orientation”; and what effect that has on providing tailored support and guidance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Lord Nash: Statutory guidance is clear that schools should teach young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. Young people, whatever their developing sexuality, need to feel that sex and relationship education is relevant to them and sensitive to their needs. Skilled teachers can be trusted to tackle this issue with insight and sensitivity. Teachers must have regard to statutory guidance, and should draw on tailored support and guidance provided by specialist organisations such as the Sex Education Forum. Scotland: Block Grants Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of the block grant transferred by HM Treasury to Scotland for each of the past three years for which figures are available. Lord Deighton: The data requested is set out in the table below: 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 £m £m £m 28,870 27,921 28,281 Television Licence Fee: Court Proceedings Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 29 August (WA 383–4), how many of the people found guilty of installing or using a television receiver without the appropriate licence in England in 2012 were fined; how many were imprisoned; and how many of the fines remain unpaid or resulted in imprisonment for failure to pay. Lord McNally: The number of persons found guilty and sentenced at all courts for installing or using a television receiver without the appropriate licence in England, 2012, can be viewed in Table 1. The number of fine defaulters received into prison for defaulting on a fine received for non-payment of a TV licence, in England and Wales, 2012, can be viewed in Table 2. It is not possible to identify how many of these offenders had committed their offence, or were originally sentenced to the fine, in a court in England. HMCTS systems cannot identify the amount of fines outstanding for specific offences. This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost as it would require a manual search of all live fine accounts. Persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty and sentenced at all courts for installing or using a television receiver without the appropriate licence(1), in England, 2012(2)(3) Year Proceeded against Found guilty Sentenced of which: Fine Immediate custody 2012 181,880 155,135 155,135 154,399 ‘=’ Nil (1) Includes offences under Sections 363 (2) & 4, Sec 363(a) & 4 of Communication Act 2003 and sec5 (1)(b)(i), and Sec5(1)(b)(ii) of Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. POC HL 2531 Fine defaulters received into prison for defaulting on a fine received for the offence of non-payment of a TV licence, England and Wales, 2012 (1) 2012 Fine defaulters received into prison 51 (1) These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. PQC HL 2531 Young People: Self-harm and Suicide Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of self-harm and attempted suicide among lesbian and gay youth. Earl Howe: The Department is aware that studies suggest that the suicide rate amongst teenagers is below that in the general population; however self-harm is particularly common among young people. In September 2012, alongside Preventing suicide in England: A cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library, the Department also published Preventing suicide in England: A cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives, Assessment of impact on equalities, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Both documents are available on the Department’s website. This considers the evidence surrounding suicide and self-harm in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, and others with protected characteristics. A review of the research literature suggests that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are at higher risk of mental disorder, suicide ideation, substance misuse and deliberate self-harm. A survey commissioned by Stonewall in 2011, further suggests that young gay and bisexual men have a particularly high prevalence of suicide attempt, with one in ten gay and bisexual men aged 16 to 19 attempting to take their own life in the previous year.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2013-10-29a

Liquor Licensing Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect the White Paper dealing with liquor licensing to be published. Lord Bassam of Brighton: We expect to publish a White Paper on the reform and modernisation of the liquor and public entertainment laws shortly. Liquor Licensing Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they expect the existing local licensing committees to retain the licensing jurisdiction; and, if not, what alternative arrangements they have in mind. Lord Bassam of Brighton: A White Paper on the reform and modernisation of the liquor and public entertainment licensing laws, to be published shortly, will set out the new arrangements we have in mind for the licensing of relevant premises. Arson Scoping Study Lord Orme: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will respond to the report of the Scoping Study in relation to arson prevention in England and Wales. Lord Bassam of Brighton: My honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, Mr O'Brien, is pleased to announce today that the Government have accepted all of the main recommendations of the Scoping Study. We have pledged quite clearly our determination and commitment to providing safer communities. The police and fire services have a vital role to play in helping to maintain a safer society, not just by reducing crime and the fear of crime but also by reducing the number of deliberate fires and associated deaths and casualties. The report of the Arson Scoping Study was published last May and set out a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the growing problem of deliberate fires. The report was welcomed as an enormous opportunity for the Government and the police and fire services to reduce the pain and suffering caused by deliberately set fires. When the report was published we made it clear that we wanted to hear the views of chief officers, local authorities, the insurers and all those involved in the administration of justice, all of whom have a crucial role to play in translating the recommendations into action. My honourable friend is pleased to say that the response to the Scoping Study has provided a strong mandate to carry forward all of its key recommendations and for a refocusing of efforts to prevent arson. My honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office is writing to those same organisations today to explain how we intend to take the recommendations forward. In particular, he wants to see the efforts of government, police and fire authorities, the insurers and other local agencies integrated and co-ordinated as the Scoping Study recommended so that the whole effort achieves more than the sum of its parts. We shall be taking steps to put these arrangements in place shortly. He also accepts, with the strong endorsement of the police and fire services and the insurers, the recommendation to create a new government-led arson control forum to take forward the arson prevention strategy. Arson prevention must become a core activity of the police and fire services and we must work in partnership with other agencies and with business to eliminate deliberately set fires. The success of this approach will mean a safer society for us all. Juvenile Offenders: Custodial Arrangements Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government: What priorities will be set for placing juvenile offenders when the detention and training order comes into operation. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The detention and training order (DTO) will come into force on 1 April 2000. It will become the main custodial sentence for juvenile offenders aged 12 and under 18, replacing detention in a young offender institution for under-18s and the secure training order. Detention under Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 will remain available for the minority of young offenders aged 10 and under 18 who commit grave crimes. Subject to parliamentary agreement to an order laid on 27 March, for under-18s sentenced to custody under the DTO or Section 53 and those remanded to Prison Service custody or direct to local authority secure accommodation, new more co-ordinated arrangements for the juvenile secure estate will start operation in April. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales will commission and purchase places from the Prison Service, the secure training centre (STC) contractors and local authority secure units (LASUs). This will give it considerable influence over the management of custodial placements for under-18s and enable more appropriate and cost-effective use of facilities. The board has drawn up commissioning and placement strategies to support its proposed new role and a copy of these has been placed in the Library. Initially there will be 13 Prison Service establishments holding under-18s, three STCs and 200 to 300 places the Youth Justice Board expects to purchase from LASUs through current negotiations. (LASUs have 480 places in total but have to keep enough free for local authority placements for welfare purposes or for those placed in secure accommodation following a remand to ordinary local authority care.) So altogether there will initially be some 3,200 places for youth justice purposes. Two thousand eight hundred of these places will be provided by the Prison Service. Fifty-one million pounds is being invested in a substantial capital development programme throughout the juvenile estate, plus improvements in education, training and work designed to prevent reoffending and drawing on "what works" evidence-based research. This will, over time, make its establishments better equipped to deliver the acceptable and positive environment required to meet the needs of those held within them. However, the Government and the Youth Justice Board believe that further steps should nonetheless be taken to protect the most vulnerable under-18s. Within its total budget for secure placements in 2000-01 the board will push this process as far as it can during the coming year, particularly in respect of the 100 girls under 18 serving custodial sentences. Beyond this, what the Youth Justice Board can do to move them elsewhere, and how quickly, depends on the numbers remanded and sentenced to custody by the courts and the physical and financial resources available to cater for them. If the numbers decline, the new powers will provide further opportunities to place more of these vulnerable young people in LASUs and STCs. In all placement decisions the focus will be on matching the needs of individual young people to the available accommodation, based on the evidence of "what works", not least in reducing crime. The board will monitor establishments' performance--within the Prison Service, LASUs and STCs--against service specifications to ensure regimes are of an appropriate standard and that the well-being of the young people is being properly addressed. As to future years, we have previously announced plans for two more STCs providing approximately 80 places. The Youth Justice Board will take over development work on these in April. We will be considering in this year's spending review what further provision should be made for new establishments to be commissioned by the board. With the improvements to the quality of the Prison Service juvenile estate, the greater flexibility available to place DTO trainees and the consolidation of commissioning and purchasing responsibilities with the Youth Justice Board, the new arrangements represent a significant opportunity to drive up standards and place young people according to their relative needs in terms of welfare and action to prevent re-offending. I am confident that the Youth Justice Board, working with the various providers, will fully seize this opportunity. Legal Services Ombudsman Review Lord Clarke of Hampstead: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Ms Ann Chant has completed her review of the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman and when it is intended to publish her report. Lord Irvine of Lairg: Ms Chant has completed her review of the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman. My department has today published her report and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Malawi Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Malawi's debts will be waived, in part or in total, under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Malawi, as a country eligible for relief under the HIPC initiative, will receive debt relief under the terms of that initiative. The level of relief is calculated by World Bank staff at the time the country reaches decision point but, in the case of the Paris Club creditors, will be equivalent to 90 per cent or more debt cancellation. Malawi will, of course, also benefit from the UK's bilateral policy of providing 100 per cent debt relief for countries qualifying under the HIPC initiative. Several other bilateral creditors (including the US, Canada and France) have indicated that they are also willing to provide 100 per cent debt relief. Health Spending Lord Stallard: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the proportion of national income that is estimated will be spent on health by the end of 2003-04. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As announced by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 21 March, provision has been made available for the UK which will allow the average real terms increase for the UK health service over the next four years to be 6.1 per cent. So health service spending will rise from last year's £45.1 billion and this year's £49.3 billion to; next year, £54.2 billion, the year after, £58.6 billion; then £63.5 billion; and then from April 2003, £68.7 billion. As a result, on current forecasts, UK health spending as a proportion of GDP will increase to around 7.6 per cent by 2003-04. It is expected that spending within the private healthcare sector will remain at around 1 per cent of GDP and the overall rise to 7.6 per cent is almost solely accounted for by the real terms increase in NHS spending. The 8 per cent EU average, as calculated by the OECD, is based on total healthcare spending. It is therefore directly comparable to the 7.6 per cent figure. Menwith Hill: SBIRS Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have now agreed to the designation of Menwith Hill as the European ground relay station for the space based infra-red system (SBIRS) as part of the ballistic missile defence system Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have received no request for the use of RAF Menwith Hill in the context of the proposed US national missile defence system. Her Majesty's Government granted permission in March 1997 for the European relay ground station of the US-based infra-red system (SBIRS) to be sited at RAF Menwith Hill. SBIRS is regarded as necessary irrespective of any decision the US may take on deployment of a national missile defence system. BMW and Rover Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the annual loss figures for BMW for 1998 and 1999 given by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in his statement on the future of Rover (HC Deb, 16 March, col. 577), what were the equivalent figures for 1995, 1996 and 1997. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The annual loss figures referred to by the Secretary of State in his statement were for Rover Group. Under the BMW accounting system these (losses) were £158 million in 1995; £119 million in 1996; £92 million in 1997; £642 million in 1998; and £750 million in 1999. Ethnic Minorities: Treaty of Amsterdam Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government: What targets relate to ethnic minority achievement in their 1999 National Action Plan introduced under Title VIII of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Baroness Blackstone: There are no common EU targets relating to ethnic minorities. However, progress towards achieving equality of opportunity features throughout the UK Action Plan, as well as references to specific initiatives to promote further integration of ethnic minorities into the labour market. Millennium Volunteers Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: Where the offices of Millennium Volunteers are located; and how many staff are employed in the company; and Who is the chairman of the Millennium Volunteers; and what is the salary and period of tenure of this post; and What is the annual budget of Millennium Volunteers; what were the start-up costs of the company; to whom is it accountable; and how it will be evaluated. Baroness Blackstone: Millennium Volunteers is run by a unit within the Department for Education and Employment. The unit is based in Sheffield and currently has a staff of 18. No chairman has therefore been appointed for Millennium Volunteers. The budget allocated to the Millennium Volunteers Programme in England is £47.75 million for the period 1998 to March 2002. The Government are accountable to Parliament for its expenditure. An evaluation of some early demonstration projects has already taken place and further evaluation is planned for later this year. Quigley Report Lord Varley: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will announce their response to the report of the Quigley Committee. Baroness Blackstone: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment established a committee under the chairmanship of Sir George Quigley in December 1998, as required by Section 25(4) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998, to review fee support for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the fourth year of first degree courses at Scottish institutions. The report is laid today before Parliament and placed in the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament. We welcome the report and congratulate Sir George and the other members of the committee on their thorough examination of all the relevant issues. The Government accept the recommendations addressed to them set out in the report. The Scottish Executive has accepted that it should meet the net costs of the tuition fees of students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in their fourth year in Scottish universities. The Government will discuss with the executive the precise mechanism for paying those fees and the impact on student support. We expect this to come into effect for students who enter the first year of their courses in September 2001. Dental Treatment: Deaths Associated with Anaesthesia Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many deaths were associated with an anaesthetic for a dental procedure in each year from 1970; and how many of those deaths in each year were associated with: (a) a dental practitioner working alone; (b) two dental practitioners working together; (c) a dental practitioner and an anaesthetist; (d) a dental practitioner and a general medical practitioner. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Information is not available to answer (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the noble Lord's question before 1991 and data since then are not complete, as this information is not routinely collected. There were three deaths in 1999 which have been associated with general anaesthesia for dental treatment. However, inquests into these cases have yet to be held and in one case legal proceedings are pending. Our records show that there have been the following numbers of deaths associated with general anaesthesia for dental treatment since 1970: Year Number 1970 9 1971 12 1972 9 1973 7 1974 13 1975 5 1976 9 1977 8 1978 8 1979 9 1980 5 1981 4 1982 7 1983 5 1984 3 1985 4 1986 4 1987 3 1988 1 1989 3 1990 2 1991 1 1992 6 1993 1 1994 0 1995 0 1996 2 1997 1 1998 3 1999 3 For the years from 1991 the incomplete information we have shows that deaths were associated with: Dental practitioner alone Two dental practitioners Dental practitioner and an anaesthetist Dental practitioner and a general medical practitioner 1991 1 1992 1 3 1993 1 1994 1995 1996 2 1997 1 1998 1 2 Prescribing Rights Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Medicines Control Agency Consultation Document of 13 March relates only to patient group protocols or addresses also the Crown Report of 1997 giving certain groups of independent health professionals independent prescribing rights. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The consultation letter of 13 March is concerned only with patient group directions (formerly known as group protocols). Scrapie Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they intend, in conjunction with the devolved authorities, to eradicate scrapie from the United Kingdom. Baroness Hayman: In its report on research and surveillance on TSEs and sheep published in April 1999, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) recommended that a programme for the long-term control and eradication of scrapie should be drawn up in consultation with the Scrapie Information Group--a joint initiative of industry, veterinary and government experts who have a day-to-day involvement in the surveillance and control of scrapie. This group, which includes representatives of the devolved administrations, has held a number of deliberations on this subject and has scheduled further discussions during 2000. The development of long-term control and eradication strategies will be an ongoing process that will require close communication with the group and the devolved administrations. In the meantime, although scrapie has been present in the national flock for over 250 years without a confirmed link with human illness, we have a range of precautionary health controls in place introduced after advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC). These comprise the destruction of specified risk materials (whole heads, excluding the tongue, and spleen from all sheep and goats and spinal cord and tonsils of older sheep) and compulsory slaughter, with compensation, of any sheep or goats suspected of having a scrapie-like illness that cannot be ruled out as something else. Scrapie Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action they intend to take as a result of the studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent report in Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 10. 1073/pnas.050566797, Paul Brown et al. Baroness Hayman: The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) monitors all relevant scientific publications. Members will evaluate the findings reported in this publication at their next meeting and recommend action if they feel it is necessary. It may be, however, that further details will be required from the author before a definitive conclusion can be reached. Welsh Beaches Lord Carlile of Berriew: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are supporting to ensure the cleanliness of Welsh beaches and their improved safety for holidaymakers visiting Wales in 2000. Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: EC Directive 76/160/EEC requires member states to identify bathing waters. Once identified, bathing waters must be sampled regularly to show that they meet the bacteriological standards prescribed in the annex to the directive. In Wales sampling is undertaken by the Environment Agency on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales, whose responsibility this is. Northern Ireland and the Euro Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government: What will be the positive and negative effects over the next decade on Northern Ireland, which shares a common border with the Republic of Ireland, of the advent of the euro, whether or not the United Kingdom adopts the euro. Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: The implications for Northern Ireland of the advent of the euro are the same as those for the UK as a whole. However, due to Northern Ireland's land border and trading patterns with the Republic of Ireland, some of these may be more pronounced or immediate. Since July 1998 the Northern Ireland Euro Preparations Forum has been actively involved in promoting awareness and providing support to the business community in Northen Ireland. The message is that local companies should assess the balance of competitive threats and opportunities, after discussing the euro situation with their customers and suppliers, and should then devise strategies to implement the necessary changes.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2000-03-29a

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in light of the United Kingdom's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, they would register as a British citizen a minor who is born abroad in the following circumstances (a) both the father and the mother of the child are British citizens by descent by virtue of their registration under Schedule 2 to the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990; (b) both the father and mother of the child became British Dependent Territories citizens otherwise than by descent on commencement of the British Nationality Act 1981 but ceased to be such citizens by virtue of Section 2(2) of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990; (c) both the father and the mother of the child have no nationality or citizenship other than British citizenship; (d) the child is and has always been stateless; (e) the child is not entitled to acquire the nationality or citizenship of any other country; (f) both parents consent to the registration;(g) there is no reason to refuse the application on character grounds; and (h) neither the father or mother is ordinarily resident or domiciled in the United Kingdom nor is it clear that the child's future clearly lies in the United Kingdom. Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will register as a British citizen under Section 3(1) of the British NationalityAct 1981 a child who satisfies all the requirements for registration under Section 3(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 except the requirement specified in Section 3(3)(b) because the fatheror mother of the parent in question became a British citizen otherwise than by descent under section 1(1) of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The 12 following cases are among many that demonstrate the benefits of the National DNA Database. Ian O'Callaghan In 1994, Shirley Leach, a66 year-old widow, was sexually assaulted and murdered in a toilet at Bury bus station. In 2006, Ian O'Callaghan was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and a DNA sample taken that matched DNA found at the crime scene. O'Callaghan was jailed for life for the murder in November 2006. James Lloyd Between 1983 and 1986 a number of women in the Rotherham area were raped by a man who appeared to have an obsession with their shoes, which he stole. The cases were reopened in 2001. DNA taken from the crimes did not match directly with anyone on the database but did show a partial match with a woman whose DNA had been sampled when she was arrested for a drink-driving offence, showing that a close relative of hers could have been involved. This led ultimately to the conviction in 2006 of James Lloyd for four rapes and two attempted rapes. Lee and Stephen Ainsby In 1995 a 17 year-old girl was walking home from a night out with friends in Banbury when she was forced into a car by two men, taken to an isolated rural area and repeatedly raped. In 2003 Lee Ainsby was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and a DNA sample was taken. In 2005 the evidence from the case was reanalysed and samples were loaded on the DNA database. One matched Lee Ainsby; another did not match anyone on the database but must have come from a close relative of Lee. A DNA sample was taken from Lee's brother Stephen, which matched the second sample from the crime. Lee and Stephen Ainsby were convicted and received 10 years each for rape and five years each for kidnapping. Darren Jennings On Boxing Day 1991, a 20 year-old woman was on her way home when she was dragged into a Manchester builders' yard and raped. In 2004 the case was reopened and a DNA sample was recovered from the evidence retained. This matched Darren Jennings who was jailed for eight years for rape in October 2005. David Kirby In 1989 an 18 year-old and her boyfriend were held up at gunpoint in a car park in Tunbridge Wells and the girl was raped. The case was reopened when technological improvements allowed DNA to be retrieved from the evidence. In April 2005, David Kirby was jailed for 13 years on one count of rape and two of false imprisonment. Paul Collings In October 1989 a student was raped in her bedroom at the University of Sussex. Two months later, a student was raped and another indecently assaulted in their bedroom at the University of Kent. In 2004 the case was reopened and DNA taken from samples was found to match that of Paul Collings, who was found guilty of two rapes and an indecent assault in 2006. Isse Botan A 22 year-old American tourist on her first trip abroad to London in 1993 asked a man for directions. He dragged her into a disused garage and raped her. In 2005 the case was reopened. Technical improvements allowed DNA to be retrieved from the evidence. It matched that from Isse Botan and he was jailed for 12 years for rape in January 2006. Neville Douglas In 1991 an 18 year-old accepted a lift home after leaving a London nightclub and was raped in the car. The case was reopened and DNA was retrieved that matched that from Neville Douglas. He was jailed for nine years for rape in 2005. David Decoteau In 1996 a woman was raped in the back office of the west London shop that she worked in. A cold-case review in 2006 matched a sample from the crime with David Decoteau, who was found guilty of rape in January 2007. Ricky Brown In 1992 a woman agreed to go for a drink with a man she met in a launderette in Orpington. As they walked together she became suspicious and tried to escape but he raped her. Following a cold-case review, Ricky Brown was convicted of the offence in January 2007. James Marshall In 1992 a woman was walking to a fair in Bury when she was dragged into some scrubland and raped. After a cold-case review, James Marshall was jailed for 18 years for rape in 2006. Graham Darbyshire In 1995 a woman walking her dog in Witton Park, Blackburn, was raped. Technical improvements allowed a DNA sample taken from the attack to be matched with Graham Darbyshire, who was jailed for life for this attack and another in 1993. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: "Cold case review" is a process of examining past unsolved crimes to see if new evidence can be gathered in the light of scientific advances, rather than an attempt to prove that convicted persons are in fact innocent. We cannot therefore identify cases where convictions were quashed by cold case review. However, DNA does indeed eliminate the innocent through work done during the investigation, before the stage where charges are brought. For example, in the case of the murders of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in 1983 and 1986, a local youth confessed to the second murder. DNA testing eliminated him and later led to the conviction of Colin Pitchfork for both crimes. In the case of the murder of Caroline Dickinson on a school trip to France in 1996, a French vagrant confessed and was eliminated by DNA evidence, before the eventual conviction of Francisco Montes. Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to amend the Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005 to make them compatible with the European Equal Treatment Directive. Lord Howell of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What estimates have been made by central Government and local authorities of total public expenditure on sea coastal defences against flooding over (a) the next five years, and (b) the next10 years. Lord Davies of Oldham: The following jurisdictions have made representations to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport seeking to be permitted to advertise gambling in Great Britain underSection 331 of the Gambling Act 2005: AlderneyAlexander First Nation (Canada)Antigua and BarbudaIsle of ManKahnawake First Nation (Canada)Netherlands AntillesTasmania We are currently considering these representations and the Secretary of State will announce her decision about which jurisdictions are permitted to advertise in due course. Lord Adonis: The information as requested is not readily available centrally within the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). To respond fully would involve an extensive internal and external information collection exercise which would exceed the recommended disproportionate cost threshold. DfES does not keep central telephony records for its arm's-length bodies. However, to be helpful, the following information, relating solely to DfES headquarters, can be provided. DfES currently employs a total of 35 non-geographic telephone numbers. These can be categorised broadly into two groups: those for use by citizens and those for use internally by DfES staff. The DfES does not participate in revenue-share schemes associated with non-geographic telephone numbers and therefore derives no revenue from the use of these numbers. Services used by citizens and accessed by customers calling non-geographic telephone numbers include (number of telephone lines in brackets): Employment Service (2): citizens are able to obtain up-to-date information and advice on jobs and vacancies.Jobcentre Plus helpline (1): citizens are able to contact Jobcentre Plus to discuss the services it offers.Student support funding helpline (1): provides advice and guidance in connection with funding and support available for higher education services.Career development loans helpline (1): advice and guidance on adult learning loans.Aim Higher helpline (1): provides a complete guide to higher education services.Childcare recruitment (2): provides information on careers and training opportunities, working in early years childcare and play work.Attainment and achievement level tables orderline (1): Schools performance tables order line.Public communications helpline (2): DfES inquiry line. Manage inquiries from members of the public.Main DfES switchboard number (1): will direct the inquirer to the area or team they wish to contact.Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) (1): the main number for the public to contact OSA, which administers and manages school admission arrangements, statutory proposals from primary and secondary schools.Child Support Agency (CSA) (1): originally set up as the initial contact point for the CSA. This number is no longer used for the CSA and will be re-allocated or ceased.Publications helpline/fax (3): manage requests to order official publications relating to the work of the DfES. Education maintenance allowance (3): a dedicated helpline for local partners, schools and colleges involved in delivering EMA to answer general and administrative queries.Learning Journey (1).Schools for Life—Get on Campaign line (1): advice and guidance on skills for life initiative which aims to improve the literacy, language and numeracy skills of adults. Small firms training scheme (1): now a DWP equality schemes order line. The scheme helps businesses with up to 50 employees for vocational education or training.Star award helpline (1): used by Quality Improvement Agency (for lifelong learning) from April 06.Headship information line (1): provides information in connection with the national headship training programmes which were established to provide a range of opportunities to support the development of the skills and understanding required successfully to lead schools. Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the detention of children for the purpose of immigration control is compatiblewith children's right to liberty and the United Kingdom's international human rights obligations; and what action they propose to take to provide minimum safeguards to ensure that the rights of children are not infringed. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Information on fixed penalty notices issued for endorsable and non-endorsable motoring offences by offence groups and police force area can be found in the annual Home Office publication Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, 2004 Supplementary tables (latest available)—tables 20(a) to 20(c) refer. Copiesare available in the Library. 2005 data will be available later this year; 2006 data will be available in 2008. Data are also collected centrally on the disposal (that is, paid, fine registration certificate issued et cetera) of fixed penalty notices issued. However, because of the time taken for the procedures for payment to be enforced, the data are collected approximately nine months later than the periodof issue. Tables 21 (a) and 21(b) of the above publication details data by number and percentage of fixed penalty notices by result for the previousyear (2003). In 2005, 18,047 penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) were issued by the Metropolitan Police. Of these, 7,867 were paid in full and 945 recipients elected to have their case heard in court. A further 8,786 had a fine of one and a half times the penalty amount registered against them by the courts as they both failed to pay the penalty and request a court hearing. An additional 145 PNDs were cancelled due to administrative error or mitigating circumstances and, in the remaining 304 cases, the outcome was unknown as they were still in progress at the time annual figures were submitted. Provisional data for January to June 2006 shows that 9,663 PNDs were issued by the Metropolitan Police. Provisional data for the whole of 2006 will be available in April 2007. Information on fixed penalty notices for environmental offences and payment rates broken down by area are available via the below weblink at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/legislation/fpn/index.htm. Baroness Amos: In July 2005, 86 per cent of the nearly 3 million conflict-affected and aid-reliant population were accessible to UN humanitarian aid. The latest figures available indicate that by the beginning of March 2007, the number in need of aid has reached 3,897,352 while the proportion accessible by the UN has dropped to77 per cent. Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their estimate of the number of people (a) who were displaced across Darfur inFebruary 2007, and (b) who have fled violence in the region since January 2007; and what is their assessment of the International Committee of the Red Cross report of 22 March 2007 that the plight of the most needy rural communities in Sudan's strife-torn region of Darfur is worsening. Baroness Amos: The UN estimate that 30,000 people were displaced in Darfur during February 2007. These constitute part of the 107,405 people displaced between 1 January and 1 April, the majority (79,000) were in South Darfur. We share the concerns of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about the vulnerability of rural communities in Darfur. The pervasive insecurity and the growing number of attacks and car-jackings targeting humanitarian agencies, has made consistent access to rural areas very difficult in most areas and impossible in some others. We are supporting the ICRC and other humanitarian agencies with substantial and flexible funding to assist in reaching those in need while maintaining the safety of their staff. The UK utterly condemns the continuing violence targeting civilians and humanitarian workers in Darfur and calls on all sides to cease the violence immediately, renew the ceasefire and political process, and accept the AU/UN peacekeeping force for Darfur. Lord Rooker: The information requested is not held by Defra orthe Environment Agency (EA). However, the EAdoes hold some information on the tonnage of London waste sent to landfill, detailed in the following tables: London waste to Landfill—tonnes Landfill Site 2003 2004 2005 Appleford, Oxfordshire 273,142 485,732 523,477 Arlesley, Bedfordshire 177,814 172,558 173,839 Brogborough Extension, Bedford - 2,050,246 2,245,817 Brogborough Landfill, Bedford 1,876,880 2,166,649 - Brookhurstwood Warnharm, West Sussex 360,000 400,896 259,490 Calvert Pit 4 Bucks 834,594 841,775 843,259 Mucking Landfill, Thurrock 655,928 669,416 714,043 Pitsea, Essex 867,720 925,106 1,304,114 Rainham Landfill 792,266 1,673,675 1,510,191 Stewartby (L Field), Bedford 428,459 453,324 106,308 Total 6,266,803 9,839,377 7,680,538 London municipal waste sent to landfill (thousand tonnes) 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Landfill 3,207 3,244 3,163 3,021 2,856 2,692 (percentage) 72% 73% 71% 70% 65% 64% Whilst the total amount of waste produced by London has remained fairly stable between 2000 and 2005, the proportion recycled has almost doubled.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2007-04-26a

Armed Forces: Procurement Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve reporting systems so they have access to information about direct commercial sales services provided by the UK Defence Procurement Office in the United States. Lord Astor of Hever: The British Defence Staff in Washington routinely gathers and monitors information relating to direct commercial sales in the US. The Ministry of Defence has access to this information and there are no current plans to change the reporting system. Aviation: Air Passenger Duty Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to modify air passenger duty; and, if so, by how much and when. Lord Deighton: Reforms to air passenger duty (APD) were considered as part of the consultation launched at Budget 2011. The Government's response was published on 6 December 20111. From 1 April 2013, APD rates will rise in line with the retail prices index, as set out at Budget 2012. The Chancellor keeps all taxes under review. 1 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_airpassenger.htm. Bank of England Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Bank of England has authorisation from HM Treasury to reinvest the proceeds of maturing bonds held in the Asset Purchase Fund used to implement quantitative easing. Lord Deighton: The Bank of England has authorisation from HM Treasury to reinvest the proceeds of maturing bonds held in the Asset Purchase Facility used to implement quantitative easing. The Monetary Policy Committee will decide on the appropriate size of the asset purchase programme, taking account of any maturing gilts, at each monthly meeting in the light of the medium-term outlook for inflation. Benefits Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 29 January (WA 294) whether details of child benefit recipients' ordinarily resident status and their right to reside in the United Kingdom is removed from their paper files once the benefit is in payment or the files destroyed. Lord Deighton: Information about a customer's ordinarily resident status and their right to reside in the United Kingdom remains on their clerical records until their entitlement to child benefit is determined and their clerical records are destroyed. Cats Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of households that have one or more cats as a domestic pet. Lord De Mauley: Defra does not hold the information requested. However, research by the University of Bristol carried out in 2010 estimated that 26% of households in the UK had one or more cats. I accept that this may not be the only research carried out in this area of interest. Debt Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Answer by Lord Deighton on 30 January (Official Report, col. 1535), whether levels of total debt in the United Kingdom economy are now higher or lower than in May 2010. Lord Deighton: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for estimates of United Kingdom debt, which it publishes on a quarterly basis. The following table shows estimates of public, corporate, household and total debt between the second quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2012 (the most recent quarter). Estimates are shown in both nominal terms and as a per cent of nominal gross domestic product (GDP) over the preceding four quarters. 2009Q2 2010Q2 2011Q2 2012Q3 £ billion £ GDP £ billion % GDP £ billion £ GDP £ billion £ GDP Public sector 1,144 81 1,386 97 1,542 103 1,809 118 Corporations 22,120 1,571 24,550 1,712 23,838 1,596 25,569 1,664 Households1 1,533 109 1,540 107 1,535 103 1,538 100 Total 24,798 1,761 27,476 1,916 26,915 1,802 28,916 1,882 1 Including non-profit institutions serving households Food: Prices Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have studied the impact of financial market trading in commodities on food prices. Lord Deighton: Under the previous Government, officials considered the causes and policy implications of spikes in international grain prices (published, January 2010). This included an assessment of the extent to which financial market trading in agricultural derivative markets may have played a causal role. HM Treasury has since participated in the G20 Commodity Study Group, which considered the role of financial market trading and published a report in November 2011. The Treasury has also participated in debates related to commodity aspects of the markets in financial instruments directive. All the while, HM Treasury has kept the evidence in respect of the impact of financial market trading under close review. Government: Economic Policies Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Answer by Lord Deighton on 30 January (Official Report, col. 1536), whether they will publish HM Treasury's graph of the "scissors of doom" for 2008-10, together with an update to the current date. Lord Deighton: Levels of receipts and spending as a percentage of GDP, from 1997-98 onwards, are set out in Chart 1.7 of Autumn Statement 2012. HMS "Manchester" Lord Haworth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has happened or is planned to happen to HMS "Manchester" since her withdrawal from active service. Lord Astor of Hever: HMS "Manchester" left service with the Royal Navy in February 2011. The ship is currently being prepared for disposal, which includes the removal of classified systems and equipment for use on in-service ships. It is our intention to offer HMS "Manchester" for sale via open competition in 2014. House of Lords (Cessation of Membership) Bill [HL] Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to offer support to the House of Lords (Cessation of Membership) Bill [HL] in the current parliamentary Session. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Government do not intend to offer support to the Bill. In the absence of full reform, it is the Government's view that there is no easy set of smaller reforms to the House of Lords. In a modern democracy it is important that those who pass legislation should be chosen by those to whom the legislation applies. So reform measures must include introducing elected Members to the House of Lords. Also, the three core measures of the Bill would not deal with the size of the House of Lords. Provision for retirement is an extension of the non-statutory voluntary retirement scheme, already in place. Only two noble Lords have taken advantage of this so far. Members would only be required to attend once every session to sustain their membership and only future criminals would be removed from the House of Lords. House of Lords: Mobile Phones Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask the Chairman of Committees what is the cost to a Member of the House of Lords of replacing a BlackBerry Curve mobile phone lost by that Member. Lord Sewel: If a Member loses a BlackBerry within the two-year contract period the Member is asked to pay for the replacement device, costing £127.31 plus VAT. If the device is out of contract then the item is replaced free of charge to the Member. Insurance: Payment Protection Insurance Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many bankers have been the subject of closed enforcement action by the Financial Services Authority in relation to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI); whether the Financial Services Authority has reviewed whether boards of directors of banks were at fault in connection with the mis-selling of PPI; and, if not, what the FSA has concluded was the responsibility of boards in connection with PPI mis-selling. Lord Deighton: This is a matter for the Financial Services Authority (FSA). This question has been passed on to the FSA, which will reply to the noble Lord directly by letter. A copy of the response will be placed in the Library of the House. Marriage: Gay Marriage Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any European Union proposals to legislate on gay marriage; and, if so, whether they have influenced Government policy. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: There are no European Union proposals to legislate on same-sex marriage. Nor does the EU have competence to legislate in the area of substantive family law. Migration Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government which European-wide restrictions on movement are currently in force in respect of migrants with a history of low-level criminal behaviour. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Under the Free Movement of Persons Directive 2004/38/EC, (the directive) an EEA national has the right to reside in any EU member state for up to three months without restrictions, provided that they do not become an unreasonable burden on the social assistance system of that state. Thereafter, they must be exercising treaty rights as a worker, student, self employed or self sufficient person, or be directly supported by a family member exercising such rights. However, an EEA national may be refused admission to the UK, deported or excluded on public policy, public security or public health grounds where they represent a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society. The person's age, state of health, family and economic situation, their length of residence in the United Kingdom, the person's social and cultural integration into the United Kingdom and the extent of the person's links with his country of origin must be considered in any such decision and the decision must be based exclusively on the personal conduct of the person concerned. Current UKBA guidance states that an EEA national who commits an offence in the UK will be considered for deportation under the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 if they receive a custodial sentence of 12 months or more for an offence involving drugs, violence or sexual crimes or a custodial sentence of 24 months or more for any offence. Persistent offenders falling below these criteria will also be considered for deportation. Non-EEA nationals who do not fall to be considered under the regulations may still be liable to deportation under the Immigration Rules. These were revised in December 2012 to establish a new criminality framework and to strengthen rules relating to deportation, and can be found at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/. Public Bodies Act 2011 Lord Rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government what areas of Home Office responsibility, previously carried out by non-departmental public bodies and covered by the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, are no longer subject to the terms of that act as a result of the implementation of the Public Bodies Act 2011. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: No areas of Home Office responsibility have ceased to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as a result of the implementation of the Public Bodies Act 2011. RSS Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement made by the Indian Home Secretary, Mr RK Singh, about terrorists involved in the Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Ajmar Sharif Dargah bombings in India being associated with the organisation called RSS. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Government cannot comment on statements made by overseas Governments in relation to security matters. Taxation: Double Taxation Baroness Hooper: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made in negotiating a double taxation treaty with Brazil. Lord Deighton: Officials have discussed prospects for a comprehensive double taxation agreement with their Brazilian counterparts on several occasions, most recently in November 2012. However, owing to important differences in approach between the two countries, prospects of concluding an agreement that would be of benefit to UK business appear, at the moment, to be remote. In their dealings with the Brazilian Government, Ministers and officials continue to highlight the value of a double taxation agreement based on the principles set out in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's model agreement. Taxation: Tax Avoidance Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many taxpayers ticked the box in their tax return relating to tax avoidance schemes in each of the last three years. Lord Deighton: During 2009-10 HM Revenue and Customs received 5,924 tax returns where the taxpayer had ticked the box relating to tax avoidance schemes. In 2010-11 that number was 6,962 and in 2011-12 it was 9,364. The increase in the numbers reflects changes in the disclosure of tax avoidance schemes' rules since they were introduced and the cumulative effect of the requirement to tick the box on every tax return potentially affected as a result of the scheme entered into. Wildlife: Endangered Species Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to support the conservation of lions in the light of recent research from Duke University estimating that only 32,000 lions remain on the African continent; and whether they will work with charity sector partners in doing so. Lord De Mauley: The UK is concerned about the conservation of lions in the wild and funded a conference in March 2012 in Johannesburg at which a number of lion range states discussed the conservation needs and status of the African lion. The level of protection afforded to lions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is currently under review by Kenya and Namibia, on behalf of the CITES Animals Committee, in liaison with other lion range states. We are waiting for the results of that review with interest and are keen to continue working with other CITES parties and relevant non-governmental organisations to ensure the long-term survival of this important species. Wildlife: Endangered Species Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to combat the illegal trade of wildlife, in the light of the European Union's position as one of the world's largest importers of wildlife products. Lord De Mauley: The UK Government are currently considering what more can be done to tackle the escalating problem of global wildlife trafficking. We will be working closely with international colleagues at the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) next month to tackle illegal wildlife trade. We will look to support measures that improve enforcement and combat illegal trade more effectively. We play an active role in CITES to strengthen the advice, assistance and tools provided to help range states enforce CITES controls and combat illegal wildlife trade. We support a wide range of actions to tackle illegal wildlife trade, including: financial contributions to Interpol-led projects, which build enforcement capacity in range states to conserve tigers, elephants and rhino; funding a post in the CITES Secretariat to help combat wildlife crime; and chairing the CITES Rhino Working Group tasked with investigating the drivers behind, and possible solutions to, the dramatic rise in rhino poaching. In the UK, primary responsibility for enforcing wildlife trade legislation rests with the police service and the UK Border Agency. Defra actively supports their activities through the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. Defra, together with the Home Office, is the main source of funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). Both departments have recently confirmed that they will each provide funding of £136,000 to support the unit for a further year. The NWCU spearheads national action to reduce wildlife crime and is the UK's focal point for international wildlife crime enquiries. The UK has selected wildlife crime priorities for urgent action, one of which is the illegal trade in species covered by CITES. Endangered species listed on Annex A to CITES require licences in order to be traded within the UK. The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency operates a panel of wildlife inspectors who carry out inspections to ensure that the legislation is complied with. It also has an enforcement team, which provides information from its records in support of prosecutions. Wildlife: Trophies Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the basis for their continued support for the exemption of hunting trophies as "personal and household effects" under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations. Lord De Mauley: Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) the importation of hunting trophies is allowed for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to certain conditions. Well managed trophy hunting can be an effective conservation and management tool for some species. Through the financial rewards from trophy hunting, farmers and other land managers are more likely to tolerate the presence of large, dangerous animals on their property and encourage local communities to value them as a resource. If there is evidence that hunting trophies are being traded unsustainably or illegally, we shall not hesitate to take action as appropriate. The ongoing status of the exemption of hunting trophies as personal and household effects will be discussed at the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES in March.

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lordswrans2013-02-14a

Development Council, 30 May Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe: asked Her Majesty's Government: What the outcome was of the Development Council held on 30 May. Baroness Amos: At its meeting on 30 May, the Development Council, by consensus: agreed conclusions on the external dimension of EU Sustainable Development Strategy and preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development; agreed procedural conclusions welcoming a proposal to define a common EU approach to democracy and governance in developing countries; debated the reform of EC development assistance and the programme of action 2002; agreed a declaration reaffirming its support for the work of UNFPA; and agreed joint resolutions with member states on education and training in the context of poverty reduction in developing countries; and on health and poverty reduction in developing countries; a resolution on water management in developing countries; conclusions on improving EU development response towards ACP crisis and conflict affected countries, and on information and communication technologies in development; and declarations on the World Food Summit, and on the food crisis in southern Africa. There were also informal discussions of recent developments in Afghanistan and Sudan. Pakistan: World Bank Loan Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the United Kingdom's view on the World Bank loan to Pakistan agreed on 11 June. Baroness Amos: The World Bank Board has voted in favour of the second structural adjustment credit ($500 million) to Pakistan. The loan is part of the international package of assistance to Pakistan's interim poverty reduction strategy and support reform measures that have already been taken. The UK made clear at the board meeting that we strongly support the Pakistan reform agenda but we expressed concerns about the risks posed by the threat of war and the low levels of social and poverty-related expenditures. Zimbabwe: Consular Fees Lord Gladwin of Clee: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their policy on charging for consular and visa services in Zimbabwe following the divergence in the official and parallel rates of exchange in that country. Baroness Amos: Since July 2000, the British High Commission has been running its sterling post account using the parallel rate of exchange and charging for some of its consular and visa services using the parallel rate. It has held charges for other consular and visa services at the official rate. Initially, the two rates were broadly similar. But since February 2001 the parallel rate has diverged increasingly from the official rate and the Zimbabwe dollar is now trading on the parallel market at around 10 times the official sterling rate of exchange. In financial year 2001–02, this resulted in an under-recovery by the FCO of around £422,000 in consular fees. In order to regularise the position and avoid any future shortfalls in recovery, the British High Commission will charge for all consular and visa services at the parallel exchange rate with effect from midnight on 23/24 June. Centrex (National Police Training) Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much Centrex (National Police Training) have paid to external consultants since February 2001; and what is the moneys paid to each company or consultant. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The readily available information on the number and value of contracts, which amounts to just over £3 million, awarded by Centrex (National Police Training) since February 2001 is shown below. Company Value (£) Addleshaw Booth & Co 27,133 Capita (5 Contracts) 1,402,141 CMG 144,676 Deloitte & Touche 46,383 Drivers Jonas 553,731 IWI Associates 2,126 Joanna Bloxham 400 Luther Pendragon 28,200 Mason Communications 150,467 Rainbow 36,330 Rouse & Co. 1,195 Salamander (7 contracts) 302,525 Turner Townsend 204,183 W S Atkins (2 contracts) 39,732 White Young Green 33,488 Willis 21,189 Wolff Olins 10,103 Total 3,004,002 The majority of these contracts have been for buildings and estate repairs and to support the transition of national police training to its non-departmental public body (NDPB) status, providing senior management, legal, finance and human resource skills. Centrex will continue to employ consultants for a wide range of purposes, which include management consultancy, specialist training design and development, engineering and estate maintenance and short-term support to cover key staff vacancies or one-off projects. Kent County Constabulary: Use of Prohibited Firearms The Earl of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Kent County Constabulary is conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances whereby journalists from Meridian TV and BBC TV Kent were allowed to use prohibited firearms by Kent County Constabulary personnel without having the authorisation of the Home Secretary; and, if so, whether they will place a copy of the report of the investigation in the Library of the House. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The force has issued a statement accepting that the use of firearms on this occasion was inappropriate and apologising for the embarrassment caused to the police authority, the Home Office and those attending the briefing. They have amended their range operating procedures to ensure that unauthorised civilians will not in future be allowed access to police firearms. They have considered whether or not the matter should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service but have decided not to do so. Covert Human Intelligence Sources Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether a person who makes a local authority aware of an issue such as anti-social behaviour and who at that stage is not a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) becomes a CHIS once the local authority has given that person a log sheet to make a record of future behaviour. Lord Filkin: Under Section 26(8) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), a person becomes a covert human intelligence source when he establishes or maintains a personal or other relationship with a person for the purpose of covertly obtaining information or covertly disclosing information. Authorities which may ask a person to keep information will need to consider whether these conditions are met and whether authorisation is required. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000: Internet The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government: Within the framework of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, at what points data being transmitted over the Internet are deemed to be (a) in transit and (b) stored. Lord Filkin: The Government's view is that for the purposes of Chapter I Part I of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, the times when a communication is taken to be in the course of its transmission, including over the Internet, include any time when it is stored on the system for the intended recipient to collect or access. For example, this means that an interception takes place where an electronic mail message stored on a web-based service provider is accessed so that its contents are made available to someone other than the sender or intended recipient. Access to a stored communication by the exercise of a statutory power (e.g. under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) for the purpose of obtaining information or taking possession of a document or other property is also lawful by virtue of Section 1(5) (c) of the Act. Asylum Seekers Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will estimate the number of asylum seekers who have disappeared within the United Kingdom since June 1997 before their cases have been considered; and Whether they will estimate the number of asylum seekers who remain in the United Kingdom after decisions have been taken not to grant them asylum, including those in the process of appealing against those decisions. Lord Filkin: I regret that the information requested is not available. Applicants do not always inform the Immigration Service prior to leaving the United Kingdom. We are making improvements in the area of contact management as detailed in the current White Paper: Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain, paragraph 4.42. This states that those in the proposed accommodation centres may be required to report on a daily basis within the accommodation centre. Those dispersed and those who do not require National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will also be required to report at the NASS address, at reporting centres or at police stations attended by staff from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. During the induction process asylum seekers will be advised of their obligations to notify any change of address and to report as required. Provision of support will be made conditional on asylum seekers reporting as required. Jersey: Financial Information Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Jersey is meeting the new European Union rules on sharing financial information. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There are no European Union rules on sharing financial information that apply to Jersey. Financial Services Authority Annual Report Lord Orme: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect the annual report of the Financial Services Authority to be published. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The FSA annual report is to be published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. The report forms a key part of the accountability mechanism for the FSA under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and this report is the first to assess the performance of the FSA against its statutory objectives. Steel Industry Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: What new measures they have adopted to assist the steel industry in Britain to face up to competition within and without the country. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Department of Trade and Industry in particular has worked closely with the UK steel industry for many years to improve its competitiveness and to encourage best practice. The DTI has provided financial support for a number of initiatives to bring about improvements in skills, training, business planning, lean manufacturing, exports and e-commerce. Earlier this year, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced funding of £2.7 million (£1.5 million from DTI and £1.2 million from Yorkshire Forward) for a new national metals technology centre. The centre will play an important role in ensuring the industry remains competitive and a world leader in innovation. Steel Industry Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their estimate of the annual value of United Kingdom exports of steel products for the years 1999–2001. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The value of UK exports of primary steel products were as follows: 1999—£2,145 million 2000—£2,395 million 2001—£2,417 million. Source: Iron & Steel Statistics Bureau. Beaches Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many beaches around England which are monitored for bathing quality passed the European Commission standards in 2000 and 2001; how many failed to meet the standards in 2000 and 2001; and what action is being taken to increase the success rate further. Lord Whitty: 388 (98 per cent) of the coastal bathing waters in England passed the Bathing Water Directive's main mandatory standards in 2001, compared with 375 (95 per cent) in 2000. Nine bathing waters (2 per cent) failed in 2001, compared with 21 (5 per cent) in 2000. Investment totalling £600 million in England and Wales is committed up to 2005, aimed at achieving further improvements, targeted at over 100 sewage treatment works and several hundred storm overflows. Ultra-violet disinfection of effluent has been or will be provided at over 120 sewage treatment works where this is needed to protect bathing waters, bringing water quality benefits to some 180 bathing waters. We are also actively addressing diffuse pollution of water from agriculture. Badgers Baroness Sharples: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are aware that, because of the rapid increase in damage caused to permanent pasture by badgers, farmers are reluctant to rent grazing in certain areas because of the risk of disease. Lord Whitty: The Government are aware of anecdotal evidence that increased badger activity has led to damage to some pasture in some areas. However, we have not seen any evidence that farmers are unwilling to rent land for grazing because of disease concerns. Meat Imports Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) What monitoring schemes are in place to check that the stipulated physical checks on meat imports happen as instructed at each place of entry to the United Kingdom; (b) What records of such checks are kept and in what form; and (c) Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the records for the last six months for each port and airport in England. Lord Whitty: (a) Border inspection posts (BIPs) are required to make monthly returns to Defra indicating the number of consignments received and what checks have been carried out on them. The Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission carries out frequent inspections of border inspection posts to ensure they are operating to the required standards. We are currently finalising arrangements under which staff of the State Veterinary Service will inspect BIPs on a regular basis and will ensure that the correct levels of checks are applied. (b) A detailed record of checks carried out is held at the BIP. This record includes the number of documentary, identity and physical checks carried out and the number of consignments sampled and rejected. These records can be held electronically or on paper. (c) A table detailing the number of physical checks on meat carried out by BIPs in England from October 2001 to March 2002 is being prepared and will be placed in the Library of the House when available. Montgomery Canal Lord Carlile of Berriew: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their policy towards the restoration of the Montgomery Canal for use by leisure and other craft from the Llangollen Canal southwards towards Newtown; and what is their policy towards the resourcing of any restoration. Lord Whitty: In line with their policy document Waterways for Tomorrow, the Government wish to encourage waterway restoration projects which have clear economic, environmental or social benefits. The Government look to the promoters of restoration projects such as the Montgomery Canal to seek funding from national lottery bodies, regional development agencies, European funds and other sources available to support the delivery of these objectives. Open Country and Common Land Maps Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the letter of 17 April from Alun Michael MP to Baroness Byford concerning the "very large number of comments" on the first draft maps of open country and registered common land in England, whether later parts of the programme might attract fewer comments if: (a) draft maps showed existing access restrictions, for instance on Ministry of Defence land; (b) the definition of improved or semi-improved grassland were to be widened to cover more than simply agricultural improvement; and (c) the definition of heathland were to exclude dense naturally regenerating trees. Lord Whitty: We welcome the large number of comments on the agency's draft maps for part of the South East and the lower North West of England, which show the high level of public engagement in the consultation. The purpose of the draft map is to invite comments on whether land is correctly shown on the map as open country or registered common land. While a number of different suggestions have been made, Ministers have looked at the agency's approach and agree with the agency's view that the inclusion of other information, such as existing rights of access or restrictions on access under Ministry of Defence by-laws, would distract people from considering whether the land is correctly shown on the draft map. For example, land managers might fail to object to the classification of land as open country because military by-laws already restrict access. They would then have no further opportunity to object to its classification if the by-laws were subsequently revoked and the land were opened to access. The agency expects to draw up advisory maps which will show open country and registered common land in the context of other useful information, such as known substantial areas of excepted land, land subject to long-term restrictions and exclusions and land with existing rights of access which will help people to interpret the information shown on conclusive maps. The agency will look at the criteria for mapping open country (which are set out in its mapping methodology) as it proceeds with assessing the comments made to it on the draft maps for the lead mapping regions, including comments similar to those made by the noble Baroness. Any amendments to the criteria will be reflected in the provisional maps for these two regions and in the draft maps issued for subsequent regions. Slug Pellets Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will issue notice or consider taking appropriate action to prevent or to discourage the careless use of slug pellets. Lord Whitty: Slug pellets, like all pesticides, are approved taking into account their impact on people and the environment and all give guidance to users on how to minimise the risk from using them. Provided these products are used in accordance with their statutory conditions of approval there should be minimal risk to people, non-target animals and the wider environment. All approved pesticide products are subject to routine review but may be reviewed at any time if specific concerns emerge concerning their safety. If appropriate, an approval can be restricted or revoked entirely. Where there is clear evidence of careless use, court action can be, and has been, taken. Metaldehyde, an active substance used in some slug pellets, was reviewed in 1996 and as a result additional conditions and restrictions on use were imposed so as to further improve the safety of these products in use. Methiocarb, the other principle active substance used in slug pellets, is presently being reviewed as part of the UK's review of anticholinesterase pesticides. Domestic Energy Efficiency Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress has been made by each energy conservation authority in improving the energy efficiency of the domestic housing stock in its area. Lord Whitty: Data reported by energy conservation authorities in England under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2001 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. These data have also been published on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' website, at address http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/energy/heca95/index.htm. Authorities have reported an overall improvement in domestic energy efficiency of 8.12 per cent. as measured against a 1996 baseline. Rights of Way Lord Burlison: asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress is being made on implementation of the rights of way provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Lord Whitty: We are today publishing proposals to implement provisions in Schedule 6 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act which will enable the closure or diversion of rights of way where this is necessary for crime prevention or to promote pupil and teacher safety. These new powers will enable highway authorities to address the disruption caused by persistent criminal activity in back alleys, or gulleys, on housing estates. As these important new powers are not regarded as a first response to tackling crime, we will designate areas where the new crime prevention powers will be available. Highway authorities will normally take the lead, working with local crime and disorder reduction partnerships, police authorities, local residents and user groups to formulate a submission to the Secretary of State advocating any area at ward level that may warrant inclusion in a designation order. In county areas, the district authority or the local crime and disorder reduction partnership may be able to make a submission if the county is unwilling to do so. The new schools provisions will enable a highway authority to close or divert a right of way where it crosses school land for the purpose of protecting pupils or staff from violence or other risks to their health and safety. These provisions are not subject to the designation process and will be available throughout England. I am also publishing proposals to implement Section 63 of the Act. These new provisions will ensure that members of the public have a means to compel highway authorities to use their powers to remove certain types of obstruction. Highway authorities already have specific powers to deal with obstructions and recover costs from the persons concerned. These new provisions will empower the public to directly influence the action taken by authorities in dealing with obstructions. The public will be able to initiate action in relation to the majority of obstructions that cause difficulties for rights of way users, such as fences, overhanging vegetation and barbed wire. We are inviting views on any other forms of obstruction that should be covered by the provisions. Copies of Crime Prevention on Rights of Way; Public Consultation paper on the Designation of Areas and Other Procedural Matters, and Enforcement of highway authorities duty to prevent obstructions on rights of way: Consultation Paper on the implementation of section 63 of Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 have been placed in the Library of the House. Views are invited by 20 September 2002. School Playing Fields Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will take steps to encourage independent schools which enjoy charitable status to share their sports grounds and facilities with schools in their districts which are less able to offer students opportunities to play sport. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: It is the Government's policy to encourage partnership between the maintained and independent education sectors. Through our independent/state schools partnership scheme we provide grants which foster a range of partnership activities between schools in both sectors, including partnerships which use shared sports facilities. Partnerships help to build bridges between the sectors and encourage schools to explore collaboration across a wide range of activities. We know that many independent schools have taken the decision to share facilities with maintained schools. We applaud these arrangements and hope that independent schools will reflect on their success and consider whether they could be extended. The Government's Plan for Sport, published in Spring 2001, acknowledges the independent/state school partnership scheme and the part that the independent sector can play in improving the provision of PE and school sport in all our schools. Religious Broadcasting Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the relaxation of the disqualification against religious broadcasting contained in Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Act 1990 was omitted from the Broadcasting Act 1996. Baroness Blackstone: Ministers of this Government are not accountable for what happened under a previous administration. Religious Broadcasting Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What considerations have led them to exclude Christian and other religious broadcasters from applying for local digital multiplex broadcasting licences. Baroness Blackstone: The Government's aim is to ensure that the limited spectrum available is distributed so as to satisfy as many viewers/listeners as possible and to avoid giving one religion an unfair advantage over another so that everyone's beliefs are equally respected. The Government's position is set out in the document The draft Communications Bill— The Policy which states that, where there is sufficient spectrum availability, restrictions on religious bodies holding licences will be removed (paragraph 9.3.3). A local radio multiplex licence is the licence to operate a multiplex through which local digital radio stations are transmitted. In most areas there is only one local digital radio multiplex for independent local radio and the maximum number in London is three. Under these circumstances we have concluded that there is insufficient spectrum to allow local radio multiplex licences to be held by religious bodies. For clarification, however, the Bill does lift the prohibition on religious ownership of a local digital sound programme licence, which is the licence to operate a local digital radio station. Women's Sport Foundation Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackstone on 22 May (WA 107), what were the results of the meeting between the Chief Executive of the Women's Sport Foundation (WSF) and government officials held at the end of May; and what action the Government will take to support the WSF's new strategic plan. Baroness Blackstone: The meeting between the Chief Executive of the Women's Sport Foundation (WSF) and government officials at the end of May resulted in the Government committing to supporting elements of the WSF's new strategic plan. This action includes involving the WSF in Sport England's Sportsearch project, which is an Internet CD-ROM system designed to enable secondary-aged young people to match their physical, physiological and skill profiles and preferences with sports they may enjoy. The computer program also provides young people with information about a range of sports and gives them direct access to local club contracts and information. Officials are working with the WSF Media Group with a view to including a DCMS representative and liaising with Sport England to improve data collection on women and girl's participation in sport. Ulster Scots Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they have not given guidance to all their offices in Northern Ireland concerning the equal treatment of Irish and Ulster Scots, as promised in the Belfast Agreement of 1998. Lord Williams of Mostyn: As I indicated in my Answer to the noble Lord (WA 133), the Belfast Agreement affirmed the parties' recognition of the "importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the languages of the various ethnic communities, all of which are part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland". Maintaining linguistic diversity is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office, the other Exchequer Departments operating in Northern Ireland and the devolved administration. Work is progressing jointly to ensure a consistent approach is taken across all administrative arms of government in Northern Ireland and guidance will be issued in due course. Irish Nationality Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 26 March (WA 44), what they understand to be meant by the term Irish national. Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on the 9 May (WA 200). Prime Minister: Holiday in Egypt Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the Prime Minister's spokesman claimed that the Prime Minister had paid for his own holiday and that of his extended family in Egypt while the entry made by the Prime Minister in the Register of Members' Interests makes it clear that he did not. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The position is as the Prime Minister made clear in the Register of Members' Interests. Castlereagh Police Complex: Security Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 30 May (WA 168), what steps the Police Service of Northern Ireland is taking to improve security clearance arrangements for staff at Castlereagh police complex. Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer to the Answer given by Baroness Farrington on 30 May (WA 168). The Acting Chief Constable has confirmed that security clearance arrangements for staff at Castlereagh will be kept under review. Special Advisers Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the circumstances in which civil servants may be managed, whether directly or indirectly, by special advisers. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Only two special advisers, Jonathan Powell and Alastair Campbell, have executive powers under Article 3(3) of the Civil Service Order in Council. Special Advisers Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the role of special advisers in representing the views of Ministers to the media, including a political party viewpoint, has been authorised by Parliament; and, if so, how. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The duties and responsibilities of special advisers are regulated by the Civil Service Order in Council and the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Toll Roads Viscount Astor: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will publish the Report by Lord Birt, the Government's Transport Adviser, into future toll roads. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: It is not our policy to publish Forward Strategy Unit reports. These reports will provide the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers with long-term internal strategic analysis and policy thinking. Internal policy advice to Ministers remains confidential. Bus Lanes Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 27 February (WA 242), whether they are now in a position to say when the consultation on camera enforcement of bus lanes outside London will be completed; and whether the necessary orders will be made in the autumn. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Drafting of the regulations for the purpose of consultation is almost complete. Our target continues to be to make the regulations this autumn. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: UK Delegation Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: My honourable friend the Member for Reading East (Ms Griffiths) has been appointed as a substitute Member in place of my honourable friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson). Peers' Expenses Lord Marlesford: asked the Chairman of Committees: Whether he will update the information on Peers' expenses which he gave on 23 July 2001 (WA 191–92) to show comparable figures for the year 2001–02. Lord Tordoff: The total expenditure on Peers' expenses in the financial year 2001–02 was £10,014,470, as against £8,411,551 in 2000–01. This total was made up as follows (2000–01 figures are in brackets): Travelling expenses £1,615,252 (£1,643,744) Night subsistence £3,223,549 (£2,540,450) Day subsistence and incidental travel £2,260,992 (£1,821,182) Secretarial costs, postage and certain additional expenses £2,386,673 (£1,910,335) A further £528,004 (£495,840) was expended as follows: Allowances for Lords' Ministers and office holders £168,322 (£165,936) Personal accident and travel insurance £18,561 (£17,390) Financial assistance to Opposition parties £341,121 (£312,514) The number of Peers claiming expenses was as follows (2000–01 figures again in brackets): Under £1,000 41 (43) £1,001–£5,000 107 (96) £5,001–£10,000 85 (97) £10,001–£15,000 89 (100) £15,001–£20,000 56 (63) £20,001–£25,000 63 (68) £25,001–£30,000 65 (71) Over £30,000 91 (33)

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2002-06-20a

Farming and Rural Conservation Agency: Annual Report Lord Shepherd: asked Her Majesty's Government: When he will publish the 1999-2000 annual report for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. Baroness Hayman: The 1999-2000 annual report and accounts for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House. Fisheries Economic Link Measures Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will assess the impact of the economic link measures introduced for the fisheries sector on 1 January 1999. Baroness Hayman: From 1 January 1999, all British registered fishing vessels over 10 metres catching more than 2 tonnes of quota stocks have had to demonstrate an economic link with fisheries-dependent communities in the United Kingdom. This link can be demonstrated in a number of ways--for example, by vessels landing at least 50 per cent by weight of their quota catch into the UK or by employing a crew of whom at least 50 per cent are normally resident in a UK coastal area. In the first year of operation, over 1,750 vessels caught more than 2 tonnes of quota stocks and in almost every case achieved a satisfactory economic link, primarily through landings into the UK. Where a small number have failed to make the full list in 1999, they will be expected to make this up in 2000 and future years. The new arrangements have resulted in a significant increase both in the volume of landings made by foreign owned UK flagged vessels and in local expenditure on goods and services in the UK. They have also led to over 300 tonnes of additional quota being made available to fishermen in the under 10 metre fleet and non sector. A full report by the Fisheries Departments in the United Kingdom on the operation of the economic link measures and their impact in 1999 has been placed in the Library of the House. Commission of the European Union: Reform Lord Howell of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their current policy towards the reform and reorganisation of the Commission of the European Union. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As part of the IGC, the Government would be prepared to see a reduction in the size of the Commission, provided this was accompanied by a substantial re-weighting of votes in the Council of Ministers. The Government also support restructuring the College of Commissioners to allow it to organise its work effectively. These changes would ensure that the Commission can remain effective after enlargement. The Government also strongly support the process of management reform that is currently under way in the Commission, which should help to ensure that the Commission is more accountable, efficient and transparent. International Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the response of 31 October to the House of Commons Procedure Committee's 2nd Report of Session 1999-2000 (HC 210), whether they would support a proposal to establish a House of Lords Select Committee on Treaties to scrutinise treaties laid before Parliament under the Ponsonby Rule and treaties subject to proceedings in Parliament; and, if not, why not. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer to the noble Lord, Lord Thomson of Monifieth, on 2 October, which stated that the creation of Select Committees is a matter principally for the relevant House of Parliament. Knives Act 1997: Prosecutions Lord Windlesham: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been under the Knives Act 1997 since it was brought into force. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Sections 1 to 7, 9 and 10 of the Knives Act 1997 came into force on 1 September 1997. Data for England and Wales, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, are as follows: 1997 1998 1999 Offence description Proc Conv Proc Conv Proc Conv Section 1 (4) (a) 1 1(1) 1 1(2) - - Section 1 (4) (b) - - 2 1(3) 5 - Section 2 (1) (a) - - - - 1 - (1) Conviction resulted in a fine. (2) Conviction resulted in a fine. (3) Conviction resulted in a Probation Order. For Scotland, prosecutions under the Act cannot be identified separately from other "trading" offences. For Northern Ireland, the data are not available. Chief Inspectors of Prisons and Probation: Appointments Lord Orme: asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the outcome of the consultation on the appointment of a joint Chief Inspector for Prisons and Probation. Lord Bassam of Brighton: My right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced on 9 June, Official Report, col. 392-393W, that Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons Sir David Ramsbotham's appointment was extended until the end of July 2001, when Sir Graham Smith, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation, is also due to retire. In response to a question in the House of Commons on 27 July, Official Report, col. 879W, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary told the House that a consultation exercise had been established to gauge public opinion on proposals, including the option of a joint Chief Inspector, designed to ensure that the inspectorates of prisons and probation support closer working between the two services while maintaining the independence and rigour of the inspection process. The consultation exercise ended on 31 October. Copies of the responses to the consultation exercise will be placed in the Library. A majority of those consulted favoured some change--establishing terms of reference for the inspection of joint working between the criminal justice agencies and the sharing of inspectors between the inspectorates. In contrast, only small minorities were in favour of the status quo, or of the appointment of a joint Chief Inspector for prisons and probation. During the consultation exercise, a helpful scheme was put forward by Her Majesty's Chief Inspectors of Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service, Magistrates' Courts, Probation, and Prisons to inspect practice across their boundaries systematically. This scheme has much to recommend it and the consultation exercise also suggests that it will command broad support. It is therefore the option which the Government proposed to pursue, along with the arrangements canvassed in the consultation exercise for bringing the work of the inspectorates closer together. Both Sir David and Sir Graham have made significant contributions to raising standards in the prison and probation services respectively, and the Government are grateful to them for their work. In view of the retirements in July next year, both Chief Inspector posts will be advertised in the New Year. Hi-tech Crime: Police Resources Lord Orme: asked Her Majesty's Government: What resources are available to the police in England and Wales to tackle hi-tech crime. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government are committed to action against hi-tech crime in line with our twin objectives of making the United Kingdom the best and safest place in the world to conduct and engage in e-commerce. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is making £25 million available to the police in England and Wales over the next three years to initiate the implementation of a national hi-tech crime strategy to enhance the capability of law enforcement more effectively to investigate crime where new technology is used. The funding being made available will give impetus to the process of developing the skills within the police to undertake computer network investigations and forensic examination of computer systems. These are skills that are becoming necessary as criminals identify opportunities to use and misuse information and communications technology. It is important to ensure that the police have the proper skills and equipment to support them in this new activity. With those skills the police will, at the local level, be able to deliver improved service to the public to investigate reports of computer-related crime and to recover and analyse computer based evidence. The crimes concerned cover a wide spectrum from hacking and financial fraud to obscenity and the unlawful activities of paedophiles. The work of local units will be complemented by a multi-agency national hi-tech crime unit that will begin operation in April 2001. The national unit that will provide advice and support to local units, and to other law enforcement agencies across the United Kingdom, and deal with the most serious and organised hi-tech crime offences, including those which have a transnational impact. The Government's commitment to support the development of the capability of law enforcement was made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister when he endorsed the Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit report e-commerce@its.best.uk last summer. That report recommended that the Government improve the technical capability of law enforcement to investigate Internet crime and establish an internet crime unit. On 11 September, the Prime Minister published the UKOnline Annual Report. The establishment of a national hi-tech crime unit was identified as a specific action, part of the Government's commitment to work with industry to ensure a safe and secure environment for e-commerce and to help people trust the Internet. I am pleased that, with the support of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad, we are able to make progress towards ensuring that the police both locally and nationally are better trained and equipped to deal with hi-tech crime. Young Asylum Seekers: Support Lord Davies of Oldham: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to increase the level of support provided by the National Asylum Support Service for those aged under 16 years. Lord Bassam of Brighton: My honourable friend the Minister of State yesterday laid before Parliament regulations amending the Asylum Support Regulations 2000 to enable an increased rate of voucher support to be provided to under 16 year-old dependants of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service with effect from 4 December. The rate will rise from £26.60 to £30.95 per week. Freedom of Information Bill: Fees Regulations Lord Richard: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will place the draft working document of the Fees Regulations for the Freedom of Information Bill in the Library. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The draft working document for the Fees Regulations required by the Freedom of Information Bill was placed in the Library on 10 November. African Caribbean Pupils: Achievement Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to deal with the situation where African Carribean pupils enter compulsory schooling as the highest achieving group but leave it as the group least likely to gain five high-grade GCSEs, as revealed in the recent report Educational Inequality: Mapping Race, Class and Gender, commissioned by Ofsted. Baroness Blackstone: The Government have been concerned since they came to power to tackle the relatively low achievement of African Caribbean pupils in school. The Ofsted report, based on 1997 data, rightly draws attention to worrying evidence from a small number of local education authorities that the relative attainment of African Caribbean pupils worsens between the start and end of their compulsory schooling. However, it also shows that there have been absolute and relative overall improvements in their attainment at GCSE. We hope that further, more recent, evidence will show continued improvements. The Government's drive to improve school standards, especially in literacy and numeracy, is delivering higher attainment by pupils of all backgrounds. We plan to extend that drive to Key Stage 3 and to extend the Excellence in Cities programme, which targets areas where ethnic pupils tend to be disproportionately represented. We are providing targeted finance for African Caribbean and other ethnic minority pupils through the Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant. In 2001-02, the grant will support £153.5 million of local expenditure--an increase of 4.5 per cent. We also plan to enhance ethnic monitoring of pupils' progress to allow individual pupil-level achievement to be linked to ethnic group data to ensure better targeted support for groups at risk of poor attainment. Education/Youth Council, 9 November Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the outcome of the Education/Youth Council held in Luxembourg on 9 November. Baroness Blackstone: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Learning and Technology and Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, represented the UK at the Council of EC Education/Youth Ministers in Brussels on 9 November. Education Ministers adopted a recommendation on mobility within the Community for students, persons undergoing training, volunteers, teachers and instructors and an associated Mobility Action Plan. The plan sets out a number of measures, which member states can select from according to national circumstances, to promote the mobility of teachers, academics, students and volunteers across Europe. Ministers discussed a preliminary draft report on the future objectives of education systems. Council agreed that the report, which is to be presented by the education Ministers to the Stockholm European Council in Spring 2001, should aim to identify objectives and priorities common to education systems within member states and facilitate the sharing of information and exchange of good and best practice at a national level. The Council adopted two opinions for the Employment and Social Policy Council on the Social Policy Agenda and draft employment guidelines. Ministers received reports from the Commission and Presidency on the conclusions of the Leiden seminar, organised by the Netherlands and French Presidency; on open methods of co-ordination and benchmarking of European education systems; follow-up to the meeting of the EU and Latin American Ministers for Higher Education in Paris on 3 November; a memorandum on lifelong learning; progress reached in the implementation of the European Year of Languages 2001; the renewal of the United States-Canada-EU co-operation agreements in the field of education and training; and the outcome of the Blois seminar entitled "Learn the history of Europe". Youth Ministers held an open debate on the follow-up measures which should be taken following earlier consultations with young people in Europe. Council agreed the importance of involving young people at European level and the need to create regular opportunities for consulting with young people--including those not affiliated to recognised youth networks--at both national and European level. The debate was part of the Commission's consultation process linked to developing a White Paper on the future of youth policy. Ministers received information from the Commission on the implementation of the Youth Programme and adopted a resolution on the social inclusion of young people. The Presidency and the Commission raised the issue of the potential dangers facing young sportsmen and women through over-training, drug abuse and commercial exploitation. The Commission urged the Council to consider taking action to tackle this. The Council heard a report from the German delegation on the need to tackle the problem of racism and xenophobia amongst young people. A copy of the Council Minutes will be placed in the Library in due course. Green Ministers: Second Annual Report Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to publish the second annual Green Ministers' report. Lord Whitty: We are delighted to announce that "Greening Government: the Second Annual Report of the Green Ministers Committee" will be published tomorrow. It provides a comprehensive account of the work of Green Ministers over the past year, and sets out our future work programme. The report reflects Green Ministers' increasing focus on integrating sustainable development into government policies, as well as our continuing efforts to improve the environmental performance of government operations. There is a considerable amount of information at department level to enable the reader to understand the progress each department has made in all areas of our work. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Smoking-related Disease Victims' Families: Compensation Policy Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: In the light of their recent announcement on compensation for families of victims of nvCJD, whether they have plans to compensate the families of victims of smoking-related diseases. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have no plans to compensate the families of victims of smoking-related diseases. Free Hospital Transport: Policy Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have a uniform approach to entitlement to free hospital transport for those discharged from hospital in England; and, if so, what it is. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Patient transport for those discharged from hospital is available free where the clinician in charge of the patient determines that there is a need for the hospital to provide transport. Where there is no clinically defined need but the patient is in receipt of benefits such as income support, then he or she is able to receive help under the "Hospital Travel Cost Scheme" which was set up in 1988 as part of the NHS Low Income Scheme to provide financial assistance. A guide entitled "Help with Health Costs" (HC11), copies of which are available in the Library, describes what help is available with necessary travel costs to and from hospital for National Health Service treatment. Smoking: Pollution Reduction Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: In the light of their recent statement of commitment to the environment, which of their policies are aimed at reducing pollution by smoking. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Smoking Kills--A White Paper on tobacco, published on 10 December 1998, sets out the Government's strategy to reduce smoking. The NHS Plan and the NHS Cancer Plan contain further commitments to reduce the health and other impacts of smoking. Millennium Dome: New Year's Eve Transport Arrangements Baroness Anelay of St. Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they have taken to ensure that those people who attend the New Year's celebrations at the Millennium Dome will be able to travel to and from the event by public transport. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: My colleague the Deputy Prime Minister last week held talks with key transport providers and the Mayor of London to discuss arrangements for the capital's New Year's Eve celebrations. Plans are being finalised and will have to reflect safety assessments carried out by London Underground, Railtrack, the train operating companies, the Metropolitan Police and the Greater London Authority. All the assessments have recommended early closure of some central London tube stations. However, stations around the edge of the safety zone will be open and those going to Greenwich will be able to use them. The night buses will be free again this year. Departmental Cars Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 October (WA 68), what is the policy of the Ministry of Defence in relation to the disposal of government cars after use. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer QC) on 2 November, WA 120. Departmental Cars Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 October, what is the policy of the Cabinet Office in relation to the disposal of government cars after use. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The majority of cars used by the Cabinet Office are leased from either approved leasing companies or the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA). For details of the disposal of GCDA cars, I refer the noble Lord to the answer from the GCDA Chief Executive, Mr Nick Matheson, of 2 November 2000 (WA 120). Departmental Cars Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 October (WA 68), what is the policy of the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the disposal of government cars after use. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Northern Ireland Office does not have a policy in relation to the disposal of government cars. The department has a general policy of leasing cars, from either the Government Car Despatch Agency, or approved leasing companies. The Cabinet Office will reply on behalf of the GCDA. Leasing companies are responsible for the disposal of their own cars. UK/Ukraine International Road Transport Agreement Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the recently published agreement on international road transport between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Ukraine signed on 13 December 1995, entered into force only on 10 June; and whether this agreement is affected by the Common Strategy Agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine, signed in December 1999. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: International road transport agreements enter fully into force only when both signatories have completed their respective domestic legislative procedures. For our part, these legislative procedures were completed in 1996. In February this year we received formal notification from the Ukrainian authorities that they had done likewise, at which point we were able to complete the ratification process. The agreement has, however, been applied informally since the date of signature and under its provisions we have been exchanging road haulage permits with the Ukraine for the past four years to the benefit of UK hauliers. Our bilateral agreement with the Ukraine is unaffected by the Common Strategy Agreement. Army Base Repair Organisation Workshop, Sennybridge Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 31 October (WA 99), how many pieces of equipment have been outstanding for repair by or on behalf of the Army Base Repair Organisation's workshop at Sennybridge, as at 9 October, for between two and six months. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As at 9 October, there was no equipment outstanding for repair for between two and six months at the ABRO workshop at Sennybridge. Millennium Dome: Sponsorship Payments Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 23 October (WA 1) that Tesco sponsorship of £500,000 due for payment to the Millennium Dome on 1 March had been withheld pending the resolution of certain issues and had not been paid over as at 23 October, why Mrs Janet Anderson, Minister for Tourism, stated on 4 July that "At 31st May, all contractual sponsorship payments had been made" (HC Deb, col. 194W). Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Having received advice from the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) that the information they provided to me in July was incorrect, Mrs Janet Anderson, the Minister for Tourism, set the record straight by way of Written Answer (HC Deb, col. 384W). The Answer should have been: "All sponsor contracts are individually tailored for each sponsorship, including phasing of sponsorship payments. As at 1 March, under the terms of their sponsorship agreement, Tesco were due to pay £1.75 million plus VAT. Of that, £1 million (plus VAT) had been received on 12 May 2000, leaving a balance of £750,000. The contract with Boots was nearing finalisation and the company had paid amounts in advance of signature. The Boots contract has now been signed and all due payments have been made". Mrs Anderson apologised for this unfortunate, but unintentional, error. David James, Executive Chairman of NMEC, is initiating a full investigation as to how this error occurred. NMEC: County Court Summonses Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many County Court summonses had been issued against the New Millennium Experience Company as at: (a) 31 May; (b) 30 June; (c) 31 July; (d) 31 August; and (e) 30 September. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that, prior to June 2000, the company did not keep a central record of County Court summonses. On receipt, such summonses were dealt with by the individuals within NMEC's Finance Department whose responsibilities covered the supplier in question. Once the summonses were received and resolved, the papers were filed in the individual supplier file and not logged on to a central database. To identify those summonses manually could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost. A central record has been kept since 1 June and the summonses issued since then are as follows: Number of claims Number of claims resolved As at 30 June 7 7 As at 31 July 15 15 As at 31 August 9 9 As at 30 September 6 6 Total 37 37 Royal Ulster Constabulary: Trust Fund Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to publish the report of the review of the proposal for a new police fund to assist the widows and families of Royal Ulster Constabulary officers murdered as a result of terrorism action. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As I announced in the House on 27 July prior to Second Reading, the Government asked Mr John Steele to carry out a review into the proposed fund. The Government received the report from John Steele on 27 October. It was published on 7 November 2000, and copies have been placed in the Library of both Houses. Copies are also being sent to all those parties with whom Mr Steele had meetings. The Government are extremely grateful to Mr Steele for taking on this sensitive review of the recommendation (Recommendation 87) by the Independent Commission on Policing and for concluding his review so promptly. It welcomes his comprehensive and thorough report. The Government are undertaking a detailed assessment of each of the specific proposals and these will form the basis on which the Government take forward implementation of this very important Patten recommendation. In particular, the Government agree that a new fund should be established covering in scope deaths and injuries caused directly by terrorist violence against members of the police in Northern Ireland. The fund would help seriously injured police officers, and retired officers and their families, as well as police widows. The Government will establish a trust to administer the fund, on the basis proposed, as soon as possible. The Government also accept the key recommendation that widows of police officers who were killed as a result of terrorist activity prior to 25 November 1982 should receive lump sum payments. They will look to see how these payments, along the lines proposed in Mr Steele's report, can be made without undue delay. The Government have already implemented the related recommendation, Recommendation 88, that the Widows' Association should be given premises and a regular source of finance to run their organisation. The Widows' Association moved into new premises, and funding began, in September. International Independent Commission on Decommissioning: Cost Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much the International Independent Commission on Disarmament has cost since its creation, including this year; and what contribution to this cost has been made by the Government of the Irish Republic. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The total expenditure shared by the British and Irish Governments from the creation of the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning to date is IR £4,131,215. The costs are split on a 50/50 basis shared by the British and Irish Governments. Northern Ireland: Railway Safety Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why a proportion of the extra funding made available to the railway systems in the United Kingdom to improve safety does not apply to Northern Ireland Railways; and whether railway safety in Northern Ireland has a different priority for them compared with railway safety in other parts of the United Kingdom. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Human Rights Chief Commissioner Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Chief Commissioner for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a member of the Committee of the Administration of Justice; and, if so, what is the term of his membership. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a member of the Committee on the Administration of Justice and has been since 1981. Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has fulfilled its statutory duty under Section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 by reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the law and practice in relation to marches by the Loyal Institutions in Northern Ireland. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's statutory duty under Section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is an ongoing duty. The commission submitted advice to Her Majesty's Government earlier this year on whether the Human Rights Act 1998 should be commenced in relation to some aspects of the law and practice of marches. Her Majesty's Government took account of the commission's views. Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission considers that the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill fails to make every effort to recruit from the ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland, as suggested in paragraph 14.6 of the Patten Report; and, if so, what is the Government's response. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has made no representation to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill on the recruitment of ethnic minorities to the police force in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Policing Plan Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they intend that the annual Policing Plan, described in Clause 26 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill, will include-- (a) a statement of the police board's priorities; (b) the financial resources available to the board; (c) the proposed allocation of those resources; and (d) particulars of objectives determined by the Secretary of State and the board, and of performance targets set by the board; and, if so, whether they will set out the above on the face of the Bill. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Policing Plan will include the items mentioned by virtue of regulations to be made under the Bill. A draft of the proposed regulations was made available during Committee stage in the other place. Northern Ireland: Police Board Inquiry Powers Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is their intention to keep to the absolute minimum the grounds upon which the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State may restrict the freedom of the police board to initiate inquiries under Clause 60 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The grounds upon which the Chief Constable may refer a board inquiry to the Secretary of State for the latter to overrule are set out in the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill. The Government believe that these restrictions on the board's inquiry power are at an absolute minimum. Northern Ireland: Bloody Sunday Judicial Inquiry Lord Lamont of Lerwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 25 October that a judicial inquiry into the Omagh bombing could jeopardise legal proceedings, whether that means that there cannot be any prosecutions relating to Bloody Sunday now that a judicial inquiry has been set up to investigate those events. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The circumstances of the two cases are very different. Unlike the Omagh bombing, there are no prosecutions outstanding in relation to Bloody Sunday nor are the events of that day the subject of active criminal investigations likely to lead to imminent prosecutions. The existence of the Bloody Sunday inquiry does not, however, prevent the possibility of prosecutions being brought in due course; whether or not that happens will be a matter for the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions on the basis of the available evidence. Euro Cash: Introductory Issue of Notes and Coins Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What will be the total value of notes and coins denominated in euros in circulation throughout the European Union at the beginning of 2002. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: According to current estimates from the European Central Bank, some EUR648.5 billion-worth of notes and some EUR15.5 billion-worth of coins are expected to be produced for the introduction of euro cash in 2002. House of Lords: Painting Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe: asked the Chairman of Committees: Whether the painting by Andrew Festing of the House debating the Queen's Speech in November 1995 is intended to be a historical record; and whether he will take steps to ensure that future generations of students and historians are made aware of the decision by some Lords not to appear in the painting because of objections of principle.[HL Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Boston of Faversham: I understand that the painting was intended to be an historical record of the House in November 1995. Every Member of the House was invited to be included in the painting, on payment of a subscription of £150, and it was up to each Member to decide whether or not he or she wished to be included. Future generations of students and historians may well wish to take into account the point the noble Lord makes in his Question. HM Land Registry: Quinquennial Review Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they intend to take forward the Quinquennial Review of HM Land Registry. Lord Irvine of Lairg: I announced the launch of the second Quinquennial Review of Her Majesty's Land Registry on 6 September. The review will include an assessment of its performance as well as a thorough consideration of all options for carrying forward its work, including the Better Quality Services approach to delivery. The agreed terms of reference have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Andrew Edwards CB has been appointed to carry out the review, which will include widespread consultation with those who have an interest in the work of the Land Registry. It is expected that the report of the review will be published in Spring 2001. Northern Ireland: Legal Aid Reform Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have published their proposals for Legal Aid Reform in Northern Ireland. Lord Irvine of Lairg: The White Paper The Way Ahead (CM 4849) was published on 19 September, when a copy was placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2000-11-14a

Afghanistan The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times Ministers have visited Afghanistan in the past 12 months to see (a) the work of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and (b) development projects; how much time they spent examining development projects; and what steps they took to publicise such visits to development projects. Lord Brett: Details of ministerial travel, including the purpose of visits, is published annually. Information for previous years is available in the House Library and on the Cabinet Office website http://www.cabinetoffice. gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/travel_gifts .aspx. Information for the current year will be published as soon as it is available. Details on specific programmes and steps taken to publicise each visit are not centrally held. To provide additional information would incur disproportionate costs. Agriculture: Dairy Farms Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the levels of (a) imports, and (b) exports, for United Kingdom dairy industry products for each year from 2003 to 2009. Lord Davies of Oldham: The Answer to the Question is given in the tables below. The latest information available is up to October 2009. Table 1 UK trade in liquid drinking milk (pasteurised or UHT), 2003 to Oct 2009 Million litres 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Jan to Oct 2009 (Prov) Exports 193 251 485 512 423 457 377 Imports 37 55 47 84 88 134 75 Table 2 UK trade in milk products, 2003 to Oct 2009 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Jan to Oct 2009 (Prov) Exports Butter 44 35 45 36 32 24 22 Cheese 90 93 96 104 97 88 87 Condensed Milk 20 18 4 6 6 3 4 Cream 114 81 93 94 78 62 51 Milk powders 173 186 102 96 105 98 60 Imports Butter 118 114 129 147 103 81 74 Cheese 316 335 353 378 403 422 342 Condensed Milk 20 25 33 45 41 39 31 Cream 15 15 30 37 43 55 54 Milk powders 45 68 78 51 61 66 67 Source: HMRC Agriculture: Dairy Farms Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) dairy farmers, and (b) dairy cows, there were in each year from 2000 to 2009. Lord Davies of Oldham: Changes in the number of farmers and dairy cows are just two elements of the structural changes that have taken place in the sector. The long-term trend in dairy production is towards fewer, larger and more productive herds. The table below provides the fuller picture on the structural changes in the sector and shows how the decline in the number of dairy farms and farmers has been offset by an increase in average herd size and milk yields. The number of principal farmers on dairy holdings is not yet available for 2009, so the most recent data cover up to 2008. The 2009 data will be released in March 2010. The decrease in the numbers of dairy farmers in England between 2000 and 2008 (-26 per cent) is less than the fall in the number of holdings with dairy cows between 2000 and 2009 (-36 per cent). This reflects a rise in the average number of farmers per farm over the period as the average farm size has increased. However, the number of dairy cows has decreased by less (-24 per cent), reflecting a rise in the average herd size. Number of dairy farms No farmers (a) on dairy holdings Number of dairy cows (thousands) (b) (c) (b) (c) (b) (c) 2000 15,219 31,418 1,576 2001 14,293 30,178 1,490 2002 14,537 30,425 1,462 2003 13,770 28,918 1,435 2004 13,264 28,057 1,374 2005 12,918 26,168 1,311 2006 11,522 11,079 22,483 25,706 1,259 1,290 2007 10,907 21,082 1,236 2008 10,331 20,122 1,199 2009 9,805 -- -- -- 1,163 % change between 2000 and 2009(e) -36% -26% -24% -- not yet available (a) Farmers are defined as principal farmers, partners, directors and spouses if working on the holding. (b) Sourced from the Cattle Tracing System (CTS). Defined as the number of holdings on 1 June each year with more than 10 dairy cows in the milking herd. CTS became the main source of cattle data from 2006 onwards. Results prior to this were sourced from the June Survey of Agriculture but are not directly comparable. (c) Sourced from the June Survey of Agriculture. Defined as the number of holdings with dairy as the predominant farming activity. Agriculture: Dairy Farms Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they hold statistics on the market value of female dairy animals sold in English livestock markets. Lord Davies of Oldham: Statistics on the market value of dairy animals sold in English livestock markets are held by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. These statistics are provided to Defra on a monthly basis, split into 13 categories by age and pedigree or non-pedigree status. The information is then published on the Defra website at https://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/publications/amr/default.asp. Agriculture: Wildlife Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are considering to ensure that farmers preserve and enhance wildlife on their land. Lord Davies of Oldham: Many of our wildlife species and best habitat sites are already protected by legislation, and individuals should be free to manage wildlife within the law with government intervening only when necessary. The Government provide funding (£2.9 billion) to farmers and land managers through agri-environment schemes under the Rural Development Programme for England for the effective environmental management of land to meet scheme objectives including conservation of wildlife (biodiversity). Environmental stewardship, in particular entry level stewardship (which covers more than 5 million hectares), is the main delivery mechanism for promotion of farmland bird recovery, including as part of the campaign for the farmed environment to recapture the benefits of former set-aside. Higher-level stewardship is a major deliverer for achieving favourable condition of sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). Recommendations from a review of progress of environmental stewardship have been incorporated into the scheme in time for the first renewals of entry-level stewardship; more than 26,000 agreements expire in 2010-11. A new training and information programme to assist farmers in targeting options appropriately on their land and ensuring best environmental practice is due to commence in February. Armed Forces: Health Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the 16,000 service personnel deemed unfit for battle are overweight. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given in the other place by my honourable friend the Minister for Veterans on 14 December 2009, (Official Report, Commons, col. 820W) in response to a Question by the honourable Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Hancock). Armed Forces: Senior Staff Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what active service each of the 47 senior officers of the ranks of Vice-Admiral, Lieutenant-General, Air Marshal and above have been involved in. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: All officers that reach the ranks of Vice-Admiral, Lieutenant-General, Air Marshal and above have undertaken a number of challenging, demanding and varied roles both within an operational environment and in direct support of it. In addition, all will have undertaken postgraduate training through the Defence Academy and will have attended the advanced staff course. Furthermore, many will have also attended the Royal College of Defence Studies, involving close engagement with current international issues. To determine which training each officer received would require a manual search of personal records incurring a disproportionate cost. Armed Forces: Senior Staff Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many senior officers of the ranks of Vice-Admiral, Lieutenant-General, Air Marshal and above there were in (a) 1945, (b) 1960, (c) 1970, (d) 1980 and (e) 1990. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: Information on the number of Vice-Admirals, Lieutenant-Generals, Air Marshals and above for the years requested is not held as a management information system report. The following table has been reproduced from entries made in the Navy List, the Army List and the Air Force List for the respective years. Year No. of Officers Total Naval Service Army Royal Air Force 1945 112 36 62 14 1960 79 30 29 20 1970 56 23 23 20 1980 57 19 17 21 1990 51 17 18 16 Aviation: Air Traffic Control Lord Fearn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have regarding air traffic control. Lord Adonis: On 8 December the Government published the Operational Efficiency Programme: Asset Portfolio. The portfolio includes a section on NATS which notes that, in light of the impending expiry of the restrictions on the transfer of shares for NATS, it is appropriate for the Government to engage with other shareholders who are likely to consider the shareholding options available to them. No decision has been made by the Government with regard to reducing their shareholding. Any options considered would be required to best meet the needs of the company and its workforce, as well as of shareholders. Aviation: Air Traffic Control Lord Fearn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the 20-year European Union plan to improve air traffic controls is still in place; and, if so, what stage it is at. Lord Adonis: The single European sky initiative was first launched in 1999 and is still in place. The first package of measures under the initiative has led to the separation of service provision from regulation to improve the interoperability of air traffic control equipment, as well as common approaches to the certification of service providers and to the charging of users in this field. A second package of measures was agreed by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament on 4 December 2009 to reinvigorate the initiative. This will see the introduction of a Europe-wide performance scheme to incentivise better air traffic management by 2012 and better co-ordinated management of the network. It also imposes a deadline of 2012 for the introduction of functional airspace blocs within which groups of EU member states will co-ordinate their air traffic management. The UK and Ireland have led the way in this area, concluding the first functional airspace bloc in July 2008. SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) is the single European sky project to develop the technology needed to modernise air traffic management across Europe. It was launched on 12 July 2009 as a partnership between the European Commission, Eurocontrol (the intergovernmental organisation for air traffic control in Europe) and 15 industry partners, including NATS and a consortium that includes BAA amongst its membership. Aviation: Security Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what responsibility they have for the security of flights coming to the United Kingdom from JFK airport in New York; what assessment they have made of security checks on passengers and hand luggage at JFK airport for flights coming to the United Kingdom; and what assessment they have made of security checks, including scanning of shoes, at JFK airport on staff going airside to United Kingdom-bound flights. Lord Adonis: The security of flights inbound to the United Kingdom is subject to the principle of host state responsibility, under which each state is responsible for the security of flights departing from its territory. This is governed by international law as set down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The responsibility for aviation security at JFK is therefore a matter for the US. UK aviation security officials visited JFK airport last year to observe the security afforded to UK airline operations. It would not be appropriate, for obvious reasons, to comment further on the security measures in place. Banking: European Central Bank Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United Kingdom will be required to make a contribution to the cost of building a proposed new headquarters for the European Central Bank in Frankfurt. Lord Myners: No. The European Central Bank will finance the cost of the new headquarters from its own funds. Banking: Iceland Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Myners on 13 January (WA 154), what were the criteria used to decide that all Icesave retail depositors with the United Kingdom branch of Landsbanki should have their deposits returned in full; what was the cost of doing so; what legal powers were used to do so; and whether they are likely to recover that money. Lord Myners: Under the EU banking consolidation directive, firms with permission in their home EEA states to perform deposit-taking activities may establish branches in the UK. However, in order to exercise this passport right, a firm must have satisfied the conditions set out in Schedule 3 to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. These conditions include the requirement for the FSA to have received a consent notice from the firm's home regulator that it has given consent for the firm to establish a branch in the UK. Landsbanki satisfied these conditions and exercised its passport right to establish a branch in the UK, where it carried on deposit-taking business. The EC deposit guarantee schemes directive (94/19/EC) sets the minimum terms on which depositors are protected throughout the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA). All EEA member states are required to ensure that the deposit guarantee schemes directive is adequately implemented in their territories. Under the directive, depositors at branches in a host state are covered by the guarantee scheme of the home state. Depositors with the UK branch of Landsbanki were therefore eligible for compensation (for deposits up to €20,887) from Iceland's Depositors' and Investors' Guarantee Fund (DIGF). Where a bank's home state scheme provides a lower limit of compensation than the UK FSCS, or the scope of protection is less than the FSCS's, the bank may choose to join the FSCS to top up the level of protection offered by the home state scheme. Landsbanki chose to exercise this top-up option, meaning that depositors with the UK branch are protected to the FSCS limit per depositor and therefore may claim from the FSCS for the amount of their deposits above the DIGF limit to £50,000 (the FSCS limit). Landsbanki, the Icelandic bank, is authorised and regulated by the financial services regulator in Iceland. Landsbanki's UK branch is subject to limited regulation by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA). On 8 October 2008 the FSA announced that the UK branch of Landsbanki was in default for the purposes of the FSCS. The Chancellor announced that all retail depositors with the UK branch of Landsbanki would receive their money in full. The Government's objectives in taking action in relation to the UK branch of Landsbanki were to maintain financial stability and to minimise the exposure of, and costs to, taxpayers. In total, around £4.5 billion has been paid. It is estimated that this includes £2.35 billion compensation that the UK Government paid out to depositors on behalf of the Iceland Depositors' and Investors' Guarantee Fund (DIGF), £1.4 billion paid out by the FSCS for deposits above €20,887 and below £50,000, and £800 million paid out by the UK Government in respect of deposits above £50,000. In guaranteeing UK retail depositors of the Icelandic banks, the Treasury acted under its common law powers. The statutory authority for the Treasury to incur this expenditure was provided by Section 228 of the Banking Act 2009 (retrospectively). We expect that the FSCS and HM Treasury will make significant recoveries of the compensation paid to depositors through the winding up of Landsbanki. In relation to the compensation paid out on behalf of the DIGF, on 5 June 2009, the UK Government reached agreement with the Icelandic authorities on a process to ensure the UK is refunded. The terms of the loan arrangements are set out in my letter to the House of 13 January (WA 154). They include a state guarantee which, under Icelandic law, must be authorised by the Icelandic Parliament in order to take effect. A Bill was passed in August to this effect but with a number of conditions introduced by the Icelandic Parliament. Following further negotiations, the loan agreement was amended to take account of these conditions. On 30 December, the Parliament in Iceland endorsed the loan arrangement and agreed a state guarantee. However, on 5 January 2010 the Icelandic President announced that he would not sign the Bill that the Parliament had approved, and instead proposed a referendum. A referendum has been scheduled for 6 March 2010. The UK Government have received assurances from the Icelandic Government that they remain committed to meeting their legal obligations under EEA law and intend to repay the loan in full. Banks: Taxes Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider introducing taxes similar to a capital levy on banks in receipt of public money, similar to the proposals of the Government of the United States. Lord Myners: The United States has announced a levy to recoup $117 billion that it expects to lose from interventions under the troubled asset relief programme. We believe that UK losses from banking sector interventions will be minimal at worst. The need for a similar levy therefore does not apply. The UK is, however, leading a global debate on how to ensure that banks, not taxpayers, support the financial sector in respect of any future emergencies. Benefits: Attendance Allowance Lord Lipsey: To ask Her Majesty's Government in the last year for which figures are available, how much in total was paid to recipients of attendance allowance who first received the allowance in that year. Lord McKenzie of Luton: £183 million was paid to new recipients of attendance allowance in 2008-09 who had not previously received the benefit in the past six years. Bovine Tuberculosis Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce a compensation scheme for bovine tuberculosis which varies payments according to the value of cattle. Lord Davies of Oldham: Compensation for cattle affected by bovine tuberculosis (TB) in England is determined each month, primarily using table valuations based on contemporaneous sales prices. The 47 different cattle categories are based on the animal's age, gender, type (dairy or beef), and status (pedigree or non-pedigree). A judicial review of the compensation system accepted Defra's submission that the true value of any animal affected by TB is the salvage value of its carcass, and there are no plans to introduce any substantial changes to the current system. Carers: Tax Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering introducing tax breaks for long-term carers with definite commitments. Lord Myners: The Government keep all areas of tax policy under review. At the 2009 Pre-Budget Report, the Government announced an improvement in the tax arrangements for carers looking after vulnerable individuals under a qualifying "shared lives" scheme (also known as adult placement carers). From 6 April 2010, shared lives carers will receive a tax-free allowance for their caring income similar to the current foster care relief. The Government also took action to ensure, from the date of the Pre-Budget Report, that there is no loss of capital gains tax private residence relief where adult placement carers use part of their home exclusively for the accommodation of an adult in care. In addition, to help carers balance work with caring responsibilities, the Building Britain's Recovery White Paper (published in December 2009) announced that the Government will carry out a consultation on how we can help individuals meet their caring responsibilities while remaining in employment. It also announced raising the earnings limit within the carer's allowance from £95 a week to £100 a week to increase work incentives for carers. The Government also published a revised national carers strategy in June 2008. Key components of the new strategy will ensure that carers have increased choice and control, and are empowered to have a life outside caring. They are investing over £255 million to ensure that the new strategy is implemented. Crime: Suspicious Activity Reports Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 16 December 2009 (WA 16), what steps are taken to ensure that persons subject to suspicious activity reports (SARs) made anonymously or by unknown persons are checked before the SARs are recorded on the Elmer database of the Serious Organised Crime Agency; and how they will ensure that anonymous SARs which may have been made maliciously do not result in individuals being entered on to the Elmer database. Lord West of Spithead: All suspicious activity reports received by the Serious Organised Crime Agency are recorded on the Elmer database. SOCA does not take steps to establish whether an unknown or anonymous reporter's suspicions are unfounded before the information is recorded on Elmer. A SAR can be used in combination with other sources of intelligence to contribute towards a particular law enforcement investigation. If a SAR had been submitted maliciously, this fact would become apparent in the course of an investigation, when the information was cross-checked with other forms of intelligence. In these circumstances, and where a SAR is submitted electronically, the relevant local enforcement agency can attach an appropriate flag to the SAR to indicate no further action. Procedures on the handling of SARs may be revised depending on the outcome and recommendations of the forthcoming Information Commissioner's review. Crime: Suspicious Activity Reports Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will continue to allow local authorities direct access to the Elmer database of the Serious Organised Crime Agency; and what guidance has been given to local authorities about the purposes for which they should access Elmer. Lord West of Spithead: No local authority has direct access to the Elmer database. However, accredited financial investigators at some local authorities have access through terminals housed in local police units. The Serious Organised Crime Agency provides guidance material to users and all users are required to attend training delivered by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) or SOCA before accessing the database. Future access to Elmer by local authorities and other potential end users will be subject to review in 2010, as indicated in the action plan in the SARs annual report 2009. Crown Dependencies Lord Wallace of Saltaire: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the form and financial equivalent of the current annual voluntary contribution each of the Crown Dependencies makes to the costs of their defence and international representation by the United Kingdom. To ask Her Majesty's Government through what procedures the size and shape of the voluntary contributions each of the Crown Dependencies makes to the costs of their defence and international representation by the United Kingdom are agreed. Lord Myners: The UK is responsible for the defence and international relations of the Crown Dependencies, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Jersey and Guernsey surrender hereditary revenues of the Crown to the Consolidated Fund in accordance with the Jersey and Guernsey (Financial Provisions) Act 1947. The last such payment from Jersey was for an amount of £225,000 in November 2008 and the last payment from Guernsey was an amount of £7,910,000 in February 2003. The Isle of Man makes contributions in accordance with the Contribution Agreement 1994. The most recent contribution was £2,559,278.55, made in February 2009. The amount is initially calculated by the chief accountant of the Isle of Man Government Treasury Department, and then agreed with the UK Government. Democratic Republic of Congo The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the numbers displaced by the conflict in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and what assessment they have made of the capacity of the United Nations agencies, including peace-keeping forces, to respond. Lord Brett: The United Nations (UN) estimates that over 1.5 million people are currently displaced as a result of the conflict in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There are approximately 2 million internally displaced people across the DRC. The Government consider the UN's capacity to respond, including that of the peacekeeping force, to be reasonable. Major loss of life due to displacement has been averted. Disabled People: Leonard Cheshire Report Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to Leonard Cheshire Disability's report Disability and the downturn; and what action they will take on its findings. Lord McKenzie of Luton: The department welcomes the report and is aware of the difficulties that disabled people may face in a recession. The Minister for Disabled People met with Leonard Cheshire on 19 January to discuss the report and its annual review. However, the department will not be publishing a formal response to the report. We believe no one should be left behind on benefits or in poverty. We have a range of programmes designed to help disabled people overcome barriers and obstacles and move into and retain employment. Pathways to Work is available to everyone claiming incapacity benefits and employment and support allowance in Great Britain, and we have a range of specialist provision, including Access to Work, for those with greater needs. Education: NEETs Baroness Verma: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action has been taken to reduce the number of persons not in education, employment or training (NEETs); and what steps they have taken to re-engage those young people who are in the NEETs category. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The Government have taken decisive steps to strengthen existing provision and put in place new support to reduce the proportion of young people who are not in education, employment or training. In December 2009, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions jointly published Investing in Potential, our strategy to increase the proportion of 16-24 year-olds in education, employment or training. Through the September guarantee, we offer all 16 and 17 year-olds a suitable place in learning. In 2009, almost 96 per cent of 16 year-olds and almost 90 per cent of 17 year-olds said that they wanted to continue in learning and received a suitable offer through the guarantee. We are building on this with a January guarantee in 2010, which will offer all 16 and 17 year- olds who are not in education, employment or training this month a place in entry-to-employment provision. We will invest a total of £8.2 billion in 2010-11 to fund learning for 1.6 million young people, the highest ever number of young people participating in education and training in our country's history, and we will increase 16-19 funding by 0.9 per cent in real terms in 2011-12 and 2012-13 to continue our commitment to the September guarantee. We are also investing more than £650 million in 2009-10 in financial support for 16-18 year-olds, including education maintenance allowance, care to learn and discretionary learner support funds, to help young people overcome financial barriers to participation. Through our 14-19 reform programme, we are transforming the range of qualifications on offer to ensure that there are options available to suit every young person's needs. Apprenticeships are one of these key routes and we are creating an additional 35,000 apprenticeship places in 2009-10, including 21,000 in the public sector. By March 2010, the National Apprenticeship Service will provide 5,000 subsidies to employers to support them to take on 16 and 17 year-olds as apprentices. The young person's guarantee will ensure that 18-24 year-olds still unemployed after six months will be guaranteed access to a job, training or work experience. This will be supported by more time with their personal adviser. We are widening participation in higher education to ensure that all those with the potential and merit to benefit are able and willing to do so. We have created the Graduate Talent Pool, which has offered over 12,000 vacancies for graduate internships since its launch at the end of July 2009. For those new graduates who cannot find work, the graduate guarantee ensures that those still unemployed at six months will have access to an internship, training or help to become self-employed. Together, these measures represent a clear and substantial offer of support that will continue to prevent young people becoming NEETs and help those who are not in education, employment or training to re-engage. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 14 January (WA 170-1) regarding multiple inquiries from the media about the use of eggs under research licence R0152, what specific information was sought from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's press office, rather than requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and what were the details of each response provided to those requests at the time. Baroness Thornton: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that its press office receives hundreds of queries every year, a large number of which are over the telephone, and it is not, therefore, possible to put together a comprehensive record of the information requested by the noble Lord. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the reply by the Minister of State for the Department of Health, Gillian Merron, on 12 January (Official Report, Commons, col. 552), why there is to be an internal governance review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's performance instead of an externally led inquiry. To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the reply by the Minister of State for the Department of Health, Gillian Merron, on 12 January (Official Report, Commons, col. 552), what arrangements are in place to ensure that all appropriate information will be provided to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's internal governance review. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a full copy of the documents regarding the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority faxed to the office of the Minister of State for the Department of Health, Gillian Merron, by Dr Evan Harris on 12 January. Baroness Thornton: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it determined it unnecessary for the review to be undertaken by an external person. The purpose of the review is to assess the adequacy of the Authority's revised governance arrangements in relation to the threshold between administrative enforcement of its powers and the sphere of criminal law. The HFEA consider this internal review to be the right way to look critically at what happened and to ensure changes made since then, to its processes and procedures, provide it with adequate governance arrangements. The senior officer undertaking the review has devoted many months to reviewing the extensive documentation held by the HFEA. The senior officer will shortly contact those involved inviting them to contribute. A copy of the HFEA internal memo provided to the office of the Minister for Public Health by Dr. Evan Harris MP on 12 January 2010 has been placed in the Library. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the reply by the Minister of State for the Department of Health, Gillian Merron, on 12 January (HC Deb, col. 552), what was the cost to public funds of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's investigations of Dr Mohamed Taranissi's Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre; what was the outcome of those investigations; in what capacity were any staff of the Authority involved in the inquiry subsequently employed by the Department of Health; and whether individuals associated with the inquiry had their salaries reduced as a result. Baroness Thornton: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it understands that by the term "investigations" resulting in costs to public funds, the noble Lord is referring to the settlements paid to Mr Mohamed Taranissi in relation to two judicial reviews. The first involved the quashing of a warrant and the second involved setting aside a Licence Committee decision. Those costs totalled approximately £770,000. In 2006, the HFEA had concerns that Mr Taranissi was not complying with the statutory regulatory scheme that all licensed clinics in the United Kingdom have to follow. A number of outcomes followed, including legal challenges and a protracted licensing process. Mr Taranissi was granted a new three-year licence for the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre in April 2009 and was offered a new one-year licence for the Reproductive Genetics Institute on 5 January 2010. One member of HFEA staff subsequently went on secondment to the Department of Health from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008, and subsequently completed a one-month's fixed term appointment with the department from 1 October to 28 October. Both the secondment and the fixed term appointment were in the role of Director of Public Health Performance and Delivery. No individual's salaries were reduced as a result of the inquiry. Information on HFEA salaries is outlined in its annual report and accounts, which have already been placed in the Library. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of each document in file CPO 2/10-David Alton Bill to reduce time limit on abortion to 18 weeks, held by the Department of Health. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of each document in file CPO 2/10-David Alton Bill to reduce time limit on abortion in other countries, held by the Department of Health. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of each document in file CPO 2/22 S OF S AND PS(H) Meeting With David Alton 04/12/1991, and Follow Up Papers, held by the Department of Health. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of each document in file CPO 2/23 S OF S Meeting With David Alton Feb 1996 And Follow Up Papers, held by the Department of Health. Baroness Thornton: It is an established convention that Ministers of one Administration cannot see the documents of a previous Administration. I am therefore unable to provide the information requested. Eritrea Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the €122 million allocated by the European Development Fund for Eritrea for 2009-2013 will be spent. Lord Brett: The European Commission's support for Eritrea between 2009 and 2013 will help the Eritrean people reduce poverty and improve their prospects for economic and social progress. Projects will focus on improving food security (€70 million), rehabilitating infrastructure (€34 million), and strengthening governance (€10 million). The remaining funds will be earmarked for programmes to preserve the national heritage, support non-state actors and establish a Technical and Cooperation Facility. Finance: Lending Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take action against companies seeking to induce consumers to incur excessive interest charges on short-term loans agreed over the internet. Lord Young of Norwood Green: I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House. Food: Trans Fats Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce measures to eradicate artificial trans-fatty acids from the British diet, as recommended by the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal Society for Public Health. Baroness Thornton: The Government notes the reports by the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal Society for Public Health regarding the banning of artificial trans fats from foods. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) carried out a comprehensive review of the health impacts of trans fats in 2007, and reported that voluntary action taken by the food industry to reduce the levels of trans fats in foods in the United Kingdom has been successful in achieving the reduction in dietary intakes to 1 per cent of food energy. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommends that trans fats should contribute no more than 2 per cent. of food energy. Given this, the Government believe that further action including legislation would be unlikely to deliver any additional health benefit. The FSA continues to monitor the intakes of trans fats. The FSA is currently focussing effort on reducing intakes of saturated fat where there is clear evidence that the UK population is consuming more than public health recommendations, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Gary McKinnon Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government in the light of the decision of Mr Justice Mitting on 13 January 2010 to allow an application for judicial review of the Home Secretary's decision on the extradition of Mr Gary McKinnon, whether they will initiate a debate on the floor of the House on this case. Lord West of Spithead: As this case is before the courts it would not be appropriate to hold a debate on it in Parliament. Genetics and Insurance Lord Walton of Detchant: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the recommendations of the UK Forum for Genetics and Insurance report on the genetics and insurance moratorium; and whether there will be a period after the potential end of the moratorium during which individuals who have taken a specific genetic test will not have the result of that test taken into account by insurers. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with the Association of British Insurers whether a special life insurance scheme can be developed for individuals with highly predictive adverse genetic results. Baroness Thornton: The Government will consider these matters when they undertake their scheduled review of the concordat and moratorium on genetics and insurance in 2011. This and other reports will inform the Government and the Association of British Insurers when considering a long-term agreement about the use of genetic test results for insurance purposes. Government Departments: Bonuses Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government for each of the last three years for which figures are available, how many people were eligible for performance bonuses and special bonuses in the Department for International Development and its agencies, by Civil Service band; how many people received each type of bonus, by Civil Service band; what the average payment was for each type of bonus, by Civil Service band; and what the maximum payment was for each type of bonus, by Civil Service band. Lord Brett: Department for International Development (DfID) Senior Civil Service (SCS) members are eligible for a non-consolidated performance award. Awards are intended to reward delivery of personal business objectives during the reporting year or other short-term personal contributions to wider organisational objectives. In considering SCS members for an award, line managers are asked to take into account: performance against agreed priority business objectives or targets;total delivery record over the year;relative stretch (ie the challenge of the job compared to that of others); andresponse to unforeseen events that affected the performance agreement. Awards are funded within existing pay bill controls, have to be re-earned each year against the pre-determined criteria above and, as such, do not add to future pay bill costs. The annual size of the non-consolidated performance pay pot for the SCS is based on recommendations by the independent Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB). Staff in grades below the SCS (Al and below) are eligible for a non-consolidated performance award. Awards are intended to reward both the delivery of personal business objectives during the reporting year and demonstration of DfID's values. Non-consolidated performance related payments for all staff are paid at the year end. DfID does not operate a special bonus scheme. The three tables below show by Civil Service band; the number of staff eligible for a non-consolidated performance payment; the number of staff who received a non-consolidated performance payment; the median payment; and the maximum payment. Financial Year: 2007-081 Grade No. of staff eligible for non-consolidated performance payments No. of staff who received non-consolidated performance payments Average (median) payment (£) Maximum payment (£) Director General 2 * * * * Director 12 9 £5,750 £12,500 Deputy Director 73 52 £5,750 £12,500 A1 (G6) 238 131 £365 £1,150 A2(G7) 426 250 £365 £1,150 A2(L) (SEO) 142 100 £365 £1 150 B1 (HEO) 272 168 £365 £725 B2(EO) 264 171 £365 £725 C1(AO) 231 134 £365 £520 C2 (AA) 30 13 £365 £520 Financial Year:2008-091 Grade No. of staff eligible for non-consolidated performance payments3 No. of staff who received non-consolidated performance payments Average (median) payment (£) Maximum payment (£) Director General2 * * * * Director 14 10 £8,282 £20,685 Deputy Director 80 59 £6,350 £14,612 A1 (G6) 0 0 £0 £0 A2 (G7) 0 0 £0 £0 A2(L) (SEO) 0 0 £0 £0 B1 (HEO) 0 0 £0 £0 B2 (EO) 0 0 £0 £0 C1 (AO) 0 0 £0 £0 C2 (AA) 0 0 £0 £0 Financial Year: 2009-101 Grade No. of staff eligible for non-consolidated performance payments No. of staff who received non-consolidated performance payments Average (median) payment (£) Maximum payment (£) Director General 2 * * * * Director 14 10 £7,003 £12,500 Deputy Director 79 54 £5,497 £10,000 A1(G6) 238 181 £495 £750 A2(G7) 433 359 £495 £750 A2(L) (SEO) 128 73 £495 £750 B1(HEO) 245 183 £495 £750 B2(EO) 238 189 £495 £750 C1(AO) 198 167 £495 £750 C2(AA) 30 23 £495 £750 1 Payments made are for the financial year indicated but relate to performance achieved in the previous reporting year. 2 Information not provided on grounds of confidentiality (less than five members of staff). 3 DfID did not operate a non-consolidated reward scheme for staff below the SCS. Government: Office Equipment Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Barbara Follett, on 9 December 2009 (HC Deb, col. 390W), what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500 sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by (a) the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and (b) the Government Equalities Office, in the latest period for which figures are available. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The current purchase price for a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by (a) the Equality and Human Rights Commission was £1.96 and (b) the Government Equalities Office was £2.17. Greece Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United Kingdom would be required, although not a member of the eurozone, to make a financial contribution to any financial rescue of Greece and any other member country of the eurozone; and, if so, why. Lord Myners: Membership of the European Union does not impose any obligation on the UK to contribute to any financial rescue, or accept the debt obligations, of any EU member state. There has been no request for UK support. Any such requests are considered on their individual merits. Health: Expenditure Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the National Health Service and Department of Health combined expenditure was on (a) pharmaceuticals, and (b) influenza and other vaccines, in cash and real terms in (1) 1996-97, (2) 2003-04, (3) 2005-06 and (4) 2008-09; and what the estimated expenditure is in 2009-10 for those items. Baroness Thornton: Pharmaceuticals (drugs) expenditure includes National Health Service expenditure in primary care and the Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS). The primary care expenditure reflects amounts paid to pharmacy and appliance contractors and amounts authorised for dispensing doctors and personal administration in England. This includes expenditure on the seasonal influenza and adult pneumococcal vaccines, which are procured and administered by general practitioners and other contractors. Table 1 provides details of NHS expenditure on drugs in cash and real terms (2008-09 base year). Table 1: NHS expenditure on drugs £ million NHS drugs expenditure Year Cash Real Terms 1996-97 4,735 6,323 2003-04 9,271 10,541 2005-06 9,979 10,837 2008-09 11,378 11,378 2009-10 (April to September primary care) 3,796 3,722 Sources: Prescription Pricing Division of the NHS Business Services Authority, England, Department of Health Finance Division, Foundation Trust year-end accounts. Notes: 1. Government accounting policy changed in 2000-01; as a result, figures prior to 2000-01 are not strictly comparable to figures thereafter. Expenditure prior to 2000-01 represents the amounts paid between April to March for medicines and appliances and relate to prescriptions dispensed between March and February. This is due to the delay in prescription processing and payment calculations. From 2000-01, figures represent the actual cost of the prescriptions for medicines and appliances dispensed in the period April to March. 2. Year-to-date primary care figures have been provided for 2009-10. We do not have HCHS figures, which are sourced from accounts information available at year-end only. Primary care drugs expenditure is approximately 70 per cent of total NHS drugs expenditure. 3. Real-term calculation uses GDP deflator series at January 2010, 2008-09 = 100. Additionally, the department provides centrally purchased vaccines for the NHS routine childhood immunisation programme and catch up programmes, vaccines against anthrax, rabies, smallpox, and the swine influenza vaccination programme 2009-10. The department is not able to divulge expenditure on swine influenza vaccine as it would violate confidentiality clauses in the contracts with the manufacturers. The available information about the department's expenditure on vaccines for England (not including swine influenza vaccine) is given in Table 2 in cash and real terms (2008-09 base year). Table 2: Department of Health expenditure on vaccines £ million Vaccines Year Cash Real Terms 1996-97 - - 2003-04 88 101 2005-06 107 116 2008-09 229 229 2009-10 (April to December) 160 157 Notes: 1. Where relevant, figures for England have been calculated as 84 per cent. of expenditure on vaccines for the United Kingdom. Childhood vaccines and smallpox vaccine are purchased for the UK. Anthrax and rabies vaccines are purchased for England and Wales. 2. Year-to-date figures to December 2009 have been supplied for 2009-10. 3. Real-term calculation uses GDP deflator series at January 2010, 2008-09 = 100. The vaccines provided for NHS programmes have changed over the period of time shown in the table. For example, the higher level of expenditure in 2008-09 partly reflects the addition of human papillomavirus vaccination against cervical cancer. Information about vaccine expenditure in 1996-97 is not available. It has not been possible to confirm whether or not records of vaccine expenditure for 1996-97 have been retained centrally by the department and there is no obligation for such records of this age to be retained. Health: Expenditure Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was spent on public health and health promotion combined in (a) 1996-97, and (b) 2008-09, in cash and real terms. Baroness Thornton: The department does not collect detailed expenditure information in these areas since, subject to delivering national targets, there is local discretion on how the funding is spent. However, for public health and prevention, a report by Health England shows (mostly using end of year information) expenditure in England on public health and prevention for 2006-07. See Table 3 in the Report: Health England Report No 4. Public Health and Prevention Expenditure in England 2009, which is available from: http://healthengland.org/health_england_publications.htm. Table 3 in that report is replicated here as follows, entitled Table 1, and provides a breakdown of spending based as closely as possible on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definitions Table 1: Detailed Prevention Expenditure in England 2006-07 Primary prevention Secondary prevention Total £m Screening Other Medication Total prevention and public health services 1,771 1,482 482 1,337 5,072 Maternal and child health; family planning and counselling 840 21 0 0 861 Maternity services 618618 Family Planning Clinics 101101 Contraceptives 6666 Health Visiting Group Services 5353 Neonatal audiological screening 14 14 Quality and Outcomes Framework (1) 2 6 9 School health services 44 0 115 0 159 School-based Children's Individual Health Services 115 115 School-based Children's Group Health Services 2727 Healthy Schools Programme (2) 1717 Prevention of communicable diseases 284 0 0 0 284 Immunisation (2) 238238 Other infectious diseases (2) 2424 Quality and Outcomes Framework 1919 Reducing MRSA incidence (2) 33 Prevention of non-communicable diseases 206 1,461 348 1,337 3,352 Pharmaceuticals1,337 1,337 Dental check-ups 937 937 Quality and Outcomes Framework 28 41 348 417 Screening programmes 275 275 Sight tests 208 208 Obesity/diet/lifestyle 116116 NHS Stop Smoking Services 5656 NICE Public Health Guidelines 44 CJD surveillance (2) 22 Occupational health care 4 0 0 0 4 Occupational Health for Dentists 44 Quality and Outcomes Framework 11 All other miscellaneous public health services (1) 394 0 19 0 412 Health Protection Agency 248248 NHS Blood and Transplant (2) 5353 Publicity for prevention activities 3434 Charitable expenditure on prevention 3333 National Biological Standards Board 2525 Public Health in Prisons (2) 19 19 Source: Health Inequalities and Partnership, DH (Health England Report No 4. Public Health and Prevention Expenditure in England 2009) Notes: 1. Figures may not sum due to rounding 2. Refers to expenditure from the central budget, data available only for 2006-07 The expenditure on pharmaceuticals is included as its primary aim is prevention. Nevertheless, strictly, expenditure on pharmaceuticals is not included in the OECD prevention and public health category. Hence, for comparison with other countries using OECD data, these medication figures should be excluded. Excluding pharmaceuticals in line with OECD methodology gives a total expenditure on public health and prevention of £3.7 billion. If pharmaceuticals were included, the overall total for 2006-07 would be £5 billion. Total health expenditure for England for the same period was approximately £93.5 billion. This suggests that about 4 per cent of health expenditure is directed towards prevention (using the figure without pharmaceuticals and without health-related expenditure, so that this can be compared with other OECD countries). This share indicates that England is above the average of other OECD countries, where prevention was only 2.8 per cent of total health spending in the same period. A decade ago, the share of total health spending going to prevention and public health stood at only 1.8 per cent in the United Kingdom, which was below the OECD average at that time. Health: Expenditure Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the expenditure was on adult social care in cash and real terms in each year from 1996-97 to 2008-09 inclusive; what the percentage increase was in real terms in each year; what was the real terms increase in NHS expenditure in each of those years; and what adult social care expenditure was in each of those years as a percentage of NHS expenditure. Baroness Thornton: Table 1 shows the total gross current expenditure on social services for adults aged 18 and over in England for the period 1996-97 to 2008-09, in both cash and real terms. Table 2 shows the real terms increase in National Health Service expenditure in England for the period 1996-97 to 2008-09. Table 3 compares the difference in spend between adult social care and the NHS by showing the percentage of adult social care expenditure of NHS expenditure for the period 1996-97 to 2008-09. Table 1: Gross Current Expenditure 1, 2 on Social Services for Adults aged 18 and over, 1996-97 to 2008-09 England £ millions and percentage Gross Current Expenditure (Cash) Gross Current Expenditure (Real Terms3) Percentage increase (Real Terms3) 1996-97 7,049 9,414 1997-98 7,609 9,902 5 1998-99 8,196 10,447 6 1999-2000 8,928 11,160 7 2000-014 9,628 11,878 6 2001-02 10,106 12,197 3 2002-035 11,312 13,224 8 2003-046 12,480 14,190 7 2004-05 13,492 14,927 5 2005-06 14,345 15,578 4 2006-07 14,893 15,710 1 2007-08 15,275 15,660 0 2008-097 16,066 16,066 3 PSS Ex1 Notes: 1. Gross current expenditure includes income from client contributions but excludes certain income items which count as expenditure from elsewhere in the public sector, such as contributions from primary care trusts (PCTs). This is to avoid double counting within the aggregate public sector accounts of the money involved. 2. 1996-97 to 2006-07 figures include estimated Service Strategy and Asylum Seekers Assessment and Care Management apportioned to Adult Services and Children and Families Services using proportions calculated using 2007-08 data. From 2007-08 this information was collected separately. 3. Real term figures have been converted from cash terms using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) deflator. 4. From the 2000-01 financial year, the PSS EX1 replaced the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Actuals return, which was discontinued after 1999-2000. 5. The figures from 2002-03 include the cost of residential and nursing placements for adults and older people with Preserved Rights; councils took over responsibilities for those people in April 2002. 6. Expenditure funded from the Supporting People (SP) grant that councils have classified as social services expenditure rather than housing expenditure was introduced from 2003-04 onwards. 7. Data for 2008-09 are provisional. Final data for 2008-09 are expected to be published by the NHS Information Centre in April 2010. Table 2 - Total Net NHS Expenditure in England, 1996-97 to 2008-09 Year Net NHS Expenditure (4) £ billion % increase % real terms increase (7) 1996-97 Outturn 32.997 3.2 -0.5 1997-98 Outturn 34.664 5.1 2.4 1998-99 Outturn 36.608 5.6 3.4 1999-2000 Outturn 39.881 8.9 6.8 Resource Budgeting Stage 1(2) 1999-2000 Outturn 40.201 - - 2000-01 Outturn 43.932 9.3 7.9 2001-02 Outturn 49.021 11.6 9.1 2002-03 Outturn 54.042 10.2 6.8 Resource Budgeting Stage 2(3)(5) 2003-04 Outturn 64.173 - - 2004-05 Outturn 69.051 7.6 4.7 2005-06 Outturn 75.822 9.8 7.8 2006-07 Outturn 80.561 6.3 3.2 2007-08 Outturn 89.261 10.8 7.7 2008-09 Estimated Outturn 94.522 5.9 3.3 Notes: 1.Expenditure pre 1999-2000 is on a cash basis 2.Expenditure figures from 1999-2000 to 2002-03 are on a Stage 1 Resource Budgeting basis 3.Expenditure figures from 2003-04 to 2010-11 are on a Stage 2 Resource Budgeting basis 4.Figures are not consistent over the period (1971-72 to 2010-11), therefore it is difficult to make comparisons across different periods 5. Figures from 2003-04 include a technical adjustment for trust depreciation 6. Expenditure excludes NHS (AME) 7. GDP deflator 4 January 2010 8. Total expenditure is calculated as the sum of revenue and capital expenditure net of non-trust depreciation and impairments. This is in line with HMT Guidance Table 3 - What adult social care expenditure was in each of those years as a percentage of NHS expenditure Proportion of Spend % (1) 1996-97 22% 1997-98 23% 1998-99 23% 1999-2000 23% 2000-014 23% 2001-02 21% 2002-035 22% 2003-046 20% 2004-05 20% 2005-06 19% 2006-07 19% 2007-08 18% 2008-097 18% Note: (1) This proportion is based on gross current personal social services expenditure (cash) as shown in table 1, of total net NHS expenditure as shown in table 2. Health: Kidney Disease Earl Howe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to publicise the availability of home-based kidney dialysis from the National Health Service and to encourage informed choice for kidney dialysis patients as to the location and the manner in which they may be dialysed. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relative costs and benefits to the National Health Service and the wider economy of hospital-based and home-based kidney dialysis. Baroness Thornton: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published technology appraisal guidance-Guidance on home compared with hospital haemodialysis for patients with end-stage renal failure-in September 2002. This recommended that all suitable patients should be offered the choice between home haemodialysis or haemodialysis in a hospital/satellite unit. The department is currently considering how to extend patient choice for people on dialysis. In addition, the improvement organisation, NHS Kidney Care, has recently published a specification for the commissioning of peritoneal dialysis as a comprehensive guide to best practice, offering greater choice and flexibility for patients. Immigration: Asylum Support Office Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to establish the new European Asylum Support Office approved by the European Council last autumn. Lord West of Spithead: The setting up of the European Asylum Support Office will fall initially to the European Commission, but the Government will co-operate closely with the Commission to ensure that the office is able to start work in its host country of Malta as soon as possible. Immigration: FRONTEX Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the new Frontex plans for regular use of chartered joint return air flights for extraditions to be functioning. Lord West of Spithead: There are no arrangements in place for Frontex to use chartered joint return flights for extradition purposes, nor are there any plans to do so. Immigration: Tinsley House Baroness Stern: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have modified the education provision for children at Tinsley House immigration removal centre since HM Chief Inspector of Prisons noted it was "inadequate". Lord West of Spithead: As we are not currently holding children at Tinsley House for more than 24 hours, planned education provided by a trained teacher is neither appropriate nor practicable. Where children are to be held for longer than 24 hours, they are transferred to Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre, where comprehensive education provision is available for children of all ages, delivered by qualified nursery nurses and teachers. India: Orissa Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Department for International Development is supporting projects in the Kandhamal districts of Orissa State; and, if not, where their nearest project which is benefiting members of all faiths is operating. Lord Brett: The Department for International Development (DfID) is providing £10 million for community development in four districts of Orissa, including Kandhamal. The Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme (OTELP) which runs from 2004-10, aims to increase incomes, reduce malnutrition and improve water and sanitation for over 375,000 tribal men and women of all faiths. Insolvency: Football Clubs Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government which professional and semi-professional football clubs have been issued with petitions for insolvency by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in each of the past 10 years; and what was the outcome in each case. Lord Myners: HM Revenue and Customs is under a strict, statutory duty of confidentiality and cannot comment on the tax affairs of individual businesses. Kenya Lord Steel of Aikwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following reports by the World Bank, all Department for International Development resources pledged to assist primary education in Kenya have been fully accounted for. Lord Brett: A recent Kenyan Ministry of Finance internal audit report, supported by the World Bank, provided evidence of the misappropriation of both Government and donor funds totalling over Ksh 100 million (£800,000) in the month of June 2009. Department for International Development (DfID) resources for education in Kenya (primary and secondary) have been frozen since these allegations, pending a satisfactory response by the Government of Kenya. This would need to include the reimbursement to donors of all funds lost through fraud if the allegations are found to be correct. NHS: Race and Equality Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Equality and Human Rights Commission or its predecessor bodies in recent years initiated investigations into alleged or actual discriminatory activities by the National Health Service; if so, when those investigations commenced; when any were discontinued; and why. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has initiated investigations into the NHS for breaches of the equality duties. The commission's predecessor bodies, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, had published investigations into the Department of Health shortly before their closure regarding compliance with the race equality duty and fitness standards, respectively. With regards to the fitness standards, some follow-up work was undertaken by the EHRC. The commission had decided initially to undertake a formal assessment under Section 31 of the Equality Act 2006 of the Department of Health's compliance with the public sector duties, but has since held discussions with the department about reaching an agreement on this matter, the details of which are still under negotiation. As for cases that have been discontinued, the commission is prevented from disclosing information on reasons why they were discontinued under Section 6 of the Equality Act 2006. Northern Ireland Office: Equal Pay Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether staff in the Northern Ireland Office will be eligible for compensation under the proposed equal pay settlement in the Northern Ireland Civil Service; if so, what is their estimate of the cost; whether the compensation will be taxable; and from what source funding for the settlement will come. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The equal pay settlement for staff in the Northern Ireland Civil Service department does not apply to staff in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance has indicated that it would like to discuss this matter with NIO management and a meeting has been arranged. The NIO has its own pay and grading arrangements and does not accept that there are similar equal pay issues to be addressed in the department. This will of course be a matter for discussion with the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance. Northern Ireland: Justice Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 14 December 2009 (WA 184), when they instructed the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland and the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue outstanding extradition proceedings against convicted fugitives appearing to qualify for early release under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998; by what means they issued those instructions; and whether the policy was subjected to an equality impact assessment in Northern Ireland. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Neither the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland nor the Crown Prosecution Service has any role in respect of the extradition of individuals who have already been convicted, whether or not they would appear to qualify for early release under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. The general policy on extradition requests was subject to equality screening as part of the Northern Ireland Office's initial screening of policies following its designation as a public authority under Section 75. This screening found that no impact assessment was necessary. The decision not to pursue the extradition of convicted fugitives appearing to qualify for early release involved consideration of the public interest in relation to a limited number of specific cases and was not subject to an equality impact assessment. Official Secrets Acts Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advisory committees covered by the Official Secrets Acts there are in the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs; who are the members of each such committee; and why they are required. Lord Davies of Oldham: None of Defra's advisory bodies is explicitly identified in the Official Secrets Act legislation. Were Defra's advisory NDPBs to handle information on security and intelligence, defence or international relations then that advisory body's members would be bound by the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1989, as these apply whenever office-holders handle those categories of official information. Official Secrets Acts Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advisory committees covered by the Official Secrets Acts there are in the Northern Ireland Office; who are the members of each such committee; and why they are required. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office does not sponsor any advisory committees covered by the Official Secrets Act. Palestine Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports they have received from the World Bank concerning the development of economic enclaves in the occupied West Bank of Palestine. Lord Brett: We have received no reports from the World Bank specifically addressing the development of economic enclaves in the West Bank. The World Bank has, however, produced a number of reports assessing the impact of Israeli movement and access restrictions on economic development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Full details of these reports are available on the World Bank website (www.worldbank .org). Prisoners: Rights Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is any law whereby prisoners may be obliged to wear identity cards or an arm-band; if not, why the practice is carried out in HM Prison Wakefield; and what assessment they have made of the effect of the practice on prisoners' rights to exercise and to attend religious services. Lord Bach: There is no legal requirement for prisoners to wear identity cards. However, prisoners at Wakefield high-security prison and some other prisons are issued with identity cards. Prisoners at Wakefield, when leaving their residential unit, are expected to display the identity card on the outer layer of clothing using an armband. This enables staff throughout the prison to readily identify any prisoner. For security reasons, where a prisoner declines to wear his identity card he will not be permitted to leave his residential unit. Railways: Corby Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made as to the use being made of the new railway station at Corby; and how the level of use differs from that which was forecast before the station was built. Lord Adonis: The Department for Transport is currently reviewing station usage against that which was originally forecast for the 40 stations that have opened in England, Scotland and Wales over the past 10 years. This includes Corby station which opened on 23 February 2009. The study will be reporting in April 2010. Railways: France Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact of the Government of France's new tax on rail passenger vehicles operating in France but not registered in France, coupled with a partial abolition of an asset-based tax applicable to vehicles registered in France, on the ability of United Kingdom operators to introduce competitive open access services in France; and, if so, whether they will make representations to the Government of France and the European Union regarding this development. Lord Adonis: We estimate the impact on the wider Eurostar business to be in the region of €7 million per annum. We have not made any assessment of the impact on other specific operations. The proposed taxe sur le material roulant needs to be seen in the context of a wider restructuring by the French Government of taxe professionnelle and the introduction of other carbon taxes. Nevertheless the UK Government are concerned about the potential burden this tax represents on a green form of transport at a time when we and our European partners are seeking to grow and develop international rail markets and competition. I have written to the French Government to convey these concerns. The UK, along with a number of other member states, has also made representations to the European Commission. Railways: Rolling Stock Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in providing 1,300 additional carriages for the railway system by March 2014, as stated in the high-level output statement; and whether that figure has been adjusted to allow for the growth in passenger traffic. Lord Adonis: I refer the noble Lord to my Written Statement of 14 December 2009 (Official Report, cols. WS 213-4). Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering amending the renewable transport fuel obligation to lessen the effect of deforestation on sensitive rainforests. Lord Adonis: The Department for Transport is currently in the process of amending the renewable transport fuel obligation to incorporate the mandatory sustainability requirements set out in the renewable energy directive. Following these changes, biofuels will only be awarded a certificate if suppliers can demonstrate that the biofuels they supply achieve at least 35 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and also that they did not either come from converting high-carbon stock land, including forests, or have other negative environmental impacts, including upon biodiversity. Royal Mail: Bicycles Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Royal Mail has considered investing in freight bicycles to enable cycling postal workers to carry more weight; if so, what conclusions were reached; and for what reasons. Lord Young of Norwood Green: Decisions regarding its delivery operations are matters which are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail's senior management team. I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to respond directly to my noble friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library of the House. Royal Mail: Bicycles Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Royal Mail has made of the effects on health, road safety and the environment that would arise from its plan to switch deliveries from bicycles to vans. Lord Young of Norwood Green: Decisions regarding its delivery operations are matters which are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail's senior management team. I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to respond directly to my noble friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library of the House. Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Baroness Scott of Needham Market: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the 35 per cent reduction in the grant to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for 2010-11. Lord Young of Norwood Green: We value the partnership that we have with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the work that it does to provide advice and help to people to make their lives safer. The £166,050 grant in 2009-10 from BIS represents only a small proportion of the total funding that RoSPA receives from government. Given the current pressures on the public finances, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has to take difficult decisions on the programmes that it continues to support, and needs to ensure that work supported is aligned with the department's priorities. Safety in the home is now part of the work carried out by other government departments-for example, the Department for Children, Schools and Families-and the £18 million Safe at Home scheme is run by RoSPA and targets support for vulnerable families. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has worked closely with RosPA over the past months to see where its expertise might better match the needs of the department but the evidence is not there to justify continuing the grant at its previous level. We will be meeting with RosPA shortly to discuss the detail of its 2010-11 work programme. Schools: Teachers Baroness Verma: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to recruit more science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers in primary schools. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: Teachers are recruited directly by schools and local authorities according to their needs, but the Government specify the content of initial teacher training, and for this all primary trainees must have a grade C or above in GCSE (or equivalent) in mathematics, science and English. Primary school teachers are trained to teach across the whole range of curriculum subjects rather than as specialists, but before they can qualify they must have gained, or already have, a first degree (or equivalent) and have passed professional skills tests in numeracy, literacy and information technology. Although teachers are not given initial training to be science specialists, this department is encouraging greater use of practical work and other enhancement and enrichment activities in science lessons in both primary and secondary schools. As part of this, the Association for Science Education has been contracted to run a support programme to improve the use of practical work in science in schools. To meet the Williams review recommendation that every primary school should have access to a mathematics specialist teacher to champion maths and act as the nucleus for achieving best pedagogical practice, there is now a two-year professional development programme for current primary teachers to develop their subject knowledge, subject-specific pedagogy and ability to mentor and coach colleagues. As well as their generalist teaching duties, mathematics specialist teachers work with colleagues to improve mathematics teaching across the school and increase pupil engagement, confidence and achievement in mathematics. The first cohort of the programme began in January 2010. Swine Flu Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost to date of immunisation against the spread of swine flu; what estimate they have of recovery of funding from the sale or return of unused vaccines; how many people died from the disease in the last year; how many died from other influenzas in the same period; and whether they received any epidemiological advice contrary to that which was followed. Baroness Thornton: We are not able to give details of the cost of the swine flu vaccine due to confidentiality clauses in our contracts with the manufacturers. We are unable to return vaccines that have already been delivered. The options for handling the anticipated surplus of vaccine are currently being explored with the manufacturers. We will be seeking to minimise the overall cost to the British taxpayer. The Chief Medical Officer has carried out a confidential investigation of swine flu-related deaths since the pandemic began. As of 21 January 2010, there had been 279 swine flu-related deaths in England. There has been no significant circulation of seasonal influenza in England in this same period. The Health Protection Agency has a long-term established system to monitor excess deaths (deaths in excess of what would normally be expected for the time of year) based on data from the Office for National Statistics. Influenza is one important contributory factor to excess deaths each year. In the period April to December 2009, no excess mortality has been observed. Throughout the swine flu pandemic, we have been advised by a wide range of experts from all relevant disciplines. Our decisions have been based on the information we had about swine flu; at the beginning there was very little information available but our knowledge about the disease has increased with time. The epidemiological advice we followed reflected the consensus view of the scientists who provided that advice. Swine and Avian Flu Lord Willoughby de Broke: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the Chief Medical Officer's forecast of the number of deaths from swine flu; and how many deaths to date are attributable solely to swine flu. To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the Chief Medical Officer's forecast of the number of deaths from bird flu; and how many deaths to date are attributable solely to bird flu. Baroness Thornton: The department has never made forecasts of the number of deaths from swine flu or avian flu. Planning assumptions about a pandemic's course were used to inform preparedness planning, recognising that the precise characteristics and impact of a pandemic flu virus would only become apparent as the virus emerged. The national framework for pandemic flu (Pandemic flu: a national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic) has already been placed in the Library and can be found at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080734 It was published in 2007 and set out a number of assumptions for planning purposes which gave a range of possible scenarios. These assumptions were for an influenza pandemic of any kind, including the potential for a human virus evolved from current avian flu. The department and Cabinet Office issued revised guidance to planners as information about the characteristics of swine flu became available. The assumptions were revised as more information became available and regular updates were issued to ensure United Kingdom planners were equipped with the most up-to-date information. We have been clear that the planning assumptions have never been a prediction of what would happen; they simply set out the reasonable worst-case scenario for planning purposes. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) was not involved in drawing up the figures given in the planning assumptions, which were based on the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. The CMO has carried out a confidential investigation of swine flu-related deaths since the pandemic began. As of 21 January 2010, there had been 279 swine flu-related deaths in England. Of these, approximately 20 per cent had no pre-existing diseases or underlying medical conditions. Further detail is available in a report in the British Medical Journal, "Donaldson U, Rutter PD, Ellis BM, Greaves FEC, Mytton OT, Pebody RG and Yardley IE. Mortality from pandemic A/H1N1 2009 influenza in England: public health surveillance study. BMJ 2009;339 b5213." UNICEF Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the new UNICEF Strategy will benefit children living or working on the street. Lord Brett: The Department for International Development's (fID's) new three-year institutional strategy with UNICEF supports the implementation of UNICEF's own medium-term strategic plan. We want to support UNICEF's work for all vulnerable children including street children. UNICEF's plan includes work on the protection of children from violence, exploitation and abuse. This includes collecting and analysing data to improve understanding of the conditions of marginalised and vulnerable groups, and also work to ensure the views of children are captured in the policies and programmes that affect their lives. UNICEF Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to recommendations by non-governmental organisations and the International Development Committee that specific street children indicators should be adopted in the new UNICEF strategy; and what representations they made to UNICEF about the recommendations. Lord Brett: The Department for International Development (DfID) is committed to reducing child poverty and reaching particularly vulnerable groups of children. In developing our new institutional strategy with UNICEF, our concern was to support UNICEF's work for all vulnerable children, including street children. DfID does not have a specific policy focus on street children above other vulnerable children. Children usually live on the streets because of poverty in their communities and therefore our priority is reducing child poverty. Our approach is to draw on UN agencies' own targets and commitments wherever possible. UNICEF does not have a specific target in its strategic plan on street children. However, our UNICEF strategy target on vulnerable children provides an opportunity to raise street children in our policy discussions with UNICEF. Working Time Directive Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the European Commission is considering ending the opt-out from the working time directive; and what their estimate is of the cost to the United Kingdom's economy and the effect on personal incomes if the opt-out is ended. Lord Young of Norwood Green: Loss of the individual's right to opt-out of the 48-hour maximum working week (as set out in the working time directive) would cost billions in terms of lost pay to individuals, which is one reason why this Government would not support the end of the opt-out. Over 3 million employees choose to make use of this flexibility and we believe that it is right that they should be able to do so if they wish, provided the choice is voluntary. There is no Commission proposal to remove the opt-out. We have always accepted, however, that other issues on the directive remain since the negotiations failed, in particular the need to address two ECJ judgments on treatment of residential on-call time and compensatory rest that continue to cause problems for many member states. We would be happy to engage with new Commission ideas on those issues but our view on the opt-out has not changed.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2010-01-27a

Learning and Skills Council: Strategic Area Reviews Baroness Sharp of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the cost of strategic area reviews in 2003–04; and what will be the cost in 2004–05. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) was established in 2001 to plan and fund post-16 education and training. LSC-led strategic area reviews were introduced in April 2002 and are an integral part of this planning role. No extra funding was allocated to carry out these reviews and it is therefore not possible to dissaggregate their specific cost from the overall cost of the wide range of planning activities carried out by local LSCs. Education Maintenance Allowance Baroness Sharp of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) how many and (b) what percentage of young people who received education maintenance allowances in each pilot area were studying in further education colleges; and How much of the funding allocation for the 2003 to 2006 spending review was allocated to the national roll-out of education maintenance allowance in: (a) schools (b) sixth-form colleges; and (c) further education colleges. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Nationally, 36 per cent of 16 to 18 year-olds on full-time further education courses are studying in further education colleges. In the 56 EMA pilot areas 136 sixth-form colleges/colleges of further education were involved in EMA. A breakdown of how many students attending further education colleges received EMA in the pilot areas is not available. For the national scheme, the funding is made available to young people in full-time education whether they are studying in school, sixth-form college or further education college. The money is paid directly to the learner rather than via the institution, and the EMA budget is not split between institutions. Sixth Forms Baroness Sharp of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much funding was provided by each local learning and skills council to school sixth forms in (a) 2002–03; and (b) 2003–04; and how many students each of these school sixth forms have on their rolls. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The department allocates funds for the provision of education at school sixth forms to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Information about these allocations at local LSC level is not collected by the department. This is an operational matter and the responsibility of the LSC. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the noble Baroness with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library. Skipton Fund Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 24 June (WA 151) concerning representations about the Skipton Fund sent to the Department of Health on behalf of the Haemophilia Society in Scotland, when they expect the department's response to be placed in the Library of the House; and whether it will also be copied to Members involved with the correspondence. Lord Warner: The Department of Health's response has been forwarded to my noble friend and a copy has been placed in the Library. Blue Flag Scheme Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Blue Flag scheme for clean English beaches is to continue. Lord Whitty: The Blue Flag scheme will continue to operate in England. It is administered in the UK by ENCAMS (Keep Britain Tidy) on behalf of the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) and recognises beaches that are safe, clean and well managed. Cattle Tracing System Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What have been the costs of running the cattle tracing system and the animal movement licensing system for each of the years 2000 to 2003 and for 2004 to date. Lord Whitty: The direct running costs of the cattle tracing system (CTS) are set out in the table below: CTS (£ million) 2000–01 13.25 2001–02 14.24 2002–03 15.79 2003–04 15.39 2004–05 2.34 (to 31/05/04) 14.90 (full year forecast) The animal movements licensing system (AMLS) was introduced in September 2001. Enforcement of the livestock movements rules and data input to AMLS by local authorities constitute the main cost of running the system. It is not possible to separate these costs precisely from each other, or from payments made to local authorities for other work relating to animal health. We estimate, however, that in 2002–03 this work cost approximately £3.8 million and in 2003–04 £3.0 million. Figures for 2004–05 are not yet available because invoices come into the department in arrears, but systems are now in place to provide a more precise breakdown of costs once invoices have been received. Cattle Tracing System Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What impact the cattle tracing system will have on the employment levels of the British Cattle Movement Service; whether a target employment level has been set; and, if so, what that target is. Lord Whitty: The cattle tracing system (CTS) is being migrated to a new information platform in order to improve its reliability. The business case that supports the change did not seek to identify direct staff savings at the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) in Workington. However efficiency savings and the completion of short-term projects has enabled the BCMS to reduce the number of staff employed from 858, comprising 505 permanent and 353 agency staff, in November 2003 to 669, 492 permanent staff and 177 agency staff, in July 2004. A long-term target employment level has not been set as this will depend upon the uptake of direct reporting by customers to the database via the CTS website. However, numbers are expected to decline further. Procedures are being put in place to extend the central database to cover the tracing of sheep, pigs and other farmed species but the impact of these changes on staff numbers has yet to be established. The BCMS also delivers call centre services across core Defra. It merged with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in April 2003 and is an integral part of the RPA's corporate structure. Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Mapping Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the initial budget for the mapping required to implement the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and what is the latest estimate of the costs of such mapping. Lord Whitty: Mapping is one of the Countryside Agency's responsibilities under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The agency's estimate at the end of 2000 for its total costs in implementing the new right of access was £28 million over four years. At that stage, the regulations covering public consultation on the draft maps had not been framed, nor had decisions been taken about the regional commencement of the new right of access. In the event, publicity arrangements and the consultation exercise for the draft maps were much more extensive than originally envisaged. The agency received eight times its initial estimate of the number of public comments on the draft maps. This was welcome for the scrutiny it gave the draft maps, but had a major impact on the overall mapping costs. To the end of May 2004 the Countryside Agency has spent £30.19 million consisting of £0.75 million in 1999–2000; £0.92 million in 2000–01; £5.17 million in 2001–02; £8.30 million in 2002–03; £13.25 million in 2003–04; and £1.8 million to date in 2004–05. The agency expects to spend a further £14.9 million in the current financial year, and estimates expenditure of £8.9 million in 2005–06. These costs include the agency's work on mapping, public consultation, the appeals process, restrictions and exclusions administration, communications and public information and salary costs. Defra has also funded the Planning Inspectorate to deal with appeals against the inclusion of land on provisional maps and restriction appeals: £0.11 million in 2001–02; £0.84 million in 2002–03 and £1.20 million in 2003–04. The Planning Inspectorate expects to spend no more than £2 million in the current financial year.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2004-07-15a

Agriculture: Sheep Lord Burnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Answer by Lord Tunnicliffe on 9 June (Official Report, House of Lords, cols. 519—21), what will be the cost to farmers of buying an electronic tag reader for sheep. Lord Davies of Oldham: Farmers will not be required to buy an electronic reader; they can record individual information using a pen and paper. However, should they choose to do so, prices begin at around £400. Armed Forces: Human Rights Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they propose to minimise the endangerment of Armed Forces personnel following the ruling by the Court of Appeal that the European Convention on Human Rights applies to Her Majesty's Armed Forces in all situations. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: I refer the noble Lord to the oral Answer I gave on 15 June (Official Report, cols. 838-839) to the noble Lord, Lord Astor of Hever. Asylum Seekers Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, and if so how, they track the fate of failed asylum seekers on their return to their own countries. Lord West of Spithead: I refer the noble Lord to the Answers I gave on 1 June 2009 (Official Report, col. WA 6) and 30 June 2008 (Official Report, col. WA 12) and my letter to him of 18 June 2008, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Bees Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, at the town meeting to be held on 3 July, they will ensure that the £10 million funding programme aimed at multi-disciplinary research into insect pollination will be directed at addressing the decline in the honey bee population. Lord Davies of Oldham: Decisions on what projects will be funded under the insect pollinator initiative will be made by the funders on the basis of whether they fulfil the eligibility criteria, address the issues outlined in the research call and on the basis of their quality. Therefore, it is not possible to predict at this stage what proportion of funds will be allocated to specific areas. A meeting will be held in London on 3 July to launch the call for proposals and further details can be found on the Living With Environmental Change website. Bees Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to increase funding for research into bee health. Lord Davies of Oldham: Defra has recently provided increased funding of £4.3 million to bee health. Of this, £2.3 million will be provided to the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit over the next two years to implement the first stage of the Healthy Bees plan. The remaining £2 million is being made available to the insect pollinator initiative on pollinator decline. Bees Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will undertake research into the native British black bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, through breeding and queen rearing programmes. Lord Davies of Oldham: Defra has allocated £2 million to the new insect pollinator initiative being developed under the Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) programme. We anticipate proposals on a wide range of important insect pollinator issues will be submitted which may include proposals for research on the native British black bee. However, decisions on what projects will be funded will be made by the funders on the basis of whether they fulfil the eligibility criteria, address the issues outlined in the research call and on the basis of their quality. A meeting will be held in London on 3 July to launch the call for proposals and further details can be found on the LWEC website. Bees Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the state of the United Kingdom bee population. Lord Davies of Oldham: Defra launched its Healthy Bees plan on 9 March which seeks to address the challenges facing beekeepers and is aimed at sustaining honey bees' health and beekeeping in England and Wales over the next decade. Additional funding of £2.3 million over the next two years has been allocated to the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit to implement the first stage of the plan. These funds will be targeted at gaining a more accurate picture of the health of honey bee colonies and developing an enhanced education programme to drive up husbandry standards and disease awareness. Our improved understanding of the national position will allow the development of a new robust disease control and surveillance programme for implementation from 2011 onwards. Scotland and Northern Ireland are developing their own strategies reflecting the different structures and agencies involved. Blackburn Diocese Board of Social Responsibility Baroness Howells of St Davids: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the funding of the Family Days and Support Project run by the Blackburn Diocese Board of Social Responsibility has been cut. Lord Bach: The Grassroots, Family Days and Support Project was allocated £1.4 million for a fixed three-year period through Her Majesty's Treasury Invest to Save programme. The scheme provides the opportunity to pilot innovations to evaluate outcomes, disseminate learning and to determine whether such practice can be encompassed within the delivery of mainstream services. In the event of such funding being awarded, no assurance can be given that funding can be sustained from any source. Some valuable learning from the project has been adopted by the four participating prisons which are now themselves running family-specific events within their establishments. The project overall presents learning and practice development which will be used to good effect in developing national service specifications relating to both mentoring and children and families of offenders. It also informs work in developing and implementing the recommendations of Baroness Neuberger's report into volunteering in the criminal justice system. Bovine Tuberculosis Lord Burnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much compensation has been paid to farmers over the past 10 financial years for the slaughter of cattle infected or suspected of being infected with tuberculosis. Lord Davies of Oldham: The table below shows the total amount of compensation paid to farmers in England in each of the past 10 financial years for cattle compulsorily slaughtered for bovine tuberculosis control reasons. Year Compensation paid* £m 2008-09** 33.1 2007-08 16.8 2006-07 14.5 2005-06 33.2 2004-05 24.1 2003-04 24.4 2002-03 24.7 2001-02 6.2 2000-01 5.6 1999-00 4.8 * Compensation includes payments to farmers for "reactors" and "direct contact" animals which are compulsorily slaughtered. This data have been taken from the Defra Oracle Financial System. ** Data are provisional and subject to change. Business Support Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they compensate businesses caused financial loss by following inaccurate advice given by government officials concerning the impact of European Union law and its interpretation; and, if so, how. Lord Brett: The Government response of March 2009 to the Anderson review noted that a number of government departments operate a complaints process in respect of regulatory guidance. This process applies to government guidance on domestic and European legislation. It may include a discretionary ex gratia payment as one of the options for redress. Any such complaints would be considered on a case by case basis in the light of all the relevant circumstances. Cattle Compensation Advisory Group Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Cattle Compensation Advisory Group has not convened since 2006. Lord Davies of Oldham: The Cattle Compensation Advisory Group, set up to help monitor the roll-out of the table valuation based compensation arrangements, has not convened since 2006 because of the long running and ongoing legal challenge against this system. We have no plans to reconvene the group. Children: ContactPoint Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the first phase training programmes for ContactPoint management teams to be completed. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: We expect that ContactPoint management teams will have completed their training by the end of August. Children: ContactPoint Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a written examination for professionals who work with children and young people to become authorised users of ContactPoint. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: ContactPoint management teams and trainers are subject to testing as part of the ContactPoint training. There is no mandatory written exam for practitioners to become authorised users of ContactPoint. In order for professionals who work with children and young people to become authorised users of ContactPoint they must: have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check, renewed every three years; attend and successfully complete mandatory training on the use of ContactPoint, which includes security responsibilities, the importance of good security practice, the Data Protection Act and Human Rights Act;be provided with the ContactPoint security operating procedures; andsign an end user agreement form which sets out the responsibilities and commitments that an authorised user of ContactPoint agrees. ContactPoint users will also need to be subject to monitoring by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) when it is introduced. Children: ContactPoint Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many households are in receipt of the direct mailing about ContactPoint; whether the direct mailing will be nationwide; and what the cost of the mailing will be. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The department and local authorities are making information about ContactPoint available to young people and their parent/carer using a variety of means and channels; for example, local direct mailing in some areas, leaflet availability at public outlets and leaflet distribution, articles and notices in national, local and regional publications, and posting information on websites. This has been happening for many months, and will continue to happen as ContactPoint is rolled out nationally. Local authorities are responsible for determining themselves how best to make information about ContactPoint available to the public, and the department has provided guidance to support them to do this. The department does not collect information about local direct mailing on ContactPoint; and therefore we cannot estimate the cost of this type of activity. Children: ContactPoint Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government in what circumstances they would recommend that a child's record be shielded on ContactPoint. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: ContactPoint is designed, built, operated and managed to HM Government standards for security and complies with the strict controls imposed by HM Government security policy. Data contained within the system are made available only to those authorised users and administrators who have been subject to vetting and have completed mandatory training. Shielding is an additional measure of security, relevant for the small minority of children and young people considered to be at an increased risk should their whereabouts become known. Shielding hides the contact details of the child or young person and their parent/carer, together with those of any practitioners involved with them. The decision to shield a record must be taken by the local authority on a case-by-case basis and will be based on the level of threat posed. Local authorities must also take into account any views expressed by the child/young person and, where appropriate, their parents/carers and any relevant involved practitioners. We have provided statutory and non-statutory guidance and business processes to local authorities to help them in making these decisions and to help ensure consistency in decision making across authorities. It is vital that shielding is only applied where there are strong reasons, for example, where there is reason to believe that not doing so is likely to: place a child at increased risk of significant harm;put a child's placement at risk (in the case of adoption);place an adult at increased risk of significant harm, and/or;prejudice the prevention or detection of a serious crime. Children: Nutrition Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they are making in increasing levels of awareness about infants' nutrition. Lord Darzi of Denham: The Government are committed to promoting breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants and have undertaken a range of interventions to promote and raise awareness about infant's nutrition. These include: an investment of £7 million to support primary care trusts to implement the Baby Friendly Initiative in hospitals and in the community; the provision of easily accessible and timely advice through the National Breastfeeding Helpline; the breastfeeding DVD "From bump to breastfeeding" given to all new mothers in England via their midwives and health visitors and a number of promotional materials provided and activities held locally during the National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. In addition, the department's Healthy Start scheme promotes breastfeeding to mothers from low-income and disadvantaged households. The department will be conveying messages on breastfeeding and healthy weaning through Change4Life under-twos' marketing strategy to be launched later in 2009. Civil Service: Performance Pay Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 31 March (WS 83—84), what was the estimated size of the Cabinet Office's non-consolidated performance-related pay pot for the Senior Civil Service in each of the last five years for which information is available. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to the noble Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay on 6 May 2009 (Official Report, WA 115-116). Coroners and Justice Bill Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government which recommendations made by the Shipman inquiry have not been incorporated in the Coroners and Justice Bill; and why those recommendations have not been so incorporated. Lord Bach: The coroner reform and death certification provisions of the Coroners and Justice Bill implement, in full or in part, a number of recommendations contained in the Shipman inquiry's third report, including the statutory duty on doctors to report certain deaths to coroners, the appointment of a Chief Coroner, an appeals system, independent inspection, and independent medical examiners to scrutinise the certificates of cause of death of all deaths not reported to the coroner. Other recommendations about coroners and death certification have been addressed by alternative means, including the framework within which services are delivered. As announced in the other place by my right honourable friend the former Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs (Harriet Harman) on 6 February 2006 (Official Report, cols. 607-608), and on several occasions in Parliament subsequently, the Government are not convinced that the inquiry's recommendation for a centralised death investigation service is the most effective model. Our preference is for coroners and medical examiners to be based at a local level, and while there will be close links between the two on specific aspects of their work, we believe that they should not be part of an integrated organisational structure. Recommendations made by the Shipman inquiry into matters that are beyond the scope of coroners and death certification—such as the control of drugs, complaints arrangements in health and social care, and medical regulation and revalidation—are being taken forward by the Department of Health. Criminal Justice Acts Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of the provisions of the 65 Criminal Justice Acts since 1997 are not yet in force; and what are those provisions in date order. Lord Bach: There is currently no central record of the information required. In order to obtain this information, a detailed investigation will need to be undertaken which will take some time. The information requested is being collated and I will write to the noble Lord as soon as possible. Department of Health: Staff Baroness Campbell of Surbiton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total cost to public funds of (a) the salaries and all other emoluments, Ministerial and Parliamentary, paid to each of the Ministers at the Department of Health; and (b) the salaries and other payments made to the Department's Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer respectively. Lord Darzi of Denham: Details of salary and other emoluments for the department's Ministers, Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer for the financial year 2007-08 are recorded in the department's remuneration report, part of the Resource Accounts 2007-08, which are available in the Library, and can be found on page 25 of that document. The DH resource accounts for the financial year 2008-09, including the department's remuneration report, are currently in preparation. Following audit and certification by National Audit Office, they will be laid before Parliament during July 2009. The remuneration report will contain information on salary paid and other emoluments received for the department's Ministers, Permanent Secretary and the Chief Medical Officer for the 2008-09 financial year. The salaries to which Ministers are currently entitled are published in Factsheet M6 from the House of Commons Information Service and can be found at www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/M06.pdf. Education Maintenance Allowance Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will increase the education maintenance allowance from £30 a week. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The education maintenance allowance is an incentive paid direct to young people to encourage them to participate in post-compulsory learning. We have no evidence to suggest that the current rate of weekly payment does not provide the required incentive. Since it was introduced participation in post-16 learning has increased each year. EMA is not designed to meet all of a young person's living costs—help with these is provided through child benefit and working tax credits, or through the benefit system provided through the Department for Work and Pensions. Employment: Compensation Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many employers did not pay compensation awarded by tribunals in the period from 2003 to 2008; and what action they propose to ensure that enforcement against non-compliant employers takes place. Lord Bach: Employment tribunals are adjudicating bodies and are not responsible for enforcing their awards or orders of costs. The Tribunals Service, therefore, does not hold data relating to the number of employers who did not pay compensation awarded at employment tribunals. However, recent research into this issue by the Ministry of Justice showed that, at the time they were interviewed, 39 per cent of claimants who participated in the research had been awarded a monetary payment which had not been paid by the employer. The Government have streamlined the enforcement process for claimants and are currently in discussion with the High Court Enforcement Officers Association to develop a service which will enable claimants to commission a High Court enforcement officer to enforce their award as soon as the respondent fails to make payment. This was set out in my Written Statement on 19 May 2009 (Official Report, col. WS 111). Food Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have for increasing food production in England. Lord Davies of Oldham: The UK domestic agricultural sector makes an important contribution to the diversity of safe and nutritious food we enjoy, and will need to continue to respond to changes in global markets for food. The Government believe UK agriculture should produce as much food as possible, provided this can be done sustainably and is driven by consumer demand. Primary responsibility for action to improve competitiveness rests—as in other sectors of the economy—with the sector itself. Government's principal role in this area is encouraging and enabling to ensure we have a thriving and sustainable agri-food sector. We are encouraging more resource efficient and environmentally sustainable agriculture by: providing guidance on nutrient management (Code of Good Agricultural Practice, issued January 2009); reducing water pollution (Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme and NVZs); and environmental stewardship schemes. The Government are also helping rural businesses through the economic downturn by raising the funding limit on grants to 100 per cent for projects under the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE). We are encouraging co-operation in production and marketing, for example, the Pigmeat Supply Chain Taskforce; and we are taking regulatory burdens seriously and arguing strongly against those we view as unnecessary or inappropriate with our European partners. And we are continuing our commitment to ensuring the right research and development strategy is in place across a wide range of areas, including the environmental impacts of local and seasonal foods; the water impacts of our food supply; and the integrating water quality, ecology and production at farm and catchment scale. Food: Salt Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider a new campaign to persuade restaurants to reduce the salt in their food. Lord Darzi of Denham: The Government have already secured voluntary public commitments from over 40 of the largest catering companies for action that will reduce salt in their food. These companies are from all parts of the catering industry including restaurants. As the existing initiative is working well, the Government intend to continue their current work with these companies, as well as actively encourage new companies to reduce the salt content in the meals they serve. This will include targeting smaller businesses. Health: Diabetes Baroness Wilkins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report in The Lancet on the number of cases of childhood diabetes in Europe. Lord Darzi of Denham: We have noted the findings of the report, which indicates that increasing numbers of children will be affected by type 1 diabetes. Primary care trusts will need to ensure appropriate planning of services and that resources are in place to provide high-quality care for the anticipated increased numbers of children affected. Homelessness: Rough Sleepers Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many rough sleepers were estimated to be in (a) Birmingham, (b) Leeds, (c) Manchester, (d) Liverpool, and (e) Newcastle upon Tyne, in (1) 2000, (2) 2005, (3) 2007, and (4) 2008. Lord McKenzie of Luton: The table below shows the number of rough sleepers: 2000 2005 2007 2008 Birmingham 23 7 5 6 Leeds 17 4 1 6 Manchester 23 7 7 11 Liverpool 19 8 12 13 Newcastle upon Tyne 2 0 0 2 House of Lords: Ministerial Responsibilities Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will appoint a Minister in the House of Lords with sole responsibility for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Lord Davies of Oldham: Among other recent changes to the composition of the Government, I have been appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in Defra. I am carrying out these duties alongside my responsibilities as the Government's Deputy Chief Whip in this House. My departmental portfolio is as follows: all Defra business in the Lords; Deputy for the Minister of State's business; bee and plant health; FERA; Agricultural Wages Board; Gangmasters Licensing Authority; Seasonal agricultural workers scheme (SAWS); and customer champion. Housing Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many selective licensing areas are in existence; what are their names, locations, relevant local authorities and dates of establishment; how many houses are included in each; and what percentage of those houses are owned by private landlords. To ask Her Majesty's Government which applications by local authorities for selective licensing areas have been rejected; and for what reasons. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned research into the effectiveness of selective licensing areas (SLAs); if so, what research has taken place; and what is their assessment of the success of SLAs. Lord McKenzie of Luton: The table below highlights those local authorities that have been granted approval to operate selective licensing schemes under the Housing Act 2004. We invite local authorities to work with departmental officials in the development of their selective licensing proposals so that the applications when submitted are consistent with published criteria. This has meant that the Secretary of State has not rejected any applications. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has conducted a review of local authority implementation of the licensing provisions under the Housing Act 2004, and this has included an assessment of those selective licensing regimes that were in operation at the time of the research. The final report is due to be published in July 2009. Authority No of Designations Area Date of Confirmation Commencement Date Valid Until No of privately rented properties Salford City Council 1 Seedley & Langworthy Renewal Area 26.2.07 25.5.07 24.5.12 517 Middlesborough Council 1 Gresham & Middlehaven Ward 6.3.07 5.6.07 4.6.12 838 Manchester City Council 3 Harpurhey Ward 4.5.07 3.8.07 2.08.12 1184 Manchester City Council - Bradford Ward 4.5.07 3.8.07 2.8.12 516 Manchester City Council - Gorton North and South Wards 4.5.07 2.11.07 1.11.12 1818 Gateshead Council 1 Sunderland Road 26.6.07 25.9.07 24.9.12 363 Sedgefield Council 1 Dean Bank & Chilton West 8.11.07 7.2.08 6.2.13 504 Burnley Council 1 Trinity Ward 23.7.08 22.10.08 21.3.13 430 Bolton Council 1 Tonge with Haulgh Ward 11.8.08 10.11.08 9.11.13 142 Blackburn Council 2 Infirmary Area 17.11.08 17.2.09 16.2.14 198 Blackburn Council - Central Darwen 5.1.09 1.6.09 31.5.14 193 Leeds City Council 1 East End Cross Green 19.5.09 1.10.09 30.9.04 406 Easington Council 1 Wembley 7.11.8 10.2.09 9.2.14 103 Hartlepool 1 North and Central Areas 30.1.09 1.5.09 30.4.14 530 Total 14 Housing Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many empty dwelling management orders have been made; and, in each case, by which local authority. Lord McKenzie of Luton: To date, 24 interim empty dwelling management orders (EDMOs) have been approved by the Residential Property Tribunal Service (RPTS) since the legislation came into effect in April 2006. However, local authorities claim that in many cases the threat of an EDMO has been sufficient to make owners take action to bring long-term empty homes back into use. We are confident that the legislation is beginning to work well. We always intended that the legislation should be used only as a last resort where other measures have proved unsuccessful. We want to encourage voluntary reoccupation of empty homes but this can only work well where there is realistic compulsion to back them up. EDMOs provide this compulsion and should therefore be a key component of a comprehensive empty property strategy. Local authority No. of Interim EDMOs Authorised London Borough of Bromley 1 Carlisle District Council 1 London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham 1 London Borough of Hounslow 2 London Borough of Lewisham 5 New Forest District Council 1 Norwich City Council 5 Peterborough City Council 2 South Norfolk District Council 1 Staffordshire Moorlands District Council 1 Swale Borough Council 1 Wychavon District Council 1 South Tyneside Borough Council 1 Southend-On-Sea Borough Council 1 Total 24 Housing Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they can take in relation to houses owned by private landlords which are empty and derelict or in poor condition in selective licensing areas (SLAs); and whether such action is specific to SLAs. Lord McKenzie of Luton: Local authorities have a range of enforcement powers available to them to use where properties are left empty and which may have become derelict or be in poor condition. Local authorities can use compulsory purchase orders where properties are left empty or they can use an enforced sale procedure where empty properties are derelict or in poor condition. The Housing Act 2004 also introduced empty dwelling management orders for properties that have been left empty for longer than six months. These enforcement powers are not specific to selective licensing areas. In selective licensing areas, all private landlords will need to be identified by local authorities as fit and proper persons and must ensure that satisfactory management standards are in place at their properties. Local authorities have powers to take over the management of privately rented properties in selective licensing areas, known as interim management orders (IMOs), if a licence cannot be granted. Human Rights Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered appropriate human rights for particular areas of England similar to the Belfast agreement's section on human rights; and, if so, for which areas. Lord Bach: The Human Rights Act 1998 applies throughout the United Kingdom and the Government have no plans to consider whether other appropriate human rights should be introduced for particular areas of England. Human Rights Act 1998 Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to over-rule the majority decision of the Law Lords in the case of YL v Birmingham City Council and others. Lord Bach: Section 145 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 ensures that care and accommodation which is publicly arranged under the National Assistance Act 1948 (or similar provision in Scottish and Northern Irish legislation) is now subject to the Human Rights Act 1998 as if it were a function of a public nature within the meaning of Section 6(3)(b) of that Act. It therefore reverses the effect of the judgment of the Appellate Committee in YL v Birmingham City Council on care homes, in respect of individuals whose care is publicly arranged. Intelligence and Security Committee Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place for the Intelligence and Security Committee to obtain independent legal advice. To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will answer Question HL2383 tabled on 19 March about what arrangements are in place for the Intelligence and Security Committee to obtain independent legal advice; and what is the reason for the delay in answering it. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Arrangements were put in place in December 2008 for the Intelligence and Security Committee to obtain independent and confidential legal advice through the Treasury Solicitor's Department. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the nature of the evidence they require for the purpose of deciding whether to accept the First Optional Protocol to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and what steps they will take to obtain such evidence. Lord Bach: The Government need to be convinced of the practical value to the people of the United Kingdom of the rights of individual petition to the United Nations under each of the covenants to which they apply. In 2004 we acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. One of our reasons for doing so was to enable us to consider on a more empirical basis the merits of the right of individual petition. Professor Jim Murdoch of Glasgow University reviewed the operation of the optional protocol, and we announced the conclusions of his review on 4 December 2008, which were that the optional protocol had not yet provided women in the UK with real benefits; non-governmental organisations in the UK had not used the optional protocol in advancing the cause of women, and that the quality of the UN Committee's adjudication on admissibility of complaints could appear inconsistent. Professor Murdoch's findings suggest that the first three years did not provide sufficient empirical evidence to decide either way on the value of other individual complaint mechanisms. We will need further evidence, over a longer period, to establish what the practical benefits are. On 8 June (Official Report, col. 28WS), my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Jonathan Shaw) announced that the UK intends to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities shortly. The Government will keep under review the applications made under these two optional protocols, how they are handled by the relevant committees at the United Nations, and whether their outcome demonstrates significant additional benefits to people in the United Kingdom. This evidence will assist the Government in assessing the merits of other individual petition mechanisms. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they continue to support the Arab League peace initiative; and whether they will work to ensure that multi-lateral conversations start this year. Lord Brett: The UK remains committed to supporting the Arab peace initiative (API). My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK's support to the API in his statement at the UN Security Council on 11 May 2009. The UK sees the API as an essential basis for progressing towards peace in the Middle East. We will continue to maintain contact with Israeli, Palestinian, Arab and other international leaders to do all we can to drive the peace process forward. IT Projects Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, on 12 November 2008 (Official Report, House of Commons, cols. 1226—7W), what are the latest expected completion dates and estimated costs of each of the information technology projects in the table. Lord Davies of Oldham: My honourable friend issued a Ministerial Correction to his Answer on 27 March (Official Report,cols. 5-6MC). We now include a project that is a new, updated entry from the Rural Payments Agency, which was unintentionally omitted from the November 2008 table. The projects listed are information technology projects in Defra and its largest executive agencies, the Rural Payments Agency and Animal Health, which were estimated to cost more than £1 million over the life of the project. Costs listed exclude the day-to-day running costs after the completion of the project. The figures quoted are either the actual cost for completed projects or the latest forecast estimates for those that are not yet completed. The estimated costs to completion are subject to change as business cases are reviewed and funding approved. Projects costing less than £1 million and those within smaller executive agencies, as well as any projects initiated after November 2008, have been excluded as data collection for these would incur a disproportionate cost to the department to compile. Project Actual/expected completion date Actual/estimated costs £ Animal Health Business Reform Programme November 2011 98,000,000 Rural Payments Agency Cattle Tracing System (CTS) Programme* November 2009 6,700,000 CAP Health Check Implementation Programme—Rural Payments Agency November 2010 32,700,000 Customer and Land Database (CLAD) March 2010 1,730,000 Enabling Technology Programme 2008-09 March 2009 2,100,000 UK Location Programme (previously described with the working title of "INSPIRE/UK Location Strategy Implementation Programme") December 2012 12,800,000 Renew IT March 2009 9,000,000 Rural Payments Agency Managed Document Service September 2009 2,500,000 Rural Payments Agency Rural Land Register Upgrade April 2010 21,400,000 Rural Payments Agency Single Payment System Upgrade (including CAP Health Check) November 2009 20,400,000 Rural Payments Agency Storage Servers Upgrade March 2010 3,800,000 Spatial Information Repository (SPIRE) March 2010 14,950,000 Web Rationalisation March 2011 1,440,000 Whole Farm Approach March 2011 74,000,000 *This project is a new, updated entry from the Rural Payments Agency, which was unintentionally omitted from the November 2008 table. Judicial Review Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many judicial review proceedings were brought in England and Wales in 2008—09. Lord Bach: 7,375 judicial reviews were issued in England and Wales during the 2008-09 financial year. Judicial Review Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 8 June (WA 123), which of the 266 judicial review cases in Northern Ireland in 2008—09, for which legal aid was granted, were successful. Lord Bach: Of the 266 judicial review cases granted legal aid in 2008-09 the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission has received reports on 62 cases. Of the 62 cases, 10 were successful; seven were unsuccessful; nine were settled and 36 did not proceed to court. The outcomes of the remaining 204 cases have yet to be reported. The 10 successful cases are set out below: Surname Forename Associated Person Body Khan Kasem Home Office Faloon Christopher City High Principal of Board of Governors of Armagh Curran Brendan District Judge Magill Clarence Gordon Mental Health Review Tribunal Phiri Maureen Home Office Maguire Elaine Northern Ireland Housing Executive Carmichael Brigid Mental Health Tribunal for NI Mabeka Linia Secretary of State for NI Daly Alan Prison Service Headquarters Chinyoka Ignatious Home Office Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what funding has been provided to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since 1 January 2008, against what business cases, and when. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: As stated in my Answer to the noble Lord of 30 March (Official Report, cols. WA 199-200), the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's annual expenditure is published each year in its annual report and accounts, copies of which are placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Northern Ireland Office provides funding to the commission each financial year, which is a period of 12 months ending on 31 March. The commission's final expenditure in 2007-08 was £1.672 million and £1.744 million in 2008-09. The budget allocation for 2009-10 has been agreed at £1.657 million, based on consideration of the commission's draft business plan and discussion of the justification for the proposed spend. These figures include cash and non-cash payments. Allocation of funding is reviewed with the commission during in-year monitoring rounds and regularly throughout the financial year. Railways: Engineering Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask Network Rail how many significant engineering proposals to improve the running of the railway network have been made in the past three years; and how many of those have (a) been adopted, and (b) not been adopted. Lord Adonis: This is an operational matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The noble Lord should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his questions: Iain Coucher, Chief Executive, Network Rail, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG. Railways: Network Rail Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss re-opening old railway lines with Network Rail and the train operating companies. Lord Adonis: The Government are prepared to discuss reopening of a specific railway line where a local authority or passenger transport executive or region considers that this might be the best way of addressing local or regional issues. We have no plans to discuss with Network Rail or train operators the subject of reopening of lines generally. Railways: Public Subsidy Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the public subsidy to the rail network in (a) 1990, (b) 1995, (c) 2000, and (d) 2005. Lord Adonis: Details of historic public subsidy for the railway is published by the Office of Rail Regulation in National Rail Trends. Copies of this document are available in the Library of the House. Railways: Signalling Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will inquire into why Network Rail is installing an obsolete signalling system on the Cambrian line. Lord Adonis: The Cambrian line is being fitted with a state of the art in-cab signalling system, the European rail traffic management system (ERTMS), which is fully compliant with European legislation on railway interoperability. Reactor Animals Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken any research into whether the tabular valuation mechanism has speeded up the removal of reactor animals. Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government have not undertaken any research into whether the tabular valuation mechanism has speeded up the removal of reactor animals. However, Animal Health has a 20-day target for removing TB-affected cattle and in between April 2008 and March 2009 they met this target in 88 per cent of cases. Sir Alan Sugar Baroness Seccombe: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the enterprise champion, Sir Alan Sugar, will be advising the Government on the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The enterprise champion has not been asked to advise on any specific Bill. He is expected to provide advice to government on ways to ensure small firms and entrepreneurs make the most of the real help available from government and other organisations. Waterways: Pollution Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they have received from United Kingdom farmers to the new legal obligations to avoid pollution of lakes, ponds and rivers on their property. Lord Davies of Oldham: We are in touch with a range of stakeholders, including farming representatives and others regarding a variety of issues affecting water quality and the measures we propose in order to tackle them. Farming organisations are fully inputting into a range of consultations that are currently being undertaken. Working Time Directive Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: To ask Her Majesty's Government when officials first raised the European working time directive's impact upon (a) training, and (b) service provision, with the Secretary of State for Health. Lord Darzi of Denham: The impact of European working time directive on training and service provision has been a regular feature of advice from officials to the relevant Secretary of State since the directive was first introduced by the European Commission in November 1993. Working Time Directive Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans the Department of Health has made should full compliance with the European working time directive not be achieved in August. Lord Darzi of Denham: Trusts are being supported to implement the working time directive for their junior doctors in training and many have already done so. The aim is that the maximum number of services, consistent with patient safety, are supported to achieve compliance. In January the Secretary of State for Health notified the European Commission of concerns that a number of hospital services delivering 24-hour immediate patient care, some supra-specialist services, and small, remote and rural units may need more time to achieve full compliance with the requirement for an average 48-hour working week. The notification set out the Government's intention to take up the option of a limited derogation under Article 17(5) of the European working time directive for services identified as needing more time. Derogation would allow services to plan for up to a 52-hour average week, up to August 2011 (exceptionally until 2012). This flexibility represents good National Health Service management.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2009-06-22a

Department for Communities and Local Government Job Creation: Ebbsfleet lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many new jobs have been created in Ebbsfleet since the creation of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Government’s ambition is for the creation of 30,000 new jobs in Ebbsfleet. Across the main sites, there is currently outline planning permission for 622,259 square metres of office and industrial space, 26,850 square metres of retail space and 192,000 square metres of hotel and leisure space. So far, jobs have been created at a new restaurant/public house and primary school with a new hotel opening in January 2018. There has also been significant job creation in the construction sector, including new apprenticeships. Refuges: Domestic Violence lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that safe accommodation is available throughout the UK for women and children escaping domestic violence; and what steps they are taking to prevent the closure of existing refuges. lord bourne of aberystwyth: This is a devolved matter in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Government is absolutely committed to protecting victims of domestic abuse.In England, we have invested £33.5 million since 2014 in safe accommodation-based services that support victims of domestic abuse. 80 projects across the country are receiving part of our 2016/18 £20 million fund for safe accommodation and local service reform, which will create more than 2,200 bed spaces and support over 19,000 victims.We set out our expectations of local areas in supporting victims of domestic abuse in our Priorities for Domestic Abuse services, published in November 2016. We are also undertaking a review of funding for refuge in England, including the critical care and support costs, and will conclude by Summer 2018. To inform our review, we have launched a tender for an audit of local authority commissioning of domestic abuse services, including refuge.We are exploring all options for future delivery of domestic abuse services in England, including a national model for refuges. We are committed to working closely with sector partners, drawing on their expertise and knowledge, as we undertake our review. Private Rented Housing: Greater London baroness gardner of parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of long-term rental units in London that have changed to become short term or holiday lets in the last five years; and how they plan to encourage private landlords to provide more housing for people seeking long term accommodation. lord bourne of aberystwyth: As part of the Autumn Budget statement, it was announced that the Government will consult on ways to overcome the barriers landlords can face in offering longer, more secure tenancies to those tenants who want them. We do not have an estimate of those long-term rental units in London that have changed to or are additionally used for short term or holiday lets in the last five years. Department for Education Schools: Standards baroness redfern: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to improve the attainment of, and outcomes for, pupils attending schools in rural and coastal areas; and, in particular, what assessment they have made of the use of partnerships between schools. lord agnew of oulton: The Department for Education recently published the report, ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential’, which sets out the department’s plan for improving social mobility through education. The report, which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, consists of a targeted response to direct resources to where they are needed most. It includes prioritising support for 108 Category 5&6 local authority districts with the weakest educational performance but with capacity to improve. These districts, some of which are located in rural or coastal areas, were identified using the composite ‘Achieving Excellence Area’ indicator, which measures the educational performance of an area and its capacity to improve.The Opportunity Area programme seeks to improve outcomes for pupils in 12 social mobility ‘cold spots’ by overcoming barriers in those geographic areas where the educational challenges are greatest and opportunity is lacking. The areas represent a wide geographic spread, and take into account different challenges faced in different contexts - including in coastal and rural areas - which will help us to build a strong evidence base on what works in a wide range of varied settings. Education: Assessments lord browne of belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government how often they meet their counterparts in (1) Northern Ireland, and (2) Wales, to discuss the examination arrangements for (a) GCSEs, and (b) A Levels. lord agnew of oulton: The Department for Education organises quarterly meetings with officials from the Welsh and Northern Irish governments. These meetings are joined by the qualifications, examinations and assessments regulators for each country: Ofqual (regulator for England), the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (regulator for Northern Ireland) and Qualifications Wales (regulator for Wales). The purpose of these meetings is to discuss and update counterparts on policy and regulatory arrangements for qualifications, including GCSEs and A levels, in each of the three countries. Ofqual also meets the regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland frequently to discuss issues relating to the regulation of GCSEs and A levels. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Caribbean: Hurricanes and Tornadoes lord boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of the Commonwealth in the post hurricane reconstruction of Caribbean (1) British overseas territories, and (2) independent island states. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have not made a formal assessment of the role of the Commonwealth in the post-hurricane reconstruction of the Caribbean but sustainability will be on the agenda at the April 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London and Windsor. As the Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Scotland, has said, it is important for the international community to continue to support the recovery of the Caribbean islands affected by hurricanes in 2017. The UK is doing so both bilaterally and through international and regional organisations such as the Caribbean Development Bank and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). Russia: Telecommunications Cables lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat posed by Russian forces to the undersea cables linking the defence and commercial networks of NATO countries; and what steps are being taken to secure those vital communication links. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We regard undersea cables as part of the UK's critical international infrastructure and monitor a variety of threats to them, including from possible hostile maritime activity. For security reasons, we do not comment on specific assessments. Middle East: Peace Negotiations lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support the call for peace made by the 14th International Conference on the EU, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds, on 7 December; and if so, what new steps they will take. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK Government has no plans to de-list the PKK, which we are clear is a proscribed terrorist organisation. The onus is on the PKK to cease its campaign of violence so that a peaceful solution can be sought. We continue to support efforts to build dialogue, and to emphasise to the Turkish government the importance of upholding human rights. Middle East: Freedom of Expression baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to support and encourage free speechinIsrael and Palestine following reports of intimidation and public order offences committed by far-right groups in that country. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​While we have not taken any action on this specific incident, the UK stands up for and strongly supports the right of freedom of expression. We welcome the repeated public commitments of the Israeli Government, including the President and Prime Minister, to uphold and protect Israel's longstanding tradition of freedom of expression. Gaza: Infrastructure baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel to ensure that the building materials and machinery necessary to improve the infrastructure needed for winterisation assistance are allowed into Gaza. lord ahmad of wimbledon: Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate-General in Jerusalem frequently urge the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to take steps to improve conditions in Gaza. We have carried out demarches to this effect, urging Israel to go further in easing movement and access restrictions on Gaza. We also support projects to improve movement and access of people and goods in and out of Gaza through the Global Britain Fund. Department for International Trade Commonwealth: Trade baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the analysis by the Trade Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat,Trade Implications of Brexit for Developing Countries. baroness fairhead: We were pleased to receive contributions from stakeholders and are considering them fully, including this Commonwealth Secretariat paper. Our first priority is to deliver continuity in our trading arrangements on leaving the EU. On leaving the EU the UK government will also explore options to expand on relationships with developing countries. We take every opportunity to advance discussions with Commonwealth partners, for example at the recent World Trade Organisation 11th Ministerial Conference. The Commonwealth Summit in April 2018 will be the largest leaders' summit the UK has ever hosted, with 52 Heads of State and thousands of businesses in attendance. The Prime Minister has identified trade as one of her top priorities for the Summit. Commonwealth: Trade baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the scale of the potential impact of the application of most favoured nation tariffs on developing Commonwealth countries. baroness fairhead: Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates are the highest import tariff rates WTO members can charge one another unless part of a preferential trade agreement. 43 out of 52 Commonwealth members benefit from preferential access to the UK through EU trade arrangements designed to support developing counties. This preferential access is vital to support economic development in the recipient countries and provide benefits to businesses in the UK. This is why, as the Government set out in the trade White Paper, we have introduced legislation to establish a UK trade preferences scheme as we leave the EU. We propose that this will, as a minimum, provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme. We will also seek to replicate effects of the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements, which are development-focused trade deals with Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Commonwealth: EU External Trade baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the intra-country trade in the EU that originates in developing Commonwealth countries and first enters the EU via the UK. baroness fairhead: The UK's total trade with developing Commonwealth countries (imports and exports of goods and services with countries that receive preferential access through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, Economic Partnership Agreements or the Market Access Regulation) was over £42 billion in 2015. This statistic measures trade on a balance of payments basis but we are aware that goods and services from developing Commonwealth countries can constitute intermediate inputs into items traded within the EU. This is why we are working with developing country partners to replicate the effects of existing trade arrangements as we leave the EU. Commonwealth: Overseas Trade baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the size of any increase in trade with Commonwealth countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU. baroness fairhead: The UK leaving the European Union will affect trade with partner countries differently, including members of the Commonwealth. The size of the impact will depend upon a range of factors, including the UK’s future relationship with the EU.43 out of 52 Commonwealth members currently benefit from preferential access to the UK, either through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, Economic Partnership Agreements or Market Access Regulations. This preferential access supports economic development in the recipient countries and provides benefits to businesses in the UK.The Government is committed to providing continuity in the UK’s current trade and investment relationships, including those covered by EU Free Trade Agreements and other EU preferential arrangements. As set out in the Trade White Paper, it has introduced legislation to establish a UK trade preferences scheme, which will help developing countries.The UK will seek to strengthen its trade and investment relationships with partners across the world, including Commonwealth members. We are already conducting regular Ministerial dialogues with a wide range of markets and also a joint review of the UK-India trade relationship, in partnership with the Government of India.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2018-01-02

Department for Communities and Local Government Empty Dwelling Management Orders lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recentestimate they have made of the number of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs); what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of EDMOs; and whether they have any proposals to change (1) the regulations relating to EDMOs, and (2) the way in which EDMOs operate in practice, in order to increase their ease of use. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) enable a local housing authority to put an empty property back into use. The property must have been empty for at least two years and be a blight on the local neighbourhood. It is for local housing authorities to decide when to use these powers and Government does not collect data on the number of EDMOs that have been issued. The number of empty homes is at its lowest since records began. In May 2010 over 300,000 homes in England had been standing empty for longer than 6 months. As of November 2017 the number of long-term empty properties had fallen to 206,236. There are no current plans to make any changes to the way in which EDMOs operate. High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the review of fire safety regulations and precautions, which arose from the fire at Lakanal House in south London in 2009, will be published. lord bourne of aberystwyth: I refer the Noble Lord to my answer of 19 December to PQ HL 1281, following which a note setting out the action the then Government took in response to the coroner's recommendations following the fire at Lakanal House has been placed in the Library of the House.I would also refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's statement made on 18 December, which I repeated on the same day. The Government is now working with industry experts to complete work on clarifying the approved documents on fire safety. Local Government: Borrowing lord myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government why local authorities can borrow from the Public Works Loan Board to buy commercial property but not to fund the construction of social housing. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Under the Local Government Act 2003, local authorities have the freedom to borrow and invest, without government consent, provided that their borrowing is affordable. This is known as the Prudential Framework. Local authorities can borrow from the Public Works Loan Board to fund the construction of social housing. However, this is only where they have headroom to do so under the Housing Revenue Account borrowing caps and provided that any such borrowing is prudential.We have listened to local authorities who asked for additional borrowing to build more housing. We recently announced that we will raise the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap by a total of up to £1 billion in areas of high affordability pressure for local authorities who are ready to start building new homes. Local authorities will be able to bid for increases in their caps from 2019-20 to 2021/22.This will complement measures to support local authorities to build more homes through a longer term rent deal that provides a stable investment environment to deliver new homes. This is alongside an additional £2 billion to deliver more affordable housing for social rent in areas of acute affordability pressure. This will help to deliver the new generation of council house building which the Prime Minister announced recently. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Financial Reporting Council baroness bowles of berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Memorandum of Understanding between the Financial Reporting Council and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills dated July 2010 describes the Financial Reporting Council as a private body. lord henley: The Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Financial Reporting Council will need to be reviewed and updated in due course. The memorandum was signed before the Office of National Statistics’ confirmation in 2014 that the Financial Reporting Council is a public body and was based on the expectations at that time. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed last year that it expected the Financial Reporting Council to remain a public body. The reference to the Financial Reporting Council being a private body does not affect the operation of the Memorandum. Financial Reporting Council baroness bowles of berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government for how long the Financial Reporting Council has been classified by the National Accounts Classification Committee as a central government public body. lord henley: The Financial Reporting Council was classified as a public body by the Office for National Statistics on 31st October 2004. Following a review, in 2014 the Office of National Statistics reconfirmed the Financial Reporting Council’s classification as a public body and in 2017 the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed it is expected to remain as such. Financial Reporting Council baroness bowles of berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Financial Reporting Council has met all the obligations required of public bodies, in particularrelating to(1) procurement, (2) recruitment, (3) remuneration, and(4) the Freedom of Information Act 2000,since its establishment; and if not, for how long, if at all,it has met all theobligations in each category. lord henley: The Financial Reporting Council has met all the obligations placed upon it by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Financial Reporting Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in respect of certain functions under Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006 by sections 1228(3) and 1252(3). The Financial Reporting Council’s Freedom of Information Scheme has been approved by the Information Commissioner and it acts in accordance with this scheme. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will continue to review whether the current scope of application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is appropriate given the way in which the Financial Reporting Council’s responsibilities have developed and the confirmation that it will remain a public body. Financial Reporting Council baroness bowles of berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government who receives the proceeds of successful legal actions brought by the Financial Reporting Council against any of the Big Four accountancy firms; and whether any of those proceeds are allocated to accountancy firms trade associations. lord henley: Fines imposed on accountancy firms by the Financial Reporting Council as part of an audit enforcement action must be paid by the Financial Reporting Council to the Secretary of State. Any costs awarded to the Financial Reporting Council in recognition of the enforcement costs funded by the recognised audit supervisory bodies must be paid to those bodies. This arrangement applies only in respect of fines paid under the Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016. Financial Reporting Council baroness bowles of berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have given any guarantees to the Financial Reporting Council to cover legal costs for cases brought against accountancy firms. lord henley: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has not given any guarantee to cover the legal costs of cases brought against accountancy firms. The Department has given the following undertaking for the 2017-18 financial year. It relates to audit investigations and sanctions work resulting in a statutory fine under the Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016. Those regulations require the fine to be paid to the Secretary of State. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy would establish a programme of grant payments to cover any loss of funding to the Financial Reporting Council, which would otherwise have been funded from the fine income. Mineworkers' Pension Scheme lord hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the Trustees of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme have asked Ministers for meetings to re-negotiate the surplus sharing arrangements of the Scheme since privatisation of the industry; what were the responses to those requests; and what was the reasoning behind theresponse in each case. lord henley: The Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees have requested changes to the surplus-sharing arrangements on two occasions (2000 and 2006). On each occasion, the Government considered that the existing arrangements were working well and fair to all parties. Since then, the scheme has continued to deliver bonuses to members. Partnerships: Scotland lord robertson of port ellen: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action, if any, they are taking to regulate the operation of Scottish limited partnerships. lord henley: The Government conducted a Call for Evidence on Limited Partnership law in 2017. We are actively considering options for reform and will announce next steps shortly. Partnerships: Scotland lord robertson of port ellen: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the National Crime Agency about the operation of Scottish limited partnerships. lord henley: As part of the recent call for Evidence on Limited Partnership law, government officials have discussed the operation of Scottish Limited Partnerships with the National Crime Agency, and received evidence from the Agency. Partnerships: Scotland lord robertson of port ellen: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether ministers have had discussions with the government of Scotland about the operation of Scottish limited partnerships. lord henley: In addition to official level engagement my hon. Friend the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility (Margot James) has had an exchange of correspondence with the Scottish Government on the issue of Scottish Limited Partnerships. Partnerships: Scotland lord robertson of port ellen: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action, if any, they are taking to prevent the use of Scottish limited partnerships for money laundering and the avoidance of legal limits on financial activity. lord henley: The Government conducted a Call for Evidence on Limited Partnership law in 2017. We are actively considering options for reform and will announce next steps shortly. Attorney General Prosecutions lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use by the CPS of the phrase “insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction” in cases where there is no evidence at all against the accused; and what guidance they have given, or intend to give, to the CPS in respect of such use. lord keen of elie: The Code for Crown Prosecutors (the Code) sets out the general principles Crown prosecutors must follow when they make decisions on cases.The full Code test has two stages. Crown prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against each suspect or defendant on each charge. If the case does pass the evidential stage, Crown prosecutors must proceed to the second stage and decide if a prosecution is needed in the public interest.The Crown Prosecution Service has adopted the wording recommended in the 2016 report of Sir Richard Henriques for public announcements of decisions not to charge an individual, namely that “the case failed to meet the evidential test”. That terminology is not a comment on the strength or weakness of the evidence in any particular case.The test applied by prosecutors continues to be that set out in the Code. Hate Crime: Prosecutions lord vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 6 December 2017 that she would write to the Director of Public Prosecutions (HL Deb, col 1051), whether she has done so; and if so, what was the response. lord keen of elie: I would refer his Lordship to the answer to HL4421 from Lord Pearson, which was tabled on 21 December 2017, a copy of which has been made available in the Library of the House. Department for International Development Greece: Refugees lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees regarding (1) the work needed to improve conditions for refugees in the camp at Moria on Lesbos, and (2) the resettlement or repatriation of other refugees on the islands and mainland of Greece. lord bates: The UK government is supporting the European Union, who, with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other partners, is working tirelessly with the Greek government to improve conditions for refugees.EU efforts include supporting the government to accelerate procedures to reduce the time asylum seekers stay on islands such as Lesbos, transferring vulnerable people to the mainland and improving accommodation on the islands.The UK provides expert staff to strengthen EU efforts in two areas: accelerating asylum processes, and supporting the Greek authorities to improve conditions for migrants in the hotspots.The UK also continues to work with UNHCR on resettling vulnerable refugees directly from regions affected by conflict. The UK has welcomed over 9,300 vulnerable refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme since it began in 2014. Syria: Humanitarian Aid lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to use all possible means, including cooperation with Russia, to achieve full humanitarian access to Eastern Ghouta, Syria. lord bates: Humanitarian access to Eastern Ghouta is severely constrained by the Assad regime. Where access allows, our partners including the UN and NGOs are providing life-saving food, protection, and healthcare. The recent medical evacuation of 29 people in urgent need of treatment, whilst positive, does little to meet overall humanitarian need in Eastern Ghouta. The UK continues to demand full and sustained humanitarian access in order to deliver aid to those in need, and for further medical evacuations to take place. We are doing all we can diplomatically to achieve this, including calling on Russia to use its influence with the Assad regime. Department for Education Office for Students lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the comments byViscount Younger of Leckie on 16 January 2017 (HL Deb, cols 22–3), what guidance will be issued to the Office for Students; whether that guidancewill be published in the form of an annual letter; and if not, what form it will take. viscount younger of leckie: We will issue annual guidance to the Office for Students, including the allocation of government Grant in Aid and government priorities for higher education for the following academic year. It is likely that this guidance will take the form of a letter. Where appropriate, the government may issue supplementary guidance during the course of the year. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Reorganisation lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the change of name of the Department for Communities and Local Government to the Ministry ofHousing, Communities and Local Government, what is their estimate of the cost of the resulting changes to signs, badges, stationery, and other matters. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Building the homes our country needs is an absolute priority for this government. The name change for the department reflects this government’s renewed focus to deliver more homes and build stronger communities across England.Any necessary changes will be done in a cost-efficient way with expenditure being kept to a minimum. This would of course be a fraction of the cost of splitting up the Ministry as proposed by the opposition. Ministry of Defence Trident lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made on the programme to replace the UK nuclear deterrent. earl howe: I refer the noble Lord to the statement I made to the House on 20 December 2017, (HLWS371) stating that the sixth report on the progress of the replacement programme was published and placed in the Library of the House. The report 'The United Kingdom's Future Nuclear Deterrent: The Dreadnought Programme, 2017 Update to Parliament' sets out that construction of the first of the new Dreadnought class submarines is under way and the build programme remains on time and within cost. HLWS371 - Future Nuclear Deterrent 2017 Update (Word Document, 13.55 KB) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment Agency lord german: To ask Her Majesty's Government which functions of the Environment Agency they are proposing to transfer to the Canal and River Trust. lord gardiner of kimble: We are proposing to respond to the Canal & River Trust’s recent proposal for the transfer of EA navigations imminently. As such, I am unable to comment further. Home Office Asylum lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many incoming transfers under the Dublin III Regulation (regulation 604/2013) were made to the UK in 2017; and how many times the discretion under Article 18(1) of the Regulation was used in 2017. baroness williams of trafford: The discretionary clauses under the Dublin III Regulation can be found at Article 17 of the Regulation, with Article 17(2) being the relevant criteria for coming transfer requestsThe Dublin III Regulation is a long-standing mechanism between EU Member States to determine responsibility for examining asylum claims. It is not an application route for transfer to the UK. At present we do not publish data on cases covered by the Dublin Regulation. Eurostat, the EU’s statistics agency, regularly publishes Member State figures, which can be found at:http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report. The Commission has data up to, and including 2016. This shows the UK processed over 6,000 Dublin requests in 2016: over 4,200 outgoing requests to other Member States and almost 1,800 incoming requests. 2017 data is not yet available. Under the Dublin III Regulation, Member States have two months from receiving a request from another participating Member State to accept or reject responsibility for processing the asylum claim. Once a Dublin request has been accepted (or legal matters have been resolved), the Regulation provides that the sending Member State has six months to enact the transfer. The Home Office works closely with EU Member State partners to enact transfers as soon as possible and ahead of the six month timeframe. Detention Centres lord lipsey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many immigration detention estate Independent Monitoring Board reports for 2016 they responded to; and when they intend to respond to the rest of those reports. baroness williams of trafford: The Government has responded to the Brook House immigration removal centre and the Cedars pre-departure accommodation Independent Monitoring Board annual reports for 2016.My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Immigration will review the remaining Independent Monitoring Board reports for the immigration detention estate and respond in due course. Asylum: Detainees lord ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average duration of detention for adult asylum seekers in the UK in 2017. lord ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average duration of detention for all minors seeking asylum in the UK in 2017. lord ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average duration of detention for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the UK in 2017. baroness williams of trafford: Information on the length of detention of people leaving detention is available in tables dt_06_q and dt_09_q of the detention tables in the latest releases of ‘Immigration Statistics, July to September 2017’, available from the Home Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/662536/detention-jul-sep-2017-tables.ods.The table includes a breakdown of adults and child detainees who have previously claimed asylum at some stage. However, we cannot identify those minors which were unaccompanied. Figures for Q4 2017 will be released on 22 February 2018.People leaving detention by length of detention, January to September 2017Length of detentionTotal DetaineesOf which: Adult asylum detaineesChild asylum detainees*Total20,73010,22224A: 3 days or less5,5142,04421B: 4 to 7 days1,4838552C: 8 to 14 days2,6041,0861D: 15 to 28 days3,6191,5500E: 29 days to less than 2 months3,4941,8750F: 2 months to less than 3 months1,5669780G: 3 months to less than 4 months7945460H: 4 months to less than 6 months8136310I: 6 months to less than 12 months6805360J: 12 months to less than 18 months100750K: 18 months to less than 24 months41310L: 24 months to less than 36 months20150M: 36 months to less than 48 months200N: 48 months or more000Figures are provisional.Asylum detainees: People detained solely under Immigration Act powerswho are recorded as having sought asylum at some stage.The median length of detention for adults, who had claimed asylum at some point, between January and September 2017, was between 15 and 28 days. There are a small number of detainees who have been detained for long periods of time, which would skew the mean value. The median is therefore the most suitable average for these data. Asylum lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average duration of the asylum procedure in the UK over (1) the last 12 months, and (2) the last three years. lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average duration of the asylum procedure at first instance in the UK over (1) the last 12 months, and (2) the last three years, for (a) Syrian nationals, (b) Afghan nationals, and (c) Iraqi nationals. baroness williams of trafford: Information regarding the average duration of the asylum procedure is not recorded and held in a reportable format. However the information relating to the percentage of initial asylum decisions made within the published service standard can be found on table Asy_10 of the Asylum Transparency data published on 30th November 2017 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-transparency-data-november-2017). An extract of the table can be found below; Quarter Application ReceivedService StandardTotal Applications ReceivedStraightforward Applications ReceivedNon-straightforward Applications ReceivedOf those Straightforward Applications received, the number completed within Service StandardOf those Straightforward Applications received, the percentage completed within the Service Standard2017 Q16 months6,7314,1402,5914,09398.9%Information relating to the average time taken to make an initial decision is not recorded in a reportable format. However, information relating to the amount of initial decisions made in (1) the last 12 months, and (2) last three years for (a) Syrian nationals, (b) Afghan nationals, and (c) Iraqi nationals can be found in the Asylum data tables immigration statistics July to September 2017 volume 2 on table as_06; https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-july-to-september-2017-data-tablesAn extract is contained in the table below; Year of applicationCountry of nationalityTotal main applicantsTotal initial decisions*2014Afghanistan1,1381,0172015Afghanistan2,2591,6902016Afghanistan2,3291,2972014Iraq5955262015Iraq2,2341,9142016Iraq2,6721,7232014Syria1,9681,8502015Syria2,5242,3142016Syria1,3761,000 *It should be noted that the Total initial decisions made may not correlate to the year in which the claim was made. Cabinet Office National Security: USA lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the government of the United States relating to the current preparation of the UK national security strategy. lord young of cookham: The US and UK are very close allies and partners, with a uniquely broad and deep security relationship. The Government engages regularly and at all levels with the US authorities on national security issues vital to the UK's security and prosperity, and will continue to do so. Acts lord norton of louth: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) sections of, and (2) Schedules to, Acts of Parliament passed since 2010 have not been commenced. lord young of cookham: The Cabinet Office does not maintain a central database of Schedules to Acts of Parliament that have not been commenced. All legislation is available at www.legislation.gov.uk. Peers: Correspondence lord rooker: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Prime Minister intends to reply to the letter from Lord Rooker to the Prime Minister dated 21 November 2017 in respect of the duty of care towards Government employees, with reference to the case of the late Dr Matthew Puncher. lord young of cookham: The correspondence was responded to on 9th January 2018 on behalf of the Prime Minister by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health and Primary Care. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Youth Services lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what statutory requirements are imposed on local authorities in relation to youth service. lord ashton of hyde: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 22 December 2017.The correct answer should have been: Section 507B of the Education Act 1996 (as amended by the Education and Inspections Act 1996) 2006) requires local authorities to secure access to sufficient services and activities to improve young people’s well-being, so far as is reasonably practicable. lord ashton of hyde: Section 507B of the Education Act 1996 (as amended by the Education and Inspections Act 1996) 2006) requires local authorities to secure access to sufficient services and activities to improve young people’s well-being, so far as is reasonably practicable.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2018-01-16

Aviation: Passenger Duty Lord Monks: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been raised in Air Passenger Duty on behalf of HM Treasury in each of the last five years by (1) British Airways, (2) Virgin Atlantic, (3) easyJet, and (4) Ryanair. Lord Sassoon: Air passenger duty (APD) paid by individual airlines is subject to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs rules on taxpayer confidentiality. The published statistics on APD, including information on current revenues from the duty, are available online at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutyBulletins.aspx. Bank of England Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the three independent reviews recently commissioned by the Court of the Bank of England into support for United Kingdom banks, liquidity management and economic forecasting at the bank, whether HM Treasury will now commission an independent review into the role and actions of the court and the governance of the Bank of England. Lord Sassoon: The Government are pleased that court has announced the commission of three independent reviews into areas of the bank's performance and current capabilities and looks forward to seeing the outcome of this work. Courts Service: North West Regional Delivery Board Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government why no lay members sit on the North West (NW) Regional Delivery Board of HM Court Services. Lord McNally: The composition of decision-making bodies within the HMCTS agency derives from agreement reached by the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals. This agreement (set out in HMCTS' Framework Document) represents a partnership between those offices in relation to the effective governance, financing and operation of HMCTS. The Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice have placed responsibility for overseeing the leadership and direction of HMCTS in the hands of its board. The chief executive reports to the board and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the agency. In turn, regional delivery boards report to the chief executive. The HMCTS Board has lay members in the form of non-executive directors and a chair. Courts Service: North West Regional Delivery Board Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the names and past experience of the people who currently sit on the North West (NW) Regional Delivery Board of HM Court Services as: NW Delivery Director; NW Head of Crime; NW Head of Civil, Family and Tribunals; NW Head of Regional Support Unit; NW Head of Finance; NW Estates Manager; NW Human Resources Business Partner; NW Lean Lead; Justices' Clerk (Regional Legal Adviser Resource Committee representative); and the six Cluster Managers (Greater Manchester Civil, Family and Tribunals; Cheshire Merseyside Civil, Family and Tribunals; Greater Manchester Crime; Cheshire Merseyside Crime; Lancashire; Cumbria). Lord McNally: The department is unable to provide this information as it is the personal information of another person. Disclosure would contravene the provisions in the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). This is with the exception of two members of the North West (NW) Regional Delivery Board who are graded senior civil servants and whose information can be disclosed in part. Staff at this grade can be identified in line with the Government's transparency agenda. These individuals are: Gill Hague, NW Delivery Director; Paul McGladrigan, NW Head of Crime. Their past experience remains protected in line with the DPA. Courts Service: North West Regional Delivery Board Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of the North West (NW) Regional Delivery Board of HM Court Services have visited Chorley Youth Court in the past three years. Lord McNally: To clarify, Chorley Youth Court is a term given to proceedings involving youths that take place in Chorley Magistrates' Court. It is not a building or location in its own right. The department is unable to provide the information requested in view of a disproportionate cost to retrieve the data. Over the past three years, the NW Regional Delivery Board and its predecessor, the NW Regional Management Board, have comprised an estimated 30 members, some of whom have changed over time or left the department. A review of those individuals' diaries over this timeframe would take significant resource. We have however considered this request in relation to members of the NW Regional Delivery Board over the period of its existence (August 2011 to date). In that time at least three members of the board have visited Chorley Magistrates' Court, each on two to three occasions. This includes the NW Delivery Director, who is the chair of the NW Regional Delivery Board. Employment: Law Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government which of the recommendations in the recent report by Mr Adrian Beecroft can be implemented without reference to European Union laws; and which cannot be applied without being constrained by European Union laws. Baroness Wilcox: Mr Beecroft's report is one of a range of inputs into the Red Tape Challenge and Employment Law Review, and is not government policy. Any proposals which the Government are taking forward as part of the Employment Law Review take into account any underpinning European Union laws. Our proposals for reform are set out in: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/e/12-p136-employment-law-review-2012.pdf. EU: Inquiries and Investigations Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision of the European Parliament to press for new powers to conduct inquiries and on-the-spot investigations at the European Union and member state level; and whether such additional powers would be subject to United Kingdom parliamentary approval and a referendum. Lord Howell of Guildford: Under Article 226 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the European Parliament, in the course of its duties, has the power to set up a temporary committee of inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions or maladministration in the implementation of European Union law. The European Parliament has the right of initiative to develop its own detailed provisions governing the exercise of this right of inquiry; these would be adopted in accordance with a special legislative procedure, after the European. Parliament obtains the consent of the Council and the Commission. The current instrument governing the exercise of the right of inquiry is Decision 95/167/EC, dating from 1995. In October 2011, the European Parliament issued a draft report outlining its proposals for a regulation to replace Decision 95/167, although a formal legislative resolution has not yet been issued. The draft report has undergone some amendments since its initial release. On 23 May 2012 the European Parliament voted on the draft report and amendments but not the legislative resolution, meaning that negotiations with the Council and Commission continue. The Council has yet to receive a formal, finalised proposal from the European Parliament. At this stage, the UK, with other member states, believes that any proposal should reflect the fundamentally political rather than legal nature of the Parliament's right of inquiry as well as the scope of, and limits to, the right of inquiry provided for in Article 226 of the TFEU. The UK believes any proposal must respect the allocation of competences both among the institutions and between the European Union and member states, recognising the current system of accountability. The Government do not believe that it is appropriate for the European Parliament to exercise quasi-judicial control and would oppose any proposal that took this approach. The power of the European Parliament to propose regulations setting out detailed rules for the exercise of its right of inquiry is set out in paragraph 3 of Article 226 TFEU. As the exercise of that power does not involve an amendment to the European Union treaties or reliance on a "passerelle", but rather the power to propose secondary legislation, the requirements of the EU Act 2011 do not apply. Parliament will be able to examine the formal proposal, when it is issued, according to the usual procedures for scrutiny. EU: Taxation Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the proposed European Union-wide financial transaction tax will be subject to unanimous decision; and, if so, in the light of the Prime Minister's pledge to "fight it all the way", whether they have decided to use the United Kingdom's veto. Lord Sassoon: Agreement to introduce an EU-wide financial transaction tax would require unanimity in the Council of Ministers, giving the Government a veto over any such proposal. Therefore, such a tax cannot be imposed on the UK without the UK's agreement. The UK does not support the proposal for an EU-wide financial transaction tax because it would have significant negative economic impacts on both the UK and the EU. Government Departments: Smoking Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements there are for officials of the Ministry of Defence who smoke during office hours. Lord Astor of Hever: Information on all such arrangements is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Government Departments: Staff Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants of the rank of Permanent Secretary were attached to the Cabinet Office in (1) 2002, and (2) 2012; and what consideration has been given to reducing the current number in line with the Government's plan to reduce and streamline the civil service. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: In 2002 there were six civil servants of the rank of Permanent Secretary attached to the Cabinet Office and in June 2012 there are five. These figures exclude the posts of Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service When the coalition Government took office in May 2010, there were eight Permanent Secretaries in the Cabinet Office (excluding the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service) and the current number has been reduced to five in line with the Government s plan to reduce and streamline the Civil Service. Health: Accredited Voluntary Registers Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost to the Government of establishing the Assured Voluntary Registration model of regulation for health professionals (1) based on the past two years, and (2) projected over the next three years. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost of expanding the remit of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence to accredit voluntary registers for health professionals (1) based on the past two years, and (2) projected over the next three years. To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost of operating an accredited voluntary register for health professionals; how it will be funded; and what cost to individual registrants will be proposed. Earl Howe: The cost of establishing assured voluntary registration was considered as part of the department's public bodies impact assessment. This estimated that the initial set-up of assured voluntary registration would cost the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) £100,000 in each of 2011-12 and 2012-13, which would be funded by the department. The impact assessment further estimated that the annual cost to the council of assured voluntary registration would continue to be £100,000 per annum, which would be funded by fees from accredited voluntary registers. It was anticipated that assured voluntary registration would reach full-cost recovery within three years. The costs to individual organisations of accreditation with the CHRE are not yet clear and will be subject to a number of factors, such as the volume of organisations seeking accreditation and the approach taken to accreditation by the CHRE, which has yet to be finalised. We expect that accredited voluntary registers will be funded, on a cost-recovery basis, by registrants' fees, the level of which will similarly be subject to a range of factors including the approach taken to registration and the number of registrants on the register. Health: PET Scanners Lord Sharkey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, for each of the past three years for which data are available, (1) how many positron emission tomography scanners have been or are in use in the National Health Service, and (2) how many of these scanners are certified as fit for use in clinical trials. Earl Howe: The number of positron emission tomography scanners (PET CT) scanners that have been or are in use in the National Health Service and whether they are certified as fit for use in clinical trials, is not collected centrally. The new diagnostic imaging dataset, launched in April 2012 will capture information of the location of PET CT services; the monthly data is expected to be published later this year. Health: Pharmacology Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the impact of value-based pricing on levels of pharmaceutical company research and development investment. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether pharmaceutical prices agreed under the proposed value-based pricing system will be made public. Earl Howe: The consultation document, A New Value-Based Approach to the Pricing of Branded Medicines, set out our proposals for value-based pricing. The consultation ran from 16 December 2010 to 17 March 2011 and the Government's response to the consultation, A New Value-Based Approach to the Pricing of Branded Medicines: Government Response to Consultation, was published on 18 July 2011. The impact assessment accompanying the consultation document set out an evaluation of the effects of our proposals, including an assessment of the possible impact on pharmaceutical company research and development investment. Copies of the consultation document, the Government's response and the impact assessment have already been placed in the Library. As the consultation document highlighted, one of the Government's objectives for the value-based pricing system is to improve the process for assessing new medicines, ensuring transparent, predictable and timely decision-making. By streamlining pricing and assessment processes into one, our intention is to make the system more transparent, and simpler to navigate, so that companies can have greater confidence about the prices their products are likely to achieve. The current medicines pricing scheme, the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, is a voluntary scheme agreed between the department and the branded pharmaceutical industry. The Government's preference for value-based pricing would be to achieve a negotiated agreement between the department and the branded pharmaceutical industry. We expect these negotiations might begin later this year. Higher Education: Funding Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 23 May (WA 69), how much of the block grant to Scotland currently covers the funding of universities; and whether the determination of overall public expenditure budgets for Scotland takes account of the charging of tuition fees for students or the related arrangements. Lord Sassoon: Higher Education is a matter devolved to the Scottish Government. The allocation of funding from within the block grant is a matter for the Scottish Government. Holocaust Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will ensure that the history of the holocaust is taught in publicly-funded independent schools. Lord Hill of Oareford: The Government believe that it is important that children and young people are taught about the history of the Holocaust. That is why we have allocated £1.8 million this year for Holocaust education. This includes funding for the Holocaust educational trust's lessons from Auschwitz project, which provides for two students from every school/sixth-form college in England to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau. We also fund the Institute of Education's Holocaust education teacher training programme, which provides teachers with the training and resources to deliver effective Holocaust education. Both programmes are open to publicly-funded independent schools. The teaching of the Holocaust is currently compulsory at key stage 3 in the history curriculum. We are reviewing the national curriculum to refocus it on core knowledge in key subjects, whilst allowing schools greater freedom to design and teach a wider school curriculum that best meets the needs of their pupils. If we decide that history should remain a national curriculum subject, we would expect that the programme of study would continue to include teaching about the Holocaust. Whilst publicly-funded independent schools (academies) will continue to have the freedom to depart from the new national curriculum, where they consider that to be in the best interests of their students, they are required by law to teach a broad and balanced curriculum. As is the case now, we envisage that many such schools will, in practice, continue to offer the national curriculum, and they will be accountable to parents and their local communities for any decisions they take. Immigration: Children Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there have been any serious case reviews involving refugee or migrant children in the past 10 years. Lord Hill of Oareford: These data are not held centrally. Justice: Youth Courts Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government, under their new proposals, how many areas with a population similar to that of Chorley and South Ribble, and with a similar area, do not have a youth court. Lord McNally: The department does not hold population data by Local Justice Area so is unable to compare other areas with Chorley and South Ribble. Whilst population data are held by the Office for National Statistics, they are not held by local justice areas and therefore the information could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. NHS: Mergers Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in respect of NHS trusts that are expected to have to undergo substantial service reconfiguration or merger before they can become foundation trusts, whether such mergers will need to be considered by Monitor or the Office of Fair Trading before they can proceed. Earl Howe: The Government's intention in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 is to liberate National Health Service providers from administrative controls around mergers. In the future only mergers that qualify for review under the Enterprise Act would be considered by the competition authorities. Monitor's role in relation to such reviews would be to provide advice to the competition authorities in individual cases regarding the potential impact of the merger on patients' interests. Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Transport Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 30 April (WA 414-5), what is the estimated capacity of one Olympic route network lane in car equivalent units per hour. Earl Attlee: The roads forming the Olympic route network within and outside London consist of widely varying types, lane numbers and capacities. Games lanes will be in place on around 30 miles of London's roads for limited period during the summer. The capacity of these lanes will vary by location depending on factors such as the speed limit, lane width, number of junctions, signal timings and road geometry. The capacity of the Games lane sections is estimated to vary from 900 to 1,500 passenger car equivalent units per hour. Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Transport Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure that excessive road congestion does not occur during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Earl Attlee: Hosting the Games is a huge logistical challenge; but we are determined to keep London moving, as well as the other locations affected by the Olympics and Paralympics. For spectators, this will be a public transport Games-supported by billions of pounds of investment in additional capacity, as well as additional bus, coach and rail services during the Games. There will be no parking at Games venues other than very limited spaces for blue badge holders. Temporary traffic management measures, including an Olympic route network on around 1% of London's roads, will be in operation as and when needed to ensure that the Games run smoothly for spectators, athletes and other members of the Games family. The road network will also be affected by closures related to on-street events. The operation of the country's road and public transport systems will be closely monitored and co-ordinated through a transport co-ordination centre. At certain times and in certain places the road network will be exceptionally busy. We are encouraging people to avoid those hotspots where possible. To help them to do so, the Mayor and Transport for London have been engaging with the business community (especially those most likely to be affected) and leading an extensive communications and advice programme. This includes the provision of travel planning tools. Everyone travelling in London during the period of the Olympics and Paralympics is strongly encouraged to visit the "Get Ahead of the Games" website to assist them in planning their journey: www.getaheadofthegames.com. All those with tickets to attend the Games will be given travel advice with their tickets. Pensions Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 23 May (WA 79), whether they would expect or require to be told if the Northern Ireland Executive chose not to implement increases in employee contributions to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee similar to those increases in England; whether the Executive has the freedom to make its own spending decisions on public sector superannuation matters; and how much of the block grant currently covers employer contributions and other funding for such schemes. Lord Sassoon: Spending decisions on devolved public sector superannuation matters, including contributions to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee, are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. Pitcairn Island Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 28 May (WA 126), what actions they are taking to try to increase tourism on Pitcairn Island; and, to this end, what consideration they have given to protecting and expanding the island's population of giant tortoises. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government are working with the Pitcairn authorities to increase tourism by funding the Pitcairn tourism co-ordinator position, and the work that she is doing to promote the island to visitors. The Governor hosts Pitcairn promotional events in New Zealand and UK Government funding also provides the regular shipping service to the island which is used by visitors. In addition, work is progressing on a project to provide an alternate harbour to make the landing of tourists (particularly from cruise ships), as well as islanders and supplies, easier and safer. The population of giant tortoises on Pitcairn consists of a single animal that was introduced to the island many years ago. There are no plans to introduce additional tortoises. Social Care: Funding Lord Smith of Leigh: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate the growth in the costs of social care caused by demographic trends will outstrip the ability of local authorities to fund such care. Earl Howe: Current pressures on the adult social care system were addressed in the 2010 spending review through an allocation of an additional £7.2 billion over four years to 2014-15. This means that along with a programme of efficiency there is funding available to local authorities to protect people's access to care. Future spending reviews will continue to monitor projected demand and costs of social care. The independent Office for Budgetary Responsibility has estimated that due to demographic change, the costs of the current system of long-term care will rise from 1.3% of gross domestic product in 2010-11 to 1.9% in 2050-51. In light of this-and other estimates of demographic trends-the Government are committed to reforming the social care system. A White Paper and progress report on reform of the funding system of social care are due to be published shortly. Sport: Euro 2012 Lord Faulkner of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to follow Chancellor Angela Merkel and the European Commission in boycotting matches played in Ukraine during the Euro 2012 football championships, as a result of the imprisonment and alleged ill-treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government fully support England's participation in Euro 2012. We hope this is a successful tournament for the England team, the fans, and the people of Ukraine and Poland. No Ministers will be attending group games at Euro 2012. We are keeping attendance at later stages of the tournament under review. Taxation: VAT Lord Smith of Leigh: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to monitor the application of value added tax to hot foods following the recent change to the plans announced in the Budget. Lord Sassoon: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs assures its taxes through risk-based compliance activity. Turkey Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Turkey about compensation for the families of victims of the Uludere airstrike, of 28 December 2011. Lord Howell of Guildford: We regret the tragic deaths of 34 civilians in an airstrike on Uludere on 28 December 2011. While we support Turkey's efforts to tackle terrorism, we have called on them to take all possible measures to avoid the potential for harm to civilians. Together with our European Union partners, we continue to encourage Turkey to seize the opportunity offered by constitutional reform, to make progress on issues relating to the Kurdish community. The Government do not plan to make representations to the Government of Turkey about compensation for the families of the victims of the Uludere air strike, as the incident is an internal matter for the Turkish Government.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2012-06-13a

Department for Work and Pensions Universal Credit: Fraud lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent fraudulent applications for Universal Credit, in particular for loans, other than issuing warnings about keeping personal details secret. lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent bona fide applicants for Universal Credit suffer penalties, if fraudulent applications are made in respect of them. baroness stedman-scott: The Department takes the prevention of fraud extremely seriously. Part of its strategy includes ensuring Universal Credit transactions are secure, including tackling loopholes fraudsters may seek to exploit, which sadly can target some of our most vulnerable claimants. It is, however, important to recognise that the vast majority of advances on Universal Credit are legitimate and ensure those in need of financial support get the help they need during their transition to Universal Credit. All claims where fraud may have been committed are investigated. We are committed to the use of penalties such as prosecutions and tough financial penalties, where appropriate, to discourage this fraudulent behaviour. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided. Additionally, we have a dedicated team of investigators to address this issue, and are working with Social Media sites to shut down posts which promote this fraud. The Department also operates a policy of explicit consent to help reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that our claimants’ data is kept safe from unscrupulous organisations and individuals. The Department is also raising awareness of this issue through a campaign being run on social media to remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity. We have also been working to further improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff and guidance has been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s Counter-fraud team.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2019-09-05

Queen's Counsel Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 10 February (WA 76), whether there is any other profession whose members are appointed to senior positions on the recommendation of a Minister of the Crown because it helps consumers by providing "a quality mark". Lord Irvine of Lairg: I am aware of no other professions in which members are appointed to senior positions by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of a Minister of the Crown, with the aim of providing a quality mark for consumers. Crown Prosecution Service: Decision-making Lord Christopher: asked the Attorney-General: Whether he will make a statement about the process by which decisions are reached within the Crown Prosecution Service in cases of complexity or seriousness. Lord Goldsmith: With effect from today there will be a new approach to decision-making to assist the most senior and experienced lawyers in the CPS to make decisions in the most complex and serious cases. In future, where the case papers are particularly voluminous, the decision-maker may be assisted by another experienced lawyer, who will provide the decision-maker with a detailed analysis of the case, drawing attention to the key issues on which the decision must depend. The decision-maker may rely on this analysis, together with the essential evidence in the case papers and supplemented by such other evidence as the decision-maker chooses to consider, in applying the tests set out in the code for crown prosecutors and making his decision. This approach marks a change from the procedures put in place following the publication in August 1999 of the report of His Honour Gerald Butler QC into CPS decision-making in relation to deaths in custody and related matters. The recommendations in that report referred to the need for the decision-maker to read "the whole of the relevant documentation". The effect has been that the most senior lawyers in the CPS have been precluded by their other commitments from taking decisions in some of the service's most serious and important casework. The new approach will allow a more effective use of their time and will thus enable greater input by senior lawyers into the most critical casework decisions that the service faces. Certificates of Identity Baroness Gale: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action they will take following the recent consultation on the Certificate of Identity travel document. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: On 6 February we announced that we would consult on plans to tighten the policy on issuing Certificates of Identity. We have completed the consultation as quickly as possible, as there was evidence of abuse. From 27 March, these documents will be available only to people who can prove that they need them. The change has proved necessary because some people who claim to have fled their home countries in fear of their lives have used our documents to travel back. Recently, we found 125 Iraqis using these documents on just 16 flights to Damascus, which is 140 miles from the Iraqi border. (There are no direct flights to Iraq). We cannot allow this to continue. We have decided that all applicants for a Certificate of Identity, including those who have indefinite leave to enter or remain, must prove that they cannot obtain a passport from the authorities of their own country. People who have exceptional leave to enter or remain (i.e. leave for a limited period) will also have to show that they need to travel for an essential reason, such as business, education, religion or compassionate circumstances. They will have to tell us which country they need to travel to and will not be allowed to go to any other countries using the Certificate of Identity. With this change of policy, we also intend to send a clear message that the United Kingdom takes its obligations seriously, and we expect those who benefit from our protection to do the same. Prison Service Pay Review Body Report Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the report for 2003 of the England and Wales Prison Service Pay Review Body report. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The second report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) on the pay of governing governors and operational managers, prison officers and related grades in England and Wales in 2003 has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library. The PSPRB has continued to be impressed by the professionalism and dedication it found among the remit group staff, particularly in view of the pressures of rising prisoner numbers. It has recommended a basic rise of 2.8 per cent, which is in line with the rate of inflation in December 2002 and other review body awards. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary, has decided that the recommendations will be implemented in full, with effect from the operative date of the award of 1 April 2003. The key recommendations of the report are: A 2.8 per cent increase to basic pay rates from 1 April 2003; Locality allowances paid to Prison Service staff in eligible areas in London and the South East will be increased from 1 April 2003: from £3,500 to 3,800 per annum for the top rate from £2,300 to £3,000 per annum for a new "higher" rate from £2,300 to £2,500 per annum for the middle rate from £1,000 to £1,100 per annum for the lower rate An improved performance-related progression system for operational managers from 1 April 2003 and assimilation to a new pay spine retrospectively to 1 January 2003; An increase of 2.8 per cent to the healthcare specialist allowance paid to prison officers from 1 April 2003. Other specialist allowances frozen at current rates; and Other allowances increased by 2.8 per cent. Criminal Records Bureau Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government Whether they intend to publish the conclusions and recommendations of the independent review team on the Criminal Records Bureau, and the Government's response to that review. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: On 6 September 2002, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced the appointment of an independent review team, led by Patrick Carter, to take a fundamental look at the operations of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). In particular, the review team was tasked to support the CRB management in the short term and to identify necessary longer-term changes in the way the CRB operates to ensure that it can deliver its twin objectives of providing greater protection for children and vulnerable adults whilst ensuring that the disclosure process does not act as a bar to speedy recruitment. We have today placed in the Library the main findings and recommendations of the independent review team. We are extremely grateful to Patrick Carter and his two colleagues—John Holden and Ron Skelly—for their rapid and thorough examination of the situation at the CRB and their recommendations on the way forward. The team has come up with a wide ranging set of recommendations for improvements to the CRB intended to enable it to to meet future challenges as demand for its services continues to grow. The CRB is a vital element of the Government's programme to improve the protection of children and vulnerable adults from those who might wish to harm them. It needs to be put on a sounder footing to meet these objectives more effectively and provide the levels of service rightly expected by its customers. The independent review team's recommendations build on the steady improvement in the CRB's performance over the past six months which has seen the average number of disclosures issued rise from 24,500 per week in August 2002 to the current 40,000 per week. Some 80 per cent of standard disclosures and 50 per cent of enhanced disclosures are now issued within three weeks. These improvements have been achieved by both the agency and Capita working in partnership to deliver the service that the CRB's customers are entitled to receive. The Government propose to take forward the 10 recommendations in the report as follows: 1 Ways should be sought of optimising the end-to-end CRB process efficiency, by reviewing and rationalising the management responsibilities and respective roles in the complete chain undertaken by Registered Bodies, the CRB Agency, Capita and local police forces. The Government agree that the roles of the different parties involved in the CRB process should be strengthened and clarified. In particular, we intend to enhance the intelligent customer function within the agency so that there is a stronger focus on setting standards across the whole operation and ensuring that these are met. There also needs to be better management co-ordination of the CRB end-to-end business processes. This may involve the more flexible deployment of agency and private sector staff and to this end we will take powers in the Criminal Justice Bill to enable the Secretary of State's functions under Part V of the Police Act 1997 to be exercised by the private sector as well as agency staff. 2 The critical role of Registered Bodies in the CRB process needs to be recognised and upgraded. Registered bodies should be unambiguously responsible for validating the identity of those for whom they seek Disclosures and for ensuring the quality and completeness of applications submitted to the CRB. The number of Registered Bodies should be optimised to establish sensible economies of scale and improve proficiency. The Government accept this recommendation and will legislate this Session to make it clear that registered bodies are responsible for verifying the identity of an applicant. It would, as now, be open to a registered body to delegate the function of validating identity to the prospective employer or other agent while retaining overall responsiblity, as long as we are satisfied in a particular case that delegation provides a reasonable safeguard. To ensure that registered bodies discharge their responsibilities effectively, we will take powers to attach conditions to a registration and to revoke a registration where such conditions are breached. We share the review team's view that optimum levels of efficiency within a registered body can best be achieved by handling a sufficient number of disclosure applications. With the new responsibilities for registered bodies, a number of those currently countersigning relatively small numbers of applications may seek to de-register of their own volition. We will monitor the situation carefully. The Government will take reserve powers to set a threshold for the minimum number of applications to be processed by a registered body each year and to de-register those registered bodies which fall below the threshold. Registered bodies and others across the sectors which use the CRB's disclosure service will be fully consulted before those changes are implemented. We will take particular account of concerns that have been expressed about access to registered bodies and the level of fees charged by some umbrella bodies. As part of the consultation exercise, we will seek views on placing a cap on the fees that may be levied by registered bodies. 3 There shoud be a progressive move to mandate electronic submission of applications by Registered Bodies. The CRB will introduce an electronic appplication channel as soon as practicable; a pilot will be undertaken later this year. We believe that many registered bodies will want to adopt this channel as their preferred means of submitting disclosure applications. In time, as more and more registered bodies migrate to the electronic channel there will be a diminishing case, on efficiency grounds, for maintaining the existing paper and telephone channels. At that point, consideration would need to be given whether to mandate—by means of a condition attached to registration—the electronic channel for registered bodies to submit applications to the CRB. This will not preclude individuals submitting their applications to registered bodies by paper or telephone channels where mutually agreed. 4 Given that the production of Enhanced Disclosures is significantly more costly and ties up local police force resources, new arrangements should be established for the Agency to set priorities, in accordance with Government Guidelines, on which applications should get Enhanced and which should get Standard Disclosures. The Government agree with the spirit of this recommendation, but it is important that the criteria are set by Ministers, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, on the basis of a risk assessment. Having established the criteria for standard and enhanced disclosures it is important that there is some mechanism to ensure that they are properly observed. It is proposed, therefore, to amend the Police Act 1997 first to enable the type of disclosure for any given occupational group to be determined by regulations and then to enable the CRB to give effect to such regulations. Where necessary, the CRB would be expected to seek additional information from the registered body in order that it could make its assessment in any given case. We will take account of the views of registered bodies and others before implementing these changes. 5 It is recommended that the Police National Computer (PNC) files are "flagged" to denote the existence of intelligence information on any individual held at local force level and not included in convictions recorded on the PNC. The cost and feasibility of introducing a system of flags on the PNC to denote the existence of local intelligence will be tested in a pilot due to commence in three forces (Metropolitan Police, Staffordshire and West Midlands) in the spring. Decisions about the rollout of such a system will be taken in the light of the outcome of the pilot. 6 It is recommended that the launch of Basic Disclosures be postponed until the CRB systems have been developed to provide a substantially greater capacity. It would be inappropriate the launch Basic Disclosures until higher priority categories of applicant for higher level Disclosures are seeing their needs fully accommodated. It is also recommended that Basic Disclosure applications should be routed through Registered Bodies, with identity validation undertaken by these Bodies, rather than allow direct submission from applicants as currently envisaged by the legislation. The Government concur that the priority for the CRB is to ensure that demand for higher level disclosures is fully met and that applicants for such disclosures receive a satisfactory service. Basic disclosures will not be introduced until these objectives have been achieved. The Government note the case for routing applications for a basic disclosure through a registered body as in the case of standard and enhanced disclosures, but will want to consult fully with employer organisations and others on the implications before coming to a final view. In the event that the Government decide to proceed, legislation would be needed to implement this recommendation. 7 The Information Technology system built and operated by Capita has been subject to a range of improvements and enhancements since original delivery, as a result of which performance has improved. A further programme of significant enhancement will be required. Additionally, almost all the recommendations set out here would lead to requirements for system change and therefore would have contractual consequences. It is therefore recommended to attempt to renegotiate the contract with Capita to implement necessary technology renewal and align the contract to the changed and evolving circumstances. The Government accept this recommendation and will seek to renegotiate the contract with Capita so that it reflects the changed environment in which the CRB will be operating. 8 An investigation should be undertaken into the possibility of requiring fingerprints to be submitted by applicants for Disclosures where the sensitivity of the employment role to be undertaken makes this appropriate. This would enable a more rigorous linking of police records (which in turn are mostly linked to fingerprints) and the individuals submitting applications for Disclosures. This investigation will need to look at the balance to be struck between such increasing rigour of CRB identity processes and the cost and convenience of the service to the customer. The Government will undertake a further study in consultation with registered bodies and others on the case for, and practicalities of, requiring applicants for disclosures in particularly sensitive employment roles to submit their fingerprints with their application. Among the issues the study will need to address is how to avoid any unnecessary intrusion into the privacy of applicants. A decision whether to proceed will be taken in the light of the results of the consultation exercise. Legislation would be needed to implement this change. 9 While recognising the benefits derived from establishing the CRB under the wing of an existing Agency, it is now recommended that an independent Executive Agency is created within the Home Office to carry forward the CRB's changing and increasingly demanding functions. There will need to be a transitional period which will be overseen by a transitional Management Board operating within an appropriate governance framework. The Government agree that the CRB, currently part of the Passport and Records Agency, should be reconstituted as a free-standing agency. The new agency will be established as soon as practicable. A transitional board has been established to ensure a smooth transition. John Holden has agreed to serve as the non-executive chairman of the board and Patrick Carter and Ron Skelley as non-executive members. A stakeholder group will be established under John Holden's chairmanship to represent the interests of government departments and the police. 10 In order to implement a number of the recommendations, changes to the legislative framework under which the CRB operates (Part V of the Police Act 1997) will be required. As indicated above, the Government will take forward in the Criminal Justice Bill the necessary legislative changes needed to implement Recommendations 1, 2 and 4. London Underground: Public/Private Partnership Viscount Goschen: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the total cost to the taxpayer, including legal costs, of the dispute between the Government and the Mayor of London in connection with the London Underground public/private partnership. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The estimated cost to London Transport and to the Department of Transport of preparing for the public/private partnership, including the costs being repaid to all bidders, is likely to total around £500 million. It is not possible to identify how much of this is specifically attributable to the Mayor's opposition. In addition, Transport for London would also have expended significant costs. This is a matter for the Mayor. Airports: Consultation Documents Lord Burlison: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the revised airports consultation documents. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Last summer the Government published a set of seven consultation papers on the future development of air transport in the United Kingdom. On 26 November the High Court upheld a challenge against the exclusion of options for additional runways at Gatwick Airport. On 28 November the Secretary of State for Transport told the House in another place (Official Report, cols. 474–87) that he would not appeal against the judgment, because an appeal would result in an extensive period of uncertainty for people up and down the country. The Government therefore announced that they were keeping open the consultation, which had been due to end on 30 November, and that they would publish a further consultation paper including runway options at Gatwick. We are today publishing the further consultation material. We have decided that it would be easier for consultees to publish it in the form of second editions of the full south-east consultation paper, the summary south-east paper and the questionnaires for both the south-east and other areas of the UK. Consultees can easily see the text added as a result of including the Gatwick options. The new documents include the original consultation material on options at Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and other south-east airports, and the option for a new airport at Cliffe. In addition, in accordance with the High Court decision, the papers now include options for additional runways at Gatwick. As for options on the other south-east airports published last July, the papers now set out for Gatwick all the options which were appraised in detail in the later stages of the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study. Accordingly, there are two options for a single new runway at Gatwick and one option for two new runways there. The papers also set out alternative assumptions on the timing of these Gatwick options. The consultation, for all parts of the UK, will now close on 30 June. We will consider carefully all responses received by that date, including proposals for options other than those which have been included in the Government's consultation documents. This is an opportunity for anyone to express their views on all the options in the consultation, as well as to put forward any reasonable alternatives. Copies of all the new documents are available in the Printed Paper Office and in the Library. Officials are writing to everyone on the original consultation list, and to all those who have responded to the consultations so far, to alert them to the new documents and to the 30 June deadline, and explaining that people who have already submitted responses can choose either to let their response stand, or to add to, or amend, or withdraw their response in the light of the new material. Sir William Stubbs: Payment Baroness Seccombe: asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the source of the £95,000 paid to Sir William Stubbs following his dismissal by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The sum of £95,000 was paid out of existing departmental provision. Sir William Stubbs: Payment Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the breakdown of the £95,000 paid to Sir William Stubbs following his dismissal by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The sum of £95,000 represents a payment in respect of Sir William's lost earnings and his legal costs. The two parties agreed this global sum and have not sought to break it down into its component parts. learndirect Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will supply a breakdown of the budget for learndirect to include annual and total amounts since its inception and a forecast for the next three years; and What has been the expenditure of learndirect to date, including the costs of setting-up the organisation, the annual running costs, and the marketing and public relations costs; and How many course inquiries have been received by learndirect (a) via the telephone and (b) via the website; how many course bookings have been made; and how many applicants have completed courses. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: We fund Ufi to carry out two functions key to our agenda; to deliver innovative learning through the network of learndirect centres, and to provide the national learndirect information and advice service. Ufi receives public funding through two channels. My department makes available an annual grant which funds Ufi's infrastructure and operating costs such as product development. Additional departmental funding provides for the learndirect information and advice service. Secondly the Learning and Skills Council funds learning delivered through the network of learndirect centres. In line with government policy Ufi also generates commercial income, for example through the sale and supply of services and products outside of public policy areas. Details of the public funding that Ufi receives area set out in table 1. Table 1: Total Departmental Funding for Ufi Budget 1998–99 1999–2000 2001–01 2001–02 2002–03 Total General fund £10 million £32 million £67 million £50 million £48 million £207 million Information and advice service £3.23 million £5 million £10 million £11 million £11 million £40.23 million Total £13.23 million £37 million £77 million £61 million £59 million £247.23 million The department covers the difference between Ufi's commercial income and expenditure by making available a grant up to the levels shown above. To date Ufi has not drawn down the maximum grant because of higher than expected levels of income and savings across expenditure headings. For 2003–04, the department has secured £44 million for general funding and £12.25 million for the information and advice service. The LSC is making available £159.5 million in 2003–04 for funding learning delivered through learndirect centres. We are currently undertaking a review of the DfES/Ufi/LSC relationship to establish a long-term sustainable relationship. This may suggest different organisational and funding implications from those at present. Because of this it will be difficult to forecast expenditure with any certainty beyond 2003–04. Ufi also provides the learndirect information and advice service. This is an impartial, comprehensive, national telephone and web-based service available to adults across the country. By using the UK-wide learning opportunities database, advisers are able to direct inquirers to a range of appropriate local learning opportunities. The service does not book potential learners on to learndirect courses. Departmental funding for this is detailed at table 1. To date the learndirect information and advice service has responded to nearly 5,000,000 enquiries via the telephone service. The learndirect website has to date received 9,579,388 hits. The Learning and Skills Council, as the national post-16 funding body, funds learning delivered through the learndirect network. The estimated LSC funding used to date is shown in table 2. Ufi has exceeded expectations in terms of course delivery. For example between 1 April 2000 and 31 January 2003, 707,279 individuals registered for 1,566,370 learndirect courses. Table 2: LSC Funding Budget 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 LSC funding for learndirect provision n/a £5 million pilot funding for 99/00 academic year £28 million for 00/01 academic year £90–110 million for academic year £145.5 million for financial year Table 3: Ufi Expenditure Expenditure 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Total since inception Budget 2003–04 Marketing and public relations costs £7 million £16 million £15 million £13 million £51 million £15 million Other setting up (and other) costs £25 million £49 million £59 million £60 million £193 million £72 million Information and advice service costs inc. marketing (estimated) £5 million £16 million £17 million £18 million £56 million £19 million Total £37 million £81 million £91 million £91 million £300 million £106 million Table 4 below provides a breakdown of Ufi's performance. Ufi was set up to encourage learners, particularly non-traditional learners. Learning provision is therefore provided in easily accessable chunks in contrast to traditional courses. The current course completion rate (on a rolling 12-month basis) is 45. Table 4: learndirect learners and courses 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 forecast Total since Inception New learners in each year n/a 87,474 246,959 400,000 734,433 Courses sold n/a 196,533 570,882 915,000 1,682,415 Enquiries to the helpline 1,165,256 1,364,822 1,332,873 1,000,000 4,862,951 Raw Web Sessions 362,158 1,799,381 4,305,828 3,700,000 10,167,367 Eligible advice sessions n/a n/a 3,485,787 4,700,000 n/a Wahhabi Teaching in the UK Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What they consider to be the influence and effect of Wahhabi teaching in Islamic educational establishments in the United Kingdom, especially those funded by official or charitable Saudi Arabian sources; whether they have evidence that disrespect and hatred of others may have been inculculated; and if so, what remedies they deem appropriate. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The department does not have any information about the funding or teaching of Wahhabi in the UK. However, all schools, including independent schools are regularly inspected by Ofsted or by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Any reports that the curriculum was in any way inciting disrespect or hatred of others would be investigated with the individual school and remedial action sought. NHS Laboratories: Bulk Procurement Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they plan to maintain the benefits of bulk procurement in the Public Health Laboratory Service once the network of laboratories fragmented. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We plan that the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHSPASA) should assume responsibility for bulk procurement during 2003–04, as current contracts are completed. Before these transfers, NHSPASA will be putting in place bulk procurement procedures which will be designed to provide equivalent benefits to the current arrangements for all the National Health Service microbiology laboratories. Antenatal Care Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they will take in response to the EuroNational audit of antenatal care reported in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology which places England at the bottom of a list of 10 European countries. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Euronatal study notes a lower rate of perinatal deaths in England compared with most other European countries. Of this low number, the study indicates a relatively high percentage may have been influenced by suboptimal care factors. The study also acknowledges that the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy may mean that English cases have been more rigorously analysed than those in other countries. The data used is from 1993–98. Antenatal care is only one aspect of suboptimal care contributing to perinatal death, and much has been done in recent years to improve all aspects of maternity care. This includes: (i) £100 million investment to modernise over 200 maternity units, which includes purchase of new and replacement equipment, e.g. ultrasound scanners, special care baby cots, etc; (ii) Publication of clinical guidelines by National Institute for Clinical Excellence on: (a) routine use of Anti D prophylaxis for rhesus negative pregnant women; (b) foetal heart monitoring; (c) induction of labour; (iii) Clinical guidelines from NICE on antenatal care and use of caesarean section including antenatal screening are due later this year. Guidelines on care during delivery and post natal care have recently been commissioned. (iv) The development of a children's national service framework, which will set national standards of care for antenatal, intrapartum (delivery) and post natal services; (v) Increasing the number of doctors and midwives. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to ensure that all cases of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are diagnosed properly. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The risks of excessive drinking during pregnancy are well documented, and for this reason the Government recommend that women who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant do not drink more than one to two units of alcohol per week. The Government are committed to implementing the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy by 2004. The strategy will be prepared by the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit, and will be published in summer 2003. The Strategy Unit team will be examining a range of issues relating to the impact of alcohol on health, as well as any additional training which may be needed by medical and other health professionals to improve the care they can give to patients with conditions arising from alcohol misuse. Foetal alcohol syndrome is currently recorded on an individual patient's medical records to ensure that health and other professional staff are aware of the situation and can help sufferers to access the support that they need. Abandoned Vehicles Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the end of life directive for cars will result in increased anti-social car disposal by individuals; and what steps they are taking to avoid an increase in the number of burnt out cars being abandoned by their last owner. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The number of vehicles being abandoned has grown in recent years, largely due to a fall in the price of scrap metal and deficiencies in the accuracy of the vehicle register Implementation of the End of Life Vehicles Directive might lead to a further increase because of a consequential rise in the costs of disposal, but the Government are already addressing the problem with a number of initiatives announced last year. Statutory notice periods after which local authorities can remove abandoned vehicles from the highway have been reduced and can now be as short as 24 hours. We will be consulting in the spring on reducing the statutory notice periods of vehicles abandoned on private land. Local authorities can seek information about the keeper of a vehicle from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) more quickly than before via a new electronic link funded under the Invest to Save programme. In addition, the Finance Act 2002 contained outline powers to establish a system of continuous registration in order to ensure that keepers of vehicles remain responsible for licensing their vehicle until such time that the DVLA has been properly notified of its sale or disposal. The Department for Transport is currently considering how this will be implemented, and will make a announcement in due course. All these measures will make it more difficult for vehicles to be abandoned with impunity. Coal-mining Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many deep coal-mines are still in production; what are their names; in which region they are; and how many people are employed underground and overall in the coal industry. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There are currently 12 major deep mines in production in the UK, together with 10 smaller ones. The names of the major deep mines and the regions in which they are located are detailed on the attached table. Provisional employment figures for 2002 show that there were 8,167 people employed in underground mines, with a further 2,970 employed in opencast mines. Employment figures include contactors. Major deep mines in production: Name Owner Location Clipstone(1) UK Coal Nottinghamshire Daw Mill UK Coal Warwickshire Ellington UK Coal Northumberland Harworth UK Coal Nottinghamshire Kellingley UK Coal North Yorkshire Maltby UK Coal South Yorkshire Rossington UK Coal South Yorkshire Selby Complex(2) UK Coal North Yorkshire Thoresby UK Coal Nottinghamshire Welbeck UK Coal Nottinghamshire Hatfield Coalpower South Yorkshire Tower Tower Colliery Mid Glamorgan Notes: In addition, there were 10 smaller deep mines in production in February 2002, including Betws Colliery, operated by Betws Anthracite Ltd, in Carmarthenshire and Hay Royds Colliery, operated by J Flack & Sons Ltd, in Yorkshire. (1) Clipstone Colliery is due to cease production in March 2003. (2) The Selby Complex consists of Riccall, Wistow and Stillingfleet mines and is due to close by spring 2004. Sources: The Coal Authority, DTI publications. Telephone Boxes in Rural Areas Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Rural Affairs Forum and their rural advocate have given any advice with regard to BT's decision to remove telephone boxes from rural areas; and if so, how many telephone boxes are scheduled for removal in the next two years. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The regulation of telecoms operators is a matter for Oftel. I understand that no advice has been received by Oftel on the removal of telephone boxes from rural areas from the Rural Affairs Forum or its rural advocate. BT is subject to a universal service obligation to provide public call boxes throughout the UK (except Hull). Removal of a call box from a single site is subject to a consent procedure. The procedure is set out in guidelines published by BT and agreed by Oftel. Any removal of a single site call box requires the consent of the local authority and the relevant parish council (if any). Telephone Boxes in Rural Areas Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations they have received about the removal of telephone boxes from rural areas by BT in the past twelve months; from whom; and what action they have taken as a result. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The regulation of telecoms operators is a matter for Oftel. I understand that in December 2002 Oftel published a statement setting out its conclusions in relation to revised guidelines on removal of telephone boxes. Oftel has received a number of representations in recent weeks about the removal of telephone boxes in rural areas and is discussing them with BT. Olympic Games Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will study any bloodshed, boycott or blackmail in past Olympic Games in assessing the desirability of bringing the event to London. Baroness Blackstone: The Government assessment on whether they should bid to host the Olympic Games has included an analysis of the impact of the Games in other Olympic cities. This has included the Games held in Munich 1972 and Atlanta 1996, where there was bloodshed, and Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984, which were subject to boycotts. The Government have also assessed the new criteria issued by the International Olympic Committee on the current rules of conduct applicable to cities wishing to organise the Olympic Games. The Government recognise that we face dangers in staging major events and that security consideration are of great importance. National Scrapie Plan Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many sheep have been genotyped since the launch in July 2001 of the National Scrapie Plan; and how many, by breed, have so far been culled as a result. Lord Whitty: Since the launch of the voluntary National Scrapie Plan, up to the 13 February 2003, a total of 352,753 sheep in 8,685 flocks have been genotyped. This includes 21,710 in 866 flocks tested as part of a survey of rare breed genotypes (for which there are no culling requirements). Under the terms of the plan's ram genotyping schemes, NSP members with rams carrying one or two copies of the scrapie susceptible VRQ allele, have agreed that under normal circumstances these rams will be slaughtered or otherwise prevented breeding by castration or vasectomy. Instructions to slaughter or castrate 8,112 rams have so far been dispatched, of which confirmation of slaughter or castration has been received for 5,956. The remainder are either ram lambs that are being fattened for slaughter, or rams (with 1 VRQ allele) that are being used by agreement with the flock owner in controlled breeding programmes because there is a particularly low level of resistance conferring genotypes in the flock, or rams that are subject to a reminder instruction to slaughter. The number of rams by breed for which confirmation of slaughter/castration has been received is as follows: Sheep Breed Confirmation of slaughter/castration (as at 13 February 2003) Badger Faced Welsh Mountain 21 Beltex 26 Beulah Speckled Face 115 Black Welsh Mountain 73 Blackface 626 Bleu du Maine 58 Bluefaced Leicester 44 Border Leicester 136 Brecknock Hill Cheviot 103 British Inra 401 2 Charmoise 5 Charollais 310 Cheviot 544 Clun Forrest 6 Cotentin 1 Dalesbred 7 Derbyshire Gritstone 26 Devon Closewool 14 Dorest Horn & Poll Dorset 186 Dorset Down 1 Easycare 11 Exmoor Horn 24 Friesland 4 Galway 3 Greyfaced Dartmoor 17 Hampshire Down 1 Herdwick 112 Hill Radnor 6 Ile De France 12 Kerry Hill 1 Leicester Longwool 8 Lincoln Longwool 5 Llandovery 10 Lleyn 84 Lonk 15 Meatlinc 54 North Country Cheviot 762 Romney 24 Rouge de L'Ouest 21 Rough Fell 10 Roussin 10 Shetland 76 South Wales Mountain 96 Suffolk 65 Swaledale 115 Talybont 112 Teeswater 44 Texel 1,184 Welsh Hill Speckled Face 65 Welsh Mountain 56 Welsh Mountain 523 Wensleydale 39 White Face Dartmoor 4 White Faced Woodland 1 Wiltshire Horn 69 Zwartbles 9 Total 5,956 Pest Control: Use of Dogs Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government: What qualifications the registrar will seek from those wishing to obtain a licence to use terriers to locate and bolt foxes and mink from underground for pest control purposes;[HL What can replace the use of terriers to locate and bolt foxes and mink from underground, should any person be unsuccessful in obtaining a licence from the registrar and;[HL If the Hunting Bill were to receive Royal Assent, what advice they would to give to gamekeepers using dogs to flush a wild mammal from cover who find themselves in a situation whereby they cannot take a safe shot to despatch the wild mammal and; Why a registered gamekeeper using dogs to control mammals may expect an inspector from a prescribed animal welfare body to accompany him or her whilst carrying out these pest control measures.[HL Lord Whitty: On 25 February, the Standing Committee in another place added a clause to the Hunting Bill which would prevent the registration of hunting in respect of any hunting that involves the use of a dog below ground. My right honourable friend the Minister for Rural Affairs made it clear that the Government would bring forward amendments at a later stage of the Bill to meet the legitimate needs of gamekeepers, in particular to use dogs underground in certain specified circumstances and subject to conditions designed to prevent unnecessary suffering. His remarks were warmly welcomed by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. My right honourable friend is considering the details of the amendments at the moment and will have regard to the concerns which underlie the noble Earl's questions. Beef Special Premium Scheme The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government: What percentage of claims for the Beef Special Premium Scheme were queried by producers in 2002 because the British Cattle Movement Service records differed from those held by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.[HL Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The Rural Payments Agency does not have data relating solely to the Beef Special Premium Scheme. However, it is estimated that producers made 20,000 representations in 2002 in relation to all bovine subsidy claims because the British Cattle Movement Service records differed from those held by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This represents 7 per cent of the total bovine subsidy claims received. Cattle Movements The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have any record of how many cattle movement cards were lost in 2002 by either the Post Office or the British Cattle Movement Service.[HL Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) scans, records and interprets all movement cards received immediately. This can be up to 45,000 cards per day. No loss of cards has been detected by the BCMS. The Post Office has informed us that its loss rate is one in 100,000 documents sent to the BCMS. Cattle Movements The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the British Cattle Movement Service will not issue receipts for cattle movement orders.[HL Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Keepers who send movement information to the British Cattle Movement Service through its website can see that a transaction has been recorded by revisiting the site the next day. Those who send movement data through the bulk e-mail system will receive a file receipt notification from BCMS for every file they send. The barrier to the issue of a receipt for each movement card received by the BCMS is cost. With up to 48,000 movement cards received in a single day last year the logistics of producing and despatching receipts for them all are daunting. With the waiver to industry bearing the full cost of the BCMS services due to expire on 31 March 2004, the cost of the production of receipts (manpower, materials and postage) would be passed directly to industry. The cost could be over £10,000 per day, just for receipts. Assured Chicken Production Scheme Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will reconsider the decision of June 2002 to reverse the ban on antibiotic growth promoters under the Assured Chicken Production scheme.[HL Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Assured Chicken Production is an independent company that owns and develops the Assured Chicken Production Scheme (ACP) standards for poultry. Members of the company are British Retail Council, British Poultry Council (BPC) and the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales. Decisions about the standards for this scheme are taken by ACP's technical advisory committee, not by the Government. Zootechnical Feed Additives: Ionophores Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have consulted the Veterinary Residues Committee and the Food Standards Agency about the use of ionophores, including Nicarbazin, Dimetridazole, Narasin and Lasalocid, in poultry and game food; and, if so, with what result. Lord Whitty: Zootechnical feed additives, including those containing ionophores, are centrally authorised under Council Directive 70/524/EEC for use in all EU member states. Applications for authorisations are individually assessed by the Standing Committee for Food Chain and Animal Health (Animal Nutrition) against a set of scientific criteria to assure their safety, quality and efficacy. This committee is chaired by the European Commission and includes representatives from all EU member states. UK representatives include officials from the Food Standards Agency as well as the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Dimetridazole and Narasin are no longer authorised for use as zootechnical feed additives for food producing animals. In March 2001 the Veterinary Residues Committee (VRC) established a sub-group to look at the risks from residues of medicinal and zootechnical feed additives (including ionophores) in meat and other food products. This sub-group has not yet provided any advice to government on these issues. Drift Net Fishing Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the up-to-date position on the question of ending the North Sea drift net fishery. Lord Whitty: In their formal response to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group report, the Government announced they would provide up to £750,000, subject to match funding from private interests, towards the voluntary buy-out of mixed stock salmon drift net fisheries in England. Efforts are focusing on the largest of these that fish off the north-east coast of England. Constructive negotiations between the drift netsmen and conservation and riparian interests, assisted by the Environment Agency and Defra, are ongoing. Drift Net Fishing Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What recent discussions they have had with the Irish Republic with a view to ending drift net fishing in Irish waters to release salmon into Welsh and western English rivers. Lord Whitty: No formal discussions have been held with the Irish Government about drift netting in Irish waters.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2003-02-27a

Department for Education Asylum: Children Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Nash on 1 November (WS231) that the new safeguarding strategy will not be published until May 2017, what specific interim measures have been put in place to ensure that the wellbeing of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children is safeguarded. Lord Nash: The Government already has in place a comprehensive framework for safeguarding children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee children. We have been working with local authorities, non-government organisations and other public bodies over a number of months to make sure unaccompanied children receive the immediate support they need. At the beginning of October, new training commenced for foster carers and support workers looking after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and in the coming weeks we will assess what the additional training needs are. We are providing ongoing responsive advice and guidance to local authorities working with children being transferred under new legislation and we are working with key partners to increase the number of suitable placements for them. The safeguarding strategy for unaccompanied children will bring together the extensive programme of work already underway, as well as set out areas where we will go further by building on existing good practice. We will consult local authorities, non-government organisations and other public bodies to ensure the strategy is comprehensive and supports the best outcomes for unaccompanied children. Brexit: Education Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 9 November (HL2741), whether they intend to provide schools and other educational establishments with information about the benefits of Brexit. Lord Nash: The Department for Education does not send political material to schools: it is up to schools to decide what teaching material to use, tailored to their pupils’ needs. Schools are required by the Education Act 1996 to ensure the balanced treatment of political issues, including the UK’s membership of the European Union. Schools: Census The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Nash on 31 October (HL Deb, col 510), whether they have given any further consideration to allowing parents the ability to retract information on the birthplace and nationality of their children from the school census. Lord Nash: The collection of pupil-level data via the school census supports the drive to raise standards, provide accurate targeted funding, and the monitoring and development of policy. Without this evidence and data, we cannot have a clear picture of how the school system is working or ensure that no groups of children are missing out on the education they deserve. The new data items on nationality, country of birth and English proficiency will be used to help us better understand how children, with for example, English as an additional language, perform in terms of their broader education, and to assess and monitor the scale and impact immigration may be having on the schools’ sector. The collection of these data items is completely optional and parents are under no obligation to provide it if they do not want to. This information is collected via the school census on a termly basis. If parents have previously provided this information to schools and now wish to retract it, they should inform the school of this decision. For such cases, schools can update their systems to show a parent has refused to provide the information and this will be collected within the next school census, which is due on the 19th January. Where a parent has exercised this right, the Department will remove any information collected on country of birth and nationality during the autumn census. Social Mobility Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the recently published State of the nation 2016 report by the Social Mobility Commission. Lord Nash: We welcome the Commission’s report, published last week. It is a wide ranging, valuable piece of work that draws out some important findings. The Commission’s approach to social mobility is in line with work going on in the Department: looking at the opportunities of a group beyond the most disadvantaged; solidly focusing on areas of the country which are falling behind; and addressing wider obstacles to opportunity, like the need for high quality advice. Officials are engaging with the Commission’s findings as part of this wider work programme. Opportunity Areas, launched last month, will be the vanguard of our approach to social mobility in areas where there are the greatest challenges and the fewest opportunities and will benefit from our energy, ideas and resources to address the barriers to social mobility. These areas are all social mobility coldspots identified by the Commission. The Commission points out that the barriers to social mobility will not be fixed overnight. It will require long term effort from the Government, business, civil society and communities to ensure that talent and hard work leads to success, wherever you live or whatever your background. Ministry of Justice Immigration: Appeals Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 8 November (HL2645) about appeals made by litigants in person, when they stopped recording those figures, and why. Lord Henley: In the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) an appellant can be represented by any person not prohibited from doing so by section 84 of the Immigration Act 1999. Therefore management information does not cover whether a person had legal representation, as requested in HL2645. Prisons: Prescription Drugs The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what training is given to prison officers, in addition to methods of control, in the care and treatment of offenders who suffer from dependence on, and withdrawal from, prescription drugs. Lord Keen of Elie: The effects of prescription drugs is outlined in the Prison Officers Entry Level Training (POELT) substance misuse module, which explains how mood, behaviour and the body is affected as a result of taking excessive quantities of them. Officers are trained in First on Scene where they learn how to react to a situation, assess and manage it to ensure a safe outcome. An officer is not trained or expected to make a medical diagnosis but they have a duty of care to the offender and would need to refer them to a healthcare assistant if they are displaying symptoms of dependence or withdrawal from drugs. An officer is trained to recognise these symptoms and learns the relevant treatment and recovery services which are available to an offender. The primary care team undertake an initial assessment to determine immediate risk and healthcare needs; including the assessment of any substance misuse needs. Those identified as having a need are referred to substance misuse services for clinical management. This may include prescribed medication for detoxification or maintenance. Various long-term interventions are available to the offender to help them recover such as accredited and non-accredited rehabilitative programmes, structured psychosocial interventions, access to mutual aid groups, and life skills work. For note, the responsibility for commissioning and provision of health treatment, including substance misuse services, lies with NHS England and NHS Local Health Boards in Wales. The Lord Chairman of Committees House of Lords: Access Lord Trefgarne: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what measures are available to ensure that access to the House of Lords is maintained when road works or other obstructions occur. Lord McFall of Alcluith: There is frequent and direct contact between Black Rod’s department and the Police, and with the local authorities and Transport for London, for appropriate arrangements to avoid or mitigate any predicted or potential disruption of Members’ access to the House. Ministry of Defence Middle East: Peacekeeping Operations Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the names and firms of all lawyers involved in pursuing claims against soldiers and former soldiers for alleged abuses in Afghanistan and Iraq. Earl Howe: It would not be appropriate to provide the names of individual lawyers acting on behalf of claimants. However, it is a matter of public record that the vast majority of claims alleging abuses by British soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq have been brought by Leigh Day Solicitors and Public Interest Lawyers Ltd (PIL) law firms. PIL closed earlier this year after the Ministry of Defence triggered an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Army: Females Lord Campbell of Pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications or other expressions of interest have been received from female soldiers for ground close combat roles. Earl Howe: On 8 July 2016, the former Prime Minister announced that the previous exclusions on women serving in Ground Close Combat roles in the Royal Marines, Royal Armoured Corps (RAC), Infantry and Royal Air Force Regiment were being lifted. The implementation is in a phased approach over the next three years, beginning with the RAC which is open now with other roles opening from 2018. As at 9 November, 70 applications to join the Army have been received from females expressing a preference for service as a soldier in the RAC, and less than five female soldiers have applied to transfer to the RAC. Officers do not make an application to join a specific cap badge before enlistment, as selection for regiments takes place during the first and second terms at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS). Based on the one intake at RMAS since the exclusion was lifted, less than five potential female officers have expressed an interest in serving in the RAC. Please note that all figures have been rounded to the nearest five as a means of disclosure control to preserve anonymity. Home Office Police Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many police officers were in post in each police force in England and Wales in each year from 1996 until the last year for which figures are available. Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many police community support officers were in post in each police force in England and Wales in each year from 2008 until the last year for which figures are available. Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civilian staff were in post in each police force in England and Wales in each year from 1996 until the last year for which figures are available. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office publishes data on the police workforce, broken down by worker type and police force, as part of the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ series of statistical bulletins.The attached tables, which are too large to include in the answer contain data on the number of full time equivalent police officers and police staff in each force as at 31 March in each year between 1996 and 2016, and the number of full time equivalent Police Community Support Officers as at 31 March in each year between 2008 and 2016.As HMIC has made clear, there is no simple link between officer numbers and crime levels, between numbers and the visibility of police or between numbers and the quantity of service provided. Table - PQ HL2744-HL2745 - HL2746 (Excel SpreadSheet, 32.63 KB) Radicalism: Young People Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or plan to have, with the Muslim Council of Britain on achieving a common strategy to combat the radicalisation of young people. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Prevent is a key part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST). It safeguards and supports vulnerable individuals to stop them becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent is working and works best when delivered in partnership with communities, civil society groups and individuals.We work with a wide range of organisations to prevent people from becoming radicalised. These are organisations prepared to show leadership, point to solutions and challenge and confront terrorist and extremist ideologies whatever form they take. Migrant Workers: Teachers Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to guarantee the residence status of non-UK EU nationals who are currently employed as teachers of modern foreign languages in British schools and universities, following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the predicted shortfall of modern foreign languages teachers by 2020, what measures they will take, in particular relating to residency status, to continue to attract EU nationals to such posts following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Baroness Williams of Trafford: While the UK remains in the EU, EU national teaching staff will continue to have the same rights and status that they had before the referendum. The Prime Minister has been clear that she wants to protect the status of EU nationals already living and working in the UK after the UK leaves the EU, and the only circumstances in which that wouldn’t be possible is if British citizens’ rights in other EU Member States were not protected in return.There are a number of options as to how EU migration might work once we have left. We are considering various options and it would be wrong to set out further positions at this stage. Migrant Camps: Dunkirk Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to ask the government of France not to close or reduce numbers in La Linière Camp, Grande Synthe, Dunkirk, until alternative safe provision has been made for children and vulnerable adults now there, including pregnant women, the disabled and elderly; and what steps they are taking to ensure that people in those categories are admitted to the camp despite the overall reduction in numbers. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Whilst both the UK and France share concerns about the wellbeing of migrants in France and continue to work in close co-operation, the management of and decision on whether or not to close the migrant camp in Dunkirk is a matter for the French authorities. Public Sector: Interpreters Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to guarantee the residency status of non-UK EU nationals currently working as public service interpreters in the criminal justice system and the NHS, following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Prime Minister has been clear that she wants to protect the status of EU nationals already living and working in the UK after the UK leaves the EU, and the only circumstances in which that wouldn’t be possible is if British citizens’ rights in other EU Member States were not protected in return. Fracking: Protest Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many regional Counter Terrorism Units have been involved in monitoring anti-fracking protests, and how many arrests for a serious crime have been made by each unit as a result of such monitoring activity. Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they have given to the police about the use of covert infiltration of anti-fracking groups. Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Prevent training includes reference to participation in anti-fracking groups. Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they have given to the police about the exchange of information between the police and representatives of the coal and gas industry. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government does not hold information on the monitoring by police Counter-Terrorism Units of anti-fracking activity, or the number of arrests made by each Unit associated with any such activity.The Government has not given specific guidance to the police on the use of undercover officers in anti-fracking groups. This is an operational matter. However, the police use of undercover officers and other covert sources is regulated by Part 2 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and subject to guidance in the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Code of Practice published under section 71 of RIPA.Prevent training does not include any reference to participation in anti-fracking groups.The Government has not issued guidance to the police regarding exchanges of information between the police and the coal and gas industry. The National Police Chiefs Council has issued guidance to forces on policing linked to onshore oil and gas operations. HM Treasury Banks: Regulation Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement by the US President-elect that he intends to reinstate the Glass-Steagall rules, what assessment they have made of the impact this would have on the UK banking system. Lord Young of Cookham: The government monitors the financial regulation policies of our international partners, including the US, as they develop.In the UK, from the 1st of January 2019, our ring-fencing regime will require structural separation of core retail banking from investment banking for UK banks with retail deposits of more than £25 billion. Bank of England Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the Bank of England should be independent of the Government. Lord Young of Cookham: A comprehensive Review of the Monetary Policy Framework was published in 2013, considering the benefits and costs of a number of different monetary policy frameworks. The review concluded that operational independence has helped improve credibility and accountability of monetary policy, leading to stable inflation and inflation expectations, and in turn macroeconomic stability. The current remit for the Monetary Policy Committee reflects the assessment set out in the 2013 Review, which reaffirms the Bank of England’s operation independence and a flexible inflation targeting framework. Cabinet Office Electoral Register: British Nationals Abroad Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen on 9 November (HL2723), where children born abroad to British citizens without a property in the UK would be registered to vote. Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen: As set out in the policy statement published on 7 October 2016, overseas voting rights will be extended to any British citizen who has been previously resident or registered to vote in the UK. As such, under the Government’s proposals any British citizen who has not been previously resident or registered to vote in the UK will not be able to register as an overseas elector. Electoral Register Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of eligible citizens registered to vote. Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen: The Minister for the Constitution is currently undertaking a series of visits to all of the UK’s nations and regions to hear, first hand, the challenges facing local communities to ensure we have a democracy that works for everyone. The insight gained from these visits will help inform the Government’s democratic engagement activities with under-registered and vulnerable groups, as well as overseas electors. We are also piloting improvements to the annual canvass process that are designed to make the system more efficient and effective. These pilots will also have the effect of allowing Electoral Registration Officers to focus resources on under-registered groups.Our comprehensive activity builds on steps we have already taken to make applying to register to vote quicker and easier. Department of Health Surgery Lord Freyberg: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many centres carry out complex thoracic surgery in NHS England; what is their annual procedure volume; and when they will publish risk normalised outcome data for those centres. Lord Prior of Brampton: There are 28 centres undertaking complex thoracic procedures. Complex thoracic surgery involves a range of procedures, and therefore there is no overarching outcomes data set, only procedure-specific data. The predominant procedure is lung resection. The latest outcomes data for this is available in the National Lung Cancer Audit annual report 2015 (for the audit period 2014), which is attached. National Lung Cancer Report (PDF Document, 3.15 MB) Health Services: Travellers Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 8 November (HL2865), what steps have been taken to encourage joined up working by local authorities, the National Health Service and responsible health agencies, and local public health services to improve the health outcomes of Gypsies and Travellers. Lord Prior of Brampton: The NHS Five Year Forward View (2014) sets out the ambition to improve the nation’s health and reduce inequalities, including among the most vulnerable groups. Through the inequality duties introduced through the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, local areas must have regard to inequalities in access to, and the outcomes from, National Health Service services in developing their plans. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), health and wellbeing boards and the rest of the local health system work together to undertake joint strategic needs assessments of local health needs and develop strategic plans, working with key stakeholders to deliver outcomes and reduce health inequalities. All CCGs are provided with local and national data from Public Health England and NHS England to support the planning and commissioning process. These tools help to identify differences in access to services and health outcomes across the local population, including among vulnerable groups. For example, on-line resources available to local areas include Commissioning for Value Packs, the NHS Atlas of Variation in Healthcare, and the Marmot indicator local authority profiles. Guidance on addressing the health needs of vulnerable groups including Gypsies and Travellers was developed under the DH-sponsored inclusion health programme. It included Inclusion of Gypsy Traveller health needs in Joint Strategic Needs Assessments: A review, a report compiled by Friends, Families and Travellers (2015), Standards for commissioners and service providers, by the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health (2013) and Improving access to health care for Gypsies and Travellers, homeless people and sex workers, by Royal College of General Practitioners (2013). Copies of these documents are attached. NHS England published guidance for the service on the rights of vulnerable groups in registering with GPs to reduce the risk of exacerbating health inequalities for vulnerable groups, Patient Registration: Standard Operating Principles for Primary Medical Care (General Practice), NHS England, 2015. A copy has been placed in the library. Improving access to healthcare (PDF Document, 2.9 MB) Standards for commissioners (PDF Document, 554.28 KB) Inclusion of Gypsy Traveller health needs (PDF Document, 1.84 MB) Mental Health Services: Children and Young People Lord Porter of Spalding: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards they have put in place to ensure that children and young people’s mental health Local Transformation Plans are delivered, and that the associated funding that had been made available for the plans is being spent appropriately. Lord Porter of Spalding: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Health and Wellbeing Boards have been given oversight locally of the delivery of children and young people’s mental health Local Transformation Plans. Lord Prior of Brampton: In 2016-17, children and young people’s mental health services transformation has been monitored as part of mainstream NHS England planning processes and through the CCG improvement and assessment framework 2016/17 a copy of which is attached. As part of the 2016-17 financial reporting planning process, programme level spend including children and young people’s mental health spend has been monitored routinely throughout the year to ensure that the additional money is spent for the purposes intended and that locally determined key performance indicators will be met. From 2016-17, children and young people’s mental health has been mainstreamed as part of the normal NHS England planning cycle so that Local Transformation Plans (LTPs) are integrated into the wider Sustainability and Transformation Planning process. The Department sets specific objectives for NHS England in the annual mandate, which reflect the priorities for the health and care system. The mandate for 2016-17 sets objectives to 2020 and it makes it clear that the Government expects to see a transformation of children and young people’s mental health services. LTPs should be refreshed, agreed with the relevant local health and wellbeing board and published annually. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were asked to update and publish plans by October 2016. Publication of the plans, including sign-off from health and wellbeing boards, is being assured through NHS England’s planning and assurance process. Local commissioners, such as CCGs, are best placed to know the needs of their local population and to make decisions about spending. Through the shared planning guidance we are incentivising CCGs to prioritise key issues like children and young people’s mental health transition and improving access. The publication of the CCG improvement and assessment framework 2016/2017 and the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health dashboard are designed to improve transparency and accountability of CCGs to both NHS England and to the public. The dashboard includes CCG level information on planned mental health spending. CCG IAF (PDF Document, 458.43 KB) Asylum: Children Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what long-term mental health service provision they have made for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arriving in the UK. Lord Prior of Brampton: The key mechanism to deliver the vision set out in Future in mind: Promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing (March 2015), to transform children and young people’s mental health, is the Local Transformation Plans (LTPs) that all clinical commissioning groups have produced. These plans outline how local areas will meet the mental health needs of all their population of children and young people, including addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. LTPs are backed by £1.5 billion of Government funding and should cover the full spectrum of mental health issues: from prevention and resilience building, to support and care for existing and emerging mental health problems including addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, such as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. A copy of Future in mind is attached. From 2016-17, children and young people’s mental health is being brought into the normal NHS England planning cycle so that LTPs are integrated into the wider Sustainability and Transformation Planning process. However, they will continue to be published annually.Most unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are likely to be looked after by local authorities. An Expert Working Group (EWG) has been established to lead the development of models of care for looked-after children’s mental health. The group is co-chaired by Peter Fonagy and Alison O’Sullivan (The Association of Directors of Children’s Services) with members being drawn from across the health, youth justice, social care and education sectors, with input from children, young people, carers and families with experience of the care system. The scope of the EWG is to primarily focus on three main groups: looked after children, care leavers, and children who have been adopted from care or are under Special Guardianship Orders. It is anticipated that there are groups within the looked after children population with specific needs and these will be considered by the Group as the work develops (for example, unaccompanied asylum seekers, children on remand, children returning to their birth parents). The Group has now met three times, with five further meetings to come, and expects to make their recommendations in October next year. Future in Mind (PDF Document, 1.65 MB)

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-11-24

Abattoirs Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost structure of the fees proposed to be charged out to abattoirs by the Food Standards Agency should proposals for full cost recovery be accepted. Earl Howe: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) consulted across the United Kingdom on proposals for full cost recovery for meat official controls by removal of current discounts, with options for a phased introduction and a reduction in charges for low throughput businesses, and is committed to further reducing its costs. In response to comments received during the consultation, the FSA revised its proposals, deciding that full cost recovery should be introduced over a three-year period, beginning in April 2012, and that increased support should be provided for a greater number of low throughput meat establishments on a sliding scale. This will provide increased support for approximately 570 establishments, as opposed to about 420 establishments as originally proposed. In addition following discussions between the FSA and HM Treasury, it has been agreed that industry in Great Britain will not bear the cost relating to the deficit in the Local Government Pension Scheme from 2011-12, which would have totalled £4.7 million. Therefore the pension element within FSA costs will be reduced by this amount. In February the cost structure of the proposed full cost recovery fees for 2011-12 was presented to stakeholders including the pensions element above. The following table shows the costs presented with the LGPS pension deficit element removed. This represents the actual costs of meat official controls and the hourly fees that would be required to recover these costs, no more, no less. Discounts are applied to these rates to calculate charges to be made. It is estimated that for 2011-12 industry will be charged £26.9 million. Table: Meat official controls cost structure 2011-12 Inspector cost calculation £m Salaries-employed staff £15.0 Overtime-employed staff £2.9 National Insurance cost-employed staff £1.3 Pensions cost-monthly employer contributions £2.8 Contractor cost to FSA £4.6 Direct cost £26.7 78% Travel-plant based staff £0.4 Laundry/equipment £0.3 Operations front line support £2.4 Other meat-driven activity £4.3 £7.4 22% Indirect cost Total inspector cost £34.1 Inspector hourly rate normal time £29.20 OV cost calculation Salaries-employed staff £0.2 Overtime-employed staff £0.0 National Insurance cost-employed staff £0.0 Pensions cost-monthly employer contributions £0.04 Contractor cost to FSA £13.1 Direct cost £13.4 82% Travel-plant based staff £0.2 Laundry/equipment £0.1 Operations front line support £0.9 Other meat-driven activity £1.7 Indirect cost £2.9 18% Total OV cost £16.3 OV hourly rate normal time £37.60 Total cost £50.3 Notes: Official Veterinarian (OV) Abattoirs Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the range, average and total cost of the full-time equivalent salaries paid to those whose work will be funded by part of the fees charged to abattoirs by the Food Standards Agency if the proposals for full cost recovery are accepted. Earl Howe: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) consulted across the United Kingdom on proposals for full cost recovery for meat official controls by removal of current discounts, with options for a phased introduction and a reduction in charges for low throughput businesses, and is committed to further reducing its costs. In response to comments received during the consultation, the FSA revised its proposals, deciding that full cost recovery should be introduced over a three-year period, beginning in April 2012, and that increased support should be provided for a greater number of low throughput meat establishments. This will provide increased support of for approximately 570 establishments, as opposed to about 420 establishments as originally proposed. In February the cost structure of the proposed full cost recovery fees for 2011-12 was presented to stakeholders. The major component of the cost of meat official controls, charged to abattoirs, cutting plants and game handling facilities, is the salaries of the staff carrying out those controls in approved premises and the staff in support roles. The salary range for all these staff, on a full time equivalent basis, is £15,500 per annum for office-based support staff to within a band £190,000-£195,000 for the chief executive, a proportion of whose work supports meat official controls. The average is £35,900 over the full range of staff. The total cost is £24 million. Note that these figures are for staff who are employees of the FSA. Salaries are not available for contract meat hygiene inspectors and contract official veterinary staff. Afghanistan Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support the appointment of an internationally designated facilitator to promote peace in Afghanistan, and the establishment of an appropriate negotiating format. Lord Howell of Guildford: We support the Afghan Government's peace and reconciliation efforts. It is for the Afghan Government to decide how to take forward their approach including whether to appoint an internationally designated facilitator. Armed Forces: Afghanistan Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government in what ways they will seek to ensure that all groups in Afghanistan that have substantial support are consulted, and that all the neighbouring states are appropriately involved, in advance of the withdrawal of significant numbers of allied forces. Lord Howell of Guildford: The security transition process in Afghanistan is led jointly by the Government of Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force. This process provides opportunities for consultation with a wide variety of Afghan stakeholders at both the national and provincial level. The support of the region is crucial to achieving our shared goals of lasting stability and security in Afghanistan. The UK routinely engages countries neighbouring Afghanistan on Afghan related issues, including through the International Contact Group's working group on regional engagement which is preparing for the Istanbul conference in November 2011. Armed Forces: Military Hospitals Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many former military hospitals continue to be held as part of the defence estate. Lord Astor of Hever: Three former military hospitals continue to be held as part of the defence estate and they are: the Cambridge Military Hospital site in Aldershot, which is currently in an advanced state of disposal; andthe former Duchess of Kent Hospitals at Catterick, which have been converted and are now used for other military purposes. Armed Forces: Staff Promotion Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many service personnel who are fully qualified and recommended for promotion have had their promotion delayed or shelved because of Ministry of Defence financial restrictions or downsizing of the overall strength of the armed forces. Lord Astor of Hever: No individuals have had their promotions delayed or shelved because of Ministry of Defence financial restrictions or downsizing of the overall strength of the armed forces. Promotions in this and future financial years are determined by the manning authorities for each service based on the individual trade requirements and the outflow estimates. Reductions in the size of the Armed Forces are due to take effect after 1 April 2012, and will be taken into account in the planning for the number of individuals to be promoted after this date. Bill of Rights Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what their timetable is for the introduction of a Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom. Lord McNally: On 18 March, the Government announced the establishment of a commission to investigate the case for a Bill of Rights. The commission's terms of reference set out that it should aim to report no later than by the end of 2012. We cannot prejudge the findings of the commission and it is too early to say what any next steps might be until the commission has reported. Bill of Rights Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that any Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom will incorporate any specific rights for Northern Ireland that are consistent with the Belfast agreement of 1998. Lord McNally: The commission on a Bill of Rights was established by the Government to provide advice on the creation of a UK Bill of Rights. It will not consider additional specific rights for Northern Ireland: this issue will continue to be addressed separately. However, it is possible that any future legislation on a UK Bill of Rights would provide a suitable legislative vehicle for the introduction of additional rights specific to Northern Ireland. China Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the nature of the 50 new diplomatic posts in China, announced in Parliament on 11 May; whether any of the posts will be dedicated to monitoring human rights in China and Tibet; and what is the current ratio of diplomatic staff in China working on trade, human rights and general diplomatic roles respectively. Lord Howell of Guildford: Following the Foreign Secretary's Oral Statement on 11 May 2011, (Official Report, Commons, cols. 1165-80) we are working to put in place the announced increase in front-line staff in our China network. The up to 50 additional officials will include both UK-based and locally engaged staff. They will be deployed to reinforce our existing network in China, and to strengthen our engagement with the regions and cities outside those where we have our embassy and consulates. All Foreign and Commonwealth Office missions overseas monitor and raise human rights with host countries. For operational and security reasons we cannot give details of staff deployments and activity levels. Criminal Justice: Women Baroness Corston: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the recommendation made by the Corston report on women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system, what progress they have made towards the implementation and monitoring of a joined-up, co-ordinated and cross-government response to women in the criminal justice system. Lord McNally: The Government set out their plans to reform criminal justice in the Breaking the Cycle: Government Response, published on 21 June 2011. We are working across government to address offenders' mental health problems; get offenders off drugs for good; help offenders gain the skills and aptitude for work; and to reduce barriers to resettlement. This programme includes joint work with the Home Office to improve support for women offenders who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. We will ensure we take account of the distinct needs of women in achieving all this, including monitoring key outcomes. Criminal Justice: Women Baroness Corston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what joint work between the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Communities and Local Government is taking place to ensure co-ordination between agencies and reduce the risk that women in custody will be homeless on release. Lord McNally: The Ministry of Justice is working with the Department for Communities and Local Government to support the development of the Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness. This joint work includes a scheme led by Crisis to improve access to the private rented sector for single homeless people, including women offenders and women at risk of offending. Criminal Justice: Women Baroness Corston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards reducing unnecessary custodial remands for women as a result of the Bail Accommodation Support Scheme; and how many of the extra 500 places in bail accommodation for women created by the scheme have been filled. Lord McNally: The Bail Accommodation and Support Service was introduced on 18 June 2007, to provide housing and support in the community for defendants on bail and for offenders released on home detention curfew. The service is for both women and men and has a current capacity of 658 places, which will rise to 740. Since the introduction of the service 1,120 women have been supported by BASS, 548 of whom were on bail and might otherwise have received a custodial remand. The additional support available for up to 500 female defendants was taken up by 124 women. Education: Funding Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what funds will be available to ensure local authorities can continue to offer support services to schools still under the control of local authorities. Lord Hill of Oareford: Local authorities receive funding for provision of education support services from both the dedicated schools grant and local authority formula grant. Both of these sources of funding reflect all of the pupils in those authorities irrespective of whether they attend a maintained school or an academy. We are committed to ensuring that both local authorities and academies are funded fairly and that they receive resources to reflect the proportion of children for whom they provide services. Education: Vocational Subjects Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation is taking to produce statistics of vocational qualifications awarded in Northern Ireland; and whether it will publish them on a quarterly basis. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will provide six-monthly progress reports on the agreement between the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation and the Northern Ireland Assembly to improve vocational education in Northern Ireland. Lord Hill of Oareford: Vocational education in Northern Ireland and how the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation regulates those qualifications and reports on its work and progress are devolved matters and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Elections: Voting System Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional costs are being incurred by the Boundary Commission for England as a result of the accelerated review of parliamentary boundaries. Lord McNally: The Government's current estimate of the cost of undertaking the boundary review in England under the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 is £7.5 million. The cost of the last general review of parliamentary constituencies in England was approximately £10.8 million. EU: Financial Assistance Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what procedures they follow to ensure that United Kingdom human and financial contributions to (a) the United Nations, (b) the European Commission, and (c) the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, are set and monitored at appropriate levels. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is responsible for ensuring that the UK's contributions to the UN regular budget are appropriate and bring the Government value for money. With the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence, the FCO also oversees the Government's contributions to the UN peacekeeping budget. To do this, the UK uses its position on the UN Security Council to ensure that mandates for the UN's peacekeeping missions and special political missions are realistic and focused. At the same time, the UK participates fully on the UN's administrative and budgetary committees to ensure that value for money is being improved or maintained across both UN budgets. Finally, a UK member has recently been elected to the UN's Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), which makes recommendations to UN member states on effective use of UN funds. On human contributions to the UN, the FCO posts staff to UN capitals sufficient in number to represent the UK at all negotiations where there is a British interest. The level of personnel is monitored throughout the year by FCO management in London, New York and Geneva. The Government's contributions to wider parts of the UN system, such as the funds and programmes and specialised agencies, are led by a wide range of Whitehall departments. Providing details of each of these would incur disproportionate cost. Financial contributions to the European Commission are set within annual EU budget negotiations, as well as within negotiation on the multi-annual financial framework. The UK takes a strong line within these negotiations: the EU budget needs to reflect the very tough budget decisions being taken across Europe, and we want to see very substantial savings in EU administration spending during the next seven year budget cycle. In terms of staff contributions, the UK manages secondments to the European Commission and other EU institutions carefully to ensure that these are beneficial for all concerned. In the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), FCO officials are heavily involved in negotiations to ensure that UK contributions are set and remain at an appropriate level. We also strive to ensure that UK contributions are used in as efficient and effective a way as possible to deliver added value on the ground. British officials engage closely in the annual budget negotiations and have been instrumental in ensuring the OSCE participating states agreed a budget at zero nominal growth or less over the past few years. Again, FCO management in London and Vienna ensure that the level of representation to the OSCE and secondees to its field missions is sufficient. EU: Financial Assistance to Member States Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to ensure any decisions regarding further bail-outs for the Greek economy are not made using qualified majority voting. Lord Sassoon: The Government have been clear that the UK should not participate in a new financial assistance package for Greece. At the European Council on 24 June 2011, the Prime Minister secured explicit assurance that a new programme for Greece would be supported by its euro area partners and the IMF, not the European Union as a whole. The June European Council conclusions can be found here: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/123075.pdf. Exports Lord Hunt of Chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Ministry of Justice intends to develop exports with competitive technological and commercial capabilities. Lord McNally: The Ministry of Justice/National Offender Management Service intends to develop exports with competitive technological and commercial capabilities by distributing computer software that has been developed in-house by the National Management Offender Service. Distribution will take place through a two-year pilot contract with Capita SIS. The contract delivers a percentage of the revenue raised back to the National Offender Management Service for reinvestment in innovation, and will contribute to Ministry of Justice efficiency savings agreed with HM Treasury. Exports Lord Hunt of Chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how HM Treasury intends to develop exports with competitive technological and commercial capabilities. Lord Sassoon: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my noble friend, Lady Wilcox, on 22 June 2010 (Official Report, col. WA304). Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 23 May (WA 379), whether in view of the many uncertainties about the evidence expressed in the York review a more accurate summation of what it reported would be the statement from the executive summary that "the best available evidence suggests", rather than "it found", that fluoridation protected children's teeth. Earl Howe: The conclusions section of the York review includes the statement: "The best available evidence (level B) from studies on the initiation and discontinuation of water fluoridation suggests that fluoridation does reduce caries prevalence, both as measured by the proportion of children who are caries-free and by the mean dmft/DMFT score". We continue to seek to ensure that we reflect the findings of the review in an accurate and meaningful manner. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 6 June (WA 40-1), whether a period of 11 years between the institution of a legal requirement to monitor the effects of water fluoridation schemes in the United Kingdom and the publication of the first reports on existing schemes represents a satisfactory response to potential health concerns. Earl Howe: As my previous reply indicated, we will meet the statutory requirements to monitor the effects of water fluoridation schemes. The monitoring will complement that already undertaken by the public health observatories which we are confident would have already identified any major differences in morbidity or mortality between the health of the populations of fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 30 January 2008 (WA 124) and Earl Howe on 24 May 2011 (WA 409-10), why they cannot make progress by examining the risks, benefits and costs of existing fluoridation schemes as referred to by Lord Darzi of Denham. Earl Howe: The research on dental fluorosis, which is the only proven side effect of fluoridation, is being conducted on a sample population of Newcastle where there is an existing fluoridation scheme. The benefits of fluoridation are illustrated by epidemiological surveys which show that levels of dental decay in fluoridated areas like the West Midlands are lower than those in areas like Greater Manchester where no adjustment is made to the level of fluoridation in the water supply. A new scheme would provide baseline information on oral health and cost of implementation which are not available from existing schemes. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 6 June (WA 41), (a) whether the British Dental Association remains a signatory to the campaign by the National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health to promote water fluoridation; and if so (b) whether a school of dentistry is well placed to conduct an impartial study into the prevalence and severity of any adverse effects of fluoridation. Earl Howe: The British Dental Association is an independent organisation and we have no recent information about its association with the campaign. Only dental care professionals have the expertise to identify dental fluorosis but the interpretive element of the research is based on a sample of lay people giving their views on the aesthetic impact of fluorosis. We are satisfied that these findings are being objectively recorded. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 18 January 2010 (WA 102) and 23 February 2010 (WA 282-3), whether the findings by Professor Chester Douglass, which he claimed would not support an association between osteosarcoma and water fluoridation and were intended for publication in summer 2006, have yet been published. Earl Howe: Nothing has yet been published, but we understand that Professor Douglass will shortly be publishing a paper on his findings in the Journal of Dental Research. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 26 April (WA 47-8) and 23 May (WA 378), whether the figure of 3 per cent for fluorosis of aesthetic concern given by the National Fluoride Information Centre on its website took account of the 95 per cent confidence intervals around the prevalence figure of 12.5 per cent in table 7.7 of the York report, which gave a spread of 7 per cent-21.5 per cent. Earl Howe: We do not have information of this detail since the National Fluoride Information Centre was independent of the department. The research project which we have funded the School of Dentistry at the University of Manchester to undertake on the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis will provide new information. Forestry Commission The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have decided to sell off the legal maximum percentage of Forestry Commission land over the next four years; and if no decision has been yet made about the amount of land to be sold off, whether their final decision will be dependent on further consultation. Lord Henley: All sales of public forestry land were suspended on 17 February, pending receiving and considering the advice of the independent panel which is due to report in April 2012. Government Departments: Research and Data Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 June (WA 208), what research or data collection the Secretary of State for Health has (a) initiated, (b) terminated, and (c) amended, since 12 May 2010. To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 June (WA 208), what research or data collection the Minister of State for Health has (a) initiated, (b) terminated, and (c) amended, since 12 May 2010. To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 June (WA 208), what research or data collection the Minister of State for Care Services has (a) initiated, (b) terminated, and (c) amended, since 12 May 2010. To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 June (WA 208), what research or data collection the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health has (a) initiated, (b) terminated, and (c) amended, since the 12 May 2010. To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 June (WA 208), what research or data collection the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality has (a) initiated, (b) terminated, and (c) amended since the 12 May 2010. Earl Howe: The department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the policy research programme, with a total annual budget of around £1 billion. Details of research initiated, terminated and amended cannot be provided due to disproportionate cost. Details of projects funded through programmes managed by the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) can be found on the CCF website at: http://www.ccf.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/FundedProgrammes.aspx. Details of projects funded through programmes managed by the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Centre (NETSCC) can be found on the NETSCC website at: http ://wwwnetscc.ac.uk/. Details of studies hosted by the NIHR Clinical Research Network can be found on the UK Clinical Research Network portfolio database at: http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search Details of research funded by the Policy Research Programme are available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/Researchanddevelopment /Policyresearchprogramme/index.htm. Ongoing National Health Service data collections initiated through ROCR (Review of Central Returns) process during period May 2010-April 2011: A and E (Accident and Emergency) Clinical Quality Indicators;Cancer Patients' Experience Survey;Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Dataset;Community Information Dataset;Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT);Mixed Sex Accommodation Monthly Return;National Children's and Young Person's Dataset;National Health Service (NHS) Health Check Dataset; andPatient Environment Action Team (PEAT) Inspection Programme. One-off NHS data collections initiated through ROCR process during period May 2010-April 2011: Commissioned National and Local Enhanced Services;Memory Services for National Dementia Audit; andProgramme Budgeting-tariff based collection. Ongoing NHS data collections amended through ROCR process during period May 2010-April 2011: Chlamydia Core Dataset;Community Mental Health Activity;Estates Return Information Collection (ERIC) General Ophthalmic Services-Sight Tests; Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) -Key Performance Indicators KA34 Performance and Clinical Quality Indicator Mental Health Minimum Dataset v4;National Joint Registry;Programme Budgeting, andSummary of Genitourinary Medicine clinics. Ongoing NHS data collections terminated through ROCR process in period May 2010-April 2011: Database of Countermeasures;Database of nominated recipients at all general practitioners (GPs)-NHS Choices Direct Access Audiology weekly PTL (Patient Treatment List);Expert Patient Programme (EPP) Self-Management Courses;Financial Information Systems (FIS), Family Health Services (FHS) General Ophthalmic Service;General Pharmaceutical Council Awareness and Perceptions Tracking (Opinion Survey);GP Premises Data Collection;HRG4 (Healthcare Resource Groups) Grouper User Optional Survey;Junior Doctor's Hours;Monitoring extended GP practice opening hours;National Children's Health Service Mapping;NHS Campus Closure;NHS Constitution Research: Wave 2;NHS Staff Engagement and attitudes towards the NHS;Notification of partnership intentions between Health Services and Local Authorities using Section 75;PCT (Primary Care Trust) Controlled Drug Officers contact details;Practice Engagement in practice based commissioning;Swine Flu vaccine uptake data from GP registered patients;Three year funding for third sector organisations;TOP Slice (Treatment Outcomes Profile);Update of five clinical Directed Enhanced Services (DES); and 18 weeks referral to Treatment PTL. Notes: 1. All information is based on collections of data commissioned by the department and approved through the ROCR process. 2. Community Information Dataset was approved in the time period, but licence doesn't start until January 2012. 3. The only one-off collections that are included are those granted approval within the specific period. 4. All one-off collections are granted one year licences regardless of the point in the year that they are approved. 5. Some collections are referred to by their reference i.e. KH03, KA34. 6. The IAPT collection will continue in 2012, whilst the IAPT-KPI collection is expected to be discontinued at that point. Source: ROCR, The Health and Social Care Information Centre Government: Red Tape Challenge Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have not yet answered HL9474, tabled by Lord Lester of Herne Hill on 23 May, asking whether the Government consider that the Equality Act 2010 imposes unnecessary burdens on businesses, members of the public or voluntary organisations, or imposes unnecessary restrictions on personal freedoms. Baroness Verma: I refer my noble friend to my answer of 15 June 2011 (Official Report, cols. WA 195-96). Health: Drugs Baroness Ford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the guidance for the use of valproate drugs in pregnant women has been reviewed in the past 12 months. Earl Howe: The product information for prescribers, (the summary of product characteristics) and the patient information leaflet for all antiepileptic medicines, including sodium valproate, contain clear warnings about the safety of use during pregnancy and the potential risk of birth defects. The valproate product information was recently reviewed at a European level and considered to reflect the available evidence in relation to safety of its use in women who are pregnant or of child-bearing potential. The British National Formulary also contains advice about the use of antiepileptic medicines during pregnancy. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published a clinical guideline covering the diagnosis, treatment and management of epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care, which includes the treatment and management of epilepsy in pregnancy. A partial update to this guideline is ongoing covering the pharmacological management of epilepsy in adults and children including women who are pregnant or of child-bearing age. Health: Hepatitis C Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to continue and improve hepatitis C data collection under Public Health England. Earl Howe: The proposed establishment of Public Health England (PHE) as an executive agency of the Department, as announced in the Government response to the NHS Future Forum report (20 June 2011), will safeguard the ability of PHE to give independent scientific advice on the surveillance and control of hepatitis C. It is expected that in bringing together in PHE, the Health Protection Agency with its laboratory surveillance systems and the public health observatories with experience with using hospital episode statistics, there will be opportunities for further improvement of hepatitis C surveillance. Statutory reporting of hepatitis C by diagnostic laboratories testing human samples came into force in October 2010, which will also help improve the completeness of hepatitis C surveillance. Health: Hepatitis C Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the processes in place for collecting local data on (a) the incidence, and (b) the prevalence of, (1) hepatitis C, (2) viral hepatitis, and (3) liver disease. Earl Howe: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is responsible for surveillance of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis C. Local surveillance is co-ordinated through a network of regional information leads, and information on the timeliness and completeness of laboratory reports is monitored regularly. The HPA publishes surveillance data in its weekly publication, Health Protection Report and its annual report on hepatitis C. Estimates of the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C are included in the annual report. There are also statutory requirements on registered medical practitioners and diagnostic laboratories to notify cases of acute infectious hepatitis and hepatitis A, B, C, delta and E viruses respectively. The department does not collect local data on the incidence and the prevalence of liver disease, and has not assessed any processes, which may be in place for collecting such data. Health: Hepatitis C Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the processes in place for collecting national data on (a) the incidence, and (b) the prevalence of, (1) hepatitis C, (2) viral hepatitis, and (3) liver disease. Earl Howe: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is responsible for national surveillance of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis C. The HPA has undertaken various assessments of its surveillance processes, which are kept under review. In 2007, a detailed evaluation of hepatitis surveillance highlighted several examples of good practice including the joint surveillance schemes with National Health Service Blood and Transplant, sentinel surveillance of hepatitis testing and the unlinked anonymous survey of injecting drug users. The HPA publishes national surveillance data in its Health Protection Report and its annual report on hepatitis C. Estimates of the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C are included in the annual report. The department has not assessed what processes could be put into place to collect national data on the incidence and the prevalence of liver disease. Health: Mental Health Baroness Berridge: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many general practitioners with a special interest have a specialism in mental health. Earl Howe: I regret that information on the number of general practitioners with special interests in individual specialties is not collected centrally and could not be obtained other than at disproportionate expense. Higher and Further Education Lord Redesdale: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Brent Borough Council and others v Risk Management Partners Limited, what plans they have to (a) encourage the creation and promotion of user-led financial mutuals in the higher and further education sector, and (b) issue guidelines for user-led public sector mutuals, confirming that they are exempt from the procurement process as set out in the European Union Directive 2004/18/EC. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Brent Borough Council and others v Risk Management Partners Limited, higher and further education institutions are free to use the higher education user-led mutuals that already exist and without the need to follow the procurement process as set out in the European Union Directive 2004/18/EC, instead of conventional insurance, for which they would still need to go to tender. Lord Henley: Universities and colleges are autonomous bodies and they will wish to consider the implications of this ruling for the ways they procure insurance and other services. This is not a matter on which the Government can rule. India Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Howell of Guildford on 24 May (WA 414-15), 25 May (WA 439) and 6 June (WA 55-6), which other agencies are involved along with the High Commission in New Delhi in a pilot project to improve the exchange of information between agencies dealing with the prevention of trafficking and the rehabilitation of victims of commercial sexual exploitation in India. Lord Howell of Guildford: Our high commission is currently supporting a £30,000 two-year pilot project to strengthen existing measures to combat trafficking of women and children in India. It focuses primarily on the victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The aim of the project is to improve the co-ordination and awareness between those agencies dealing with the prevention of sex trafficking, and the assistance and rehabilitation of those women affected by it. It will also enable agencies to respond more effectively to individual cases of sex trafficking (by locating and relocating victims and ensuring access to compensation among other measures). The project is being implemented by ARZ, a Goa-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in the assistance and rehabilitation of victims of commercial sexual exploitation. But the project involves a much broader network-including NGOs, state-level police authorities, child welfare committees and juvenile justice boards-across all major source and destination states for trafficking in India. It has also generated interest in Bangladesh. The project implementer is talking to the Government of India about how the network can be taken forward. India Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Howell of Guildford on 24 May (WA 414-15), 25 May (WA 439) and 6 June (WA 55-6), what are the terms of the pilot project involving the High Commission in New Delhi to improve the exchange of information between agencies dealing with the prevention of trafficking and the rehabilitation of victims of commercial sexual exploitation in India, particularly the specific goals and timescale. Lord Howell of Guildford: Our high commission is currently supporting a £30,000 two-year pilot project to strengthen existing measures to combat trafficking of women and children in India. It focuses primarily on the victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The aim of the project is to improve the co-ordination and awareness between those agencies dealing with the prevention of sex trafficking, and the assistance and rehabilitation of those women affected by it. It will also enable agencies to respond more effectively to individual cases of sex trafficking (by locating and relocating victims and ensuring access to compensation amongst other measures). The project is being implemented by ARZ, a Goa-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in the assistance and rehabilitation of victims of commercial sexual exploitation. But the project involves a much broader network-including NGOs, state-level police authorities, child welfare committees and juvenile justice boards-across all major source and destination states for trafficking in India. It has also generated interest in Bangladesh. The project implementer is talking to the Government of India about how the network can be taken forward. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the spirit and letter of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 252, 267, 471, 476 and 478 concerning the character and status of Jerusalem has been contravened; and what, if any, remedial action they propose. Lord Howell of Guildford: As I said in reply to the noble Lord's question on 16 June (Official Report, cols. 876-78) we remain concerned about a number of Israel's continuing policies in East Jerusalem. During his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), reminded his Israeli interlocutors of the need to avoid disproportionate actions which could lead to their isolation on the international stage. Although we accept de facto Israeli control of West Jerusalem, we consider East Jerusalem to be occupied territory. It is crucial that the parties involved come to an agreement whereby Jerusalem can be a shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Brinton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel on the proposed demolition of the Broqeen Girls Basic School in the Broqeen Municipality on the West Bank. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware that Israel handed out demolition orders on a mosque and public school in the village of Bruqin on Sunday 12 June 2011. The focus between the Israelis and the Palestinians should be on confidence-building steps with the aim of giving momentum to re-start negotiations. In this respect, demolitions or the eviction of Palestinians from their homes are deeply unhelpful, cause unnecessary suffering and, with few exceptions, are in contravention of international law. The UK has a strong record of lobbying hard on these issues. Our embassy in Tel Aviv raised the demolitions orders given to Al-Walaja with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday 23 May. We will continue to ensure that the Israeli authorities are aware of our views. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Brinton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel about the demolition of the new mosque in Broqeen in Area C on the West Bank. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware that Israel handed out demolition orders on a mosque and public school in the village of Bruqin on Sunday 12 June 2011. The focus between the Israelis and the Palestinians should be on confidence-building steps with the aim of giving momentum to restart negotiations. In this respect, demolitions or the eviction of Palestinians from their homes are deeply unhelpful, cause unnecessary suffering and, with few exceptions, are in contravention of international law. The UK has a strong record of lobbying hard on these issues. Our embassy in Tel Aviv raised the demolitions orders given to Al-Walaja with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday 23 May. We will continue to ensure that the Israeli authorities are aware of our views. Jewish National Fund Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the campaign to revoke the United Kingdom charity status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been in contact with the Charity Commission on this issue. The commission informed us that it has thoroughly researched the JNF Charitable Trust's activities. It was satisfied that the charity's funds were being used in an exclusively charitable manner and that the JNF Charitable Trust's activities fall within UK law. The commission also asked the charity's trustees to ensure that the charity's website was clear on the distinction between the JNF Charitable Trust and the Jewish National Fund. Justice: Family Justice Review Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government which religious groups have engaged with the Family Justice Review (a) by written representation, and (b) through a meeting. Lord McNally: The Family Justice Review has sought to encourage engagement by publicising its work with a wide range of interested parties. The Jewish Unity for Multiple Parenting responded to the review's initial call for evidence in writing. No other religious groups have responded to the Family Justice Review's call for evidence or responded to the consultation on its interim report. Justice: Family Justice Review Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they have publicised the Family Justice Review and sought submissions from parents and children who have been involved in family law proceedings. Lord McNally: The Family Justice Review has publicised the review and actively sought the input of parents and children through a wide range of channels including: publication of all stages of the review's work on the Ministry of Justice's website at http://www. justice.gov.uk/about/moj/independent-reviews/family-justice-review/index.htm and tweeted at @FamJusticeReview;distribution of regular updates about the review's work;a number of meetings with organisations representing parents and children;interviews in a number of media outlets;events with children affected by the family justice system;public consultation events in London, Cardiff, Manchester and Birmingham; andworking with the children's rights director to publish a young person's guide to the review. Mortality Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the development of an indicator for the improvement area "under 75 mortality rate from disease" in the NHS Outcome Framework 2011-12. Earl Howe: The NHS Outcomes Framework 2011-12 was published in December 2010 and signals the direction of travel for the National Health Service in focusing on outcomes. We are making good progress in developing the indicators for The NHS Outcomes Framework 2011-12. In Domain 1: Preventing People from Dying Prematurely, indicators for the improvement areas relating to under-75 mortality from cardiovascular disease, liver disease and respiratory disease are already developed. Data for cardiovascular disease are publicly available from the National Centre for Health Outcomes Development, and can be accessed via the following link: www.nchod.nhs.uk/NCHOD/compendium.nsf/($A11)/AA8F660EB840A86F80257851000FB110/$File/06A_076DRT0074_09_V1_D.xls? OpenElement Data for liver disease and respiratory disease will be published before April 2012. The indicator for under-75 mortality in people with serious mental illness is still in development and data are expected to be ready for publication by April 2012. NHS: Clinical Trials Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether NHS patients who are enlisted for clinical trials by the NHS receive any payment to compensate for their inconvenience; and, if so, whether this would count as a benefit under current social security legislation. Earl Howe: Patients participating in clinical trials in the National Health Service can be reimbursed, dependent on the trial in question, for their inconvenience or for out-of-pocket expenses and this is usually in the form of payments for travel or lunch vouchers. For income-related benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions would look at each case individually to decide whether or not any payment received should be treated as income. Payments for inconvenience may be taken into account but reimbursement of expenses would not usually be treated as income. NHS: Productivity Lord Mawhinney: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 24 March (WA 203), in determining NHS productivity, what deflating spend means when applied to the calculation of volume of outputs. Earl Howe: National Health Service productivity growth is measured as the ratio of the growth in the volume of outputs to growth in the volume of inputs. No spend data are used in the calculation of volume of outputs in the NHS productivity measure. Spend data are used in the calculation of the volume of inputs where there is no data available to count inputs directly, (bandages and dressings for example). Spend data are adjusted for inflation (deflated) to enable a comparison of input volumes between two time periods, as required to calculate NHS productivity growth. The measure of the volume of inputs must only reflect quantity but spend data reflect both the quantity and price of inputs. So, deflating spend removes the effect of price increases. Different deflators are used for different inputs. There are three broad categories of healthcare inputs: labour, goods and services and capital consumption. Goods and services are measured in three parts: GP prescribed drugs, healthcare purchased from outside the NHS and other goods and services. Expenditure data are used to measure healthcare purchased from outside the NHS and other goods and services. All other inputs are directly measured. Spend on other goods and services in Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) is deflated using the Health Service Cost Index (HSCI). The HSCI is calculated monthly to measure the price change for 41 sub-indices of goods and services purchased by the HCHS. The sub-indices are weighted together according to the proportion of total expenditure which they represent. Spend on other goods and services in primary care is deflated using the retail Prices index as no specific deflator is available. Spend on healthcare purchased from outside the NHS is deflated using the HCHS pay and price index; no specific price deflators are available for healthcare purchased outside the NHS. The HCHS pay and price index is a weighted average of the HSCI (described above) and the pay cost index. The PCI is a weighted average of increases in staff unit costs for each staff group within the HCHS sector. The HSCI and PCI are weighted together to calculate the HSCI by their expenditure shares. Northern Ireland: Community Relations Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have developed with the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland for improving community relations across sectarian interfaces in towns and cities. Lord Shutt of Greetland: Community relations are a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly and it is for the Northern Ireland Executive to take the lead in tackling the causes of division in Northern Ireland. However, as the Prime Minister said in Belfast on his recent visit, there are things that the UK Government can do to support the Executive-such as working to revive the Northern Ireland economy. My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Minister of State will continue to discuss these matters with Executive Ministers and do all they can to support the Executive in taking forward this important work. Parliaments: Elected Terms Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government which parliamentary legislatures or assemblies have elected terms of more than nine years. Lord McNally: There are no parliamentary legislatures or assemblies with elected terms of more than nine years. Prisoners: Voting Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to announce their next steps in giving voting rights to prisoners. Lord McNally: The Government are considering the next steps and I will inform the House when decisions on the way forward have been reached. Railways: Gatwick Express Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government (a) how, (b) how often, (c) by whom, and (d) to what standard, service quality provided by the Gatwick Express railway service is measured; and what were the most recent results. Earl Attlee: Southern's franchise agreement contains service quality benchmarks against which the franchisee's performance is monitored. The franchisee carries out service quality audits and reports the results each railway period (every four weeks) in order for department officials to monitor compliance. There have been no contraventions of these benchmarks. Additionally, Southern has committed to provide certain performance levels with regard to the customer satisfaction benchmarks in connection with the national passenger survey. If these performance levels are not met, there are contractual remedies to ensure that Southern improves in areas where standards fall below those required. Railways: High Speed 2 Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in respect of the first phase of the proposed High Speed 2 line, whether it is proposed to operate double deck passenger trains on HS2 and, if so, between which destinations. Earl Attlee: At this early stage in the Government's proposals for a high-speed rail network, no decisions have been made regarding the detailed specification of rolling stock. At this point, the Government do not anticipate using double deck passengers trains on HS2, although this remains a credible possibility, given that the route is designed to the European gauge. Regional Development Agencies Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been realised from the sale of assets within each regional development agency region; what proportion of the proceeds will be allocated to promote economic regeneration in each such region, and by what mechanism. Baroness Wilcox: The regional development agencies' (RDAs) total income, as reported in their annual accounts for 2008-09 and 2009-10, is given below: RDA Annual Accounts 2008-09 Annual Accounts 2009-10 (£m) (£m) Advantage West Midlands 35.9 41.1 East of England Development Agency 13.0 28.6 East Midlands Development Agency 65.9 34.4 London Development Agency 19.1 14.7 North West Development Agency 64.5 190.8 One North East 18.1 89.5 South East England Development Agency 48.4 36.9 South West of England Regional Development Agency 30.2 72.0 Yorkshire Forward 30.7 114.8 Some of this income arises from sources other than sale of assets. Figures for 2010-11 will be published in RDAs' annual accounts, which are expected to be laid before Parliament shortly. The RDAs for many years have been able to reinvest proceeds from sales for the purposes set out in the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. As detailed in the department's main supply estimates for 2011-12, the nine RDAs are expected to receive £320 million of receipts from the private sector and local authorities. They are entitled to use receipts up to a total of £416 million for economic development and regeneration purposes. Rome: British Embassies Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the value of the two embassies and associated property that they own in Rome; and when, of what, why and at what costs major repairs were last undertaken. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) estate is valued annually by professional chartered surveyors, and the latest total market values of FCO-owned properties in Italy and the Holy See as at 30 September 2010 is £68,569,631. The FCO does not publish its current valuations of individual buildings, since this information is commercially sensitive and could prejudice the FCO's ability to extract best value for the UK taxpayer in negotiations with third parties. In the financial year 2010-11 the following major repairs were carried out: Porta Pia compound (offices of the embassy to Italy and the embassy to the Holy See): fire alarm and emergency lights in both embassies: £204,000;maintenance-necessary repairs to roof: £66,000; andreplacement of cooling tower: £270,000. Villa Wolkonsky, residence of HM Ambassador to Italy: structural repairs (wear and tear) to entrance lobby: £18,000. Tibet Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report by Freedom House on Tibet; and what is the capacity within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to monitor human rights in Tibet. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government share many of the concerns about political rights and civil liberties for Tibetan people highlighted in Freedom House's report on Tibet. In particular, as described in the 2010 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Human Rights Command paper, we share their concerns about restrictions on Tibetan buddhism and the use of patriotic education campaigns. More recently we have been concerned by reports of the crackdown at the Kirti monastery in a Tibetan area of Sichuan province. We have raised these concerns both with the Chinese embassy in London and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, asking for information and calling for restraint. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State, my honourable friend Jeremy Browne, wrote to the Chinese ambassador on 3 May, raising his concerns about recent human rights developments, including the situation at Kirti monastery. Human rights in Tibet are monitored by members of the Asia Pacific Directorate, which we are in the process of reinforcing. Tobacco Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the current level of taxation on tobacco has reduced the amount of smoking; and, if not, why not. Lord Sassoon: The Government are committed to maintaining high levels of tobacco duty to contribute to wider efforts to tackle the deficit and support the Government's health objectives. The UK has some of the highest priced cigarettes and tobacco products in the EU and the current level of taxation helps to reduce the affordability of smoking, and discourages smoking. Smoking prevalence among adults in Great Britain is estimated at 21 per cent, down from around 40 per cent 30 years ago. Turks and Caicos Islands Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the names of the persons who met Ministers and Officials in the week commencing 13 June to discuss the new constitution for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Turks and Caicos Islands delegation consisted of: Lillian Misick (Chair, Consultative Forum);Doreen Quelch-Missick (Advisory Council);Clayton Greene (Leader, PNP);Doug Parnell (Leader, PDM);Wendall Swann (Former Chair, All-Party Commission on the Constitution and Electoral Reform);Pastor Bradley Handfield (Church); andTrevon Farrington (Youth Ambassador). Waste Management: Fly Tipping Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to deal with the problem of fly-tipping on private land. Lord Henley: The Government review of waste policy in England, launched on 14 June 2011, set out a number of measures we consider will act as a real deterrent to those responsible for waste crime. These measures include working closely with landowner organisations, to increase reporting of fly-tipping incidents on private land and sharing best practice on how to reduce the risk of fly-tipping, for example through improved security and intelligence sharing. As part of its wider initial public response to the May 2011 report by the independent farming regulation task force, due in the autumn, the Government will address the recommendations made in the report, in respect of-fly-tipping on farmland.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2011-06-30a

Department for Transport A1: Nottinghamshire Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost of the current road works incorporating a new bridge on the A1 road close to Gamston Airfield near Retford; what was the original time estimated to complete the works; how long the work has already taken; and what penalties the contractors have incurred, if any. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The current estimated cost of the A1 roadworks close to Gamston Airfield is forecast to be £13.6m, which is £6.2m higher than the original £7.4m target cost. The project is also expected to finish around October 2015, a slip of three months. This reflects significant problems that were encountered during the course of the works. The contract was constructed on a ‘pain or gain’ basis, so the contractor will have to absorb a significant share of the cost increase. This, and any other penalties, will be calculated on completion of the works, when all costs are known. Department for Communities and Local Government Social Rented Housing Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many social housing units there are in (1) England and (2) the Borough of Pendle; in each case, how many of these units were occupied by tenants who were subject to loss of spare room subsidy when that measure was introduced; and of these affected tenants, how many (1) have since relocated to other accommodation, and (2) still live in the same accommodation. Baroness Williams of Trafford: 4.011 million dwellings are used for social and affordable housing in England: 1.669 million rented from local authorities and 2.342 million rented from a housing association (Private Registered Provider). 4,630 dwellings in Pendle are used for social and affordable housing: 4,520 from Housing Associations and 110 from Local Authorities. Across the social rented sector 434,500 housing benefit claimants in England had a spare room subsidy reduction when the measure was introduced – 533 of these were in Pendle. In February 2015 the number of claimants with a spare room subsidy reduction had fallen to 360,000 in England and 399 in Pendle. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Clothing: Fire Hazards Lord Trefgarne: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to regulate the sale of flammable fancy dress clothing. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Fancy dress clothing for Children is already specifically regulated for flammability under the Toys Safety Directive, as a part of standard BSEN71-2. Department for Business officials will meet with a range of interested parties to discuss their concerns. We will also work with Trading Standards to investigate compliance with current fancy dress safety regulation. Mature Students: Loans Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of funding paid out under the 24+ Advanced Learning Loans programme in (1) 2013–14, and (2) the first six months of 2014–15. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The most recent Student Loans Company report published on 25th March 2015 regarding payments made to Further Education providers on behalf of loans-funded learners shows that during the 2013/14 academic year £115.8m was paid out, and in the first six months of the 2014/15 academic year £65m has been paid. The full report is available through the following link : http://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/financial-support-awarded/england-further-education.aspx Advanced Learning Loans (PDF Document, 75.88 KB) Stem Cells Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Drayson on 19 May 2009 (WA 290), Baroness Wilcox on 3 October 2011 (WA 114–5), Baroness Garden of Frognal on 5 November 2012 (WA 168) and Lord Marland on 4 December 2012 (WA 131), whether the journal article "detailing further findings on the therapeutic potential and efficiency" of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) still remains unpublished following the end of Professor Mary Herbert’s research study; if so, what are the reasons for the apparent lack of progress; if not, when they advised that the article had been published; how the derivation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) following nuclear transfer as described in the article has improved on the efficiency of ESC derivation from clones as previously described by others in 2013 in the journal Cell (Volume 153, Issue 6, pages 1228–38) and the journal Cell Stem Cell (Volume 14, Issue 6, pages 777–80); and what were the novel "technological advances" described by Professor Herbert "to improve the efficiency of SCNT in human oocytes" and thus "develop a reproducible method of generating human embryonic stem cells". Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The journal article referred to in Lord Marland’s response of 4th December 2012 has been published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports. The relevant paper (Therapeutic potential of somatic cell nuclear transfer for degenerative disease caused by mitochondrial DNA mutations, Greggains Gareth D (2014), Scientific Reports 4, Article number: 3844 doi:10.1038/srep03844) can be viewed at: http://www.nature.com/srep/2014/140124/srep03844/full/srep03844.html Stem Cells Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Drayson on 19 May 2009 (WA 290), to what extent the stated aim to "develop a reproducible method of generating human embryonic stem cells following the transfer of the nucleus of an adult somatic cell into an oocyte" was achieved following the end of Professor Mary Herbert’s research study; and when a sample of the stem cell lines derived following nuclear transfer was deposited in the United Kingdom Stem Cell Bank. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The findings of the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded grant to the University of Newcastle, Improving the Efficiency of Human Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), are described in the research publications listed on the RCUK Gateway to Research. It can be found at http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/project/AB211BD5-0A06-4819-ABD3-A29097543302 The work was also presented at a workshop on SCNT convened in San Francisco by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the MRC in June 2010. The workshop report was published on the MRC website and discussions are described in the paper Finding the niche for human somatic cell nuclear transfer: Grieshammer et al 2011, Nat. Biotech: 29. The project included an undertaking that any embryonic stem cell lines that were derived during the project would be deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank in accordance with the investigators HFEA license. However, derivation of ESC lines was not a primary aim of the project. No lines were derived and therefore none have been deposited. Department for Education Sue Berelowitz Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Office of the Children's Commissioner about the case for cancelling the contract with Sue Berelowitz to lead an inquiry into child abuse in the family. Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the value for money obtained by paying the former Deputy Commissioner for Children a redundancy payment of £134,000 and then employing her for nine days per month at £960 per day. Lord Nash: The Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) is independent of the Department for Education. The department advised the OCC that the estimated value and duration of the consultancy contract meant that it was subject to Cabinet Office efficiency controls. The OCC did not seek Cabinet Office approval, and the contract was therefore cancelled. The redundancy payment for the Deputy Children’s Commissioner was subject to a value for money assessment and appropriate clearance, including by HM Treasury. The consultancy contract did not receive the correct clearance and the OCC subsequently cancelled the contract. Education: Standards Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce inequality between those who are educated privately and those who are state-educated. Lord Nash: We are determined to ensure that every child, regardless of background is given an education which allows them to realise their potential. That is why our reforms place high expectations at the heart of our school system, with a rigorous new curriculum, world class exams and a new accountability system which rewards those schools that encourage every child to achieve their best. In addition, with the new Education and Adoption Bill, we will speed up the process for tackling failing schools and extend our powers into coasting schools. With these measures, we want all schools to be good or outstanding, certainly as good as the best in the independent sector. Community Relations: Waltham Forest Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the appropriateness of the Waltham Forest Council pilot scheme asking children under the age of nine questions about whether they would hurt another student who was mocking their religion. Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of Waltham Forest Council's programme Building Resilience through Integrationand Trust, and in particular the use of questionnaires on issues such as trust toward the police, and inter-faith marriages, which were reportedly aimed at children at schools with large Muslim intakes. Lord Nash: The Building Resilience Through Integration and Trust Project has been developed and implemented locally by the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Her Majesty’s Government has not been involved in the design or the delivery of the project. Local authorities and schools are free to develop and implement their own education-related projects. The department has no overview of local projects involving schools, though we do expect all schools to actively promote fundamental British values, which include mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We would expect that any discussion with pupils involving complex issues should be age appropriate and handled with sensitivity. Waltham Forest council’s website provides general information on the project: https://thehub.walthamforest.gov.uk/services-and-support/pupil-support/brit-project Ministry of Justice Criminal Proceedings: Legal Representation Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current estimate of the proportion of defendants in criminal cases appearing without legal representation; whether that proportion has increased since 2013–14; and if so, by how much. Lord Faulks: Data are not held centrally to determine how many criminal cases in the Magistrates’ Court involved a party for whom there was no legal representation. A methodology is being developed to identify defendants who are not represented by a solicitor or an advocate in the Crown Court. We will look to publish the data in due course. Judiciary Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many lay magistrates there were, and how many criminal cases lay magistrates presided over, in England and Wales in 2009; what are their current estimates of how many criminal cases lay magistrates will preside over in 2015, and how many lay magistrates and district judges are required to meet this volume of cases; and what are their plans for recruiting lay magistrates and district judges over the next three years. Lord Faulks: As of 1st April 2009 there were 28,619 serving magistrates in England and Wales. The number of court cases dealt with in 2009 are recorded for the year from April 2009 to March 2010, during which time the magistrates’ courts dealt with 1,857,461 criminal cases. This figure includes the number of cases presided over by both magistrates and district judges (magistrates’ courts). It is not possible to split case volumes between magistrates and district judges because a district judge might deal with certain aspects of a case, whilst magistrates might hear other aspects. Workload forecasts are not prepared on a calendar year basis, and are not broken down between magistrates and district judges (magistrates’ courts). The MoJ is currently planning that the magistrates and district judges (magistrates’ courts) sitting in the magistrates’ courts will preside over around 1,560,000 criminal cases in 2015/16. The need to recruit magistrates and district judges (magistrates' courts) is reviewed annually as a whole. One of the key aims is to ensure optimal use of both magistrates and district judges, each being essential to the administration of justice. Human Rights Act 1998 Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Wales concerning the implications for the National Assembly for Wales of any changes to the Human Rights Act 1998. Lord Faulks: The Government was elected with a mandate to reform and modernise the UK human rights framework.The Government has committed to consult fully on its proposals.We will consider the impact of a Bill of Rights on the devolution settlements as we develop our proposals and will fully engage with the devolved administrations. Ministry of Defence Veterans Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, as a percentage of the total population in each area, how many former United Kingdom soldiers live in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland. Earl Howe: The Ministry of Defence does not collect or hold information on all veterans, the majority of whom are the World War II and National Service generations. The latest estimate, taken from The Royal British Legion UK Household Survey of the Ex-Service Community 2014 published on 17 November 2014, is that there are some 2.83 million UK veterans.The survey does not provide estimates of the number of veterans in England and the Devolved Administrations - there are estimates of numbers of the Armed Forces Community, but these include spouses, dependants and children. Armed Forces Covenant Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, since it began, how much armed forces covenant funding has been allocated to projects in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland. Earl Howe: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans (Mark Lancaster), in the House of Commons on 2 June 2015 to Question number 428 from the hon. Member for St. Helens North (Conor McGinn). Veterans Accomodation Fund (Word Document, 41 KB) LIBOR FUND (Excel Spreadsheet) (Excel SpreadSheet, 47.5 KB) Department for Work and Pensions Employment Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define "full employment", as used in the Gracious Speech. Lord Freud: The Prime Minister set out his bold aim of achieving full employment in the Conservative Manifesto. We are preparing the Full Employment and Welfare Benefits Bill for Introduction. That Bill creates a duty to report on progress towards achieving full employment and the Government will set out the definition when the first report on progress is published. Welfare State Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish details of the proposal in the Conservative party's manifesto to reduce the welfare budget by £12 billion by the 2017–18 financial year, and in particular their assessment of how it will affect pensions. Lord Freud: The Government’s commitment to save £12bn from welfare spending was set out in its election manifesto. Further details will be given in due course. Home Office Borders: Personal Records Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each port, airport and Channel Tunnel service, and for each mode of transport where passengers leave the United Kingdom, what proportion of passengers have their travel documents checked, and when 100 per cent exit checks are expected to come into operation. Lord Bates: The Government introduced exit checks on all scheduled international commercial air, sea, and rail routes from the United Kingdom on 8 April 2015.An exit check has two elements: the capture of an individual’s basic identity data, either from Advance Passenger Information they supply before their journey or by scanning their passport or other identity document at the point of departure; and verification on departure – a visual check that the travel document is not obviously forged, and matches the individual presenting it.Limited transitional arrangements with some carriers concluded on 3 June. Journeys within the Common Travel Area, and General Aviation/General Maritime traffic, are not within the scope of exit checks. Organised coach parties of school groups where students are aged 16 or under are also excluded.Given the immigration control and border security objectives of the policy, it would not be appropriate to comment on the detailed operation of exit checks at an individual port level. Offences against Children Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure cross-government policy coherence regarding child exploitation and neglect. Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what the Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation’s responsibilities include in relation to preventing child neglect. Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation and the Department for Education will work together to tackle child neglect. Lord Bates: Tackling all forms of abuse and exploitation of children is a priority for this Government. We will continue the urgent work of overhauling how our police, social care and other agencies work together to protect vulnerable children, including from the kind of organised grooming and sexual exploitation that has come to light in Rotherham, Rochdale and other towns and cities across the UK.On 3 March, the previous Government published a report into the response to the failures in Rotherham, which were identified by Professor Alexis Jay and Louise Casey in their reviews. The report includes tough new measures to tackle child sexual exploitation and sets out a comprehensive, targeted set of actions, bringing together healthcare, social care, education, law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and local and national government.The Home Office’s Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation leads and coordinates work to tackle child sexual exploitation, as well as missing children and adults, child sexual abuse online, violence against women and girls, and modern slavery including child trafficking. The Department for Education is responsible for Child Protection issues including child neglect.The Home Office and the Department for Education work closely on these issues with other Government departments, to ensure cross-Government policy coherence for children in England. Ministers and officials meet regularly to oversee the important work on child sexual abuse and have established a cross- Government programme board to oversee the development and implementation of this work. Government Departments represented at this board include the Home Office, Department for Education, Department for Communities and Local Government, Department of Health, Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office. Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2015 Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to re-lay the Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2015, which have been revoked. Lord Bates: The matter is under consideration. Police: Horses Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role played by horses in the policing of England and Wales. Lord Bates: Police horses make a valuable contribution in the prevention of crime and in maintaining public safety both locally and nationally. Mounted units have a long and proud tradition in law enforcement in the UK with operational decisions on their use and deployment the responsibility of Chief Constables. Immigration Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the report by the British Election Study, Financial Literacy and Attitudes Towards Immigration, that found that few people understand immigrants' role in the economic recovery of the United Kingdom. Lord Bates: The Government has made no such assessment. Refugees: North Korea Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Immigration, James Brokenshire, on 26 March (HC228701), and in the light of the ongoing practice of the United Kingdom of deporting North Korean asylum seekers to South Korea, what assessment they have made of the statement by the government of South Korea in a letter to the Secretary of State in 2010, cited in the judgment of the Upper Tribunal in GP and others (South Korean Citizenship) North Korean CG [2014] UKUT 391(IAC) that North Korean refugees must "desire to live in the Republic of Korea" before they can be considered South Korean nationals or be offered protection and settlement support. Lord Bates: The July 2010 letter written by the South Korean Embassy in London to the Home Office was fully considered by the Upper Tribunal in the case of GP and others.In paragraph 104 of its determination the Upper Tribunal noted firstly that the subsequent United Kingdom-South Korea Readmission Agreement entered into between the two countries on 10 December 2011 provides a mechanism for the issue of travel documents which is not dependent on the genuineness of the individual’s wish to live in South Korea; and secondly, the question of refugee status is an objective test which requires the person to demonstrate that they have cooperated by seeking to establish whether they can avail themselves of protection from another State of which they may be a citizen. Airbus SAS Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether any of the alleged industrial espionage in relation to Airbus by the United States and German intelligence services took place in the United Kingdom. Lord Bates: It is the long-standing policy of successive Governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2015-06-08

Department for International Development Israel: Bedouin baroness sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding they have provided to the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar. lord bates: The UK has provided approximately £120,000 over the last four years to Khan al-Ahmar through the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) legal aid programme to support communities facing demolition. Approximately £51,000 was also provided in the last four years through our share of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) support to NRC for legal aid work.The UK is gravely concerned about proposals to demolish Khan al-Ahmar and has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities. Health Services: Sub-Saharan Africa baroness sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings in the Lancet Commission report, The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030, published on 17 September, relating to GDP spending on health in sub-Saharan Africa andthe effectsof that spendingon fighting malaria in the region. lord bates: DFID’s assessment is that the Lancet Commission, which DFID co-funded and was led by African academics and health practitioners, has produced a rigorous, high quality report. We agree with its key findings which are being communicated to stakeholders across Africa. DFID will be taking forward its recommendations by continuing to provide significant financial and technical assistance to increase domestic funding for health; reform the World Health Organisation’s Africa Regional Office; and sustain gains made on malaria. Northern Ireland Office Absent Voting: Northern Ireland lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 September (HL1448), whether there is a specific timescale for the outcome of the Chief Electoral Officer's review regarding absent voting in Northern Ireland; whether the detailsof theoutcome of that review will be conveyed to Members of the House; and if so, how. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The review of absent voting procedures, including the timescale for completion, is an operational matter for the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. Once the review process is complete the Chief Electoral Officer will write to Northern Ireland Office Ministers to inform them of her findings. Any recommendations will be considered carefully and a copy of the letter will be placed in the libraries of the House.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2017-10-13

Afghanistan: Interpreters Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many locally employed interpreters and translators who have worked with British armed forces in Afghanistan have (1) been offered, and (2) accepted, the Government's offer of assistance and resettlement. Lord Astor of Hever: The briefing of the Government’s ex gratia options to eligible Ministry of Defence locally employed civilians (LECs) started on 25 October 2013. There are no numbers currently available regarding how many individuals have been offered or accepted the Government’s offer of assistance or relocation to the UK. The process of making offers to those eligible will continue into 2014 and beyond as the UK drawdown in Afghanistan continues and eligible LECs are made redundant. Afghanistan: Interpreters Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their assistance and resettlement package for locally employed interpreters and translators who have worked with British armed forces in Afghanistan is subject to any legal challenge; and, if so, when they expect it to be resolved. Lord Astor of Hever: The Government has been put on notice of legal challenges from a small number of Afghan nationals including a number of former locally engaged civilians. The timing of the resolution of these claims is primarily a matter for the court. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Public Health Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network’s pledge to label over 80 per cent of products on shelves with clear unit content, NHS guidelines and a warning about drinking when pregnant (1) has been achieved, or (2) will be achieved by the stated deadline of December 2013; and how it will be evaluated. Earl Howe: The Portman Group will commission an independent audit of on-shelf labelling when the pledge completes after the end of 2013, under terms agreed with the Department. Indications from data compiled by the Portman Group in early 2012 suggest that compliance with the voluntary labelling agreement was over 60% at that time. To date, 93 companies have signed up to the pledge to have over 80% of products on shelf (by December 2013) having labels with clear unit content, National Health Service guidelines and a warning about drinking when pregnant. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: Nothing. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Expenditure on alcohol is not recorded separately in the Department’s finance system. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Baroness Warsi: This information is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure on alcohol is determined by business requirements. Expenditure on business hospitality is kept under rigorous scrutiny in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury Handbook on Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Government Equalities Office. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Expenditure on alcohol is not recorded separately in the Department’s finance system. Alcohol Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Department of Health. Earl Howe: A sum of £275.60 was spent on alcohol during 2012-13 by the Department. Armed Forces: Living Accommodation Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what improvement to the facilities for families have been made at RAF Valley in the financial years 2012–13 and 2013–14. Lord Astor of Hever: The following improvements have been made to the facilities for families at RAF Valley. From the Catering Retail and Leisure Contract, the on-site SPAR shop, The Dragon Bowl and Hawkings Bar were refurbished and a new History Room Cafe was established during Autumn 2012. Public money has also funded a new-build physical recreation and training centre, which is open to families and was opened in February 2013. From non-public funds a new children’s play area was opened in early 2013 outside the Mums and Tots facility. A non-public grant has also been awarded to build a watersports facility next to the RAF Valley beach car park, to provide toilet, shower and equipment storage facilities for families using the beach. This should be completed by the end of Financial Year 2013-14. Arms Export Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint on 19 October (WA 115–6), how much they contributed to arms export subsidies in each of the last ten years, and to date in 2013. Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 22 October (Official Report, col. WA 146). Banking: Lending Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe loan to value ratios or loan to income ratios to be the more reliable indicator of systemic instability in the residential mortgage market; and what stress assumptions lenders in the Help to Buy Scheme have been asked to use about future interest rates. Lord Deighton: The Government has established the independent Financial Policy Committee to monitor the stability of the financial system as a whole with a view to ensuring that emerging risks and vulnerabilities are identified and effectively addressed. This includes monitoring developments in the housing market. The FPC’s power of Direction over sectoral capital requirements can be applied to three broad sectors including residential mortgages. The interim FPC published a draft policy statement in January 2013 in which it set out a number of core indicators that the Committee will monitor to help guide its use of sectoral capital requirements. The draft policy statement can be found on the Bank’s website: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/financialstability/Pages/fpc/coreindicators.aspx The Government has put in place requirements to ensure responsible lending under the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme. In their affordability assessment lenders must conduct an affordability stress-test against future interest-rate rises. Banks: Chinese Banks Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their policy to allow Chinese banks to operate through restricted branches in the United Kingdom is specific to that country or applies to all overseas banks. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of regulation of Chinese banks; on what basis that determination was reached; and whether the Prudential Regulatory Authority was consulted and is in agreement with that assessment. Lord Deighton: Prudential regulation is solely a matter for the independent Prudential Regulation Authority. The Government has no power to intervene in the PRA’s regulatory policies or practices. The decision to consider applications by Chinese banks to establish wholesale branches was taken by the PRA alone, consistent with its broader policy on the regulation of non-European Economic Area banks. Prudential regulation is a matter solely for the independent Prudential Regulation Authority. The PRA’s policy on the regulation of non-EEA banks applies to all non-EEA banks with operations in the UK and is not specific to China. Banks: Co-operative Bank Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they were consulted by Co-operative Wholesale Services and Co-operative Financial Services on the payment of dividends by those firms in 2012 and 2013 at a time when their subsidiary Co-operative Bank was under instructions to increase core tier one capital. Lord Deighton: This is a matter for the firm and its regulators; the Government has no role in this area and was not consulted in this particular case. Banks: Co-operative Bank Baroness Noakes: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis Lord Newby stated “the Co-op Bank ….was originally owned by the Co-operative Group but is no longer” on 15 October (HL Deb, col 521); and when the Co-operative Group’s ownership of the Co-op Bank ceased. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that a company which is wholly owned by a mutual organisation can be regarded as not itself a mutual organisation; and, if so, what characteristics determine mutual status. Lord Deighton: My Noble Friend, Lord Newby, has written to the Noble Lord, Lord Eatwell, to provide further information on a number of points that were raised during the second day of debate on the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill in Lords Committee, including a clarification on the point raised by the Noble Lady. A copy of the letter will be laid in the library of both Houses. The Co-operative Bank is a company limited by shares, and is not itself a mutual. However, the Noble Lord’s letter clarifies that, at present, the Co-op Bank is wholly owned by the Co-operative Group, whose holding company is an Industrial and Provident Society - it is for this reason that it is sometimes referred to as a mutually-owned bank. Care: Continuing Care Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many decisions on continuing care entitlements have been reviewed for each of the last five years for which information is available; how many of those decisions have been overturned on review; and what is the additional cost of review decisions for each of the financial years concerned. Earl Howe: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of NHS Continuing Healthcare decisions which have been reviewed, how many decisions have been overturned or the cost of review decisions. Climate Change Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 8 November 2012 (WA 224–5), whether the statistical model they used is the same as the statistical model used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Fifth Assessment Report, chapter entitled “Observations: Atmosphere and Surface”. To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 8 November 2012 (WA 224–5), whether the statistical model they used is the same as the statistical model used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Fifth Assessment Report (Working Group 1 Summary for Policymakers) to infer that “globally averaged combined land and ocean surface temperature data as calculated by a linear trend, show a warming of 0.85 [0.65 to 1.06] degrees Celsius, over the period 1880–2012”. Baroness Verma: The written answer I gave to the noble Lord on 8 November 2012 (Official Report, col. WA 224–5) noted the calculation of the increase in globally averaged near surface temperature using a simple statistical model. This simple model is used to provide an estimate of temperature increase over a long period of the instrumental record, for which there was good data coverage, in both the Summary for Policymakers and the chapter entitled “Observations: Atmosphere and Surface” of the Working Group I contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC also reported temperature change from a single longer record using another approach. Both approaches provide a similar estimate of the warming over the period of the instrumental record. Education: Cultural Education Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have implemented the objective set out in the Schools White Paper and elaborated on in Darren Henley’s report Cultural Education in England that every child should have access to a wide range of high quality cultural experiences; and how the delivery of that objective is being monitored. Lord Nash: The Department for Education has made much progress in ensuring that children are provided with a rich menu of high-quality cultural experiences since Darren Henley’s report on Cultural Education in England was published in February 2012. In response to his report, the Department announced £15 million across 2012–2015 for a portfolio of cultural education programmes designed to strengthen access to and take-up of cultural education opportunities. These include a Museums and Schools programme, a Heritage Schools programme, a new National Youth Dance Company, funding for expansion of the Sorrell Foundation’s National Arts and Design Saturday Clubs, and a new Film Academy for 16-19 year olds. These programmes are being delivered by Arts Council England (ACE), the British Film Institute and English Heritage. This summary of funded arts programmes is not exhaustive and does not include our actions in response to Darren Henley’s review of Music Education in England. On 5 July 2013 we published ‘Cultural Education’ which sets out our ambitions for cultural education in England and provides a more detailed overview of the programmes and opportunities open to schools and teachers to give all children access to a high-quality cultural education. Progress on music and cultural education, including delivery of funded programmes, is overseen by a Ministerial Board, jointly chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Childcare and the Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries. From this autumn, Darren Henley will also act as co-chair. The Board meets on a termly basis and has representation from our delivery partners, subject specialists and head teachers. Education: Participation Age Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to monitor the implementation of the raising of the participation age in education or training to 17 from September 2013; and what action will be taken against young people who drop out. Lord Nash: Local authorities are responsible for promoting the effective participation of 16- and 17-year-olds in education or training and identifying those who are not participating. Education and training providers are required to notify local authorities if young people drop out of learning so that they can be supported in finding a suitable place. The Department for Education publishes information on its website that shows what proportion of 16 and 17 year olds are participating. The Department also publishes Destination Measures that show what proportion of young people progress to a sustained education, training or employment destination in the year after completing compulsory education. We want to encourage young people to participate because of the benefits it will bring. The Education and Skills Act 2008 includes enforcement provisions for those young people who do not participate, but we have chosen not to commence them at this stage. We think most young people will participate because they know that it gives them the best chance to get the skills and qualifications that universities and employers are looking for. We will keep this under review. Energy: Cold Weather Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to ensure continuing financial investment in improving the energy efficiency of older people’s homes; and what steps they are taking to increase awareness of the health risks caused by cold weather and how to stay warm indoors. Baroness Verma: The Government is committed to supporting older and vulnerable people keep warm and we have a strong package of policies which are already delivering assistance to those in need. These include the Energy Company Obligation and the Warm Home Discount. ECO is expected to provide efficient boilers and insulation measures to some 230,000 low income and vulnerable households, including pensioner households, each year. This year, 2 million households will get help under the Warm Home Discount — including an automatic electricity bill discount of £135 for well over 1 million of the poorest pensioners. The Government has also provided £900,000 to fund the creation of the ‘Big Energy Saving Network’ which will focus on helping consumers understand tariffs and switching options as well as how they could benefit from energy efficiency programmes available to them. As we approach winter, my officials are seeking opportunities to maximise the use of the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS—contact number 0300 123 1234), which provides a referral service for ECO Affordable Warmth. Plans are already in place to promote it through existing correspondence to qualifying benefit recipients from the Department for Work and Pensions, and DECC’s communications to pensioners receiving the Warm Home Discount Core Group. The Department of Health’s Cold Weather Plan, setting out a series of clear actions to minimise the health impact of severe winter weather on the elderly and vulnerable, was published on October 25. The supporting Keep Warm Keep Well campaign will be launched shortly. Last winter, £2.15 billion of Winter Fuel Payments were made to 12.5 million pensioners, providing very valuable support at a time of year when it is most needed. Cold Weather Payments are also made to the elderly and vulnerable during periods of very cold weather. Energy: Prices Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the causes of the rise in energy prices; and what steps they intend to take to assist those, including small businesses, who cannot afford the rise in prices. Baroness Verma: Between 2010 and 2012, wholesale energy costs are estimated to have contributed at least 60% of the increase in household energy bills. The contribution coming from network and policy costs will also start to increase. We are helping 2 million vulnerable households with their bills through the Warm Home Discount scheme, in addition to Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments. 230,000 low income and vulnerable households will be warmer this year by getting energy efficiency measures installed under the Energy Company Obligation and the Green Deal and Smart Meters policies will also help households waste less energy and cut their bills We are providing legislative backing to Ofgem’s Retail Market Reforms which will ensure that consumers are on the cheapest tariff their supplier offers which meets their preferences as well as providing clearer and more transparent information to help consumers switch suppliers. It is important that we do what we can to help small businesses to keep their energy bills down. DECC and the Office of the Prime Minister set up a SME Working Group to work with industry, SME representatives and consumer groups to encourage action and address any barriers to ensure a fairer deal for small businesses. Finance: Payday Loans Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether proposed actions to control the activities of payday lenders can be applied to firms based in the European Union or European Economic Area but lending in the United Kingdom. Lord Deighton: Lenders based elsewhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) operating in the UK do not need to be licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) nor will they need to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from April 2014. Such firms can operate electronically in the UK under the E-Commerce Directive, or passport in under certain financial services single market directives. While these firms are not subject to UK regulation, they must still comply with a range of relevant European Directives, in particular the Consumer Credit Directive, which cover all lenders in the EU. There are a number of requirements in the Consumer Credit Directive which provide protections for borrowers, including requirements on lenders to assess creditworthiness and restrictions on advertising. Where the UK regulator has concerns about an EEA-based lender’s compliance with Directive requirements, it can pursue this with the relevant regulator in the country where the firm is established, through established concordats and procedures. Food: Aspartame The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the results of the Hull Pilot Study on aspartame to be published; what is the cause of the delay; and what has been the cumulative cost to date. Earl Howe: The study work has been completed. However, the contractor has experienced delays in preparing and submitting the final report. The Food Standards Agency continues to press the contractor to submit the study for peer reviewed publication as soon as possible. There has been no increase to the costs of this study since the information previously provided. The cost for the initial plan was £150,728; metabolomic profiling, to determine any effects on plasma and urinary metabolite profile, was added at an additional cost of £136,995. To make the study more robust the number of self-diagnosed aspartame-sensitive participants was increased from 50 to 75, with the same increase in matched controls; the increase in participants and additional metabolomic analysis increased the cost by a further £173,664; and the cost for the additional clinical chemistry analysis of the samples in order to put any findings from the metabolomic profiling in context was £70,000. Gaza Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of recent closures of tunnels to the Gaza Strip on the importation of construction materials; and what plans there are to re-house those displaced as a result of the blockade. Baroness Warsi: According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in mid October 100 to 150 tonnes of building materials were entering Gaza per day via the tunnels compared to a daily average of more than 7,500 tonnes in June 2013. The combination of tunnel closures and restrictions on construction materials passing through legitimate border crossings has led to shortages of construction materials, and increases in prices and unemployment in the construction sector. No assessment has been made of any plans to re-house those displaced as a result of the restrictions. Government Departments: Expenditure Lord Davies of Stamford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government for which items of expenditure budget allocations were made by the Ministry of Defence for the 2011–12 financial year but were not in fact incurred in that year by that Department. Lord Astor of Hever: The breakdown of the Department’s underspend in Financial Year 2011-12 can be found in the Statement of Parliamentary Supply on pages 108 and 109 of the Ministry of Defence’s 2011-12 Annual Report and Accounts (HC 62), laid before the House on 6 December 2012. This publication is also available online at: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet /AboutDefence/Corporate Publications/AnnualReports/ MODAnnualReports1112 The breakdown of the Department’s underspend in Financial Year 2012-13 can be found on page 50 of the Ministry of Defence’s 2012-13 Annual Report and Accounts (HC 38), laid before the House on 16 July 2013. This publication is also available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual-report-and-accounts-201213. Government Departments: Performance Targets Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Home Office presenting officers are required to meet performance targets in securing the dismissal of immigration and asylum appeals. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Like all Home Office staff, Presenting Officers are subject to performance assessment; part of that assessment includes their individual success rate in defending the Home Office decisions in appeals before the First Tier of the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal. The expectation is that they succeed in upholding 70 percent of asylum decisions and 60 percent in all other cases that they present. This is one aspect of a balanced performance measurement process which also includes regular court observation and their compliance with guidance and professional standards. As part of our objective to be a consistently competent, high performing organisation that delivers excellent customer service, we attach great importance to ensuring that, so far as possible, only appropriate cases are pursued through the courts, and that our Presenting Officers are fully equipped with the required tools, skills and knowledge to provide a professional service. Government Departments: Staff Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff at the grade of Higher Executive Officer left the Asylum Casework Directorate in the Home Office after they were told that their jobs were at risk of restructuring, redeployment or redundancy; and whether they will consult the Public and Commercial Services Union on staff morale and the effectiveness of decision-making in asylum cases. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Asylum Casework Directorate (ACD) is conducting an ongoing change programme, looking at both staffing levels and operations processes. It would not be appropriate to provide details of staffing numbers until this is complete. ACD has and will continue to fully engage with the Public and Commercial Services Union and other Home Office trade unions, throughout the change programme. Grangemouth Refinery Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the shutdown of the Grangemouth plant; and what progress has been made in finding a new buyer. Baroness Verma: On Friday 25 October, Ineos announced that it would reopen the petrochemicals plant at Grangemouth and restart the refinery. The Government welcomes the fact that an agreement was reached at Grangemouth, which is important to the local, Scottish and UK economy. Fuel supplies continue to be delivered as usual while the refinery is reopening. Health: Drugs Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take following the withdrawal of the drug Chlortalidone from the United Kingdom market. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what alternative drugs to Chlortalidone can be made available to NHS patients. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what obligation is placed on companies supplying drugs to the National Health Service to give due notice of the withdrawal of a drug from the United Kingdom market. Earl Howe: Chlortalidone tablets, marketed as Hygroton, have not been withdrawn from the United Kingdom market, but they are currently out of stock due to the closure of the UK manufacturing site. The Department is aware of the difficulty and is in discussion with the company. The manufacturer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, is experiencing difficulty in identifying an alternative manufacturing site capable of producing the medicine to the required standards. As a result, the company is currently not in a position to confirm a date for resupply. Alternative medicines are available and which medicine is appropriate will depend on the condition to be treated. This is a matter for discussion between a doctor and their patient. Under the medicines legislation the holder of a UK marketing authorisation must notify the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency if a medicine is to be withdrawn from the UK market. A notification must be given two months before the date at which the product is to be withdrawn from the market unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. Companies are also advised to give advanced warning of medicines discontinuations under joint Departmental and pharmaceutical industry guidance, Ensuring Best Practice in the Notification of Product Discontinuations: www.gov.uk/government/publications/notification-of-product-discontinuations-pharmaceuticals A copy has been placed in the Library. Health: Mitochondrial Disease Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 29 August (WA 359), whether “mitochondria replacement” involves replacing each entire mitochondrion or just its DNA; which scientists currently think that the entity to be thus replaced plays a role only in energy production in the cell but not also in regulation of programmed cell death during apoptosis; and what consideration has been given to the impact of mitochondrial DNA mutations on apoptosis in the light of findings reported in the International Journal of Cancer (Volume 125, Issue 12, pages 2829–35). Earl Howe: Mitochondrial donation techniques involve placing the nucleus from an egg or embryo with unhealthy mitochondria into an egg or embryo free of a mitochondrial disorder. The transfer of the nucleus does not involve modification of the mitochondria. The expert group co-ordinated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) did consider the role of mitochondria, stating that mitochondria are energy producing organelles. The HFEA has advised that the expert group did not consider the study referred to by the noble Lord but, in its 2011 report, the expert group also stated that mitochondria have other important roles in cellular physiology, notably in programmed cell death (apoptosis) and steroid synthesis but these depend on genes encoded entirely within the nucleus. The report can be found on the HFEA’s website at: www.hfea.gov.uk/6372.html Health: Ophthalmology Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the effect on eye health of ready-made reading glasses bought on the High Street. Earl Howe: We have made no such assessment. Ready-made reading glasses sold in the high street are medical devices which should be CE marked. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has responsibility to investigate reports of problems with the safety and quality of these CE medical devices. Any concerns regarding adverse incidents with medical devices, including reading glasses, should be directed to them. Health: Polio Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of wild poliovirus cases reported in 2013 to date and in the comparable period of 2012, broken down in each case by country; and what assistance they are providing to each of those countries for their polio eradication campaigns. Baroness Northover: At the Abu Dhabi Vaccine Summit in April 2013 the UK pledged up to £300m over six years from 2013 in support of the eradication of polio. In July 2013 the UK provided an additional £10m in response to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI) appeal for financial assistance to counter the May 2013 polio outbreak in the Horn of Africa. GPEI allocates the annual UK contribution according to areas where the need is greatest. The table sets out the reported cases of wild poliovirus on a comparative basis for the January to October period in 2012 and 2013. Wild polio virus confirmed cases Period: 1 Jan – 22 Oct1 2012 2013 Pakistan 47 46 Cameroon 0 1 Afghanistan 26 8 Ethiopia 0 6 Somalia 0 174 Nigeria 97 49 South Sudan 0 3 Kenya 0 14 Chad 5 0 Total 175 301 1 Data source: WHO Health: Private Hospitals Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they collate performance data for private hospitals; and, if so, why performance data for private hospitals is not published on the Choose and Book website. Earl Howe: Where private hospitals provide care commissioned by the English National Health Service, they are expected to submit performance data such as waiting times in the same way as NHS providers. The only performance data displayed on the Choose and Book system are the Referral to Treatment (RH) consultant-led waiting times statistics. Choose and Book shows the same RTT data for private hospitals as it does for NHS organisations; where data is not shown it is because the number of patients treated in the reporting period was below the threshold needed to demonstrate meaningful information. Health: Typhoid Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider there to be adequate supplies of typhoid vaccine in the United Kingdom; and, if not, what they consider to be the reasons for the shortage and when they expect supplies to return to an adequate level. Earl Howe: Typhoid vaccination is not part of a national routine immunisation programme. The vaccine is purchased by both National Health Service and private practices and clinics directly from the vaccine manufacturers. We are aware that there are issues relating to manufacture and supply which are continuing to impact on the availability of typhoid vaccine, although orders are currently being taken by two of the three manufacturers. Iran Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran regarding the release of prisoners held primarily because of their religion; and when was their latest conversation on that subject. Baroness Warsi: On 23 October, the UK made a statement in the UN General Assembly supporting the recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Dr Shaheed, that Iran should release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, including religious prisoners. Prior to that on 14 May, the former Minister, my Hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) issued a statement calling on Iran to stop the repression of any group on the grounds of their religion or belief. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Right Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised human rights in Iran with the Iranian Foreign Minister during their meeting in the margins of the UN General Assembly on 23 September. Israel and Palestine: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of violent protest restarting throughout the West Bank; and what action they will take to support the right to non-violent protest. Baroness Warsi: Whilst we have been concerned by the number of violent incidents in the West Bank in recent weeks, which have resulted in several deaths and injuries on both sides, Israeli and Palestinian officials believe that these incidents were isolated and uncoordinated. We continue to assess the risk of wide scale violent protest resuming in the West Bank to be low. The British Government recognises the Palestinians’ legitimate right to protest non-violently against the occupation. We will continue to make clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the Israeli Defence Force polices non-violent protests, including use of live ammunition. Lebanon Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of Lebanon concerning the access of Palestinian residents of Lebanon to higher education, certain professions and the ownership of property. Baroness Warsi: We regularly discuss the situation and rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon with the Government of Lebanon. The British Embassy in Beirut has continuous dialogue with the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Commitee (LPDC), an interministerial government body mandated to implement the government’s policies toward Palestinian refugees. The LPDC’s mandate includes tackling socio-economic and legal issues related to the Palestinian refugees, such as better access to public higher education facilities and the professions from which they are excluded, as well as issues relating to property ownership. In his recent contacts with Lebanese ministers the British Ambassador has urged them to adopt the LPDC’s new proposal for a unified national policy for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon in order to make further progress on these issues. Local Authorities: Staff Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to or had discussions with Liverpool City Council and Lancashire County Council in relation to payments made to Mr David McElhinney in connection with his work with Liverpool Direct and One Connect during the past two years. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: The Government has just received correspondence from the Mayor of Liverpool on this issue and will respond in due course. The Minister for Local Government (Brandon Lewis), made it clear in his comments to the Liverpool Post and Echo in September that the public have a right to know how councils are spending taxpayers’ money and that tackling senior pay bills is a common sense way for councils to make sensible savings. More broadly, Ministers are reviewing what further steps can be taken to increase transparency of local authority owned or led companies to protect taxpayers’ interests and enhance local accountability. Mobile Phones: Roaming Fees Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Kroes proposals on roaming fees in Europe. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government has undertaken a detailed review of all the proposals in the Telecoms Single Market Regulation, including those which further address roaming; an Explanatory Memorandum was submitted to Parliament on 9 October 2013, Additionally, we have also stated that we agree with the express aim of the current Roaming Regulation to reduce ultimately the difference between roaming and domestic charges to zero. We are concerned that the full effect and success of that recent Regulation remains untested. The Government has recently announced that it believes that roaming charges have no place in a true single market, in line with the recently published Telecoms Consumer Action Plan and our preference would be for an eventual phasing out of all roaming charges under the current legislative framework. To this end, the Government aims to work with other Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission to achieve a convergence of prices within the current legislative framework. NHS: Health Tourism Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they reached the estimate of £2 billion in relation to the costs of health tourism; and whether those estimated costs could be attributed to any other factor. Earl Howe: The independent report on overseas visitors’ and migrants’ use of the National Health Service estimates that there is a cost of between £70 million and £300 million attributable solely to so-called health tourists—people who deliberately travel to England to get free NHS treatment that they are not entitled to. The report estimates the total cost of overseas visitors and temporary migrants accessing NHS services, including, amongst others, health tourists and those who are entitled to free NHS care, to be between £1.9 billion and £2 billion. Northern Ireland: Block Grants Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there will be any financial implications for Northern Ireland under the block grant according to whether the Northern Ireland Assembly decides whether to implement various aspects of welfare reform. To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Northern Ireland has incurred any reduction in the block grant as a result of its decision not to implement the under-occupancy charge proposals that currently apply in the rest of the United Kingdom. Lord Deighton: Discussions on welfare reform are still ongoing between HM Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. There have been no reductions in the block grant for any element of the welfare reform package. However, if the Northern Ireland Executive’s actions lead to increased costs for the Exchequer then HM Government will of course consider block grant reductions. Pakistan Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan concerning the difficulties faced by Hindus wishing to be legally married. Baroness Warsi: I am seriously concerned about reports of discrimination against women and religious minorities in Pakistan. It is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to ensure it guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. We raise the issue of religious freedom on a regular basis at a senior level with the authorities in Pakistan and press for greater protection of all citizens’ rights. I have raised these issues with the Pakistani Prime Minister and other Ministers during my recent visit to Pakistan in October and during the UN General Assembly in September. Palestine Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what framework of accountability is in place for the Palestinian Authority’s use of European Union funds. Baroness Warsi: The EU uses the PEGASE mechanism for channelling funds to the Palestinian Authority and to ensure an extensive and robust process of control, verification and auditing. PEGASE safeguards include checks of individual beneficiaries against international sanctions lists, use of the Palestinian Authority Single Treasury Account and sub-accounts to target funding to particular projects or beneficiaries, and regular checks by PEGASE auditors, such as certification of invoices prior to payment being released. Railways: High Speed 2 Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the estimated cost of the HS2 project has risen from £34.2 billion to £42.6 billion; and how they intend to ensure that HS2 remains completed under budget. Baroness Kramer: Spending Round 2013, announced in June, provided a long term funding envelope for the project which includes additional scope and reflects increased design maturity. It also includes a prudent level of contingency. We will continue to bear down on costs and manage them to secure maximum value for money for the taxpayer. We have therefore set a ‘target price’ for delivering Phase 1 of £17.16 billion. There will be additional financial controls placed on the delivery of HS2, to ensure that no spending above the target price for Phase 1 can take place without the explicit agreement of the Department for Transport, working with HM Treasury. Russia Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to secure the release of British citizens, including a journalist, detained in prison in Murmansk after their arrest aboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. Baroness Warsi: The noble Baroness will be aware of the Adjournment Debate in the other place on the arrests of Greenpeace activists by the Russian Federation, held on 23 October. Mr Kieron Bryan, a journalist, is one of six British nationals who were on board the Greenpeace vessel “Arctic Sunrise” who have been detained by the Russian authorities. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) discussed their detention with Russia’s Foreign Minister on 25 September, and subsequently wrote to him on 6 October. The Foreign Secretary continues to follow the case very closely. Senior Foreign and Commonwealth officials also raised this case with the Russian Ambassador to the UK on 26 September. The British Embassy have followed up with the Russian authorities on 2 October when the British Ambassador in Moscow raised the detentions with Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov and most recently with Deputy Foreign Minister Titov on 22 Oct. The Russian authorities are fully aware of our concerns, and we continue to monitor the case closely. We will continue to provide full consular assistance to the six British nationals. Consular staff are also in regular contact with the families of the British nationals detained, including Mr Bryan’s. Russia Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are making representations to the government of Russia about economic sanctions placed on neighbour states; and if so, in what terms. Baroness Warsi: The Government has been expressing concerns to Russia about the economic sanctions it has placed on countries in its near neighbourhood and will continue to do so. Our Ambassador in Moscow raised the matter with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin during a recent meeting in Moscow. Other senior officials have also raised this issue in London and Moscow, including during meetings with the Russian Ambassador to London. The EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fule, summarised our shared concerns clearly in his public statement that “any threats from Russia linked to the possible signing of agreements with the European Union are unacceptable”. Saudi Arabia Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia regarding the report by the Institute for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia alleging the deaths and imprisonment of Shi'a protestors in the eastern province of that country. Baroness Warsi: We share the noble Lord’s concerns about the unrest in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Recent anecdotal evidence suggests that the level of unrest has dropped considerably, although there are still occasional demonstrations. We will continue to monitor developments. We regularly express our concerns on human rights to the Saudi authorities and these have been made clear in statements at the United Nations and in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights. Schools: Selection Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the advantages and disadvantages of school selection based on children’s home postcodes; and whether they plan to take steps to assist households unable to afford housing in areas with the best schools. Lord Nash: The Department for Education collects pupils’ home postcodes as part of the School Census. This identifies the percentage of pupils attending a school outside their home local authority area (in 2013 this was 3.6% of all primary school pupils and 8.6% of all secondary school pupils) and the distance travelled from home to school, but does not allow for an assessment of school selection or parental preference. The Department currently only collects the latter at local authority level in relation to secondary schools, but from April 2014, the Department will for the first time also collect pupil level parental preference data, for both primary and secondary schools. Home to school distance is one of a number of options that local authorities and schools may choose for prioritising the admission of children when a school is oversubscribed. Academies and Free Schools also have the freedom to prioritise children attracting the pupil premium in their admissions arrangements. Adopting this admissions priority encourages the parents of disadvantaged children to express a preference for schools that they might not otherwise have considered.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2013-11-04a

Police Training Lord Davies of Coity: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have for the future of police training in England and Wales. Lord Bassam of Brighton: A consultation document on proposals for new arrangements for the structure and delivery of police training in England and Wales has been published today. Copies are available in the Library. Copies are also being sent to police forces, police authorities, police staff associations and other interested parties. They have been invited to comment by 7 January 2000. The consultation period reflects the discussion and debate we have had during the extensive examination of police training in recent months. There has been an inquiry by the Home Affairs Committee, a thematic inspection of training by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, a report by Sir William Stubbs and Roger McClure of the London Institute and two reports by the Police Federation. I am grateful to all those who have carried out these surveys and to all those who contributed their time and views during their preparation. The consultation paper published today is firmly based on these studies. The paper describes the changes which the Government believe will deliver real improvements. There are numerous examples of good practice and indeed excellence under present arrangements and the proposals will build on those. The proposals, however, also represent an opportunity for a fresh start in police training. The Government believe that the police service and all the stakeholders in police training in England and Wales are ready to take action in this important area. The proposed new arrangements will enable the police service to benefit from new developments in education and training and in information and communications technology to achieve professional excellence. The proposals published today provide an unprecedented opportunity to raise standards in police training across the board, to provide relevant profession-long training and development for all staff and to translate effective training into real outcomes. Funding of Political Parties: White Paper Baroness Goudie: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many replies were received in response to the White Paper on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Home Office has received 36 written responses to the White Paper on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom. Of those, only two have asked to remain confidential. Copies of the rest have been placed in the Library. We are giving careful consideration to the issues raised by respondents and will take them fully into account in the preparation of a Bill for introduction in Parliament. Witnesses in Criminal Cases Lord Clarke of Hampstead: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the proposed timetable for the implementation of (a) the recommendations relating to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses contained in the report Speaking Up For Justice; and (b) the measures designed to help witnesses give evidence in Part II of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government are determined that action should be taken to implement the recommendations in Speaking Up For Justice as soon as possible, while ensuring that all the necessary equipment and underpinning guidance are in place. My honourable friend the Minister of State for the Home Department (Mr Clarke) today published an implementation plan, Action For Justice, which explains how the agencies working in the criminal justice system are responding to the report. It includes a timetable for implementation, including those witness measures contained in the 1999 Criminal Evidence Act. Copies are available in the Library. Immigration Control Lord Clarke of Hampstead: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have any plans to strengthen immigration legislation to tackle abuse of the United Kingdom's immigration control. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom but have no grounds for doing so under the Immigration Rules are prevented from coming here. From the first moment of 19 November we will require nationals of the Republic of Croatia to obtain visas to come to the United Kingdom. Croatian nationals will also have to obtain a direct airside transit visa when they intend to remain airside while in transit through the United Kingdom. Domestic Burglary: Minimum Sentence Lord Clarke of Hampstead: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to implement Section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will come into force on 1 December 1999. This provides a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment for those convicted for the third time of an offence of domestic burglary. Public Trust Office: Quinquennial Review Lord Plant of Highfield: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office will be published. Lord Irvine of Lairg: I have today published the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office, an executive agency of my department established in 1994. The review found strong support for the Government offering protection for the financial affairs of people who are mentally incapable of managing them for themselves. The review recommends that the delivery of the Public Trust Office's key services should be carried out by organisations operating in the voluntary and public sectors, and private sector suppliers. I would remain ultimately responsible for the services provided. The Public Trust Office would focus on monitoring the provision of such services and ensuring that the needs of vulnerable people were met. The review recommends that the Public Trust Office's refinanced and refocused operations should be performed by other parts of the Lord Chancellor's Department: the Court Service and the Official Solicitor's Office. The current Public Trust Office would then be phased out as a separate executive agency. I welcome the review's clear diagnosis of the challenges faced by the Public Trust Office. I agree that radical change is required and I, together with my colleagues, will wish to explore the review's recommendations in a programme of change for the Public Trust Office. In doing so, I will want to be satisfied that reform does not entail placing a greater financial burden on some of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. I will announce, in February 2000, how I will take forward reform. The Government's overriding objective will be to ensure that the interests of the Public Trust Office's clients are fully protected. To this end the recently established Consultative Forum representing the users of Public Trust Office services will be closely involved in considering how practical improvements to client services can be effected in working up the proposals for change that I consider necessary. Copies of the review have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans1999-11-18a

Department for Education Childcare: Staff Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of expansion of the childcare sector workforce necessary to implement the expansion of childcare provision as announced in the Spring Budget on 15 March. Baroness Barran: The department regularly survey a representative sample of over 10,000 childcare providers to gain insights into how they run their provision and the challenges that they face. This includes data on the workforce. This survey can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/childcare-and-early-years-provider-survey/2022. The department also regularly survey over 6,000 parents to understand their usage of childcare, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-and-early-years-survey-of-parents-2021.This data was used to inform our methodology and the uplift required to meet the pressures that providers face, and to evaluate the impact this will have on early years settings, early years staff and the sufficiency of childcare. The department is planning to share further details in due course. Childcare: Finance Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity challengesthe childcare sectorwill face in implementing the increase in childcare provision as announced in the Spring Budget on 15 March; and what financial supportthey will provide to help the sector meet these capacity challenges. Baroness Barran: In the Spring Budget announcement of 15 March 2023, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced transformative reforms to childcare for parents, children, and the economy. By 2027/28, the government will expect to be spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education, helping working families with their childcare costs. This represents the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever.Our reforms include:Providing over £4.1 billion by 2027/28 to fund 30 hours of free childcare for children over the age of nine months.Investing £204 million from September 2023, rising to £288 million in 2024/25 to uplift the rates for existing entitlements.Increasing the supply of wraparound care through £289 million start up funding.Attracting more people to childminding through an up to £7.2 million start up grant fund.Giving providers more flexibility by changing staff-to-child ratios to 1:5 for two year olds in England.Launching a consultation on further measures to support reform of the childcare market, to explore further flexibilities for providers.The department regularly survey a representative sample of over 10,000 providers to gain insights into how they run their provision and the challenges they face. We also regularly survey over 6,000 parents to understand their usage of childcare.This data was used to inform our methodology and the uplift required to meet the pressures providers face, and to evaluate the impact this will have on settings, staff and the sufficiency of childcare.The department will work closely with local authorities, providers and the sector to identify what needs to be in place to support the expansion in childcare provision including capital requirements as well as workforce, and will share further details in due course.We are also ensuring a phased implementation of the expansion to the 30 hours offer to allow the sector to develop the necessary capacity. Further Education: T-levels Lord Baker of Dorking: To ask His Majesty's Government how many of entrantsfor T Level examinations in 2022 were studying in FE colleges. Baroness Barran: The department does not have available data on how many students sat T Level assessments in 2022 at institutional level. The department expects T Levels to be included in school and college performance tables from 2024 which should include student numbers.Of the 164 providers that are currently delivering T Levels, 105 are Further Education (FE) colleges. The department has selected a relatively small number of high performing providers for the first years of T Level delivery to ensure T Levels are high quality courses from the very start.The number of FE providers delivering T Levels is increasing year on year, and the department expects student numbers to grow significantly over the next few years. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Relations: Women Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their policy paperIntegrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a more contested and volatile world, published on 13 March, what steps they will take to ensure that women and women'svoices are included in their work to meet the new goal contained in that paper "to manage the risks of miscalculation and escalation between major powers". Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Integrated Review Refresh 2023 sets out the priority the UK places on providing women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed. We launched our fifth Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (2023-2027) in February which outlines in more detail our work to reduce the global impact of conflicts on women and girls, by ensuring our foreign, defence and security policy, diplomatic efforts and international development work to address their needs. The WPS National Action Plan responds to the new global context, reflecting on Ukraine and Afghanistan. It champions women's full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes; we know that mediation efforts, conflict prevention and resolution more broadly are more successful when they are inclusive. Department for Business and Trade Parental Leave and Parental Pay Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byBaroness Stedman-Scott on 8 March (HL Deb col 793), whenthey expect to publish (1) the report of the evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme that they initiated in early 2018, and (2) the findings of the Parental Rights Study 2019. Lord Johnson of Lainston: Evaluating Shared Parental Leave and Pay is an important part of the policymaking process. As part of the evaluation, we commissioned surveys which asked about a range of parental leave and pay entitlements as well as about Shared Parental Leave specifically. We are currently considering this information and will publish our findings in due course. In 2019 the Government consulted on high-level options for reforming parental leave and pay. We are currently considering responses to the consultation and will respond in due course. Parental Pay Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 8 March (HL Deb col 793), where she stated that "the number of couples taking up shared parental leave and pay is increasing year on year; last year it was at 13,000", what wasthe total number of claimants of Statutory Shared Parental Pay in each year since 2015–16, broken down by gender. Lord Johnson of Lainston: Information provided by employers to HM Revenue and Customs show the number of individuals in receipt of Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). This data provides a broad indication of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) take-up but does not include anyone taking unpaid Shared Parental Leave.Table 1: Individuals in receipt of ShPP by gender, 2015/16 to 2021/22Year (April to March)No. of individuals in receipt of ShPPWomenMenTotal2015-161,1005,1006,2002016-171,6007,1008,6002017-181,7007,5009,2002018-192,2008,50010,7002019-202,6009,90012,6002020-212,6008,60011,2002021-223,2009,80013,000Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.Figures are based on the total number of individuals in a given year, irrespective of when the payment first started. Some individuals will be counted across two years.For 2015-16, those receiving Additional Statutory Paternity Pay cannot be distinguished from those claiming ShPP. Public Sector: Strikes Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide guidance to public bodies regarding the use of court action in response to strikes. Lord Johnson of Lainston: The law is well established in this area and the means to enforce it are widely understood. Employers can seek an injunction in the High Court if they believe a union has not followed its statutory obligations in relation to strike action. Home Office Refugees: Ukraine Lord Blunkett: To ask His Majesty's Government what facility they provide for sibling family reunion in the UK for long-term residents of Ukraine who do not have Ukrainian citizenship, and who are therefore not entitled to nomination by the UNHCR under present arrangements for refugees from that country, in circumstances where the individual has fled to a third country. Lord Murray of Blidworth: Non-Ukrainian nationals who were resident in Ukraine prior to the invasion are eligible for the Ukraine Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine Scheme if they are the immediate family members of Ukrainians who are also benefiting from those schemes. Human Trafficking Lord McColl of Dulwich: To ask His Majesty's Government how many people entered the National Referral Mechanism in January and February of (1) 2022, and (2) 2023; and of those, how many received reasonable grounds decisions. Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics regarding the (NRM). The 2022 statistics can be found here;https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139171/modern-slavery-national-referral-mechanism-and-duty-to-notify-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2022.ods Data for Q1 2023 is due for publication on 04/05/2023. The data shows the number of NRM referrals received each quarter and the number of reasonable grounds decisions made each quarter regardless of when the referral was received.Further disaggregated data is published via the UK Data Service.The disaggregated data shows the year and quarter in which an NRM referral was received and the year and quarter in which a reasonable grounds decision was made. Data for Q1 2023 (xlsx, 1668.9KB) Department for Transport Transport: Databases Baroness Randerson: To ask His Majesty's Government whetherthey plan to publish their transport data strategy; and, given the Department for Transport has been working on it since 2020–21, why it has not yet been published. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department published the Transport Data Strategy (TDS) on 28 March. Work on the Transport Data Strategy was paused during the Covid Pandemic, as officials working on it were needed for the response work. A14: Tree Planting Lord Naseby: To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost to public funds of the failure of 630,000 tree saplings planted along the A14 by National Highways; and whether any lessons have been learned for future tree planting schemes. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: A total of c.860,000 trees have been planted across the mainline scheme and National Highways have spent c.£2m to date. There is a further c.£2m within the original budget to undertake the necessary work and bring the planting on the scheme into a better condition. National Highways conducted a review in the Autumn 2022 to analyse reasons for tree failures and inform a replanting strategy. This included analysing soil samples taken along the route to better understand the reasons for failure. Based on the lessons learned, National Highways has produced a replanting strategy which includes: Replanting with cell grown trees which have a higher success rate than bare root trees.Replanting between October 2023 and March 2024 which is the optimum planting season and avoids potentially very dry summer periods.Planting the optimum species for the local soil conditions as soil conditions vary across the scale of the scheme. Restoring Your Railway Fund Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to announce another competition for the Restoring Railway Fund; and if so, when. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Since being announced in January 2020 the Restoring Your Railway Fund has developed an ambitious portfolio of potential restoration schemes to reconnect smaller communities across England and Wales. The third round of the Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund stopped accepting new bids on 5 March 2021. This was the final round of the Ideas Fund for the foreseeable future. We are now focussed on realising the benefits of those schemes in order to regenerate local economies and improve access to jobs, homes and education. Railways: Tickets Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they are making on the tendering process for the Consolidated Online Retail Solution to deliver advanced rail retailing in the 15 months since the Prior Information Notice was formally issued on 15 December 2021. Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Consolidated Online Retail Solution is the only new rail retailing platform that (1) they, or (2) representatives of the Great British Railways Transition Team, are proposing; and if there are any alternative proposals, what those entail. Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government whether anynew rail retailing platform that (1) they, or (2) representatives from the Great British Railways Transition Team, are proposing will be subject to full and open public tender. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: As set out in the Plan for Rail, we recognise that the current multitude of train company websites with different standards of service is confusing to passengers. We are continuing to review the best way to address this and are working closely with the rail sector to do this. We will also open up railway data and systems, whilst lowering barriers to entry for the industry. For ticketing, that means a more competitive retail market and we welcome new players to spur more innovation and give passengers the services they need. Further updates on rail retailing proposals will be provided in due course. Railways: Tickets Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from (1) organisations, or (2) persons, opposed to them proceeding with the Consolidated Online Retail Solution (CORS) for new advanced rail retailing; and whether any of those representations has contributed to the delay to the CORS. Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they havehad with the Competition and Markets Authority concerning proposals by any Department for Transport operator of last resort Train Operating Company (1) to establish and expand its rail retail footprint, and (2) to provide wider digital retail servicesto the rail retail sector. Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they havehad with the Competition and Markets Authority concerning any preferential market access which could be enjoyed byanyDepartment for Transport operator of last resort Train Operating Companyin its (1) promotion, and (2) sale, of new rail retail products and services across the rail sector. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We have been clear that there must be a level playing field between any future Great British Railways retail function and independent retailers to provide a competitive market that benefits customers. Independent retailers play an important role in growing the market and delivering innovation. We consulted on our proposals around the retail market, where bodies, such as the Competition and Markets Authority, could express their views, and we are continuing conversations with the Office of Rail and Road and the Competition and Markets Authority while developing policy for online retail. We will publish a response in due course along with any further updates. Motor Vehicles: Lighting Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask His Majesty's Government what regulations cover the retrofitting of headlights to vehicles; and when those regulations were last updated. Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask His Majesty's Government what regulations apply to retrofitting car headlights with LED bulbs. Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with international partners to develop and introduce improved headlamp aiming requirements. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended govern the in-use fitment and maintenance of vehicle headlamps and were last updated in 2019. To minimise the risk of glare these regulations require that approved vehicle lamps are fitted only with approved light sources, including LEDs.International activity is ongoing at the United Nations and proposals to amend headlamp aiming criteria are expected to be agreed in April, together with requirements for mandatory automatic headlamp levelling. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Leasehold Lord Truscott: To ask His Majesty's Government how manypeople in England over the age of 18 live in leasehold properties. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Department does not hold this data. National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service Lord Lee of Trafford: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 24 March (HL6409),whether they will publish a comprehensive list of the bodies and individualsfrom whom they have received views opposed to the planned siting of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Those opposed to the scheme were able to submit their comments to Westminster City Council. All comments are publicly available on the planning inquiry website. Private Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatsteps they will take to ensure that landlords undertake the necessary repairs to their properties when problems are identified by their tenants. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government has set a mission to halve the number of non-decent rented homes by 2030.The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill currently in parliament will introduce measures to improve the quality of social housing, including a new, proactive consumer regulation regime. Recent amendments to the Bill introduced 'Awaab's Law', which will introduce new requirements for social landlords to address hazards in the home within a fixed time period.Our forthcoming reforms to private renting will improve conditions more broadly for properties in the sector. Infrastructure: Planning Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to pursue further planning reforms to speed up approvals forinfrastructure projects that are critical to the UK’s economic transformation. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government recently published (23 February 2023) an Action Plan for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which sets out how the consenting process for NSIPs will be reformed. This will enable the planning system to deliver the major infrastructure needed to improve energy security, achieve net zero and deliver the transport connectivity, water and waste management facilities this country needs. High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention The Earl of Lytton: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the impact of defining 'defect' in the Developer Remediation Contract, published on 17 February, differently from 'relevant defect', in the Building Safety Act 2022; and what effect this will have on ensuring buildings are adequately remediated. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The definition of 'Defect' in the developer remediation contract and the definition of 'Relevant Defect' in the Building Safety Act were drafted for different purposes.The definition of 'Relevant Defect' in the Building Safety Act 2022 is used in relation to a wider range of actors, defect types and circumstances.The definition of 'Defect' in the developer remediation contract was drafted to match the wording of a public pledge signed by 49 developers. Under the developer pledge and the contract which codifies the pledge commitments, developers commit to addressing life-critical fire safety defects arising from the original design, construction or refurbishment of the building, and to do so in line with relevant standards. Local Government: Elections The Earl of Lytton: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the diversity of councillors by encouraging and supporting more people to stand for election. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government believes that no one should feel deterred or excluded from standing or serving as a councillor.The Local Authority Government Sector Support Programme 2022-23 funds the Local Government Association's delivery of an expanded 'Be a Councillor' campaign to promote a greater diversity of candidates. We also provide funding to support disabled councillors including those hoping to stand for election. Leasehold: Reform Lord Truscott: To ask His Majesty's Government when theyplan to introduce a bill to address the issue of leasehold reform. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: As has been the case under successive administrations, announcements about future legislation will be set out in the normal way. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Fruit and Vegetables: Imports Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the resilience of the supply chain for imports of fruit and vegetables. Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of levels of food security inEngland; and, in particular, of self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables. Lord Benyon: The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. Domestic food production, coupled with international trade, gives us national resilience. When it comes to food we can produce here, we are 74% self-sufficient. Our aim is to broadly maintain the current level of food that we produce domestically and boost production in sectors where there are the biggest opportunities. Defra has a collaborative relationship with industry which allows us to effectively respond to disruption, should it occur. Some supermarkets applied item limits to a small number of fruit and vegetables due to poor weather affecting the harvest in Spain and North Africa, where a high proportion of produce consumed in UK at this time of year is grown. However, with the exception of one retailer, these limits have now been removed, reflecting that fact that supply is returning to normal levels. Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report was published in December 2021. This report will serve as an evidence base for future policy work. Defra publishes annual statistics on horticulture, including some self-sufficiency statistics here: Latest horticulture statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Electronic Cigarettes: Waste Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by theParliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 February 2022 (38774), when they intend to make an assessment of the environmental cost of single-use batteries in disposable vapes beingimproperly disposed. Lord Benyon: We are aware that the use of disposable vaping products which contain batteries has increased substantially in recent years and are considering the implications for the environment. As part of the review of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations, we will consult on policies aimed at driving up levels of separate collection of electric and electronic waste, including vaping devices, later this year. A separate consultation on batteries is also scheduled for later this year and is similarly looking to strengthen the collection of portable batteries, including those contained in vapes. Electronic Cigarettes: Waste Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to address the environmental hazard posed by discarded disposable vapes; and what consideration they have given to banning thesale of these products. Lord Benyon: There are no immediate plans to ban disposable vapes. However, as part of the review of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations, we will consult on policies aimed at driving up levels of separate collection of electric and electronic waste, including vaping devices, later this year. Electronic Cigarettes: Waste Baroness Taylor of Bolton: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the damage to the marine environment caused by the disposal of single use vapes. Lord Benyon: We have not made an assessment of the environmental impacts of disposable vapes. However, as part of the review of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations, we will consult on policies aimed at driving up levels of separate collection of electric and electronic waste, including vaping devices, later this year. Horticulture: Vacancies Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government what skills gaps they have identified in the UK horticulture sector. Lord Benyon: Whilst no specific assessment has been made of the horticulture sector’s skills gaps; enabling an innovative, productive and competitive food and farming industry which invests in its people and skills to drive growth is a key priority for the Government. Attracting bright new talent that is diverse and inclusive into agricultural and horticultural careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming. By raising awareness of agriculture and horticulture as an exciting and attractive career path, people will understand the opportunities available to them in the farming and land management industry. An Independent Review of Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain began in September. The review will focus on farming, processing, and food and drink manufacturing as sectors that are critical for food production and food security. Skills in the food supply chain is a critical area that will be covered in the final report. The final report will be published by summer 2023 and the Government response will follow thereafter. The Government is contributing towards the establishment of a new professional body for the farming industry; The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH). TIAH is aimed at removing the fragmentation that exists within current learning and skills landscape for farming businesses, enabling the industry to drive greater uptake of skills, creating clear career development pathways and promoting the sector as a progressive, professional and attractive career choice. TIAH has launched a pilot to help develop its services ahead of a general launch to wider membership. The Government is also reforming post-16 technical education to provide clearer routes into skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of the new Technical Level programmes (T-levels) which include pathways in agriculture, environmental and animal health and care. Alongside apprenticeships this provides more opportunities and pathways for young people looking for careers in agriculture and horticulture. Alongside training opportunities, TIAH will also provide information about apprenticeships. There are currently 40 high-quality apprenticeship standards available in the agriculture, environmental and animal care sector including Horticulture and landscaping technical manager.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2023-03-31

Lord Adonis: The final 2004 and provisional 2005 results are given in the table below. Number and proportion of 15 year-old pupils1 achieving a basic skills qualification2 who also achieved a GCSE or a key skills qualification2 in 2004 and 20053 2004 2005 Pupils achieving4 Number Percentage Number Percentage Basic skills and GCSE 162 53 4,301 86 Basic skills and key skills 5 2 81 2 Basic skills, but no GCSE or key skills 140 46 632 13 Total 307 100 5,014 100 1 Pupils aged 15 at the beginning of the academic year (i.e. 31 August). 2 Figures include achievements at both level 1 and level 2 for basic skills and key skills. 3 Figures for 2005 are provisional; figures for 2004 are final. 4 Figures are available for achievements, but not attempts, in basic skills and key skills.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2005-11-23b

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy UK Endorsement Board: Legal Costs Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 7 December (HL4413), what were the legal expenses to date of (1) the UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board Limited, and (2) the UK Endorsement Board, by the name of (a) person, or (b) firm engaged; what was the cost of the advice in each case; and what were the dates of completion of tenders for the appointment of each of those engagements. Lord Callanan: The UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board Limited provides the operational facilities and resources to support the UK Endorsement Board’s activities. The UK Endorsement Board is an independent unincorporated association and has autonomy of decision-making in relation to the functions conferred upon it. Procurement of legal advice in undertaking those functions is a matter for the UK Endorsement Board and BEIS has no role in this process. Accountancy: Standards Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 7 December (HL4416), whether they consider 17 years a reasonable timescale to produce an accounting standard. Lord Callanan: I refer the noble Baroness to my previous response to question number HL4416, answered on 7 December 2021. UK Endorsement Board Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 7 December (HL4418), for each member of the UK Endorsement Board what (1) relevant experience, or (2) training, they have had on the accounting standards in the Companies Act 2006 framework; what was the form of any such experience or training; to what level such training or experience was completed; and when such training or experience was completed. Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 7 December (HL4418), for each member of the UK Endorsement Board what (1) training, or (2) experience they have had on corporate finance and solvency; what was the (a) form and (b) level of such training or experience; and when such training or experience was completed. Lord Callanan: All members of the UK Endorsement Board were appointed following an open, transparent and rigorous recruitment process. The Board is comprised of a group of experts with a wealth of experience across different sectors including preparers of accounts, investors, academics and members of accounting firms. The Board has a diverse membership with a strong interest in the quality of financial reporting in the UK that will ensure that the UK’s contributions to developments in international accounting standards are world leading. Ongoing training for Board members focuses on new developments in financial and corporate reporting. Kids Company Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much public money was spent by the Official Receiver on the High Court case against Kids Company. Lord Callanan: The Official Receiver has paid the following costs in connection with the Keeping Kids Company Limited directors’ disqualification proceedings:Defendants’ legal costs pursuant to the Judgement of Mrs Justice Falk: £8,249,890;Official Receiver’s external legal costs (including solicitors’ and counsels’ fees and other disbursements): £1,274,022;Data hosting costs: £8,612. Department of Health and Social Care Health Services: British National (Overseas) Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to remove any barriers to employment by the NHS of health care professionals arriving from Hong Kong under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme. Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the (1) Chief Medical, (2) Chief Dental, and (3) Chief Nursing, Officers are taking to identify barriers to employment by the NHS in England of health care professionals arriving from Hong Kong under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme. Lord Kamall: The Department is working across the health and care system and other Government departments to understand the needs of British Nationals Overseas visa holders with health and care experience and share best practice on providing supported routes to employment. Female Genital Mutilation Lord Berkeley of Knighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of female genital mutilation in England. Lord Kamall: NHS Digital’s Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Enhanced Dataset collects data on women and girls with FGM being cared for by the National Health Service in England. The latest data shows that in the period April 2020 to March 2021 there were 5,395 individual women and girls with an attendance where FGM was identified. The total number of individual women and girls with an attendance where FGM was identified has been relatively stable this year but remains reduced in comparison to total attendances and individuals recorded for the previous year. Coronavirus: Vaccination Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) governments in Europe, and (2) governments in other countries, regarding the compatibility of COVID-19 vaccination records for the purposes of travel. Lord Kamall: We have engaged with Governments in countries where certification has been introduced to determine the compatibility with the United Kingdom’s COVID 19 vaccination records and entry requirements. In addition, following discussions with the European Union, the UK’s certification solution has now been linked with the EU Digital COVID Certificate. Travel Restrictions: Coronavirus Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to review the COVID-19 travel red list; and what factors they will take into account when conducting that review. Lord Kamall: Decisions on COVID-19 travel red list assignment are taken by Ministers. They are informed by evidence, including a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) risk assessment, alongside wider public health factors. The UKHSA risk assessments cover a range of information and take place every three weeks. The last UKHSA risk assessment of countries was carried out on 13 December 2021, with the next assessment made before 3 January 2022.Risk assessments take into account the assessment of sequencing capability of countries, available surveillance, epidemiology in country, recent genome sequencing data, evidence of in-country community transmission of COVID-19 variants, evidence of exportation of new variants to the United Kingdom or other countries and travel connectivity with the UK and other countries. Attorney General Euro 2020: Prosecutions Lord Bassam of Brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cases have been brought to court relating to charges made at England Euro 2020 matches played at Wembley. Lord Stewart of Dirleton: No central data is kept that would identify how many cases have been brought to court specifically relating to charges made at England Euro 2020 matches. To obtain this information would require a manual review of CPS case files which would come at a disproportionate cost. Ministry of Justice Life Imprisonment Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what wasthe minimum term served in custody for people given (1) a mandatory life sentence, (2) an automatic life sentence, and (3) a discretionary life sentence, in each of the last five years. Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: The Ministry of Justice holds data on the minimum period served in custody for the relevant sentences covering the period requested and this can be viewed in the attached table. We are unable to provide separate data relating to those offenders who are given automatic and discretionary life sentences. The minimum period served in custody for both these groups of offenders is listed under ‘other lifers’. Equivalent data for the average (mean and median) time served for those released from Mandatory Life sentences and ‘Other life’ sentences can be found in Table A3.3 which is also attached. For those released in 2020, prisoners released from Mandatory Life sentences served 17 years on average (mean) and 15 years (median).Table (xlsx, 16.1KB)Table (xlsx, 12.6KB) Prison Sentences Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what wasthe minimum period served in custody for people given (1) extended determinate sentences, (2) an extended sentence of detention, and (3) a sentence for offenders of particular concern, in each of the last five years. Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: No prisoners serving a sentence for offenders of particular concern were released in 2016 as the sentence was only introduced in 2015.The Ministry of Justice holds data on the minimum period served in custody for the relevant sentences covering the period requested and this can be viewed in the attached table.Table (xlsx, 17.0KB) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Myanmar: Sanctions Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with (1) the government of the (a) United States, and (b) Canada, and (2) the EU, to secure Magnitsky sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Myanmar. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has been at the forefront of the international sanctions response. Since 1 February, the UK has worked in partnership with the US, Canada and the EU, to impose sanctions on the junta. Immediately after the coup the UK used both the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime and the Myanmar geographic regime to quickly impose sanctions. The UK laid new sanctions regulations in April to allow us to better target the military's interests. We have sanctioned the junta's ruling body and its military leadership; as well as key revenue streams for the military, including three State Owned Enterprises, a high profile business associate, the two largest military conglomerates, and defence entities which arm and equip the military. These sanctions send a strong political message in opposition to the coup and undermine the credibility of the junta. They also target the military's funding streams and show solidarity with the domestic boycott movement. Religious Freedom Baroness Jenkin of Kennington: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the projected budget for the global summit to promote freedom of religion or belief in London on 5–6 July 2022; and how many staff are expected to work on it. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In July 2022, the UK will host an international Ministerial conference to promote freedom of religion or belief for all. The conference will demonstrate the UK's international leadership on supporting partner countries towards freedom and openness, underpinning the Network of Liberty the UK is committed to building around the world.A conference budget will be finalised next year in line with all future programme budgets under the FCDO's business planning process for 2022 onwards. A conference team is being built and will be further boosted by additional surge staff in the summer. Uzbekistan: Foreign Relations Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to strengthen the relationship with the government of Uzbekistan given the unfolding humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK government recognises the importance of Uzbekistan's role as a partner in the international response to the crisis in Afghanistan, including in efforts to alleviate the unfolding humanitarian situation. On 16 December 2021, the Minister for Europe and Americas, Wendy Morton MP, and I [Lord Ahmad] met Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Gayrat Fazilov to discuss the UK-Uzbekistan bilateral relationship, including our cooperation on issues relating to Afghanistan. The Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey MP, and I [Lord Ahmad] also made visits to Uzbekistan in September. The UK recognises the role that Uzbekistan can play in supplying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan through their infrastructure hub in Termez and is encouraging UN agencies to use all available routes for humanitarian assistance. The UK has committed £2 million in aid to the World Food Programme and UNHCR for preparations in the region in the event of assistance being required in Central Asia. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Libya Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what, if any, (1) finance, (2) equipment, (3) training, and (4) other support, they have provided to the Libyan (a) coast guard, (b) intelligence service, (c) other security agencies, and (d) militias, since 2015. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK does not provide any direct financial support to the Libyan Government or its agencies. The UK's priority in Libya is supporting the UN-led political process and our programmatic support and diplomatic work are mutually reinforcing. We have provided over £57 million since 2015 from the Government's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund to: support the delivery of greater security, stability and resilience; promote more inclusive political dialogue and participation; help target communities recover from and manage the impacts of the conflict; and boost inclusive economic development. Libya: Overseas Aid Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much overseas development funding they provide to the government of Libya; and whether any such funding finances migrant detention centres. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK does not provide any direct financial support to the Libyan Government or its agencies, and we do not provide funding to detention centres. We support the UN's call for detention centres across Libya to be closed. Myanmar: Rohingya Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the international community, specifically the UN Security Council, to secure justice for the Rohingyas subjected to human rights violations in Myanmar. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The coup has exacerbated the situation for the Rohingya who remain in Rakhine state, increasing the risk of further atrocities. We are monitoring political and security developments closely, to ensure continued access to and protection of the Rohingya and other vulnerable and conflict-affected groups. In Rakhine state the UK has provided over £44m to all communities since 2017, including over £25m for the Rohingya for support such as nutrition and health.The UK secured UN Security Council Press Statements on 11 March and 10 November 2021, that expressed concern over the coup's impact on the Rohingya people and the prospect of voluntary, safe and dignified return to Myanmar. I [Lord Ahmad], also raised these issues with Bangladesh State Minister Shahriah Alam on 18th February. Chen Quanguo Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to initiate an investigation intoChen Quanguo, an official of the government of China, under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In March, the UK took coordinated action alongside 29 countries to impose global human rights sanctions on senior officials and an organisation responsible for the egregious human rights violations taking place in Xinjiang. This sent the clearest possible signal of the international community's serious concern and our collective willingness to act. The FCDO keeps all evidence and potential listings under close review, and it is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated in the future, as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations. Libya: Undocumented Migrants Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of abuse, particularly sexual violence, of migrants detained in Libya. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is appalled by abuses of migrants and refugees in Libya and the inhumane conditions in detention centres. We continue to urge the interim Government of National Unity to take steps to end the exploitation and abuse of migrants and to implement a better functioning system that respects human rights. We support the UN's call for detention centres across Libya to be closed, and call on all parties to engage with the UN and the humanitarian community so that all migrants and refugees can be evacuated safely in accordance with international human rights law. We have consistently called for all sexual and gender based violence to end, including through UN Security Council Resolutions and at the UN Human Rights Council and reinforced this in our engagement with the Government of National Unity. Philippines: Human Rights Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made, if any, to the government of the Philippines since June following reports by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that 208 human rights supporters and 6,000 individuals suspected of involvement in drug crime have been killed without fair trial; and what was the result of their representations. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK remains concerned about reports of human rights abuses in the Philippines, particularly the conduct of the "war on drugs" campaign and the treatment of some human and land rights defenders and journalists.The Minister for Asia visited the Philippines from 7 to 10 October, where she raised our human rights concerns and discussed the Philippines' cooperation with the UN on a human rights joint programme with the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro Locsin. Myanmar: Sexual Offences Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent sexual violence being used as a weapon of war against the Rohingya population, and others, in Myanmar; and what steps they are taking to help the victims of this crime. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is integrating survivor centred activities across its portfolio. Under our humanitarian programmes, partners are seeking to prevent all forms of gender based violence, including for the Rohingya. As part of this, the UK provides funding to organisations both in central and northern Rakhine for protection monitoring. Our partners are tracking human rights violations and atrocity risks, including conflict related sexual violence, enabling humanitarian actors to better respond to gendered protection needs. UK health programmes integrate gender-based violence prevention activities into health services, and provide psychosocial support to survivors. We have also funded the development of important minimum standards for remote case management for gender-based violence survivors.The UK is building strong and inclusive women's movements nationwide, recognising that this is an evidence-based approach to preventing gender-based violence. Japan: Embassies Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for the future of the British Embassy in Tokyo. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As part of our worldwide programme to modernise our diplomatic estate, we are planning significant re-investment in our Tokyo compound. This will ensure our Embassy office is modern and sustainable, and fit for purpose for supporting the enduring and strong partnership between the UK and Japan. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports from 11 December, what plans they have to reduce staff numbers at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office by 20 per cent by 2025; and what assessment, if any, they have made of the implications of such a plan for the UK’s international reputation. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Work is ongoing on the FCDO's Strategic Workforce Plan, which will define the longer-term workforce size, skills and expertise that the department will require for the next three years, out to 2025. At this stage no decisions have been made.The department's focus on strategic workforce planning will ensure that we have the right capabilities to deliver on our international priorities as set out in the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy and the forthcoming International Development Strategy. Middle East: Peace Negotiations Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with (1) the government of Israel, and (2) Palestinian representatives, about the Middle East peace process. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK remains committed to making progress towards a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary discussed the Middle East Peace Process with Israeli FM Lapid on 29 November and Minister Cleverly raised with Deputy FM Roll on 9 November. Minister Cleverly met with Israeli Minister Frej and Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh on 17 November in Oslo at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the targeting of Palestinian medics by Israeli border police. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the Israel Defence Forces police non-violent protests and the border areas. We also regularly raise the importance of the Israeli security force's adherence to the principles of necessity and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interest. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, which includes Palestinian medics attempting to provide services. Libya: Undocumented Migrants Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of reports that Frontex has worked with the Libyan authorities to secure the return of migrants from outside of Libya’s territorial waters and that this has led to deprivations of human rights for migrants, and (2) what plans they have, if any, to make representations to the EU Commission regarding this action. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We call on all parties to engage with the UN and the humanitarian community so that all migrants and refugees can be evacuated safely in accordance with international human rights law. Middle East: Peace Negotiations Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, (1) to strengthen the Abraham Accords, and (2) to expand those accords to additional nations. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom (UK) warmly welcomed the normalisation agreements between Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan. These were historic steps which see the normalisation of relations between friends of the UK.Restoring cooperation is an important and constructive step towards peace, and shows both sides are willing to put the needs and security of both Israelis and Palestinians first. We need to build on this momentum through further dialogue and compromise to move towards a two state solution and a lasting solution to the conflict. The United Kingdom will continue to work towards a more peaceful and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Nepal: Coronavirus Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they used when deciding to donate 131,000 doses of Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine bilaterally to the government of Nepal; and what were the reasons for those criteria. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a leading donor to COVAX, the multilateral mechanism set up to support international co-operation on vaccines. We are donating a smaller quantity to bilateral partners and countries. The main objective of any donation is to promote the economic development and welfare of the recipient country, though we will also seek to strengthen key relationships, in line with the Integrated Review. Decisions are taken on a case by case basis, when vaccines are available to be donated.The UK has provided £548 million to COVID, which has shipped over 610 million doses to144 participants, including 4.3 million doses to Nepal. As G7 chair the UK also secured commitment to donate 1 billion doses to the developing world by June 2022, including 100 million donated by the UK. The majority of these doses will be donated to COVAX, which remains best-placed to allocate vaccines to where they will be most effective. The UK also funds the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank whose finance has enabled the Government of Nepal to purchase vaccines. This financing together with COVAX supplies can vaccinate 70% of the population of Nepal. Xinjiang: Uighurs Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 13 December (HL4447), what caused the delay in publishing the review of export controls to the Uyghur region, which was described as "urgent" by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 12 January (HC Deb cols 160–62). Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: On 8 December the Secretary of State for International Trade announced a package of measures to update the UK's export control regime via a written ministerial statement to Parliament. This included an enhancement to the military end-use control that will allow HM Government to better address threats to national security, international peace and security, and human rights arising from the use of otherwise non-controlled items. The changes will also address a long-standing inconsistency within the UK's export control regime by adding China to the list of destinations subject to military end-use controls. Taken together, these changes will strengthen our ability to prevent exports that might be used directly or indirectly to facilitate human rights violations in all destinations subject to military end-use controls. It also completes the export control review announced to Parliament on 12 January 2021 by the then Foreign Secretary.Financial penalties for companies that fail to meet their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows. Iraq: Turkey Baroness Greengross: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the use of chemical weapons in Northern Iraq by the government of Turkey. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom opposes the use of chemical weapons in all circumstances. We take seriously any credible evidence of the use of chemical weapons. We monitor closely allegations of chemical weapons use in northern Iraq. These remain unsubstantiated. Evidence of chemical weapons use should be provided through appropriate channels to the Technical Secretariat Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Economic Situation: Equality Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the policies of (1) Thailand, (2) Cambodia, and (3) South Korea, towards reducing economic inequalities; and what steps they plan to take on the basis of such assessment. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to deepening and cementing our ties with Thailand, Cambodia and the Republic of Korea as part of our Indo-Pacific tilt.The Government of Thailand's focus on reducing economic inequalities is outlined in the Thailand 4.0 economic model that focuses on prosperity, security and sustainability. The UK is working with Thailand to provide technical support and partnership, and has developed programmes on health, low carbon transition, smart cities and the digital economy.The Government of Cambodia's Economic Recovery Plan 2021-2023 seeks to address economic inequalities and promote inclusive growth. The UK is working with Cambodia through the Accelerated COVID-19 Economic Support programme that looks to address economic inequalities by seeking industrial diversification. We are also addressing girls' education and women's empowerment through leadership programmes.The Korean New Deal outlines the Government of the Republic of Korea's overarching economic policies including on inequality. As part of the UK's Presidency, we invited ROK to the G7 as a Guest Country. Through the G7, we are working together to address global economic inequality, for example by supporting girls' education through funding the Global Partnership for Education, and are working to ensure a clean and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for example by offering support to COVAX. Religious Freedom Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to uphold religious freedom in other countries; and what representations they are making to the governments of countries with restrictive blasphemy or apostasy laws which restrict that freedom. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities. Bilaterally, Ministers and officials regularly raise specific cases of concern, and do not shy away from challenging publically or in private those we believe are not meeting their obligations.Multilaterally, we work with the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, G7 and other fora to promote FoRB. In May this year, we secured the inclusion of language on FoRB in the G7 communique for the first time, ensuring FoRB remains firmly on the international agenda.The Government is deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws as they generally limit freedom of expression and are only compatible with international human rights law in narrow circumstances. The Government regularly applies diplomatic pressure on countries that misuse blasphemy laws. Humanitarian Aid Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that UK humanitarian aid is accessible to all (1) religious, and (2) faith, communities, in particular while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK works to ensure that all humanitarian assistance reaches the most in need, including those who may be vulnerable because of their religion or belief. As a core part of the UK pledge of up to £1.3 billion to respond to COVID-19, we are working to encourage state security responses that are transparent, proportionate and fair, and that respect international humanitarian law and promote human rights.We work closely with our operational partners to ensure they rigorously assess vulnerability and needs, including those linked with religious identity and membership of faith communities as part of the humanitarian response process. This is enhanced by humanitarian actors speaking directly to those impacted, including members of affected communities and Faith-Based Organisations, and by reviewing historical data, media findings and other reports. Israel: Defence and Trade Agreements Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how goods produced in the Israeli settlements should be treated in negotiations on trade and defence with the government of Israel. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Israeli settlements, as part of Israel. Goods imported from the settlements are therefore not entitled to benefit from trade preferences under the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement. The UK also supports accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer. There are currently no plans for legislation to ban the import of products from Israeli settlements. China: Sanctions Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to ban investment in the Chinese surveillance company SenseTime, and (2) to respond to the call by the government of the USA for such sanctions to be part of a broad effort to unite democracies against authoritarian states. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government is committed to upholding human rights, and has serious concerns regarding the Chinese State's use of technologies in ways that violate human rights. On 12 January, the Government announced a series of measures to help ensure that UK organisations are not complicit in the human rights violations occurring in Xinjiang. These measures included strengthening the Overseas Business Risk guidance on China, which advises UK businesses engaging in joint-research and development activities in the fields of surveillance, biometrics, or tracking technology that they are at heightened risk of facilitating human rights violations due to evidence that invasive surveillance is being used in Xinjiang. It also urges business to consider the risk of exposure to entities that are providing or developing surveillance technologies. The Government continues to work closely with international partners, including the US, to increase pressure on the Chinese authorities to end serious human rights violations in Xinjiang. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in that region with fellow G7 Foreign and Development Ministers on 11 December. Xinjiang: Uighurs Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 13 December (HL4447), when they expect their review of export controls to be completed; and what plans they have to introduce the financial penalties for those in contravention of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, as announced by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 12 January (HC Deb, cols 160–62). Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: On 8 December the Secretary of State for International Trade announced a package of measures to update the UK's export control regime via a written ministerial statement to Parliament. This included an enhancement to the military end-use control that will allow HM Government to better address threats to national security, international peace and security, and human rights arising from the use of otherwise non-controlled items. The changes will also address a long-standing inconsistency within the UK's export control regime by adding China to the list of destinations subject to military end-use controls. Taken together, these changes will strengthen our ability to prevent exports that might be used directly or indirectly to facilitate human rights violations in all destinations subject to military end-use controls. It also completes the export control review announced to Parliament on 12 January 2021 by the then Foreign Secretary.Financial penalties for companies that fail to meet their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows. South China Sea: Disputed Territories The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help Vietnam and other claimant states (1) to resolve their disputes in relation to the South China Sea, and (2) to conclude a substantive South China Sea Code of Conduct which conforms to international law. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In the South China Sea, our commitment is to international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We take no position on sovereignty disputes and encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through the existing legal mechanisms, including UNCLOS. We oppose any action which changes the situation on the ground, raises tensions or hinders the chances of peaceful settlement of the disputes.The UK is committed to engaging with South East Asian countries in support of shared prosperity and regional stability. We are working with allies to strengthen regional capacity on maritime law and security, including with South China Sea claimants, through a programme of dialogues, training, and conferences. In July 2021, the then Minister for Asia signed a new Maritime Security Partnership with Vietnam, which will enhance the UK's bilateral maritime capacity cooperation. The Foreign Secretary discussed the South China Sea and regional security with counterparts during her most recent visit to SE Asia on 6-12 November.The UK welcomes negotiations between China and ASEAN countries for an effective and substantive Code of Conduct for claimants' activities. We continue to make clear that the text should support and complement UNCLOS and reflect the legitimate interests of third countries, including the UK.  This was stated most recently in the Chair's statement on 12 December following the first meeting between G7 Foreign and Development Ministers and ASEAN member States. Iran: Politics and Government The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what ministerial contact they have had with the new President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, since he was sworn into office in August. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are in regular contact with the Iranian Government. At ministerial level, the Foreign Secretary spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian on 22 September and 8 November, and the Minister for Middle East and North Africa spoke with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Bagheri Kani on 11 November. The Prime Minister wrote to President Raisi after he was elected, urging him to engage with the UK on a range of issues, including our nuclear concerns, our consular cases, human rights and Iran's role in the region. Our officials, including those in the British Embassy in Tehran, also regularly engage with Iran on a wide range of issues. Xinjiang: Genocide Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the finding of theUyghur Tribunal that a genocide is underway against Uyghurs in Xinjiang; and what steps they intend to take in response. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have followed the Uyghur Tribunal's work closely, and will study its conclusions carefully. We welcome the Tribunal's contribution to building international awareness and understanding of the human rights violations occurring in Xinjiang. The UK has led international efforts to hold China to account at the UN, imposed sanctions on senior Chinese government officials, and announced measures to help ensure no UK organisations are complicit in these violations through their supply chains. We will continue to work with international partners to increase the pressure on China to change its behaviour. Israel: Golan Heights Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 22 November (HL3795) detailing the steps they are taking regarding Russia's occupation of Crimea, what steps they are taking regarding Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK position on the status of the Occupied Golan Heights is well-known and has not changed. In line with international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions, notably Resolutions 242 and 497, we do not recognise Israel's sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, including the Golan Heights, and we do not consider them part of the territory of the State of Israel. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law. Any declaration of a unilateral border change goes against the foundation of the rules-based international order and the UN Charter. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Peacekeeping Operations The Earl of Dundee: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EU to seek an increase in the size of EUFOR's current mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to achieve enough soldiers to deter secessionist forces in that country. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In November, the UK worked with partners in the United Nations Security Council to secure the EUFOR stabilisation force's mandate for a further 12 months. Although the UK no longer participates in EUFOR following our withdrawal from the European Union, we liaise closely with Commander EUFOR and his team. We also support the NATO HQ in Sarajevo including though the secondment of UK staff officers, who are building the capacity of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces. At the NATO Foreign Minister's Meeting in Riga, the Foreign Secretary called on Allies to enhance NATO's engagement on BiH. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Peace Negotiations The Earl of Dundee: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to maintain peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region; and what plans they have towork with Council of Europe member states as part of their efforts. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK takes seriously talk of secession and other threats to undo the progress of the last twenty-six years in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We have called on those responsible to cease this destabilising and divisive rhetoric. As a UN Security Council and Peace Implementation Council Steering Board member, the UK is committed to upholding the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH. The recent appointment of Sir Stuart Peach as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans is a clear indication of our commitment. The UK works closely with our partners to support BiH's territorial integrity and to maintain the peace stabilisation force (EUFOR) and the Office of the High Representative in BiH. We work closely with various multinational bodies such as the CoE, NATO, OSCE and UN. Ultimately, the authorities in BiH themselves must make necessary reforms for the good of all citizens, and we call on them to meet their obligations to those who elected them. Discussions of how to support stability in BiH took place at the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riga, which the Foreign Secretary attended, and at Lancaster House on 13 December, when the Foreign Secretary hosted Western Balkans Foreign Ministers. France: Antisemitism Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of France regarding steps to counter levels of antisemitism in the UK and France. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK and France stand together in opposing antisemitism. The UK works with France and other partners in the UN, OSCE, G7 and Council of Europe to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief for all. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sewage: Waste Disposal Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, how they will evaluate the requirements on water companies in the Environment Act 2021 to make progressive reductions in sewage dumping. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Progressive reduction in harm means that we expect Water Companies in England to continue to take the steps necessary to reduce the harm caused by Storm Overflows, even after the next price review period. This duty will complement the 'significant' reduction required by the draft Strategic Policy Statement (SPS). We have been clear that we want to see meaningful action in this place, and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary.The Environment Act transparency measures mean the public, stakeholders' regulators and Government will be able to proactively measure the performance of water companies in achieving this duty.More information on ambition and timescales will be provided during the upcoming price review period - the Government, Ofwat and the Environment Agency all have roles to play in clarifying this detail. We expect to issue guidance to water companies early in 2022.The Environment Act also commits Government to produce a Discharge Reduction Plan by September 2022. We have been clear that this Plan is the right place to set our guiding principles to reduce harm from storm overflows - including our level of ambition and this will be consulted on in Spring 2022. Home Office Metropolitan Police: Stephen Port Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s report on police failures in investigating the murders committed by Stephen Port in 2014 and 2015. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently considering whether to re-open its investigation in light of the evidence provided to the Coroner during the course of the inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor. The IOPC will not publish the investigation report whilst consideration whether to re-open the investigation is ongoing so as not to prejudice any potential future proceedings.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2021-12-23

Department for Communities and Local Government Affordable Housing: Capital Investment Lord Horam: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of increasing the ways in which public funding may be obtained under the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme, particularly with regard to (1) the number of additional new homes that could be built, (2) the speed of delivery of new homes, and (3) the ability of housing associations to innovate and deliver new products. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced a £1.4 billion expansion of the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP) 2016-21 and a relaxation of restrictions on tenure. This will help us deliver a further 40,000 housing starts by 2021 and as part of the largest housing programme by any government since the 1970’s. The expanded and more flexible programme will allow providers to have the agility to more quickly and effectively respond with the right products to local needs and markets. Housing Associations: Finance Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government where the £1.8 billion of extra spending by Housing Associations from sources other than central government is coming from. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The £1.8 billion is the amount of additional investment that housing associations will need to take, from lenders and through cross subsidy across schemes, in order to deliver the much needed affordable homes. As housing associations are currently classified as public corporations this investment also counts towards the fiscal aggregates.We are taking action to enable the Office for National Statistics to reclassify housing associations to the private sector. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Erasmus+ Programme Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the UK will continue to participate in the Erasmus Plus programme following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and if not, what assessment they have made of the impact on (1) graduate employment, and (2) the provision of modern foreign language degree courses at UK universities. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Until our departure from the EU, we remain a fully paid up Member State, with all the rights and obligations that entails. Post-exit access to Erasmus+ will be a matter for the negotiations, which follow the triggering of Article 50. We will work through the implications for future years as part of the wider negotiations.The Treasury guarantee to underwrite competitively bid for funding commitments up to the point at which the UK departs the EU includes those parts of Erasmus+ that are bid for competitively. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Languages Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action is being taken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to improve target level attainment for languages for diplomatic and other staff based in key regions such as the Middle East and North Africa. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Language skills are vital to diplomacy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has increased the language training budget annually over the last three years to improve target level attainment. Officers posted to speaker slots overseas undergo full time language training to enable them to reach C1 operational level (equivalent to degree level) before taking up their posting. Those in speaker slots are encouraged, including through our performance management system, to take action if they have not reached their target level. Department for Education Schools: Standards Lord Porter of Spalding: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of children in schools currently graded by OFSTED as good or outstanding, which were graded as requiring improvement or inadequate in 2010, are in (1) academies, and (2) other state-maintained schools. Lord Nash: The table attached shows the number of pupils in primary and secondary schools that were judged to be good or outstanding in their most recent inspection broken down by the previous inspection result and whether they are (1) academies or (2) other state-funded schools.Providing the complete information requested would exceed the word limit for responses to written parliamentary questions. The table has therefore been attached. attachment - table (Excel SpreadSheet, 42 KB) Teachers: Training Baroness Donaghy: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the funding allocations to initial teacher training courses for 2017–18 apportioned by (1) primary phase, and (2) each secondary subject, broken down by (a) higher education, (b) school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT), (c) School Direct fee paying with higher education institutions (HEI) partners, (d) School Direct fee paying with SCITT partners, (e) School Direct salaried with HEI partners, and (f) School Direct salaried with SCITT partners. Baroness Donaghy: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which higher education institutions and school-centred initial teacher training providers received three year allocations for 2017–18 onwards; and what criteria were used to identify such providers. Lord Nash: The criteria used for three-year allocations for 2017/18 were published in “The allocation of Initial Teacher Training Places 2017-18” on 29 September. The four criteria used were: average degree class of trainees, quality of training measured by OFSTED, quality of outcomes measured by employment into the maintained sector, and recruitment performance against allocations.We will be publishing the full list of providers eligible for three-year allocations, and the allocations by subject in due course. Children in Care: Missing Persons Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Nash on 7 November (HL Deb, cols 894–6), how many children have gone missing from care in each year since 2009. Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Nash on 7 November (HL Deb, cols 894–6), what are the longest, shortest and average times that children were missing when they ran away from local authority care in each year since 2009. Lord Nash: Local authorities are responsible for collecting information about children in care who go missing. Due to inconsistencies in local data collection and reporting, the Department for Education strengthened its data collection in 2015 to use a new definition of missing and away from placement without authorisation. The Department also asked for data on all children who were missing from care, including those missing for less than a day. Figures for earlier years are not available on a consistent basis and are not considered reliable. Improved information on children missing from care in 2015 and 2016 is published in table G1 of the statistical first release: ‘Children looked after in England, year ending 31 March 2016’. A copy of the statistical first release is attached. This tells us that there were 8,670 children who were missing from care at some point during the year ending 31 March 2016, and 4,430 who were away from their placement without authorisation. As this is a new collection, the published statistics are currently classed as ‘experimental statistics’ to reflect that the quality of the statistics is still being assessed. Local authorities reported significant improvements to the quality and completeness of the data reported in 2016 so figures for 2015 and 2016 are not comparable. The Department only collects the date on which a child has gone missing or has returned, not the time period and duration of the incident. Local authorities will hold this detailed information. However, table G1 does show the duration of missing incidents. Statistical First Release tables (Excel SpreadSheet, 376.54 KB) Ministry of Justice Prisoners: Older People Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) males, and (2) females, over the age of 80 are currently serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales; and how many of those were over the age of 70 when sentenced. Lord Keen of Elie: Prison population serving sentences aged 80 or over as at 30 September 2016. Males223Females3 Breakdown of prison population serving sentences aged 80 or over on 30 September by their age at sentence date. AllMalesFemalesTotal2142063Number over 702122063Not Known (1)200 Notes These prisoners have been recently sentenced and their sentence date has not yet been updated on the system. Date Sources and quality The figures in these table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Prisoners' Release Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people in prison in England and Wales have been granted compassionate release on grounds of ill-health in each of the last five years for which figures are available. Lord Keen of Elie: The numbers granted early release on compassionate grounds for reasons of ill health in each of the last five years are; 201152012102013920148201510TOTAL42 Prisons: Food Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average food budget per prisoner per day in prisons in England and Wales for each of the last five years for which figures are available. Lord Keen of Elie: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS), on behalf of the MoJ Department, is responsible for allocating food budgets to all adult public sector prisons across England and Wales. There are separate budget arrangements in place for prisons within the Young Peoples Estate and the private sector. The table below shows the allocated food budget for financial years 2012-13 to 2015-16: Fiscal YearAllocated Budget2012/13£2.102013/14£1.962014/15£2.022015/16£2.02 For 2016-17, non-pay budgets, including an element for prisoner food, were based on a standard unit cost by prison type, in place of the previous set of standardised budgets. This gave Governors more freedom in allocating non-pay budgets, with the £2.02 figure for prisoner food retained as a guide. Criminal Proceedings: Interpreters Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, there will be a continued commitment to the right of interpretation services in the criminal justice system, on the same terms as currently guaranteed under the EU Directive on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. Lord Keen of Elie: As the Prime Minister has said we will not be providing a running commentary on the negotiations with regards to the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Ministry of Defence Armed Forces: Suicide Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the rate of suicide among UK armed forces personnel who have seen active service in Afghanistan or Iraq. Earl Howe: The Ministry of Defence takes the mental health and well-being of its personnel very seriously. Our policy aims to reduce suicide risk through education, tackling stigma, and providing rapid, easily accessible, and flexible access to mental health support and health care services.For the period 1 August 2002 to 31 December 2015, the rate of coroner confirmed suicides and open verdict deaths amongst those who had previously deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan and were still in Service at the time of their death was 0.9 per 1,000. This compared to a rate of 1.6 per 1,000 for those UK service personnel who have not been identified as having deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan prior to their death.The 'Suicide and Open Verdict Deaths in the UK Regular Armed Forces 1984-2015' National Statistics Notice published in March 2016 shows that over the past 30 years, male suicide rates among the UK regular Armed Forces have been lower than the UK general population. In 2014, the male suicide rate in the UK general population was 16.8 per 100,000 compared to a UK Armed Forces rate of 4 per 100,000. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs National Flood Resilience Review Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the recommendations published in the National Flood Resilience Review have been implemented; and whether they have developed plans with the relevant utilities and regulators for temporary improvements to resilience, in line with those already available in the electricity supply industry, in order to meet their target date of Christmas 2016. Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to identify a suitable governance structure to oversee the implementation of the National Flood Resilience Review; and when they plan the new governance arrangements to come into effect. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Good progress is being made on the implementation of the National Flood Resilience Review (NFRR) recommendations. All infrastructure companies have completed their initial assessments of their vulnerable sites for suitability for temporary flood defences and as a result companies are investing heavily in resilience measures to ensure continuity of supply this winter. This includes putting in place or having deployment plans for temporary defences, and other contingency measures such as rezoning of water supplies and the use of mobile telecommunications cells to reduce the risk of disruptions of services. Further to this, the Government is working with utility companies to improve permanent defences in the longer term. Coordination of flooding policy is a high priority across Government with a number of Departments responsible for delivering actions arising from the NFRR. As such an inter-Ministerial group has been established to oversee flooding policy, including the implementation of the NFRR. Flood Control: Finance Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 8 November (HL Deb, cols 1025–7), how much of the £2.5 billion reserved for flood protection over the next six years has been used or allocated, and on which projects. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The GOV.UK website contains an indicative programme of the £2.5 billion capital funding to be invested on improving flood defences in the six years between 2015 and 2021. In the first year of the programme up to March 2016 £391 million was spent. The programme is live and periodically updated to reflect the changing nature of scheme costs. As examples, two reasons to update the programme could include changes to local flood modelling revealing there would be no benefit to a flood scheme and early partnership funding being secured allowing schemes to be accelerated. Home Office Visas Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many restricted certificates of sponsorship were (1) returned to the Home Office during the previous month, and (2) reclaimed because they were not used within three months, in each month since April 2014. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The data requested is set out in the table belowRestricted certificates of sponsorship (RCoS) returned and reclaimedAllocation MonthRestricted Certificate of Sponsorship ReturnedRestricted Certificate of Sponsorship reclaimed as not usedApr-147 May-148 Jun-1433 Jul-147 Aug-149 Sep-1414 Oct-1466 Nov-1415 Dec-1417 Jan-1545 Feb-1510 Mar-154 Apr-15311 May-15390 Jun-1520456Jul-1515244Aug-1524368Sep-1511176Oct-1546285Nov-1527350Dec-1519 Jan-1611 Feb-168 Mar-165 Apr-1618252May-1610246Jun-167288Jul-1612353Aug-165 Sep-164 Oct-165 PQ HL3311 - Table (Excel SpreadSheet, 11.68 KB) Visas Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the annual cap of 20,700 on restricted certificates of sponsorship has been breached in any of the five years since its permanent introduction in April 2011. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The annual cap has not been breached in any year since the permanent introduction in April 2011.Although the annual cap has not been breached, the monthly limit of applications between June and September 2015 was breached. HM Treasury Foreign Exchange Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning to review the regulation of foreign exchange providers to ensure the protection of consumers buying foreign currency during periods of wide currency fluctuations. Lord Young of Cookham: The Government is reviewing the Payment Services Regulations as part of its implementation of the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2). The Regulations apply to foreign exchange firms conducting a payment transaction as part of a currency exchange. There are currently no plans to review the regulation of foreign exchange providers more widely. However, Government will continue to monitor the sector to ensure that consumers and businesses using foreign exchange services are treated fairly. Tax Avoidance Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to prevent the use of aggressive tax avoidance schemes under which employers reduce their national insurance payments and exploit VAT rules designed to benefit very small businesses; and with what results. Lord Young of Cookham: These schemes are under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Penalties are in place for those caught attempting to avoid tax by using an avoidance scheme. This includes promoters of such schemes who can face fines of up to £1 million for failing to notify an avoidance scheme under the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes regime. In the last two years, HMRC has secured an additional £5.5 billion through targeting tax avoidance schemes. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Autumn Statement 2016 that the Government will counter abuse of the VAT Flat Rate Scheme while keeping VAT accounting simple for the small businesses that use the scheme as intended. Department for Exiting the European Union Brexit Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 3 November (HL2764), whether they will exceptionally publish on a weekly basis details of ministerial meetings relating to Brexit until Article 50 has been invoked. Lord Bridges of Headley: There are no plans to change the current approach of reporting details of Ministers' meetings on a quarterly basis.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-11-30

House of Lords: Medical Screening for Members Lord Jopling: asked the Chairman of Committees: When medical screening for Members of the House will be introduced. Lord Tordoff: The House agreed last year that each Member of the House should be offered free medical screening once every three years on a rolling basis. The service will begin on 10 June 2002, under contract with St Thomas' Hospital. Screenings and follow-up interviews will take place in the premises of the Occupational Health and Welfare Service, which will start issuing invitations to Members to make appointments shortly. Arms Exports Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they assess the risks that exports of arms and equipment licensed to the following countries may be diverted: (a) from Hong Kong to mainland China (which is under existing European Union arms embargo); (b) from Jordan to Iraq; (c) from Paraguay to Brazil (illicit sales); and (d) from Singapore to other countries. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We assess all export licence applications on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. The consolidated criteria clearly state that we would not issue licences where there is a risk that exports might be diverted to undesirable end-users. The criteria were set out in the answer given by my right honourable friend the Member for Neath to my honourable friend the Member for Crawley on 26 October 2000 (Official Report, Commons; col. 199–203W). To assess the risk of diversion we examine open and sensitive source reports, and classified reports from our posts overseas. We have introduced a number of safeguards in order to minimise the risk of diversion; and those measures are under constant review. We do not disclose specific details of our safeguards, as they largely depend on information obtained from sensitive sources which is exempt from disclosure under part 2 section 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. With specific reference to the countries you name: (a) Officials from FCO, MoD, DTI and HM Customs & Excise undertake regular visits to Hong Kong to see how effectively its export control system is working. On the basis of their visits, we retain confidence in Hong Kong's independent strategic trade controls. Customs procedures are rigorously enforced. As the late Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr Derek Fatchett announced on 14 January 1998, in order to fulfil our obligations under the EU embargo on China, goods which we would not approve for export to the Chinese armed forces in mainland China will not be permitted for export for military end-use in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Official Report, Commons; col. 221W). (b) We do not believe it is in Jordan's security interests to divert arms to Iraq now. Although the Jordanian Government have close relations with Iraq, we do not believe they would divert military equipment there. Jordan has consistently supported implementation of UN sanctions. (c) When assessing small arms export licence applications for Paraguay, the risk of diversion is carefully considered. Our embassy in Asuncion is asked on each occasion for an assessment of the risk of diversion and, if necessary, to check the bona fides of the proposed end-user locally. (d) The Singaporeans are aware that we would be concerned over any diversion and that we would act if we found evidence of it. Our post in Singapore often carries out checks on proposed end-users when a licence application is being considered. NHS: Patient Contact Measures Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: In the light of recommendation 6.5 in the review of Korner Community Health Services and Cross Sector Returns (November 2000) that commissioners who use "total contacts" should move to more appropriate measures, how many commissioners have now moved to different systems of measurement; and what these systems are. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Commissioners, the professions and the Department of Health used total face-to-face contacts as a measure of activity levels. However the review group report on Korner Community Health Services and Cross Sector Returns details the weaknesses of using total contacts with patients as, for example, they represent only a small part of work done and there is no measure of quality of care or outcome. Collection of this information was also seen as particularly burdensome by the professional groups involved in the review. For these reasons, total face-to-face contacts were judged to be ill suited as a measure of workload and the review group recommended that the count of total face-to-face contacts should be abandoned. This recommendation was accepted by Ministers and collection of information about total face-to-face contacts was discontinued for 2000–01. Information about first contacts, the number of patients seen in a financial year, and initial contacts, the number of episodes of care in a year, were seen as more useful measures of activity and the review group's recommendation that these should be retained was also accepted by Ministers. The review group report also urged commissioners who use total face-to-face contacts to take the opportunity to consider and move to more appropriate measures of activity. This was regarded as a matter for local commissioners and service providers to determine and agree between themselves with due regard to local circumstances. The department has not collected information about these local commissioning arrangements and information about the numbers of commissioners who have moved to different systems of measurement, and what these systems are, is therefore not available centrally. Furthermore, the department would not seek to impose an additional data collection of this nature on the National Health Service where there is no central requirement for the information. Gambling Review Body: Report Lord Mancroft: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the information contained in paragraphs 28.38 to 28.41 of the Gambling Review Body's report (Cm 5207) was supplied to the review body by government officials. Baroness Blackstone: Home Office officials made a summary of the department's view of Pronto lotteries available to the review body's secretariat. But is it not possible to say what information the review body, which was independent of the Government, drew on in preparing its report. Gambling Review Body: Report Lord Mancroft: asked Her Majesty's Government: What research evidence they have to show that society lotteries with frequent draws have resulted in "uncontrolled or excessive play carrying risks encouraging problem gambling"; and whether they will place that research evidence in the Library of the House. Baroness Blackstone: The Government are aware of no research evidence on this issue beyond what is set out in the review body's report. Gambling Review Body: Report Lord Mancroft: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will now publish the four submissions out of three hundred to the Gambling Review Body expressing concern about frequent draw lotteries; and whether they will place them in the Library of the House. Baroness Blackstone: Copies of all submissions to the Government about the review body's report are already in the Library of the House. The four submissions expressing concern about frequent draw lotteries came from the Methodist Church, Camelot, Carlton Clubs and Rank. Gambling Review Body: Report Lord Mancroft: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Sir Alan Budd and his colleagues were shown the results of the frequent draw society lotteries in the possession of the Home Office; if not, why not; and whether officials had concluded that those results contained no evidence of uncontrolled or excessive play, over a period of nine months in 800 pubs. Baroness Blackstone: Inter Lotto (UK), of which the noble Lord was chairman, provided information about Pronto sales in 1997–98 to the Home Office. It was not possible to draw firm conclusions from this information about how individuals were playing Pronto. The Home Office did not provide this information to the Gambling Review Body, on the basis that it was open to Inter Lotto (UK) to do so if it had thought that information to be material, the review body having published at the outset of its work a general invitation to interested bodies to submit evidence. Gambling Review Body: Report Lord Mancroft: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why, in the light of the evidence contained in Chapter 17 of the Gambling Review Body's report (Cm 5207), they are not planning to restrict slot machines while at the same time they are seeking to ban society lotteries with frequent draws. Baroness Blackstone: The Government have made detailed plans for the future regulation of gaming machines and have set them out in A Safe Bet for Success (Cm 5397). The maximum prize from a gaming machine in a public house is £25 and it will remain at that level. We have recently laid regulations which will increase the maximum possible prize from a society lottery to £200,000. Union of the Crowns: 400th Anniversary Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have any plans to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government have presently no plans to do so. Jobs Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many jobs were created or safeguarded in the United Kingdom in the year ending 31st March 2002; and How many jobs were lost in the United Kingdom in the year ending 31st March 2002. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter to Lord Roberts of Conwy from the executive director of the Office for National Statistics, dated May 2002. The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions about how many jobs were created or safeguarded and how many jobs were lost in the United Kingdom in the year ending 31st March 2002. I am replying in his absence. (HL4515, HL4516) The latest data for workforce jobs relate to December 2001. UK Workforce Jobs Thousands (seasonally adjusted) December 2000 29411 December 2001 29466 Change between December 2000 and December 2001 55 (0.2 per cent) These estimates are based on the results of regular sample surveys of employers which count the number of employee jobs supplemented by data on self-employment collected by the Labour Force Survey. The data are published in Statbase on the National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk./statbase/tsdataset.asp?vlnk=342 under series identifier DYDC. Royal Ulster Constabulary Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they will mark the murders of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve since 1969. Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has provided for the establishment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Foundation to mark the sacrifices and honour the achievements of the RUC. One of the functions of the foundation is to oversee development of a Garden of Remembrance and a new RUC Museum—this will draw together both projects into a complete "RUC experience" where visitors can reflect on the sacrifices of the RUC as they walk through the Memorial Garden and visit the many exhibits and displays about the RUC and its history in the Museum. Tragically, murdered officers leave behind bereft family and friends, and the foundation will undertake joint initiatives with the Widow's Association, Disabled Police Officers' Association and other members of the police family. Just as the families will never forget their loved ones, the Government will remember the ultimate sacrifice those murdered officers gave to this community. Castlereagh Police Complex: Security Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 13 May (WA 2), which indicated that all staff at Castlereagh police complex were security cleared, whether this includes catering staff; and whether these arrangements are satisfactory. Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: The Acting Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed that all staff (including catering staff) working at the Castlereagh police complex are security cleared. The arrangements for this security clearance are in accordance with existing best practice.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2002-05-30a

Department for Transport Buses: Exhaust Emissions Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ban private tourist diesel buses operating in the centres of heavily polluted (1) towns, and (2) cities. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Government has no current plans to ban private tourist diesel buses from town centres. Old Oak Common Station Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their latest estimates for the cost of the station serving Great Western, Heathrow Express and TfL train services at Old Oak Common; how many station platforms are planned; when development approval will be sought; and whether these costs related to Old Oak Common station are included in the Government’s cost estimate for HS2. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Old Oak Common will contain 14 platforms: 6 subterranean High Speed platforms and 8 conventional rail platforms for services on the Great Western Main Line. Within the Target Cost for Phase One, the budget allocated by HS2 Ltd for the Old Oak Common station, including contingency for risk, is £1.67bn (2019 prices). A more detailed breakdown of costs cannot be provided as this information is commercially sensitive. The High Speed Rail (London to West Midlands) Act provides the necessary powers for the station. Railway Stations: Greater Manchester Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the overall cost for the construction of the proposed Manchester HS2 (1) surface station, (2) rail-related buildings, (3) tunnels, (4) portals, and (5) track and signalling. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The High-Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill Business Case and Overarching Estimate of Expense provide key cost estimates for the Phase 2b Western Leg. Railway Stations: Greater Manchester Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the (1) development, (2) construction, and (3) commissioning (a) times, and (b) costs, for the proposed underground Manchester HS2 station project; and what closures of the tram services in Manchester will be required during the construction. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Manchester HS2 station project is for a surface station located on the same level as the existing Piccadilly Network Rail station. The HS2 surface station is based on a 6-platform surface station and will be accessed by a tunnelled route until the station approach. The Government is intent on working with HS2 Ltd to limit the level of disruption throughout construction.HS2 Ltd expect the disruption to the Metrolink Ashton Line to last for around two years during which a bus replacement service will be provided between Ashton Cole and Manchester Piccadilly. Railway Stations: Greater Manchester Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement byLord Greenhalgh on 11 May (HL Deb col 98) on the £5 billiondelivery of an underground station in Manchester, how many platforms the plan includes; what are the length of the tunnels connecting to the station platforms in both directions; whether any non-HS2 trains could use the underground station; what are the lengths of the platforms; and what is the overall cost estimate for the underground station and its tunnels. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The High-Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill deposited in parliament on 24 January set out the Government’s commitment for a surface station. The Bill does not contain plans for an underground station and the Government continues to consider that an enlarged (6-platform) surface station can meet requirements at substantially lower cost and construction impact than underground alternatives. These views are reflected in the Bill that has been deposited in parliament. High Speed 2 Line: Procurement Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that (1) Hikvision, and (2) Dahua, cameras and technology are not used in the procurement supply chain for the HS2 railway line. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: It is not government policy to comment on security arrangements. HS2 Ltd's procurement process is undertaken in line with the Utilities Contract Regulations (2016 as amended). HS2’s contracts specify a level of capability which suppliers of products must be able to meet. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Company Accounts: Standards Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 20 May (HL31), why s833A is relevant to that answer, given that s833A does not provide an example of adjustments to numbers in the audited accounts because s833A(7) uses different numbers valued in accordance with rules from the Prudential Regulatory Authority instead. Lord Callanan: As noted in the answer I gave to HL31, section 833A is an example of a factor that directors in certain insurance companies may need to consider when using their relevant accounts to determine their company’s distributable profits. Section 833A works in tandem with other sections that reference the accounts, to create a dual test. Company Accounts: Standards Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 20 May (HL31), how anyaudited accounts described as a "starting point" can have been reliable for assessing whether a company is capable of being a going concern or not, if that “starting point” (1) contained material unrealised profits, and (2) excluded material realised losses. Lord Callanan: UK-adopted international accounting standards require the directors of a company, when preparing the accounts, to make an assessment of the company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern for at least 12 months from the balance sheet date. These standards also require disclosure where there are material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt upon the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Section 836 of the Companies Act 2006 requires that the calculation of distributable profits is determined by reference to the relevant accounts. Part 23 includes other criteria that must be assessed before the amount of distributable profits for the company can be determined. In taking a decision to pay a dividend, directors must also consider their duty under s172 of the Companies Act 2006 to promote the success of the company for the benefit of shareholders as a whole. Consideration of the success of the company may include an assessment of whether the company would, following the payment of the proposed dividend, be solvent and continue to be able to pay its debts as they fall due, in the context of the current and likely future position and needs of the company. Company Accounts: Standards Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers byLord Callanan on 20 May (HL27 and HL31), by what authority theUK Endorsement Board is endorsing accounting standards under its duties in secondary legislation without considering the primary legislative framework in which those standards sit; and when was such authority (1) given, and (2) by whom. Lord Callanan: Regulation 5 of the International Accounting Standards and European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/685) gave the Secretary of State the responsibility to adopt international accounting standards, with a view to harmonising the financial information presented by companies preparing accounts required by section 403(1) of the Companies Act 2006. This responsibility was delegated to the UK Endorsement Board via the International Accounting Standards (Delegation of Functions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021, which was approved by Parliament and came into force on 22 May 2021. The delegation also includes the requirement to abide by the basis for adoption of international accounting standards set-out in Regulation 7 of SI 2019/685. Company Accounts: Standards Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 20 May (HL31), how systemic such adjustments are if audited accounts are merely a “starting point“; and whether the result of companies having to do that has been subject to an impact assessment in terms of (1) burdens on business, and (2) the risk of hiding insolvency. Lord Callanan: Companies calculate their distributable profits under Part 23 of the Companies Act 2006, and as such, it is an individual decision at the company level as to whether to make a distribution.An impact assessment on the Companies Act 2006 was published in January 2007 and is attached to this response.Companies Act 2006 Regulatory IA (pdf, 314.7KB) Department of Health and Social Care Immunosuppression Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will appoint a ministerial lead specifically responsible for the immunocompromised in order to improve future (1) policy, (2) communication, and (3) guidance, for that group. Lord Kamall: The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Vaccines and Public Health (Maggie Throup MP) has Ministerial responsibility for immunocompromised groups. Coronavirus: Quarantine Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the psychological impact on immunocompromised individuals who are continuing to shield due to COVID-19. Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the economic impact on immunocompromised individuals who are continuing to shield due to COVID-19. Lord Kamall: No specific assessment has been made. People designated as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) were advised to shield between 22 March 2020 to 15 September 2021. However, shielding is not current policy. Individuals previously considered as CEV include but are not limited to those who are immunocompromised. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) recently conducted a survey of people previously considered to be CEV. In April 2022, the survey found that 46% were very or somewhat worried about the current effect of the pandemic on their life, with 25% reporting that the pandemic posed a major or significant risk to their mental health. The survey found that 29% were in paid employment, 7% reported they had lost income due to shielding or isolating and 20% worked from at home. Insights for those whose immune systems mean they continue to be at high risk from COVID-19 and who are continuing to shield will be included in a future ONS survey release in June 2022. Evusheld Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Vaccines and Public Health) in the Department of Health and Social Care on 20 April (151279),what level of efficacy against Omicron they would deem as "sufficient" in order to secure a supply of Evusheld. Lord Kamall: There is no pre-determined view of a ‘sufficient’ level of efficacy. The Department will seek expert clinical advice on the results of the UK Health Security Agency’s testing to inform future decision making. RAPID C-19 will consider all data relating to the use of Evusheld as a pre-exposure prophylaxis treatment before providing advice to the Chief Medical Officer. Coronavirus: Medical Treatments Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the efficacy of existing COVID-19 antiviral treatments for eligible patients in reducing rates of hospitalisation and death. Lord Kamall: A range of treatment options are available to non-hospitalised patients at higher risk from COVID-19 to reduce severe disease, hospitalisation and death. These treatments are available through COVID Medicines Delivery Units and include the oral antivirals nirmatrelvir+ritonavir (Paxlovid), molnupiravir and the infusion antiviral remdesivir.Evidence from clinical trials suggests these treatments can reduce the risk of hospitalisation. For molnupiravir, interim results found a 50% reduction in the relative risk of hospitalisation or death compared to placebo. However, updated results indicate molnupiravir reduces the relative risk of hospitalisation or death by 30% compared to placebo. Pfizer’s final analysis on the clinical trials of nirmatrelvir+ritonavir showed an 88% reduction in hospitalisation or death compared to a placebo within five days of symptom onset. No assessment of how these treatments have impacted rates of hospitalisation since December has been made.Both molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir+ritonavir are being trialled as part of the PANORAMIC national study. Results for molnupiravir are expected in summer 2022. Recruitment for the nirmatrelvir + ritonavir opened on 11 April 2022. The study will collect further data on how these treatments work in a United Kingdom context where the majority of the population is vaccinated. It will also provide baseline information on how antivirals could be used for best clinical effect in combination with antibodies or other antiviral drugs as they become available. A 2021 trial showed that among non-hospitalised patients at high risk for COVID-19 progression, a three-day course of remdesivir had an acceptable safety profile and resulted in an 87% lower risk of hospitalisation or death than placebo. Coronavirus: Medical Treatments Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of eligible patients have received doses of COVID-19 antiviral therapies within the 5-day guidelines set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Lord Kamall: Since they were established in December 2021, COVID Medicines Delivery Units have provided antiviral or monoclonal antibody treatments to over 43,000 patients in England. Of these, over 20,100 patients have been treated with antivirals. The clinical access policies specify that the oral antivirals molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir+ritonavir must be administered within five days of the patient starting to experience symptoms. Over 95% of eligible non-hospitalised patients who have received an antiviral treatment to date were treated within five days from the onset of symptoms. However, the antiviral infusion remdesivir is suitable to be administered within seven days of the patient becoming symptomatic. Department for Education Education: South West The Lord Bishop of Exeter: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the report by the University of Exeter Social Mobility in the South West, published on 28 April, that “the South-West has the worst educational outcomes for disadvantaged young people in the country, and low social mobility compared with other areas”; and what steps they are taking to address these problems. Baroness Barran: The department recognises that this is a very significant issue for the South West. The report acknowledges the work we are doing in the region, and we are committed to supporting this further.The attached ‘Table N5’ of the latest published key stage 2 outcomes for 2019 provides the data on the disadvantage gap and shows that the gap has been narrowing up until the latest year where it saw a slight upturn.A similar trend is seen at key stage 4 where the gap was generally narrowing until the latest 2020/21 data point. More information on key stage 4 is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance-revised#dataBlock-8a6b42aa-6090-4799-a02e-f9ad86353d33-tables.The department also has a South West disadvantage strategy and plan, with numerous strands. The strands include:Working with sector networks and trust leaders to promote and improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupilsWorking with department policy colleagues to promote and support key developments in the region. For example, the national tutoring programmeWorking with and learning from sector experts. For example, the Education Endowment Foundation on what works, basing our strategies on the latest evidenceIncluding disadvantage outcomes and gaps as part of our induction of the new regional advisory board members As outlined in the Schools White Paper, we want to build capacity in the parts of the country that need this most. This is why we have identified 55 Education Investment Areas, which include the third of local authorities where attainment is lowest and where we will offer substantial additional support to drive school improvement. Our Education Investment Areas include a number of areas in the South West.In these areas we will be supporting schools not making necessary improvements by moving them into strong trusts, subject to our ongoing consultation. We will also be investing in trust capacity, extending the Connect the Classroom programme to improve schools’ digital connectivity and offering the Levelling Up premium to eligible teachers in disadvantaged schools.We will also make more intensive investment in a subset of Priority Education Investment Areas, where underperformance is particularly entrenched. These areas include our existing Opportunity Areas, including West Somerset. These areas will benefit from a share of around £40 million to address specific local needs, as well as advanced access to other department programmes.HL297_Table_KS2 (pdf, 19.3KB) Academies Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Educationis ableto require local authorities to develop local strategic plans to bring local authority maintained schools into the academy system. Baroness Barran: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, does not have the power to require local authorities to develop strategic plans to bring local authority-maintained schools into the academy system. The Schools Bill contains a power for local authorities to support schools in joining academy trusts by applying for academy orders on their behalf. Academies Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many schools they expect to convert to academy status though sponsorship or other means between March 2022 and December 2030. Baroness Barran: The Schools White Paper sets out the department’s intention that by 2030, all children will benefit from being taught in a family of schools, with their school in a strong multi-academy trust, or with plans to join or form one. The best trusts in the system will work where they are needed most, levelling up standards, and transforming previously underperforming schools.The policies set out in the White Paper will remove barriers that are preventing schools from benefiting from the support of a strong trust, whilst ensuring that all parts of the system can play their part in building a single, coherent system.Local authorities will be able to add new capacity to the system by establishing new strong trusts. Additionally, the department will ensure there are statutory protections for academies with a religious character, equivalent to those for maintained schools with a religious character. Appropriate financial support will be provided to Dioceses and other religious bodies to enable the growth and establishment of trusts.Regional directors will engage local partners to determine the best way to develop a strong trust landscape that suits their area, investing up to £86 million over the next three years in building trust capacity, focused particularly on Education Investment Areas.The department is keen to continue engaging with the sector on how best to achieve a fully trust-led system by 2030. Academies Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the total cost of converting maintained schools to academy status through sponsorship or other means from March 2022 to December 2030; and what is their expectation of the average cost of converting each school to academy status. Baroness Barran: The average costs of converting maintained schools to academy status will vary significantly by project and based on the different approaches taken with partners, including whether the conversion is via the sponsored or converter route. The approach taken will depend on the circumstances of the school at the time.The department has a range of existing grant regimes to support schools to convert in a variety of circumstances. For sponsored academy projects, pre-opening grant funding is available, supporting pre-opening costs such as staff recruitment, project management, legal advice, and any other school improvement interventions, helping to improve pupil outcomes. Funding values vary depending on the type of school, ranging from £70,000 to £150,000. Converter academies are eligible to apply for the £25,000 support grant, following approval of the conversion application.Additionally, the department is investing up to £86 million over the next three years in building trust capacity, focused particularly in Education Investment Areas where pupil outcomes are weakest, and within these, Priority Education Investment Areas. The Trust Capacity Fund helps trusts take on underperforming schools for defined growth projects which have been approved by a regional director. Regional directors will engage local partners to determine the best way to develop a strong trust landscape that suits their area.Being part of a strong trust can also unlock financial benefits. By centralising operational and administrative functions, schools within a multi-academy trust can save time and money. This can then be reinvested directly into the areas which have the greatest impact on children’s outcomes, including unlocking capacity to support weaker schools. Private Education: Charities Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the requirements of charitable status on independent schools; and who ensures that those requirements are fulfilled. Baroness Barran: The department does not regulate the charitable status of independent schools. The Charity Commission is an independent, non-ministerial government department that has responsibility for registering eligible organisations as charities and for outlining the requirements placed on them when achieving charitable status.The advancement of education is a charitable purpose and so independent schools are capable of being charities. Currently, approximately 50% of independent schools hold charitable status. Irrespective of charitable status or otherwise, all independent schools must always meet the same independent school standards. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Water: Pollution Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government why different advice is being provided for new homes construction in the Wye, Lugg and Usk catchments between Natural Resources Wales and Natural England with regard to nutrient neutrality of foul water. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In Wales, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) acts as the Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation. Natural England works closely with NRW on environmental issues but it remains NRW's responsibility to provide relevant advice in Wales. Whilst the present advice in England and Wales is tailored to the relevant local circumstances, as appropriate, NRW is currently in the process of updating its advice. Farms: Inspections Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many extra inspections, prosecutions and convictions have been conducted under the Farming Rules for Water, and other matters, since the appointment of 50 extra Environment Agency Inspectors, comparing the period before and after their appointment. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Recruiting 50 new Agricultural Regulatory Inspections Officers has allowed the Environment Agency (EA) to significantly increase its inspections from around 300 per annum to 1805 in financial year 2021-22.From April 2021 to date the EA has issued 3186 environmental improvement actions to farmers to bring them into compliance with regulations and prevent pollution. The EA has verified that 871 of these actions have been completed and it will continue to follow up the others to conclusion. Some actions on farms, such as building a new slurry store, take more time to complete due to raising finance, planning considerations and availability of contractors.The new officers have not taken any prosecutions yet and have not applied any Civil Sanctions to Farming Rules for Water Offences. Except in cases of significant pollution, the EA starts the regulatory journey with advice, following up with more formal enforcement if that advice is not acted on. Home Office Migrants: Domestic Abuse The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their evaluation of the Support for Migrant Victims pilot scheme. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Tackling domestic abuse and ensuring victims receive the support they need, is a priority for this Government. Furthermore, anyone who has suffered domestic abuse must be treated as a victim first and foremost, regardless of immigration status. In April 2021, the Home Office launched the £1.5 million Support for Migrant Victims Scheme for migrant victims of domestic abuse who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). The pilot, being run by Southall Black Sisters and their delivery partners for a duration of 12 months, provides wraparound support for migrant victims of domestic abuse, including subsistence, accommodation and counselling. We have appointed an independent evaluator, Behavioural Insights Ltd, to assess the Scheme, with a view to producing a final report later this year. The Scheme and independent evaluation will help to build the evidence-base needed to better understand the diverse needs of the migrant population, which in turn should inform any future change in policy decisions. In the interim, as announced in our recently published Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, we will provide £1.4 million in 2022-23 to continue to fund support for migrant victims of domestic abuse, whilst we take on board vital lessons learned from the pilot to inform future policy decisions.The Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan will seek to transform the whole of society’s response in order to prevent offending, support victims and pursue perpetrators, as well as to strengthen the systems processes in place needed to deliver these goals. The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) National Statement of Expectations, and Commissioning Toolkit, which we have published alongside the Plan, will also provide support to commissioners to help them increase provision of ‘by and for’ and specialist services. Cabinet Office Homicide: Young People Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord True on 14 March (HL6441), whether they will provide the equivalent data for the 20 years up to April 2022. Lord True: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the noble Lord’s Parliamentary Question of 10 May is below and attached. Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National StatisticianThe Rt Hon. the Lord Field of Birkenhead CH DLHouse of LordsLondonSW1A 0PW18 May 2022Dear Lord Field,As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of offences, by age, currently recorded as homicide by sharp instrument for the previous 20 years up to April 2022 (HL58).The Office for National Statistics publishes homicide figures where the method of killing was by a knife or sharp instrument sourced from the Home Office Homicide Index, which is a database separate from the main police recorded crime dataset. It contains detailed record-level information about each homicide recorded by the police in England and Wales. It is continually updated with revised information from the police and courts and, as such, is a richer source of data than the main police recorded crime dataset.Table 1 presents the number of offences currently recorded as homicide by a sharp instrument, by age, for the year ending March 2011 to the year ending March 2021. This data was published alongside Homicide in England and Wales, year ending March 2021 [1]. We do not hold up-to-date data on the number of offences currently recorded as homicide by a sharp instrument, by age, for year ending March 2003 to year ending March 2010 as requested [2].Data for year ending March 2022 will not be published until February 2023. Yours sincerely,Professor Sir Ian DiamondTable 1: Offences [3] currently recorded as homicide by a sharp instrument, by age [4], year ending March 2011 to year ending March 2021[5]Apr 2010 to Mar 2011Apr 2011 to Mar 2012Apr 2012 to Mar 2013Apr 2013 to Mar 2014Apr 2014 to Mar 2015Apr 2015 to Mar 2016Apr 2016 to Mar 2017Apr 2017 to Mar 2018Apr 2018 to Mar 2019Apr 2019 to Mar 2020Apr 2020 to Mar 2021Number of victims Total236 208 195 203 186 211 216 281 260 270 235 Under 1614109469667108 16-178711108111014171310 18-244046384744375182617754 1 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/homicideinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch20212 This data may be available if you contact the Home Office directly.3 As of 10 December 2021; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.4 The age categories that have been used in this table are supplied by the Home Office.5 Home Office statisticians and police forces have undertaken a review of homicide data for year ending March 2019 and year ending March 2020 to update suspect data and cancelled crimes. Totals shown in this table will not match previously published figures.UKSA response (pdf, 125.1KB)

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2022-05-27

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Companies House Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposal to reduce the amount of time that records of dissolved companies at Companies House are retained from 20 years to six. Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what objectives they are seeking to achieve as a result of the proposal to reduce the amount of time that records of dissolved companies at Companies House are retained from 20 years to six. Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which external organisations the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has consulted regarding the proposal to reduce the amount of time that records of dissolved companies at Companies House are retained from 20 years to six. Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the savings that will result from the proposal to reduce the amount of time that records of dissolved companies at Companies House are retained from 20 years to six. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government has no current plans to bring forward proposals to reduce the period of time that Companies House retains records of dissolved companies. We will continue to keep the retention period under review. Any future proposal to change the retention period would be subject to public consultation. Department for Work and Pensions Housing Benefit: Lancashire Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of households in (1) the County of Lancashire, and (2) the Borough of Pendle, that will experience reductions in their housing benefit as a result of the new cap introduced on 7 November; and what will be the total estimated annual reduction in each area. Lord Freud: It is estimated that around 1,700 households in the County of Lancashire and 100 households in the Borough of Pendle will be affected by the lower benefit cap in 2016/17. The annual benefit reduction from the lower cap is estimated to be around £3,900,000 in the County of Lancashire and £200,000 in the Borough of Pendle in 2016/17 if the cap was in place for the full financial year, however actual savings will be much lower in view of the lower cap only applying to the latter part of the year. Notes:Estimates assume no behavioural responses - any behavioural responses to the lower cap, such as claimants moving into employment, would cause the number of households affected to reduce.The number of capped households has been rounded to the nearest 100 householdsAnnual benefit reduction has been rounded to the nearest £100,000 per year.Modelling for this assessment was conducted using administrative records held by the Department for Work and Pensions containing amounts of benefit paid (including Child Benefit, as paid by HM Revenue and Customs) and indicators of receipt of Working Tax Credit and exemption benefits such as Disability Living Allowance. This enables the separation of households into those excluded from the cap, and those which will be subject to it and by how much. The administrative records relate to November 2015, but have been adjusted to reflect the future benefit regime. The benefit cap will be lowered from 7th November from £26,000 to £20,000, except in London where it will be lowered to £23,000 (a lower cap applies to single adult households). To help ensure Local Authorities are able to protect the most vulnerable Housing Benefit claimants and to support households adjusting to our welfare reforms, the Government will provide £870m funding for Discretionary Housing Payments over the next 5 years from 2016/17. Employment: Disability Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how businesses wanting to be involved with the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group can do so. Lord Freud: Disability Confident is about employers influencing other employers, sharing their evidence and experiences in employing disabled people with other employers to encourage them to also make the journey. This employer led approach will be reinforced by establishing a Business Leaders Group, with membership from Disability Confident employers across a wide range of sectors, sizes and geographic areas.We are currently finalising the Terms of Reference for the group and will then begin seeking members. Any employers interested in being involved should email [emailprotected]/* */!function(t,e,r,n,c,a,p){try{t=document.currentScript||function(){for(t=document.getElementsByTagName('script'),e=t.length;e--;)if(t[e].getAttribute('data-cfhash'))return t[e]}();if(t&&(c=t.previousSibling)){p=t.parentNode;if(a=c.getAttribute('data-cfemail')){for(e='',r='0x'+a.substr(0,2)|0,n=2;a.length-n;n+=2)e+='%'+('0'+('0x'+a.substr(n,2)^r).toString(16)).slice(-2);p.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(decodeURIComponent(e)),c)}p.removeChild(t)}}catch(u){}}()/* */, using Disability Confident Business Leaders Group in the subject heading and giving brief details of their organisation and any previous involvement. Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will define those individuals with severe and lifelong disabling conditions who will not be subject to repeated reassessments for benefits. Lord Freud: We will be working over the coming months with medical professionals and other stakeholders to develop criteria that will help us identify those with the most severe health conditions or disabilities, for whom repeat work capability assessments can be stopped.Rather than a list of specific medical conditions, the criteria will be based on identifying claimants with the most severe health conditions or disabilities where it would be unreasonable to expect the individual to undertake any form or amount of work or work-related activity. This change will only apply to those placed in the Support Group and Universal Credit equivalent.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-11-18

Ulster-Scots Agency Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the Eire Government informed the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of its contribution towards the Ulster-Scots Agency's budget for 2004; how much was that contribution; and what is the figure agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council replacement procedure. Baroness Amos: The 2004 budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency was set after consultation between the sponsor departments and the agency. The chief executive was advised on 30 October 2003 that the Ulster-Scots Agency's budget for 2004 would be in the region of £1.67 million. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) advised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) on 13 November 2003 that the 2004 abridged estimates had been published and the amount allocated for the North/South Language Body was 14.633 million euros. There was no breakdown for the Irish Language Agency or the Ulster-Scots Agency. The budget figure agreed for the Ulster-Scots Agency by the North/South Ministerial Council under the interim procedure was £1.704 million. North/South Implementation Bodies Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the 2004 budgets for the Cross-Border Implementation Bodies; what percentage change these represent over 2003; and what change in the proportion contributed by each government. Baroness Amos: The approved budgets for 2004 for each of the North/South Implementation Bodies and the percentage change compared to the 2003 budgets are set out in the table below. The proportion contributed by each government remained unchanged for all of the bodies except the Special EU Programmes Body, for which the northern contribution to the budget was increased from 55 per cent in 2003 to 56 per cent in 2004. North/South Implementation Body 2004 Budget (£million) % Change from 2003 Budget Waterways Ireland (1) 31.70 40.2 InterTradeIreland 9.00 0.0 Special EU Programmes Body 2.02 0.0 Language Body— Ulster-Scots Agency 1.7 10.6 Foras na Gaeilge 12.9 13.0 Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 3.2 0.0 Food Safety Promotion Board 6.08 12.2 1 The increase in the budget is principally due to an allocation of £5.9 million towards building new headquarters in Enniskillen; a change in the euro/sterling exchange rate from £0.63 in 2003 to £0.69 in 2004 amounting to an increase of £2.2 million; and increased running costs of £1 million. Waterways Ireland Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the budget of the Waterways Ireland Cross-Border Implementation Body was increased by 6.3 per cent between 2002 and 2003; what information was used to facilitate the increase; and whether the proportion of contributions has changed. Baroness Amos: Waterways Ireland operates in euros. Its budget for 2002 was set at 37.24 million euros or £21.99 million using an exchange rate of 0.59. The budget for 2003 was set in euros at 35.89 million euros or £22.61 million using an exchange rate of 0.63. Unfortunately, the Answer given by my predecessor the late Lord Williams of Mostyn on 10 March 2003 (WA 163) was incorrect due to an administrative error. The Answer stated the agreed allocation to Waterways Ireland for 2002 as £21.26 million. As stated above, the correct figure is £21.99 million. I apologise for this inadvertent mistake. Comparison of the sterling equivalents shows an apparent increase, however this is simply a consequence of a movement in the relevant exchange rate. The underlying budget decreased by 1.35 million euros or 3.6 per cent. The budget for 2003 was based on a business plan submitted by the body to the sponsoring departments north and south. The agreement on apportionment of costs between the two jurisdictions is that Northern Ireland contributes 15 per cent of the running costs of the body and the Republic of Ireland contributes 85 per cent. Each government funds 100 per cent of the capital costs of projects undertaken in their jurisdiction. This formula has not changed. ra/and shirley West Belfast Festival Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: What funding they provided for the major Irish festival in west Belfast in 2003; from what sources and on what basis the funding was provided; and when were the applications for funding received. Baroness Amos: In 2003 Feile an Phobail (Feile), often described as the West Belfast Festival, received government funding totalling £583,480 through the Department of Social Development (DSD), Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). The following table sets out the funding source, the basis of the funding, the date the application was received and the amount of government funding allocated in 2003. Feile an Phobail (West Belfast Festival) Funding 2003 Funding Source Basis of Funding Date Application Received Amount of Funding (£) DSD via (a) Belfast Regeneration Office and (b) the Voluntary and Community Unit (a) Festival contributed to a number of aspects of public policy namely tourism, arts and culture, and social/community development. (a) May 2002 and August 2003. £187,791 (b) Short term funding Programme for key services from the Social Inclusion/Community Regeneration Executive Programme Fund. (b) November 2002. DCAL via (a) Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (b) Northern Ireland Events Company and (c) Foras na Gaeilge (a)(i) Artistic programme information and budget provided. (ii) 3 year access grant provided on basis of artistic programme information and budget and was directed specifically towards the Oscailt disability development programme. (a)(i) 29 November 2002 (ii) 28 February 2001 (a)(i) £80,000 (ii) £23,750 (b) To assist with growing international elements of the Festival. 16 May 2003 £20,000 (c) Sponsorship of various Irish language related events during the festival and on Feile FM. May 2003 £11,000 DFP via Belfast Local Strategy Partnership (a) Area-based Regeneration funding for Feile FM Radio to develop its services professionally and to refurbish premises to create the first phase of a creative industries multimedia floor. 29 May 2003 £124,025 (b) Locally based human resource, training and development strategy—funding to provide training in radio skills. 25 March 2003 £121,914 DETI via The Northern Ireland Tourist Board NITB events support scheme to assist marketing outside Northern Ireland. 8 April 2003 £15,000 Total Funding £583,480 Sudan: Darfur Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they consider should have been taken, or should now be taken, to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur. Baroness Amos: DfID is very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Darfur and is working to bring about improvements. The UN and other international agencies are now present in some areas of Darfur, though limited access means limited ability to protect the most vulnerable and respond to needs. A key concern is protection of civilians. DfID has contributed over £8 million in response to the crisis and seconded four humanitarian officers to the UN to reinforce its response. Ceasefire talks in N'Djamena are a welcome first step to resolving the crisis. Questions for Written Answer Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked the Leader of the House: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 March (WA 183), what has been the Government's record in meeting the target of answering Written Questions within two weeks in each department, apart from the Scotland Office and the Wales Office, for each of the past five years. Baroness Amos: This information is only available from 23 January 2002. From 23 January 2002 to 22 January 2004, 9,013 Questions for Written Answer were tabled. Of these, 5,384 (60 per cent) were answered within the two-week deadline. The table below gives a breakdown by department (for completeness, I have included both the Scotland and Wales Office). I continue to review all outstanding Questions with my ministerial colleagues on a weekly basis and am pleased to say that since 22 January 2004 to date, 1,341 Questions for Written Answer have been tabled, of which 74 per cent have been answered within the two-week deadline—a big improvement on the previous figures. 23 January 2002 to 22 January 2003 23 January 2003 to 22 January 2004 Departments Number of Questions Tabled % answered within the 14-day deadline Number of Questions Tabled % answered within the 14-day deadline Cabinet Office 141 39.72 134 58.21 Chairman of Committees 25 100 34 91.18 Chief Whips Office (HoL) 7 100 0 0 Department for Constitutional Affairs 145 59.31 220 52.73 Department for International Development 59 33.90 99 75.76 Department for Transport 301 86.38 243 84.77 Department for Work and Pensions 83 36.14 156 58.97 Department of Health 642 47.82 618 59.48 Department of Trade and Industry 168 47.62 269 51.67 Department for Culture, Media & Sport 141 71.63 169 88.76 Department for Education & Skills 135 65.19 203 70.94 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 441 64.85 331 55.29 Foreign & Commonwealth Office 381 66.40 541 47.13 Her Majesty's Treasury 225 85.33 234 84.19 Home Office 354 55.08 483 51.97 Law Officers' Department 19 63.16 40 55 Leader of House of Lords and Lord President of the Council 20 70 25 84 Ministry of Defence 205 62.44 326 55.83 Northern Ireland Office 426 32.63 694 21.61 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 94 53.19 126 71.43 Other Departments 35 80 0 0 Scotland Office 15 6.67 2 100 Wales Office 1 0 3 100 Totals 4,063 58.04 4,950 55.64 United States Supreme Court Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have intervened in proceedings pending before the Supreme Court of the United States; and, if so, for what reason and upon what issues. Lord Goldsmith: The Government have intervened in two cases currently pending before the US Supreme Court. The Government, together with the Australian and Swiss Governments, filed an amicus brief on 23 January 2004 in the Sosa v Alvarez case which concerns the Alien Tort Statute (ATS). It is hoped that this case will serve as a test case on the scope of the ATS. The concern addressed by the Government's amicus brief is the use of the ATS by US courts to gain extra-territorial jurisdiction over non-US nationals or companies. The Government also filed an amicus brief on 3 February 2004 jointly with the Irish and Netherlands Governments in the case of Empagran SA v Hoffman La-Roche Ltd. This case is of considerable importance for determining the future jurisdiction or scope of US competition law and the Government considered that it was important that the US courts are aware that their decisions have implications for competition regulation in jurisdictions outside the US. Kosovo Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the extent to which the borders between (a) Kosovo and Albania and (b) Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are adequately secured; and who controls these borders. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Responsibility for border control points in Kosovo is held by the Kosovo police service under the authority of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. Responsibility for the border security of Kosovo, including adjacent to the border with Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, rests with the NATO-led Kosovo Force. On the Macedonian side of the border, responsibility for border crossing points rests with the Macedonian border police, and for the rest of the border with the First Army Brigade. On the Albanian side of the border, the Albanian police are responsible for border control. We assess that Kosovo's borders with both Albania and Macedonia are adequately secured. Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 6 October 2003 (WA 23) and 22 March 2004 (WA 76): (a) what representations they have received from constituency Members of Parliament concerning five former British residents held as prisoners at Guantanamo Bay; (b) what are the names of the men in question; (c) where they were arrested; (d) whether the five men had refugee status or indefinite or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom; (e) whether the men are British protected persons under the British Nationality Act 1981 or subsequent legislation; and (f) why Her Majesty's Government appear to have taken no steps to visit the men or to protect their interests. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: In accordance with our obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998, we are not in a position to give details requested in parts (a) to (d) of the question. I am withholding this information under exemptions 12 and 15 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. We have received no indication from their families or lawyers that any of the British residents detained at Guantanamo Bay are British nationals or have the status of British protected persons. The Government are therefore not in a position to provide them with consular or diplomatic assistance European Union Diplomatic Academy Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they support the establishment of an academy to train European Union-based diplomats, so as to complement the work of the national embassies in promoting European Union initiatives, including its common foreign and security policy. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The intergovernmental conference at the end of 2003 did not discuss the proposal from the Convention on the Future of Europe's External Action Working Group for the creation of an EU diplomatic academy. The Government would want to see details of any proposal before considering support. Syria Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have made representations to Syria concerning recent killings by their security forces and about long-standing denial of citizenship and passports to numbers of ethnic minorities. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Our embassy in Damascus is monitoring events in the north-east of Syria following the recent disturbances in Qamishli. We have raised our concerns about the disturbances, and the standing of the Syrian Kurdish population with the Syrian authorities. While we welcome the current calm we will continue to closely monitor the situation. Home Office Programmes Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which programmes funded by the Home Office and its sponsored bodies can be accessed by sports organisations to promote (a) social inclusion; (b) crime reduction; (c) drug reduction; (d) social cohesion; and (e) anti-racism. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Home Office funding that could be accessed by sport organisations includes: Positive Activities for Young People, Positive Futures, the Building Safer Communities Fund, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Purposeful Activity for Asylum Seekers and the Youth Justice Board's Youth Inclusion Programme. Although Home Office funding does not go directly to sports organisations, sport is recognised as a key mechanism for engaging individuals and communities. Indirectly sports clubs and organisations contribute much to the development of active and safe communities. For example, diversionary schemes that engage young people in sports or recreational-based constructive activity targeted to steer those young people most at risk away from crime are a key to the Government's programme for reducing youth crime. Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) is a national scheme to provide developmental activities during all school holiday periods for young people at risk of becoming involved in offending. PAYP received £25 million single pot funding for 2003–04, to which the New Opportunities Fund, Department for Education and Skills and the Home Office contributed, bringing together funding streams previously going into Connexions Summer Plus, Splash, Splash Extra and community cohesion activities. The programme aims to reduce youth offending and encourage and support young people to return to education or training. The emphasis is on providing quality sports, arts and creative activities that are not only appealing but focussed on the young person's individual needs, equipping them with new skills, improving their self-esteem and breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers. Key worker support—provided through the Connexions service—helps those most at risk. Another programme is Positive Futures, which is a national sport and activity-based programme for young people and is addressing the multiple issues associated with problematic substance misuse. It is targeted at marginalised young people in the 10–19 age range living in the top 20 per cent most deprived communities, according to the indices of multiple deprivation. Although Positive Futures is primarily a drug prevention programme it addresses issues of social inclusion, crime reduction and community cohesion. 20 per cent of the 14,000 project participants last year were from black and minority ethnic communities. simone Positive Futures brings together in one programme the support of a number of government departments and agencies including the Home Office, Department of Health, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Connexions (Department for Education and Skills), Sport England, Youth Justice Board and the Football Foundation. Positive Futures is managed through local partnerships that appoint lead agencies to deliver sports, educational and drug awareness programmes. These lead agencies can be sports organisations (e.g. Toxteth Tigers Basketball Club, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme, etc) crime reduction, drug services, charities, local authorities or voluntary/community agencies. There are 107 projects in England and Wales in the top 20 per cent most deprived areas in the country (according to the index of multiple deprivation). There have been just fewer than 35,000 participants since its launch in 2000. It is funded nationally by: the Home Office (£15 million over three years from SR 2002), the Football Foundation £3 million over SR 2002 period), Sport England (£0.5 million for 2003–04). All Home Office funding has been allocated for the SR 2002 period, however Football Foundation funding can be accessed by applying directly to it. Sport England funding is targeted at the evaluation programme and workforce standards initiative. Sports agencies could potentially be allocated funding under the Building Safer Communities (BSC) Fund to promote crime and drugs reduction. This fund, which totals £74 million this year is primarily allocated to crime disorder reduction partnerships (CDRP) to fulfil a number of crime reduction priorities, both national and local. But where CDRPs can demonstrate a clear link between certain youth inclusion interventions (such as sports activities) and crime reduction, BSC may in theory be used for that sort of activity and CDRPs may sponsor those activities and bodies to carry out local activities on their behalf. All of the Youth Justice Board's prevention and early intervention programmes promote social inclusion, crime reduction, drug-use reduction, social cohesion and anti-racism. The Youth Justice Board's (YJB) funding is mainly channeled through youth offending teams (YOTs) and does not directly fund sports organisations to run any projects such as Youth Inclusion. However, sports organisations are involved in the delivery of activities within some of the projects funded by YJB. The 2003 evaluation of the Youth Inclusion Programme (YIP) did show that sporting interventions were the most popular form of intervention with young people at risk of becoming involved in crime. Many YIPs are linked to Positive Futures and have the same client group. The Purposeful Activities for Asylum Seekers scheme provided funds for 38 organisations in 2003 that ran sporting activities. It is our intention that sports activities run under this funding scheme would help to promote social inclusion and anti-racism by bringing together asylum seekers with members of their local community in a friendly situation encouraging co-operation and communication. Any organisation wishing to apply for Purposeful Activity funding is eligible to run sporting activities as long as they do promote social inclusion and community cohesion. Organisations running sports-orientated events as a means of entertainment that could be interpreted as serving only asylum seekers and excluding the local community would not be eligible for funding. ra Asylum Decisions Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Statement by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 15 March (HL Deb, col. 119), what specific measures they intend to take to secure "the improvement of the initial decision-making process" in refugee cases; and whether they will earmark funds for this purpose. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are committed to delivering high quality decisions at all stages of the asylum system. Many improvements have already been made, including setting a specific target for decision quality, introducing quality assurance systems involving both internal and external assessment, enhanced training and use of language testing. We are determined to build on these improvements to ensure that the highest standards are consistently achieved. We are discussing with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees how they might work with us to provide an additional external assessment of the quality of decisions. We are looking at other ways of strengthening the quality of assurance systems, including sampling a cohort of the same cases at each stage of the initial decision process. We are developing greater external input to our training from other organisations with specialist skills and have introduced the Independent Country Information Advisory Panel to ensure that the country information is as accurate, objective and up to date as possible. These and other measures will continue to drive up the quality of initial decisions. Despite the rapid fall in the number of asylum applications in 2003, down to 49,370 and 41 per cent lower than in 2002, we have maintained the resources available for decision-making on asylum claims. This has enabled us to reduce the backlog of outstanding applications to 24,500—the lowest level for a decade—and to increase the investment in initial and refresher training for asylum caseworkers. ra Terrorist Organisations Lord Turnberg: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will add the political wing of Hamas to the proscribed list of terrorist organisations in light of that group's recent announcement that it was responsible for recruiting, training and deploying the British suicide bombers who killed three Israelis and injured many others in 'Mike's Place' bar in Tel Aviv in April 2003. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Decisions to proscribe and de-proscribe are and will continue to be taken only after the most careful consideration and on the basis of the best possible security and other appropriate advice. That will remain the basis for all decisions in the future. Habitual Residence Test Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 9 March (WA 165), what has been the cost so far of litigation arising from Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It is not possible to identify these costs separately within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's expenditure. Home Secretary: Special Adviser Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the areas of Home Office policy within the scope of work done by Dr Matt Cavanagh, special adviser to the Home Secretary; and whether those areas include the Government's policies or practices as regards equality of opportunity, or legislation and practice regarding race relations, immigration and asylum or the functions of the proposed Equality and Human Rights Commission. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Dr Cavanagh is responsible for advising the Home Secretary on the development and communication of policy and practice in the following areas: immigration, nationality, and asylum; race and community cohesion; citizenship and active communities; Europe; research and statistics. Equal opportunity policy cuts across most government departments and is a government policy rather than the responsibility of any single department though the Home Office has specific responsibility for race equality and social cohesions. Work on the proposed Equality and Human Rights Commission involves several government departments, including the Home Office, and is co-ordinated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). ra Maghaberry Prison Lord Eames: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have for future development of HM Prison Maghaberry in relation to asylum seekers. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We have no plans for future development of Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry in relation to asylum seekers. Maghaberry Prison Lord Eames: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are satisfied that current facilities in HM Prison Maghaberry are appropriate for the detention of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are satisfied that the current facilities in Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry are appropriate for the accommodation of immigration detainees who wish to remain in Northern Ireland rather than be transferred to an Immigration Service removal centre in Great Britain. The location of immigration detainees at HMP Maghaberry is separate from the main prison population and every effort is made to cater for their needs. These detainees are managed as untried prisoners with a more favourable regime, which is more akin to that of enhanced prisoners. Maghaberry Prison Lord Eames: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are satisfied that all alternatives to HM Prison Maghaberry as a location for those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom have been examined. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We have no plans at present to end the use of Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry for the very small numbers of immigration detainees who express a preference to remain in Northern Ireland rather than be transferred to an Immigration Service removal centre in Great Britain. The small numbers of individuals concerned, usually fewer than 10 at any one time, would not be sufficient to make a dedicated detention facility in Northern Ireland viable to establish or operate. Asylum Seekers: Care Needs Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action has been taken to implement the recommendations of the 2002 Joseph Rowntree Foundation study, Disabled People in Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Communities in Britain. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Since the study was published in 2002, the respective responsibilities of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and local authorities have been clarified in the House of Lords (R vWestminster City Council (ex parte NASS)). On 25 March 2004, the Home Office issued a consultation document on proposals for the support of asylum seekers with care needs. The consultation document aims at establishing a clear process for asylum seekers with care needs so that they can receive appropriate care and that the most vulnerable cases are recognised, and suitable care organised, at the earliest opportunity. NASS has special teams that deal with complex and specific cases of need. All NASS staff receive induction training that covers race and equality issues. It is important that all staff dealing with people with diverse needs are properly equipped to both understand and help meet them as required. The approach in NASS is to ensure our staff treat people with dignity, civility and understanding and our learning and development opportunities focus on this approach. NASS officials are also working with a local authority-led working group that is considering how to collect data on asylum seekers with care needs. We have also introduced induction centres. As part of the induction centre process health screening, including an assessment of primary healthcare needs, is offered. The asylum seeker is given a record of the health assessment to take with them on dispersal. ra Children Bill [HL] Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether in the context of the Children Bill they will withdraw their reservation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as regards children affected by immigration legislation; and, if not, why not. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have no plans to withdraw the United Kingdom's immigration and nationality reservation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. No child in the United Kingdom is deprived of UN rights but entry to the United Kingdom solely to claim such rights should not be permitted. It would not be right for the immigration rules to be utilised simply in order to make use of convention rights when there already exists in United Kingdom law comprehensive provision for the care and protection of children. The Children Bill does not alter the Government's conclusion that the reservation is necessary to maintain an effective immigration control. Failing to Stop After a Road Traffic Accident Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many offences of failing to stop after a road traffic accident resulting in injury were committed in the five years prior to 1 October 2001; and How many offences of failing to stop after a road traffic accident resulting in injury have been committed since October 2001 when this became an arrestable offence; and how many drivers have been arrested; and If no statistics exist in respect of failing to stop after a road traffic accident resulting in injury, what measures they will put in place to ensure that such statistics are collected. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Within England and Wales information on the number of offences committed by drivers and the number of drivers arrested for the offence of failing to stop after road traffic accident is not collected centrally. ra Available information given in table A shows the number of offences proceeded against by result for the offence of failing to stop after an accident under the Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 170 (4) from 1997 to 2001, England and Wales (latest available). There are no current plans to separate those offences of failing to stop after an accident, which result in injury from those resulting in damage or both. For Scotland available information, given in table B, is taken from the Scottish Executive Justice Department's court proceedings database, and shows the number of persons proceeded against, and the number of crimes recorded by the police, where the main crime/offence was failing to stop or report a road traffic accident. There are no current plans to separate those offences which result in injury from those which result in damage or both injury and damage. As failing to stop after a road traffic collision is not a recordable offence the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not therefore record these statistics. The offence is not an arrestable offence in Northern Ireland and there are no plans at present to record such information. Table A Proceedings at magistrates' court and findings of guilt at all courts for offences of failing to stop after an accident(1) 1997–2001, England and Wales. -- Number of offences 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total proceedings 15,829 15,387 14,923 14,663 15,392 Total findings of guilt 10,172 9,785 9,403 9,190 9,212 (1) Offences under s. 170(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Table B Persons proceeded against in Scottish courts where the charge was failing to stop or report a road traffic accident 1996 to 2002 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Crimes recorded by police 9,405 9,356 9,594 9,150 8,884 7,749 7,226 Persons proceeded against 1,033 1,041 853 861 715 462 542 of which, charge proved 956 892 745 631 460 462 439 Failing to Stop After a Road Traffic Accident Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: How drivers arrested for failing to stop after a road traffic accident resulting in injury have been identified, through fingerprints or DNA, as having been involved in other criminal activities. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Such records are not kept centrally within England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Internet Crime The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 5 March (WA 127) whether they believe that public awareness of education about phishing needs to be improved and strengthened in the light of reports from the Association of Payment Clearing Services of a surge in such fraudulent activity in recent days. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government consider that the activities referred to in the reply given on 5 March will lead to an improving awareness among the public of attempts to perpetrate fraudulent activities. We are aware of the reports from the Association of Payment Clearing Services (APACS) as to the recent period when there were an increasing number of phishing e-mails reported. We continue to monitor such incidences and work together with industry and law enforcement to ensure that there is an appropriate response in relation to all such occurrences of attempted fraudulent activity. Firearms The Earl of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which interested organisation they intend to consult with regard to the proposed review of firearms legislation. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are keen to receive views from everybody with an interest in the future regulation of firearms and will be distributing the consultation paper widely. It will also be available on the internet. ra Harrier GR7/9 Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What air defence capability at sea is provided by the Harrier GR7/9; and Whether the Harrier GR7/9 has an all-weather night air defence capability; and What beyond visual range air-to-air capability is provided by the Harrier GR7/9. Lord Bach: The Harrier GR7/9's principal roles are ground attack and reconnaissance, not air defence. The short range infra-red guided AIM 9L sidewinder missiles it carries are for self-defence. This capability can be employed at night, but relies on the pilot being able to acquire a target aircraft, for instance using forward-looking infra-red or night vision goggles. There is no current intention to equip the GR7/9 with a beyond visual range air-to-air capability. Iraq: People Detained by British Forces Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many persons are now held at the United Kingdom's detention facility in Shaibah, Iraq; what are their nationalities; and how many of those held in Shaibah have been held there or elsewhere in Iraq for (a) at least three months, (b) at least six months and (c) at least nine months. Lord Bach: As at 24 March 2004, the UK held 81 internees in the divisional temporary detention facility in Shaibah. The nationalities of these internees are: one Egyptian, one Sudanese, one Syrian, three Saudi Arabians and 75 Iraqis. Forty-eight have been interned for at least three months, 18 for at least six months, and two for at least nine months. Those internees who are interned by the UK prior to the opening of the divisional temporary detention facility on 15 December 2003, were held in an internment facility near Umm Qasr. Whether any or these internees have been held previously anywhere else in Iraq by other authorities, is a matter for those authorities. simone Defence School of Languages Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many overseas personnel, and from which countries, received language training at the Defence School of Languages in each of the past three years. Lord Bach: The number of overseas students trained at the Defence School of Languages for the last three years is: Financial Year 2001–02 264 2002–03 246 2003–04 281 Country Number of Students 01/02 (FY) 02/03 (FY) 03/04 (FY) Albania 2 2 1 Argentina 1 1 Armenia 2 Austria 1 5 1 Azerbaijan 2 Bahrain 4 8 2 Bangladesh 2 Bolivia 1 Botswana 1 1 Brazil 1 Brunei 8 5 Bulgaria 6 5 6 Chile 2 China 6 4 Croatia 2 2 1 Colombia 1 Czech Republic 13 14 10 Holland 2 Egypt 4 1 4 Estonia 3 3 8 Ethiopia 1 France 33 25 FRY 1 Georgia 3 2 1 Greece 1 Guatemala 1 1 Hungary 7 14 18 Italy 1 Japan 1 1 1 Jordan 1 4 1 Kazakhstan 1 Kenya 1 1 Kuwait 2 3 32 Kyrgystan 1 Latvia 9 9 14 Lithuania 5 7 14 Macedonia 5 6 3 Malawi 1 1 Malaysia 2 3 2 Mauritania 2 Moldova 4 1 Mozambique 1 Nepal 2 3 1 Norway 1 2 Oman 9 4 7 Paraguay 1 Poland 14 5 5 Qatar 1 2 7 Republic of Korea 1 1 1 Romania 9 8 14 Russia 8 5 4 Saudi Arabia 2 2 Senegal 5 1 Serbia & Montenegro 3 Slovakia 6 6 12 Slovenia 6 2 8 Spain 1 1 Sweden 1 22 39 Switzerland 11 5 Syria 1 Tanzania 1 1 1 Thailand 2 1 1 Turkey 32 21 23 UAE 8 6 6 Uganda 1 Ukraine 13 10 10 Uzbekistan 2 Yemen 2 3 Yugoslavia 2 Total Students 264 246 281 War Widows Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Bach of 4 and 5 March (WA 1540 and 1542), whether they will consider relaxing the burden of taxation on war widows by reclassifying benefits to a service person's dependants as compensation rather than income. Lord Bach: In setting the level of the benefits paid to widows and widowers under the new Armed Forces Compensation Scheme due account has been taken of the taxable nature of income payments. It would not be appropriate to seek to reclassify them. Territorial Army Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans there are to make the Army's new command leadership and management courses for non-commissioned officers available to members of the Territorial Army. Lord Bach: A study is currently being conducted to identify how best to integrate the Territorial Army into command leadership and management training. Initial findings from the study are likely to be available later this year. Army Training Units Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will give details of the current staff levels of British Army training support units, training units and training teams outside the United Kingdom and Germany; and What plans they have for British Army training support units, training units and training teams outside the United Kingdom and Germany. Lord Bach: The current staffing levels of those permanent army training units, based outside the United Kingdom and Germany, are listed below. There are no current plans to alter their present role. British Army Training Unit Sheffield (BATUS), in Canada Permanent staff—203 Temporary staff—318 British Army Training Unit Wainwright (BATUW), in Canada Permanent staff—7 Temporary staff—20 British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) Permanent staff—11 Temporary staff—28 Locally employed civilians—156 British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) Permanent staff—26 Temporary staff—28 Locally employed civilians—144 Jungle Warfare Wing (JWW), in Brunei Permanent staff—69 Locally employed civilians—14 ra Ministry of Defence: Compensation to Kenyan Civilians Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What compensation claims have been paid to Kenyan civilians since November 2002 as a result of claims made against the Ministry of Defence. Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence has paid £5 million compensation to Kenyan civilians since November 2002 for injury and death allegedly caused by munitions left on ranges by members of HM Forces while on exercise in Kenya. The first 233 claims were settled by way of mediation in July 2002 for £4.5 million with payments made in or after November 2002. The second tranche of 1,046 claimants were paid £500,000 in February 2004 following a mediation meeting in November 2003. In addition, minor amounts of compensation have been paid in relation to road traffic accidents. Details of these payments are not held centrally and can only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. Child Protection Register The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: What guidance they will give to local authorities about the review of cases where children have been placed on "at risk" registers as a consequence of disputed medical evidence, even though that evidence may not have been tested in the courts. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: We have no plans to issue further guidance to local authorities which relates to the review of children who have been placed on the child protection register as a consequence of disputed medical evidence which may not have been tested in the courts. The local authority circular, LAC(2004)5, which was issued on 25 February 2004, provided guidance to councils about the action needed in the light of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the criminal case of R v Angela Cannings. This included guidance in respect of children whose final care orders are in place and the finding of significant harm turned on disputed medical evidence. The Government's child protection guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999) sets out clearly when a child should be placed on the child protection register and the review process which should follow registration. It emphasises that the purpose of the child protection review is to review the safety, health and development of the child against intended outcomes set out in the child protection plan. simone Private Finance Initiative: Hospitals Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they received any complaints relating to issues of conflict of interest in the allocation of a contract to Health Care Projects, a subsidiary of Skanska Innisfree, for the rebuilding of St Bartholemew's and the Royal London Hospital under the private finance initiative; and, if so, whether consideration was given to such complaints before or after the signing of the contract. Lord Warner: We do not accept that any conflict of interest has arisen in the appointment of Skanska/Innisfree as the preferred bidder for the redevelopment project at the Barts and the London NHS Trust. Throughout the entire procurement process the trust has been open and transparent about the involvement of former trust staff with Skanska/Innisfree. Diabetes Lord Dixon: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many registered diabetics there are in the area covered by South Tyneside Primary Care Trust; and of these how many are aged (a) 0–4; (b) 5–14; (c) 15–24; (d) 25–34; (e) 35–44; (f) 45–54; (g) 55–64; and (h) 65 or over. Lord Warner: This information is not available in the form requested. However, the Health Survey for England estimates that the number of people with diabetes in England is as follows: Year Number of people with diabetes 1994 1,378,707 1998 1,684,111 Source: Health Survey for England Food Labelling Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in the interests of consumer choice, they will seek improvements to European Commission Regulation 1829/2003 by requiring the labelling of meat and milk to show whether or not it has been produced from genetically modified animal feed. Lord Warner: European Commission Regulation 1829/2003 will be reviewed two years after adoption. This will provide an opportunity to discuss revisions to the regulation for example the labelling of milk and meat from animals fed genetically modified animal feed. simone Hepatitis C Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to ministerial undertakings to consult the Haemophilia Society on all aspects of ex gratia payments scheme for hepatitis C infection from contaminated National Health Service blood products, when the Department of Health will be meeting the society to discuss issues of implementation. Lord Warner: As part of the Department of Health's ongoing dialogue, officials from the departments of health in England, Scotland and Wales met with representatives from the Haemophilia Society and other patient groups on 26 March 2004 to discuss the implementation of the ex gratia payment scheme, and in particular the application process. Pharmacies Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: What proportion of pharmacies have facilities to obtain information about a customer's medical history in private. Lord Warner: This information is not held centrally. However, the Office of Fair Trading's report The control of entry regulations and retail pharmacy services in the UK, published in January 2003, included results from a questionnaire of pharmacies conducted by Frontier Economics. It reported half of those pharmacies responding had private consultation areas. We expect the number of pharmacies providing suitable private consultation areas to increase. We are currently discussing a new contractual framework for community pharmacy in England with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the NHS Confederation. Designed to improve the range and quality of services offered to patients, our discussions include proposals for pharmacies to provide a range of advanced services subject to accreditation of the pharmacist and/or the pharmacy premises meeting specific requirements. This would include providing a suitable private consultation area for patients. We hope to conclude discussions shortly, and, subject to a further ballot of contractors, implement the new framework later in 2004. NHS Continuing Care Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government: simone As a result of the Health Ombudsman's February 2003 report on National Health Service continuing care: (a) how many complaints have been reviewed by each strategic health authority in total; (b) how many complaints have been found to be eligible for continuing health care funding (i) in a nursing home; or (ii) elsewhere; (c) how many complaints have been rejected; and (d) how many complainants have requested a further review by a panel hearing; or have submitted their complaint to the ombudsman; and As a result of the Health Ombudsman's February 2003 report on National Health Service continuing care: (a) how many complaints remain outstanding; and (b) by what date all outstanding reviews should be completed. Lord Warner: The Department of Health does not collect information on the setting in which people receive continuing care or the number of individuals who have requested a further review by a panel hearing. The position on the total number of investigations, the number of people recompensed, rejected for recompense or remaining outstanding will be reviewed after the end of March 2004. European Social Charter Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there are any differences between the European Social Charter 1961 and the revised charter which create potential obstacles to ratification of the revised charter by the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether they will identify the nature of the obstacles. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Some of the new and extended provisions of the revised social charter are not clearly defined and appear to require open-ended commitments from governments. The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) considered the application of the revised charter by the first states that had ratified it, for the first time in 2002–03. In its conclusions on the first national reports, the ECSR stated that it will progressively determine its interpretation of the amended and new provisions and has asked the relevant countries for a range of additional information to help it do so. The UK Government hope that definitions will be clearer following forthcoming interpretations from the ECSR in 2004–06, to help to inform its decisions on which of the new or extended provisions of the revised charter it can accept with a view to ratification. Pension Protection Fund Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they intend to locate offices of the Pension Protection Fund in southern England; and, if so, how this can be reconciled with the Lyons report recommendation for an enforced presumption against London and south-east locations for new government bodies and activities. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: When considering the location of the Pension Protection Fund we took into account the principles of the Lyons review before reaching a decision. The Department for Work and Pensions is acutely aware of the need to consider location as part of the business requirements and is already widely dispersed. Further departmental relocation proposals out of London and the south-east are included in the Lyons review. In reaching a decision to locate the Pension Protection Fund in southern England we looked at three independent criteria: achieving successful implementation of the PPF ability to recruit expert staff value for money. On balance we concluded that southern England was the best option which met the business needs to ensure that the Pension Protection Fund could operate with optimum effectiveness and efficiency. Alvis Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they propose to withhold the proposed acquisition of Alvis by General Dynamics from European merger scrutiny for reasons of national security; and, if so, whether they propose to require assurances from General Dynamics as to the future operation of Alvis before reaching a conclusion on this proposal. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No decision has yet been reached regarding the Government's position on the regulatory scrutiny of the proposed merger. Northern Ireland: Sub-Post Offices Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with the local authorities and any other organisations in the area before any closure of sub-post offices in Northern Ireland is proposed. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd and my honourable friend the Minister for Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services has asked the chief executive to respond direct to the noble Lord. Legal Fees Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Competition Commission has investigated the current level of legal fees; and, if not, whether any such investigation is planned. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Competition Commission has not recently investigated legal fees. Decisions on whether any features of a market require investigation on competition grounds are primarily a matter for the Office of Fair Trading. Renewable Energy Lord Oxburgh: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 22 March (WA 84), whether they have made any calculation of the transportation cost, in forms of average carbon equivalent emissions per MWh of electricity generated, of importing biomass fuel for co-firing. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My previous response stated that any attempt to estimate the level of imports of biomass or its source would be highly speculative and the data unreliable. Consequently, it would be also doubtful that we could make any such calculations on transportation costs in terms of average carbon equivalent emissions per MWh of electricity generated as they would again be based on unreliable and not readily available data. However, a recent study carried out in support of the Renewables Innovation Review made a comparision of the CO2 emissions from imported Baltic woodchips and home-grown willow for combustion CHP. This information is the closest we have to that requested but it is related to CHP rather than co-firing. The results as compared to emissions from combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) were as follows: — CO2 emissions for willow combustion CHP: Using domestic fuel: 48g/kWh Using imported Baltic woodchips: up to 138g/kWh (an increase of up to 90g/kWh over UK fuel because of transport) — CO2 emissions from CCGT: 387g/kWh There is a significant increase in emissions from imported fuel compared with the use of domestic resources, but emissions from imports are still just over a third of the emissions from CCGT. Home and Leisure Accidents Surveillance System Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Department of Trade and Industry is ceasing to collect statistics under its home and leisure accidents surveillance system and to provide the accompanying inquiry service; and, if so, for what reasons. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My honourable friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield, the then Consumer Minister, announced withdrawal of support for the home and leisure accidents surveillance system on 2 May 2003, due to increased pressure on resources and the need to focus on DTI core priorities. Statistics to the end of 2002, the last in the series, were published by DTI on 18 December 2003. However, the DTI continued to provide the inquiry service until 1 January 2004 and since then the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents has been contracted to provide this service for a period of a further five years. Wooden Floors Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government: In view of the number of accidents involving people falling on wooden floors and requiring attendance at hospital, what action they will take to improve advice given by wooden floor manufacturers and fitters to inform the public better. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The rising trend in home accidents involving wooden floors is a reflection of the increasing popularity of this type of flooring. The Department of Trade and Industry has no plans to take any specific action with regard to the instructions provided by manufacturers or fitters. As with other similar flooring surfaces, such as ceramic tiles and vinyl, consumers should take the normal precautions to reduce the risk of falling accidents. These include wearing slip-resistant footwear, avoiding polishing under rugs and mats and mopping up immediately any spilled liquid. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, when they advise miners and widows who miss the cut-off date of 31 March 2004 in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation that claims can still be made at common law, they will also advise them that unsuccessful claimants would be liable for all legal costs. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The DTI will continue to provide a freephone helpline, which will give claimants details of the claims process. Claimants will be advised to contact a solicitor to process a claim and they will be informed that they need to raise the issue of costs with their solicitor. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they have taken six years to settle 117,000 claims under the British Coal respiratory disease litigation; why three-quarters of claims remain outstanding, and when they expect the final settlement of all claims. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Delays have been caused by, among other reasons, duplicate claims and solicitors and clients not accepting initial offers. Claims are prioritised to ensure payment to miners who are living and of the 520,000 claims received to date, 227,000 were received in the past six months. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: What has been the total administrative and legal expenditure under the British Coal respiratory disease litigation as at 31 March 2004 broken down into payments made to (a) claims handlers; (b) medical service providers; (c) Coal Health Claims Unit; Department of Trade and Industry; (d) Nabarro Nathanson, the department's solicitors; (e) the Solicitors Co-ordinating Group; and (f) solicitors representing individual claimants. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: To date, the total administrative cost of the British Coal respiratory disease litigation liabilities for claim handlers and medical services is £323 million. It is not possible to break this figure down into separate diseases or individual contractors, as the information remains commercial in confidence. To date, we have paid £275.2 million to solicitors with regard to British Coal disease work. The administrative cost of the coal health claims unit is estimated to be £1.7 million for the financial year 2003–04. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why, under the British Coal vibration white finger litigation, they now require elderly miners and widows to produce witness statements from former colleagues, when successive Ministers have given assurances that the miners' word would be taken. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The assurances my noble friend is referring to relate to claims in respect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereby if a claimant submits his work history and other documentation supporting his claim, then his word would be taken. This is subject to the claimant's legal representative explaining what steps they had taken to obtain corroborating witness statements and that there is no contradiction in the evidence. This applies to claims submitted by elderly miners and widows. Vibration white finger claims are handled on the basis of the claims handling arrangement (CHA), agreed between the DTI and the claimants' solicitors group. The CHA includes an occupational group procedure, which sets out the requirement for corroborating witness statements to be provided for the claim to be considered. Discretion in this respect can be exercised for elderly and deceased claimants. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action they are taking, following the recent ruling by the Law Society, to require solicitors who have double charged to make full repayment, with judgment rate interest, of all fees unlawfully deducted from compensation awarded to miners and widows under the High Court schemes for vibration white finger and respiratory disease. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My honourable friend the Member for Edinburgh South, as the Minister responsible for coal health claims, has written to solicitors asking them to repay any fees taken from clients on top of the fee they received from the DTI. Those who have failed to reply to my honourable friend's letter have been removed from the DTI's list of solicitors and have been referred to the Law Society. The Government welcome the decision taken by the Law Society, as the solicitors regulator, that it was against their code of practice for solicitors to charge clients for making compensation claims where the DTI is meeting solicitors' costs. DTI officials continue to meet with the Law Society to progress matters. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in connection with the British Coal respiratory disease and vibration white finger litigation, they will now instruct their claims handlers that cheques be drawn in favour of the miner or widow claimant, thereby preventing solicitors double charging and others deducting unlawful fees from awards of compensation. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: As a matter of course cheques issued by IRISC, the department's claims handlers, are drawn in the name of the claimant. Cheques are issued in the name of another individual or organisation only where signed authority from the claimant has been received. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will now refer the conduct of solicitors who have double-charged in the British Coal vibration white finger and respiratory disease litigation to the Serious Fraud Office; and, if not, why not. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Conduct of solicitors is being dealt with by their regulator, the Law Society. Those firms of solicitors who have failed to confirm that they are not double charging have been referred to the Law Society. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many common law vibration white finger claims have been lodged with the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of living miners since 31 October 2002, the cut-off date in the British Coal litigation; how many of those claims were settled by payment; and what was the total compensation paid. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: As at 28 March 2004, 1,785 claims have been submitted since the vibration white finger scheme was closed to live claimants on 31 October 2002. 1,547 were from live claimants and 238 from the families of former miners. Of the 1,785, 840 have been denied, the remainder have not been settled because they are being investigated at present. shirley British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will cancel the exclusive handling agreement for miners' respiratory claims between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (Nottingham Section), given that such claims are marketed for profit through Vendside Limited. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The agreements with the UDM/Vendside ceased with the closure of the schemes. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether compliance with Department of Trade and Industry guidelines has had an adverse effect on the performance of their claims handlers in respect of miners' and widows' respiratory and vibration white finger claims; and when those guidelines will be made available for scrutiny, as agreed by the Minister responsible for coal health claims. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Claims under both schemes are processed in accordance with the claims handling agreements, agreed with the miners' solicitors. My honourable friend the member for Edinburgh South, the Minister responsible for coal health claims, circulated to members of the Coal Health National Monitoring Group copies of the vibration white finger group 3 guidelines earlier this year. He agreed to provide members with copies of previous copies of the guidelines shortly. The guidelines have led to a uniform and consistent approach to the handling of group 3 claims and the number of claims being reviewed per month has increased since the beginning of this year. There are no similar guidelines for processing respiratory disease claims. British Coal: Litigation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Department of Trade and Industry entered into an exclusive handling agreement for mining claims with Vendside Limited, as claimed by that company; if not, whether the department approved the assignment of any such handling agreement entered into with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (Nottingham Section) to Vendside Limited; and whether they will make all relevant documentation available for inspection. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The claims handling agreements entered into with the UDM/Vendside Ltd are identical to those reached with the claimants solicitors group in all aspects except the costs tariff, which is lower under the UDM/Vendside Ltd agreements. simone Art Galleries Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many art galleries have received grant aid in the north-west of England during the years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 to date. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The numbers of art galleries in the North West receiving Exchequer-funded grants from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are as follows (records are kept for financial years): 2000–01 19 2001–02 24 2002–03 17 2003–04 13 Mostly these are one-off grants from sponsored bodies, but a few galleries receive continuing funding because they are directly sponsored by the department or are partners in the Renaissance in the Regions programme. Gershon Report Viscount Goschen: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 23 March (HL Deb, col. 588), whether civil servants were involved in briefing the Financial Times on the draft Gershon report. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I refer the noble Lord to what I said in the House on 23 March. Consistent with convention, the Government do not comment on leaked reports. English Institute of Sport Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government: simone What facilities form part of the English Institute of Sport; where the funds for the construction of sites came from; who owns the sites; and what were the incomes charged to national governing bodies of sport for the use of facilities in 2002–03 and 2003–04. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The table lists all of the facilities that form part of the English Institute of Sport. Core EIS Capital Programme Sport Facility provision Site Hockey Water-based hockey pitch—2 upgrades University of Birmingham Hockey Water-based hockey pitch and floodlighting Polo Farm Sports Club/ Canterbury Hockey Clubs Multi Sports Science/Sports Med Equipment University of Bath Hockey Water-based hockey pitch Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club Sailing New Club and Facilities Hayling Island Sailing Club Squash 7-court upgrade Birmingham University Hockey Water-based pitch Exeter University Hockey Highfields Sports Club (note all but increase budget in community fund) Highfields Sports Club Swimming 50m 8-lane pool, seminar room, sports science lab and other facilities Loughborough University Sailing RYA National Training Venue Rutland Sailing Club Squash Nottingham Squash Rackets Club—extension Nottingham Squash and Rackets Club Bobsleigh Simulated start University of Bath Generic Water-based pitch Loughborough University Hockey Water-based pitch East Grinstead Multi EIS Sheffield Centre Phoenix Sports Ltd Rowing Redgrave Pincent Rowing lake Caversham Lakes Company Gymnastics Men's centre Leeds Met University Athletics Equipment and upgrade of 3 Rivers Stadium Haringey Diving Southampton pool upgrade Southampton CC Gymnastics Acrobat centre Deerness Gym Club Badminton Upgrade national centre BAoE Netball/Badminton 12 court sports hall Loughborough University Hockey Realign pitch SC Trust Hockey Upgrade of Pitch to Water based Durham HC Athletics Indoor Straight Loughborough University Athletics Indoor Athletics Centre Birmingham CC Hockey Upgrade of Pitch to Water based Reading HC Hockey Water based hockey pitch Wakefield Hockey Club Athletics Indoor Centre University of Bath Multi Improvement to NIA Birmingham CC Hockey Upgrade to water-based pitch Surrey County Council Multi Redevelopment of Bisham Abbey Sports facilities SC Trust Cricket National Academy Loughborough University Multi Sports Science/Sports Med Centre Loughborough University Generic Fit out of EIS North West area Manchester City Council Gymnastics Gorton Gymnastics Centre Upgrade Gorton GC Sailing Weymouth Sailing Academy Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy Multi Multi development of gym and EIS SC Trust—Lilleshall Judo 2/4-mat dedicated centre Wolverhampton University Athletics/ EIS Indoor 200m track/ 150m straight Lee Valley Park Authority Cycling Accommodation and support areas at Manchester Velodrome BCF Hockey Upgrade of pitch to water-based Chelmsford HC UK Athletics Development Fund Athletics/ EIS St Mary's College St Mary's College Athletics/ EIS Brunel University Brunel University The construction of the sites was funded by £120 million of Sport England lottery funding and partnership funding from a variety of sources depending on each individual project. The sources of partnership funding ranged from sponsorship, direct university funding, local authorities, regeneration funding and funds raised by sports clubs. There was partnership funding on all of the English Institute of Sport sites. The sites are owned by the individual agency(s) who received lottery funding and, as such, are responsible for the ongoing operation of the sites. Some of the sites are owned by universities (such as Bath and Loughborough), some are owned by local authorities (including Manchester and Birmingham City Councils), others by sports clubs (such as Hayling Island Sail Club) and some are enhancements to existing national sports centres (Bisham Abbey). National governing bodies (NGBs) are charged a fixed pre-agreed amount to use the facilities. The facilities costs are met from the NGBs' current world class plans, and the remainder of the costs being accessed by the sites via an application to Sport England. Thus there is sufficient funding to ensure athletes have required use of the facilities and the facility owners have certainty of funding. Across the network, £1.5 million has been set aside by Sport England to cover the costs of all NGB's facility hire costs in 2002–03 and 2003–04. Funding in the NGB lottery-funded world class performance plans augments this figure. In effect therefore, NGBs do not have to allocate any of their own resource to cover the costs of the usage and delivery of services in the English Institute of Sport network. The funding identified above does not cover any revenue deficits generated by the facilities and is targeted at meeting the costs of the NGB usage only. Any operational deficit is met by the site owners. English Institute of Sport Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment has been made of the impact of the charging arrangements by national governing bodies of sport on the use of facilities that form part of the English Institute of Sport. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The costs of elite governing body use of the English Institute of Sport sites are met through governing bodies' world class performance plans and a lottery-funded facility hire programme. This ensures that governing bodies have autonomy in deciding the most suitable location for their athletes to train and facility owners have confirmation that there will be funding available to cover their overheads. Facility owners have to apply to Sport England to access the facility hire budget and each application is assessed to ensure maximum benefits are derived from the funding. In addition Sport England monitors the grants to measure their effectiveness on an ongoing basis for the duration of the grant period. The programme is in its infancy, but the early indications are that governing bodies are gaining sufficient access to sites and facility owners are able to meet their requirements effectively as there is sufficient funding in place to cover their costs. Financial Incentives: Tax Liability Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the policy and practice of the Inland Revenue regarding the deduction from liablity to tax of financial incentives paid to United Kingdom companies or individuals to foreign governments or foreign corporations, or their officers, employees or agents, to encourage them to enter into commercial contracts or other profitable arrangements with United Kingdom firms.[HL2180) Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Section 577A of the Taxes Act 1988 provides that, when computing taxable profits, a business is not allowed relief for expenditure incurred on illegal payments. A financial incentive paid by a company or an individual to a third party for business purposes will not be deductible if the making of that payment constitutes a criminal offence in the UK, or would do so if the payment were made in the UK. The Inland Revenue's policy and practice is to apply the legislation as intended. ra Olympic Games 2012: London Bid Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government: From where the funds will be found to finance the bid for London to host the 2012 Olympic Games in the event of the bid failing. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The memorandum of understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London, presented to Parliament in June 2003 as Command Paper CM 5867, states that "DCMS and the London Development Agency propose to contribute to the costs of the bid organisation and associated planning in equal shares to July 2005 to a combined limit of £30 million." London 2012 is also seeking private sector funds to support the bid. Olympic Games 2012: London Bid Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether consideration has been given to London residents receiving preferential access to tickets for the 2012 Olympic Games in the event of a successful bid for London to stage the event. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There are no plans for London residents to benefit from a preferential ticketing policy. However, a number of events such as the marathon, road cycling and triathlon are likely to be able to accommodate large numbers of local people watching free of charge. shirley Olympic Games 2012: London Bid Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government: What would happen if the estimated cost of £2.375 billion required to stage the 2012 Olympic Games, in the event of a succcessful bid, overran; and whether the Government would cover the deficit. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The up to £2.375 billion funding package described in the memorandum of understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London published in June 2003 makes allowance for the potential public sector contribution to support the staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is in addition to private sector sources of funding such as sponsorship and television rights. Beyond this, the Government, as stated in the memorandum of understanding and reiterated in a departmental minute presented to Parliament on 2 December 2003, have given a commitment to be the ultimate guarantor for the Games. On current contingency plans, the Goverment would expect to discharge this responsibility, should it arise, in a sharing arrangement to be agreed as appropriate with the Mayor of London and for their part seeking additional National Lottery funding. These expectations will be further reviewed in summer 2005. European Directives: Transposition Notes Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government: How members of the public, or litigants in United Kingdom courts, can obtain particulars of any Act of Parliament or any part thereof arising from a directive of the European Community and Union, together with references thereto; and what are the likely costs of doing so. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Transposition notes are currently produced to accompany legislation that requires transposition into UK law, except where it can be demonstrated that the resources required to produce a transposition note are significantly greater than can be justified by the resulting added benefit to the reader. They set out how the main elements of a directive have been, or will be transposed into UK law. They are available in print from departments and should also be accessible via departmental websites. The full text of UK legislation which transposes EU directives into UK law can currently be accessed at no charge using the search engine on the HMSOnline website (www.hmso.gov.uk), where entry of details of the directive will provide a link to the legislation which transposes the directive into UK law. This can be, however, a cumbersome arrangement for users and Her Majesty's Stationery Office, as part of its plans for the future development of Legislationonline later this year, plans to deliver an improved facility for users where they will be able to link directly from the full text of the UK legislation to the full text of the directive as published on the Europa website. Special Advisers Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will publish information on the main areas of work delegated by Ministers to each special adviser, identifying the main areas of departmental policy with which each special adviser is concerned. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers sets out the main areas of work to be undertaken by special advisers. A copy of the code of conduct is in the Library of the House. In addition, in their response to the ninth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Government agreed that where a special adviser has a particular expertise or works mainly in a particular area of the department's work this will be indicated in the annual statement to Parliament on the numbers and pay bands of special advisers by department and the overall salary cost. The list for 2003–04 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Special Advisers Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) Whether special advisers are recruited on the basis of criteria and procedures laid down by individual Ministers, or whether the criteria and procedures are agreed by Ministers collectively; and (b) what are the criteria and procedures which have been used by Ministers (whether individually or collectively) in recruiting their special advisers. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Since their inception in the early 1970s, it has been the nature of special adviser appointments that they should be outside the rules of fair and open competition as they are personal appointments made by the Minister at his or her request to meet particular needs. For these positions, Ministers seek a combination of political and personal commitment, relevant expertise and personal trust and confidence. It is because of this combination of qualities required for the job that the Civil Service order in council and the Civil Service Commissioners' recruitment rules recognise that it is necessary to exempt such posts from the normal Civil Service recruitment rules. simone Parliamentary Ombudsman Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: How the annual number of complaints received by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration compares with the annual number of complaints received by parliamentary ombudsmen in other European and Commonwealth countries, taking into account population sizes in those countries; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 17 March (WA 55), whether they are aware of any country which restricts access to a parliamentary ombudsman to members of that Parliament. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Information on the number of complaints received by the Parliamentary Ombudsman is set out in her annual report. Information on the number of complaints received by parliamentary ombudsmen in other countries is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I have written to the noble Lord offering him a factual background briefing from the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on the handling of complaints by equivalent ombudsman schemes in other countries. I understand that France operates a similar scheme to that operated in this country in terms of access to the ombudsman. Parliamentary Ombudsman Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 17 March (WA 55), whether they have identified any objections in principle to the creation of a right of direct access by members of the public to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for complaints of maladministration by government departments; and, if so, what are the objections; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 17 March (WA 55), what is the justification for preventing Members of the House of Lords referring complaints by members of the public to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 17 March (WA 55), how long ago they considered the case for introducing legislation to create a direct right of access by members of the public to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Under the terms of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman must be made through a Member of the House of Commons. The review of the public sector ombudsmen in England, published in 2000, considered the case for introducing legislation to create a direct right of access by members of the public to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. As my Answer of 17 March made clear, discussions with the Ombudsman on this issue are continuing.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2004-04-05a

Lord Bach: My honourable friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Mr Bradshaw), has discussed this issue with the Irish Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on a number of occasions. He has urged on the Irish Minister the need to take steps to reduce the impact of the salmon drift net fishery on salmon returning to English and Welsh rivers. In response, the Irish Minister recognised the need to take account of scientific advice on the impact of Irish salmon drift net fisheries on riverine stocks, but also stressed the socio-economic importance of the net fishery in areas where other forms of employment are scarce. Lord Brabazon of Tara: At present 36 members of staff, comprising 7.9 per cent. of the total staff of the House, participate in foreign language courses funded by the House. Lord Bach: A draft of the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 was issued for public consultation but the regulations have not yet been made and laid before Parliament. The consultation paper is available on the department's website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agwaste-regs/consultation.pdf. Following that consultation, and an adverse judgment by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on infraction proceedings by the European Commission against the UK, we are now finalising the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006. The main purpose of the forthcoming regulations is to repeal the exclusion in Section 75(7)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to apply to agricultural waste the national controls that are already in place to comply with the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and the Landfill Directive. Our aim is to make and lay the regulations before Parliament by 31 March 2006. The regulations will apply to the agricultural industry the controls that already apply to all other sectors of industry. The consultation paper published with the draft regulations included at Annexe 1 a partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA). A full RIA will be published when the final Regulations are made and laid before Parliament. The consultation paper set out in Chapter 3 the five basic options available to farmers for the disposal or recovery of their agricultural waste when the regulations come into force. It is a matter for decision by individual farmers which of these options they use. For this reason, the Government have made no estimate of the amounts of agricultural waste which farmers will dispose of by recycling, landfilling or incineration; or, of the agricultural waste that will be incinerated, what percentage will be used for heating, or power generation. The environmental and health benefits of ending on-farm disposal practices such as the open burning of non-natural agricultural waste (e.g. plastic bottles) are discussed in Section 3 of the RIA published with the consultation paper. The RIA estimates total agricultural waste arisings of 355,304 tonnes p.a. (England and Wales) and states in paragraph 10.2 that the department's assumptions, for the purposes of estimating the cost of the proposed regulations, are that: None of the farm dumps which are currently used to dispose of agricultural waste will be able to meet the standards required by the Landfill Directive; 98 per cent. of farmers will decide to consign their agricultural waste for disposal off-farm; and all such waste will be consigned for disposal at licensed landfill site. Article 13 of the WFD requires establishments or undertakings which operate under the terms of a permit/licence authorising the disposal or recovery of waste, or a registered permit/licence exemption, to be subject to appropriate periodic inspections by the competent authorities (e.g. the Environment Agency). I understand that the Environment Agency intends to fulfil this requirement in relation to agricultural waste through efficiencies gained from its Integrated Inspection of Agriculture project rather than by engaging additional inspectors. Private householders are not "establishments or undertakings" for the purposes of the WFD and are not therefore subject to the directive's permit/licence requirements. However, the ECJ's judgment on the WFD infraction found that the UK had failed to fulfil its obligations in relation to Article 4 of the directive and the disposal of household waste within the curtilage of domestic properties The proposed regulations will therefore amend Section 33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to make it an offence for a householder to dispose of household waste within the curtilage of a domestic property in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2006-02-10b

Foreign and Commonwealth Office European Commission Lord Stevens of Ludgate: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is appropriate for a European Commissioner to comment on the behaviour of a political party in the European Parliament. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: I refer the noble Lord to the Code of Conduct for European Commissioners. This makes clear that Commissioners retain the right to express their personal opinions.The current Code of Conduct is available on the European Commission website at: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/pdf/code_conduct_en.pdfA copy of the currrent Code is attached. Code of Conduct for European Commissioners (PDF Document, 730.55 KB) PKK Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will open channels of communication with the Kurdistan Workers' Party in the light of its engagement against ISIS and efforts to reach agreement with the government of Turkey. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We welcome the continuing efforts of the Turkish government to resolve the Kurdish issue, including through the introduction of legislation addressing minority rights and consultation with civil society. We also welcome ongoing negotiations between the Turkish government and the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, to reach a peaceful solution. We have already shared lessons learned from the UK’s experience in Northern Ireland with senior Turkish Ministers, politicians and officials. The UK stands ready to help in any way we can.Our embassy in Ankara maintains a regular dialogue with political parties in Turkey, including the pro-Kurdish HDP (People’s Democratic Party), and with Kurdish civil society organisations. However, the PKK is a proscribed organisation in the UK. There are currently no plans to delist or un-proscribe the PKK as a terrorist group. Russia Baroness Falkner of Margravine: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Russia's commitment to international law and conventions. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Russia’s actions in Crimea and the east of Ukraine are a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are in direct contravention of international law, including the UN Charter. We are also concerned by Russia’s selective application of human rights conventions, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These ongoing violations demonstrate Russia’s disregard for international law. Department for International Development Overseas Aid The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of bilateral aid from the Department for International Development in the last three financial years has been channelled through non-governmental organisations (1) based in the United Kingdom, and (2) based in the recipient countries. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The table below shows the proportion of bilateral aid from the Department for International Development in the last three calendar years which has been channelled through non-governmental organisations (1) based in the United Kingdom, and (2) based in the recipient countries. NGO Percentage of DFID Net Bilateral ODA201120122013NGO Based in the United Kingdom8%9%10%NGO Based in Recipient Countries2%2%3% Department for Education Teachers: Training Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to incentivise high-performing graduates to take up teacher training. Lord Nash: The Government is committed to recruiting the most talented graduates to enter initial teacher training (ITT). We offer a range of financial incentives to attract the very best graduates into teaching. From 2012/13, the highest bursaries for ITT have been awarded to graduates with first or 2:1 degree classifications and for subjects in which it is traditionally difficult to recruit for. In September 2014, we announced increases to tax-free ITT bursaries for chemistry, computing, maths, physics and languages trainee teachers to £25,000 for graduates with first class degrees starting their ITT in 2015/16. Trainees with a 2:1 degree training to teach physics will also receive £25,000 and those training to teach chemistry, maths, computing and languages will receive £20,000. We have also increased bursaries in biology, geography, design and technology (D&T), and primary maths, and introduced a new bursary for religious education (RE). Full details of financial incentives for ITT are published online at: www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding In addition, we work in partnership with professional bodies to offer tax-free scholarship awards of £25,000 to those entering chemistry, computing, maths and physics ITT. These prestigious awards are aimed at high-quality graduates who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be inspirational teachers. As well as the financial award, scholars gain access to a range of support and resource not available to non-scholars including: membership to a range of scholar communities; mentoring, including career mentoring, by expert subject teachers and employers; networking events and educational trips throughout the training year and; continuing professional development opportunities. Upon completion of the course, scholars are expected to become ambassadors for the scheme sharing their resources and support with other teachers and colleagues. Since 2010, the proportion of new entrants to ITT with a 2:1 or first class degree has increased from 63% to 73% in 2014/15. Larger increases have been seen in subjects such as maths and physics. The Government continues to fund Teach First, and for 2015/16 ITT we have increased the number of places by 33%, from 1,500 to 2000. We have also recently announced an expansion of the popular Chairs in Maths and Physics programme, which looks to attract some of the brightest and best post-doctoral researchers into the classroom by providing enhanced salaries and a dedicated training and development programme. Decisions on financial incentives for ITT are taken on an annual basis in light of recruitment performance. Primary Education: Teachers Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what special measures are in place to encourage more males to train as primary school teachers. Lord Nash: We value diversity in the workforce and want to attract high quality teachers. Recent figures show that 13% of teachers in publicly funded primary schools in England are male. However, the proportion of males starting primary initial teacher training programmes in 2014/15 is 21%. Department for Work and Pensions Social Security Benefits: Disability Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Freud on 22 July 2013 (WS 152) that the Department for Work and Pensions had engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to provide independent advice in relation to strengthening quality assurance processes across all its health and disability assessments, when the results of that audit will be published. Lord Freud: This was an internal review completed more than a year ago. Since then significant improvements have been introduced. As such, the review is out of date and the Department has no plans to publish the findings. Personal Independence Payment Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people receiving Personal Independence Payment have undergone an intervention to review their entitlement. Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people with Parkinson's receiving Personal Independence Payment have undergone an intervention to review their entitlement. Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to pilot the Personal Independence Payment quality assurance process, (2) to publish an evaluation of the Personal Independence Payment quality assurance process, and (3) to consult on the Personal Independence Payment quality assurance process. Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people with movement disorders have applied for Personal Independence Payment. Lord Freud: The information requested regarding interventions is not currently available. Information on claims made to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) broken down by condition is not available. By 21 October 2014, 1,535 people classified as having a movement disorder as their primary condition were in receipt of PIP. The Department has robust processes in place to assure the quality of Personal Independence Payment assessments and decisions about benefit entitlement, through regular audit and quality checks by specialist teams. We continue to review processes to ensure they remain appropriate and effective. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Flood Control The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure long-term support and funding for flood prevention schemes. Lord De Mauley: This Government has developed a six-year programme of work, involving over 1,400 projects, to improve defences throughout the country between 2015 and 2021. This has been made possible by our record level of commitment by investing £2.3 billion in improving defences over the coming six years. Efficiency gains will ensure this funding goes even further. This work is projected to reduce the risk of flooding or erosion to at least 300,000 households by 2021, and avoid around £30 billion in economic damages. Rights of Way Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the percentage change in spending on rights of way and countryside access by each local highway authority between 2010–11 and 2014–15. Lord De Mauley: Local highway authorities are responsible for protecting the rights of the public to use footpaths and other rights of way. They are also responsible for determining their own local spending priorities and it is for local people to hold them to account. Consequently, the information requested is held by each local highway authority, not centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Trees: Urban Areas Lord Framlingham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which department is responsible for the planting and care of trees in the urban environment. Lord De Mauley: No single Government department is responsible for the planting of trees in the urban environment, although Defra has general responsibility for forestry and tree health issues in England. The Government’s Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement of January 2013 recognised the social and environmental benefits of urban trees. The Government has backed this up by supporting charities and community groups to plant one million new trees through the Big Tree Plant, many in urban areas of the greatest deprivation. This is, however, only a fraction of the total number of urban trees in England, the vast majority of which will have been planted by local authorities or private landowners. As in rural areas, the care of urban trees principally falls to the owner of the land on which they are planted, so the care of trees in our cities’ streets and public parks is generally the responsibility of the local authority. There are also numerous instances of Government bodies such as the Forestry Commission and the Animal and Plant Health Agency working closely with local authorities and landowners to address tree and plant health issues in their area. For example, the Forestry Commission has been working closely with local authorities in London on oak processionary moth. Bees: Imports Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they are permitting the importation of bumble-bees from overseas which could carry disease. Lord De Mauley: Protecting the country from disease is a key priority and we work closely with countries across the globe to make sure that we are well placed to prevent the movement of animal and plant diseases. EU legislation lays down rules for importing bumble bees; this does not allow the Government to ban imports. Where notifiable diseases are detected, safeguard measures are introduced by the European Commission. Bumble bees may only be imported if they are accompanied by a completed and signed health certificate. The competent authority/veterinary service within the country of origin must make sure that the conditions specified in the certificate are fulfilled, including freedom from proscribed pests and diseases. Department for Communities and Local Government Public Sector: Property Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have a policy position on the disposal of property assets by local authorities, fire authorities and combined authorities. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: This Government has actively encouraged councils to make better use of their property assets, including selling surplus property, in order to free up brownfield land and to generate broader savings. Indeed, councils are sitting on £2.5 billion of surplus operational assets according to their own returns (source: DCLG, Local Government Finance Statistics England, June 2014).Legally, the framework for the disposal of assets by local authorities, fire authorities and combined authorities is set out in the Local Government Act 1972. The legislation gives authorities the power to dispose of land as they see fit and for the best price reasonably obtainable. Local authorities are not always obliged to sell assets to the highest bidder. In certain circumstances they are free to accept a lower offer where the lower price is offset by wider public benefits. This is set out in the General Disposal Consent which permits local authorities to make disposals at less than best consideration without reference to the Secretary of State provided the undervalue does not exceed £2 million. In cases where a proposed disposal is not covered by this general consent an authority would have to apply to the Secretary of State for a specific consent. Each application is considered on its own merits. HM Treasury National Savings Bonds: Pensioners Lord Tyler: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to enable Pensioner Bonds to be taken out by an eligible pensioner in the name of a grandchild. Lord Deighton: There are no plans to enable eligible pensioners to take out the bonds in the name of a grandchild. These new market-leading savings bonds and are designed to help support those who rely on their savings in retirement. Low interest rates have played an important part in stimulating the recovery. But there are those – especially pensioners – who rely on a reasonable rate of interest on their savings. Business: Loans Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are proposing in relation to banks that have missold business loans to customers. Lord Deighton: Business lending is not, and never has been, within the scope of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) conduct rules. The position that has traditionally been taken in the UK is that the terms and conditions of contracts between businesses (e.g. loans) are not generally prescribed by government. The government is committed to regulating only where there is a clear case for doing so, in order to avoid putting additional costs on lenders that would ultimately lead to higher costs for businesses customer. However, the smaller end of the business community does receive regulatory protection. In the UK, loans to the smallest businesses (sole traders, partnerships consisting of 2 or 3 partners and unincorporated businesses) of less than £25,000 are treated as regulated consumer credit agreements (CCAs). This protects consumers, typically in their dealings with banks where there is the potential for consumer detriment. Around three quarters of the 4.8 million UK SMEs are sole traders, partnerships consisting of 2 or 3 partners and unincorporated businesses. For those loans which are not treated as CCA loans, there is also a clear route of recourse for businesses that feel they have been mis-sold a business loan to pursue. A business’ first recourse should be to its bank’s customer complaints department. This is a route that has been taken by a number of customers. The FCA’s rules require the banks to properly investigate all complaints and, through ongoing supervision, it continues to monitor the banks’ complaint handling process. Furthermore, micro businesses with a turnover of less than 2 million Euros and fewer than 10 employees have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The FOS is an independent, non-governmental body, established under statute to provide for the proportionate, prompt and informal resolution of complaints against financial services firms. It provides a free, independent dispute resolution service for bank customers and has a special team looking at this issue. Its decisions are binding on the firm concerned. Beyond this, businesses are expected to be responsible for ensuring that contracts they make with other businesses are in their interest. However, if a business believes a bank has acted unlawfully, they can seek to take action through the courts Department for Culture Media and Sport Tourism: Wind Power Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Navitus Bay wind park scheme does not adversely affect the tourism industry in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and its contribution to the local economy and employment. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It would not be appropriate to comment on the proposed project given the Planning Inspectorate’s examination ahead of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change’s eventual decision. Holiday Accommodation Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to support the holiday rental market, in the light of the report published by the London School of Economics in November 2014 The economic impact of holiday rentals in the UK. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: VisitEngland recognises the value of the holiday rental market and works with a range of industry partners in order to represent the breadth of product available in England. The holiday rental market is of huge importance, and VisitEngland partners with a range of holiday cottage companies and park operators, driving overnight visits through this vital sector of the industry. VisitEngland also promotes a number of self-catering organisations on its website. (See link http://www.visitengland.com/self-catering-accommodation-and-cottages#/)

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2015-01-29

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Windsor Framework: Parliamentary Scrutiny Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government which statutory instruments have been published to give effect to the Windsor Framework; and what plans they have to ensure that House of Lords select committees have sufficient time to scrutinise those instruments before motions are tabled for their approval. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Implementing the Framework expeditiously is essential to providing assurance and certainty as to what the Framework will mean in practice. At present, the Government has laid the Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2023 and The Value Added Tax (Installation of Energy-Saving Materials) Order 2023.The Government will continue to bring forward legislation to give effect to the Windsor Framework in a way that enables scrutiny by Parliament, and to engage with the scrutiny committees of Parliament in order to support their work. UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what are the projected annual costs of operating the red and green lanes in Northern Ireland. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Further guidance on these arrangements will be provided in due course, and we will set out the details of new arrangements and their costs in the usual way. UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what are the processes for monitoring andenforcing regulationof parcels sent between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor framework. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have safeguarded parcel movements and maintained business as usual for Northern Ireland consumers. That means parcels can be sent to friends and family in Northern Ireland, with no requirements on either the sender or recipient. People in Northern Ireland ordering from businesses in the rest of the UK will continue to order and receive goods through the post as they do now; and parcels sent between businesses will be able to use the same internal market scheme as applies for freight movements. To support this the UK has agreed that authorised parcel operators will manage a process of sharing data to monitor and manage any risks of smuggling into the EU market. The Government will set out further detail on the operational arrangements in due course. UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total estimated annual cost of operating the trusted trader scheme for Northern Ireland. Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will continue to fund the Trader Support Scheme; and what the estimated annual cost ofdoing so will be. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We will continue to provide a free-to-use support service for movements in the green lane. We will set out the details of new arrangements and their costs in the usual way, including to Parliament as we continue to do. Further guidance on the green lane will be provided in due course.Information on the historical cost of the Trader Support Service and other support schemes is available in response to Written Question UIN 146816. UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what will be the cost to individual companies of participating in the trusted trader schemefor Northern Ireland; and whether they will be providing any financial support for companies, particularly small companies, registering and participating in the scheme. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The internal market scheme will be straightforward and free for traders to register. In addition, we will continue to provide a free-to-use support service for movements in the green lane. Further guidance on the green lane will be provided in due course. UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whether goods forming part of a transactionbetween parties in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but bought online, will be processed via the red or green lanes under the Windsor framework. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The green lane will be available for goods bought online in line with the terms of the Windsor Framework. For example we have safeguarded the movement of consumer parcels, removing any need for international customs processes. That means that Northern Ireland consumers will be able to order from businesses in the rest of the UK and receive goods in the post as they do now. This will mean Northern Ireland citizens will uniquely be able to receive parcels from both the UK and EU without burdens. Importantly, this new approach will apply even to goods otherwise classified as prohibited or restricted under EU rules (though domestic UK law prohibitions and normal carrier terms and conditions will still apply). Israel: Diplomatic Service Baroness Deech: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made of the actions of British diplomats stationed in Jerusalem who participated in the Palestine Marathon on 10 March, started by a Fatah official who was under investigation by FIFA for glorifying terrorism; and whether they have assessed the conduct of those diplomats in respect of Articles 13–15 of the Diplomatic Service Code. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: British diplomats are respected around the world because of the high standards to which they hold themselves, of which the Diplomatic Service Code is a key part. Those who participated in the marathon did so privately but we do remind staff to be mindful of their responsibilities as diplomats. The UK's position in relation to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is long-standing: we wish to see a viable two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace, prosperity and security. The Foreign Secretary and I [Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon] were pleased to welcome Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen on 21 March to sign the 2030 UK-Israel Roadmap, which outlines how the UK and Israel intend to work together to strengthen our partnership and to strengthen economic security for Palestinians. Sri Lanka: Tamils Lord Mann: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the UN Human Rights Council about the situation of Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK, alongside our partners in the Core Group, have led international efforts to promote human rights for all communities in Sri Lanka, including through resolution 51/1 at the UN Human Rights Council. The resolution renewed the mandate of the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on Sri Lanka and to protect and preserve evidence of past human rights abuses to use in future accountability processes. We have made our stance clear in statements to the Council, most recently on 7 March. The UK also made recommendations including on the need to address issues around the expropriation of land in the North and East during Sri Lanka's Universal Periodic Review in February. Iran: Crimes against Humanity and Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take in response to the remarks of the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on Iran at its 52nd Session regarding crimes against humanity and human rights violations in that country. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK welcomes the report by the UN Special Rapporteur, which provides further confirmation of the extent of the Iranian government's human rights violations. Working alongside international partners, the UK has been at the forefront of ensuring the Iranian regime pays a political and diplomatic price for its brutality. The UK announced seven rounds of human rights sanctions, totalling over 60 Iranian individuals and entities since October 2022.The UK has raised human rights both with Iranian representatives in the UK and directly in Tehran. The UK co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution on human rights in Iran, supported the creation of a UN Fact Finding Mission on Iran and helped ensure Iran's removal from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. We have raised human rights in both the Human Rights Council and UN Security Council. We take note of the seriousness of the report's findings, and remain committed to continue holding the Iranian regime to account for their actions. Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Lord Singh of Wimbledon: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) discrimination against religious minorities and women, (2) the use of the death penalty, and (3) reports of extrajudicial killings, in Saudi Arabia; and on what basis they describe Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding bilateral relationship based on trade; investment; defence; security; energy and shared concerns about regional issues. We have vital national security and economic interests in maintaining and developing our relationship with Saudi Arabia, including in how we work together to tackle regional threats. No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. We monitor a range of human rights issues in the Kingdom, including those pertaining to women, religious minorities and the continued use of the death penalty in the Kingdom. Development Aid Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask His Majesty's Government what were the outcomes of the firstSaudi Arabia–UK Strategic Aid Dialogue, held in London on 15 March. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Aid Dialogue between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia took place on 15-16 March. Discussions highlighted how the UK and Saudi Arabia can work together to address global food insecurity, delivering humanitarian aid including in areas of conflict, targeting support where it is most needed across Africa and enhancing the effectiveness of aid. As major global aid donors, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia are committed to partnering together to tackle global challenges and support those most in need. Afghanistan: Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken (1) to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan, (2) to prevent future atrocities in that country, and (3) to collect and safeguard evidence of current atrocities with a view to future prosecutions. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The FCDO continues to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan. On 7 October 2022, we co-sponsored a Human Rights Council resolution to extend the UN Special Rapporteur's, Richard Bennett, mandate to monitor Human Rights in Afghanistan.Based on the UN Framework, we assess the risk of atrocity crimes taking place in Afghanistan to be very high. We use a range of internal and external sources to provide evidence-based analysis of the risks, and are using this to inform our programming activity, including incorporating atrocity prevention interventions into existing programmes. Afghanistan: Religious Freedom Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessmentthey havemade of any efforts by the Taliban to protect religious or belief minorities from attacks bythe Islamic State–Khorasan Province; whether since September 2021 they have made any representations to the Taliban on the importance of protecting the rights of religious or belief minority groups; and if not, whether they intend to do so. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Since the Taliban took control, the marginalisation of minority groups has increased. Religious minorities are often victims of targeted attacks. FCDO officials regularly press the Taliban to protect religious minorities. We are working with international partners to urge the Taliban to act on their commitments on counter terrorism and ensure the safety of all Afghans. Afghanistan: Refugees Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessmentthey have made of whether Afghan refugees from Christian, Ahmadi, Baha’i, and atheist backgrounds have their freedom of religion or belief protected in(1) Afghanistan and (2)Iran. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In Afghanistan, since the Taliban took control, the marginalisation of minorities has increased. Religious minorities are often victims of targeted attacks. FCDO officials regularly press the Taliban to protect religious minorities.Iran hosts around 4.5 million Afghans from different backgrounds almost all of whom live side by side with Iranians in their host communities. Nonetheless, Iran has a track record of systematic discrimination, harassment, and targeting of minority religious and ethnic communities. We continue to raise human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, with Iran at all appropriate opportunities. The UK is committed to working with our partners to hold Iran to account for its dire human rights record. Afghanistan: Refugees Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the situation of (a) Afghan refugees who lack identification documents, and (b) those from Hazara backgrounds, living in Pakistan, and (2) reports that those groups lack access to the services of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, including medical treatment, accommodation, education and documentation, especially in the city of Islamabad. Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Hazara refugees in Pakistan have been denied legal refugee status by the government of Pakistan. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is a member of Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees, a group established in 2019 to bring together regional governments, the United Nations and donors to support long-term solutions for Afghan refugees. We encourage Pakistan to include all refugees in services provided to the wider population. We regularly raise the mistreatment and exclusion of minority religious and ethnic groups with the Government at a senior level. The Foreign Secretary raised Afghanistan, including the relocation of eligible Afghans, when he spoke to Foreign Minister Bhutto-Zardari on 20 December 2022. The UK has provided £6.5 million to support refugee preparedness in Pakistan and offer vital health services and additional nutritional support to communities hosting refugees. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Climate Change Baroness Boycott: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in adaptingEngland to climate change; and what assessment they have made of the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee’s reportInvestment for a well-adapted UK, published on 1 February. Lord Benyon: The Government welcomes the Climate Change Committee’s recent adaptation progress report for England. We will consider the report’s findings as we develop a third National Adaptation Programme which addresses all 61 risks and opportunities identified in the Government’s third Climate Change Risk Assessment. Climate adaptation is mainstreamed across Government, which means that all Government policies and programmes need to consider the risks that climate change poses to their successful delivery and outcomes.We also welcome the Climate Change Committee’s latest report “investment for a well-adapted UK”, and the Government assessed the recommendations. The recently published Green Finance Strategy sets out plans to build a launchpad for private and public collaboration over the next 5 years to overcome barriers to investment and assist in the functioning of news markets. We will announce our approach alongside our climate adaptation finance deliverables and action plan by end of 2024. Animal Welfare and Environment Protection: Standards The Lord Bishop of Exeter: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the differences in environmental and animal welfare standards in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and the impact of these differences on British farmers, given the UK–Australia and UK–New Zealand free trade agreements. Lord Benyon: The Government has been clear that any access to UK markets agreed through trade agreements will be fair and reciprocal, taking into account sectoral sensitivities and differences in food production standards. For example, within the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement we secured the exclusion of pork, chicken and eggs from tariff liberalisation reflecting the importance of animal welfare to the UK and the level of trade between Australia and the UK on these products. In both our negotiations with Australia and with New Zealand, we carefully considered the potential impacts on British farmers and secured a range of different measures to protect them. These measures include tariff rate quotas for several sensitive agricultural products, product specific safeguards and a general bilateral safeguard mechanism providing a temporary safety net for all products. The Government has published full impact assessments for the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement’s, which include impacts on the agricultural sector. We remain committed to upholding the UK’s high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards through trade. The independent Trade & Agriculture Commission concluded that our agreements with Australia and New Zealand do not undermine the UK’s robust domestic protections. Neither agreement creates any new permissions or authorisations for imports from Australia or New Zealand. All products imported into the UK will, as they do now, have to comply with our import requirements. Dairy Farming: Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Lord Bishop of Exeter: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encouragedairy farmers to undertake a Greenhouse Gas Protocol audit. Lord Benyon: In the Net Zero Growth Plan, we have committed to developing a harmonised approach to measuring carbon on farms and will set out how we will support farmers to undertake carbon audits by 2024. Agriculture: Government Assistance Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government how much they have spent on supporting vertical farming in each year since 2018. Lord Benyon: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) investments related to vertical farming are £29,540,441 since 2018. In each year investments were: 2018 - £873,5342019 - £1,437,2322020 - £8,826,5092021 - £16,744,3162022 - £1,589,0162023 - £49,834 (to date) The Science and Technology Facilities Council has also invested £20,000 since 2018. Recycling Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult on (1) policy, and (2) legislative changes, to help establish a circular economy in the UK. Lord Benyon: The Resources and Waste Strategy 2018 set out our plans to minimise waste, promote resource efficiency and move towards a circular economy. We want to prolong the lives of the materials and goods that we use and move society away from the inefficient ‘linear’ economic model of ‘take, make, use, throw’. Turning to activities at the top of the waste hierarchy, waste prevention and reuse have significant benefits both environmentally and economically through value retention, jobs growth and potential money saving for consumers. Our ambition is reflected in the upcoming document, Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste (MRMW), which will constitute the new Waste Prevention Programme for England. Through the landmark Environment Act 2021, the Government is delivering on commitments in the Resources and Waste Strategy bringing in a wide range of relevant reforms. Government has already consulted on a number of reforms including a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging and consistent recycling collections for every household and business in England. We continue to collaborate with the UKRI-funded National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research (NICER) programme to strengthen our evidence base on resource efficiency initiatives and will consider options to further formalise productive cross-government policy making and joined-up strategy to support resource-efficient circular economy business models in industry. This work will build on existing industry partnerships, cross-government research, and the work of the newly created Energy Efficiency Taskforce. Additional policy development and legislative change to support the transition to a more resource efficient and circular economy is being taken forward across Government. Ministry of Defence Army: Recruitment Lord Truscott: To ask His Majesty's Government whetherthey have any immediate plans to increase the overall size of the British Army. Baroness Goldie: The Ministry of Defence is reviewing whether it is now right to reduce the Regular Army to 73,000, as planned under Future Soldier. That process is ongoing.Defence's plans to modernise the force will be outlined in an update to the Defence Command Paper to be published before the summer.Any specific policy changes or updates required related to defence capability and force design will be determined following the publication of the Defence Command Paper. Home Office Domestic Abuse Baroness Helic: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Sharpe of Epsom on 14 March (HL5987), what assessment they have made of the impact of the difficulty of assessing bruises on darker skin on (1) documenting and prosecuting cases of domestic violence, and (2) providing treatment and support to victims of domestic violence. Baroness Helic: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of disparities in the response to, and treatment of, domestic abuse and domestic violence on the basis of race or ethnicity. Lord Sharpe of Epsom: This Government recognises that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including domestic abuse, affects a wide range of people. Some victims, especially those with specific needs and vulnerabilities, including ethnic minority victims, may experience additional barriers to identifying, disclosing, seeking help or reporting abuse.That is why in tackling domestic abuse a “one size fits all” approach is not appropriate to support all victims. We also understand the importance of specialist and ‘by and for’ services in providing tailored support and understanding that ethnic minority victims and survivors of VAWG offences and domestic abuse need. These are services that are led, designed and delivered ‘by and for’ the users and communities they aim to serve. As a result, these organisations have the necessary skills and experience to provide appropriate support.On 22 November 2022, we commenced an open commercial competition (VAWG Specialist and Support Services Fund) for ‘by and for’ and specialist services. This will enable vital services, who are based in the communities they serve, to support victims often facing the greatest barriers to getting the help they need. We are able to fund this competition with up to £8.4 million (in total) to run over financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25, with up to £6 million ring-fenced grant funding for ‘by and for’ services over the two years.Whilst there is current international research on how colorimetry can assist the assessment of bruising in adults and children with darker skin this has yet to impact on NICE Guidance on bruising as of March 2021, or contemporary Royal College of Emergency Medicine Guidance. Asylum: Deportation The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask His Majesty's Government which safe countries individuals have been returned to when they have been removed due to an inadmissibility decision on their asylum application. Lord Murray of Blidworth: We are clear that those who fear persecution should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and not put their lives at risk by making unnecessary and dangerous journeys to the UK. Controlled resettlement via safe and legal routes is the best way to protect such people and disrupt the organised crime groups that exploit migrants and refugees.Inadmissibility is a longstanding process, intended to support the first safe country principle and is an established part of international asylum procedures. Those who choose to travel from a safe third country and then claim asylum in the UK may find their asylum claim treated as inadmissible to the asylum process. That means that the UK will not consider the substance of the person’s claim and will seek their return to a safe third country.Since 1 January 2021 returns have been made to Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.Information on the return of those who claims are deemed inadmissible is routinely published and can be found online at: How many people do we grant protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Asylum The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask His Majesty's Government how many individuals have been granted temporary protection since the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 came into force; and what proportion of such individuals were under the age of 18. Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’ on GOV.uk. Data on initial decisions on asylum applications, by age, can be found in table Asy_D02 of the ‘asylum and resettlement detailed datasets’ on GOV.uk. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks. The latest data relate to the year ending December 2022. Data for the year ending March 2023 will be published on 25 May 2023.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’ on GOV.uk.Between 28 June 2022 and 31 December 2022, 56 people received grants of temporary refugee permission, of which 5 people (9%) were under the age of 18. Counter-terrorism: Public Places Baroness Scott of Needham Market: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed Protect Duty on parish and town councils in England; and what new funding they intend to provide to local authorities to support their compliance with that legislation. Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Martyn’s Law, formerly known as the Protect Duty, will be published as a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny this Spring. The Home Office is acutely conscious that this Bill must be proportionate, ensuring not to place undue burdens on local authorities, including parish and town councils, whilst balancing against the threat the UK faces from terrorism.Alongside the draft Bill, the Home Office will publish an impact assessment. A further, updated, impact assessment will be completed prior to any formal introduction of the Bill. The Home Office will also undertake a new burdens assessment and assess any requirements arising from it. Migrants: Hong Kong Lord Mann: To ask His Majesty's Government what system they use to process advanced DBS checks for professionals newly arrived in the UK from Hong Kong and applying for jobs; and what risk assessment they have made of the consequences of seeking information from the Hong Kong Police Force when carrying out such checks. Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The system for processing DBS checks for professionals newly arrived from Hong Kong is the same as the system used for all applicants regardless of where an individual is from. The DBS takes its information from what is held on the Police National Computer (PNC) and does not seek information from the Hong Kong Police Force when carrying out such checks. Information about overseas criminal records is entered on the Police National Computer (PNC) only when the British police are advised by a police force from overseas, or an agency such as Interpol. If an employer is recruiting people from overseas and wishes to check for any foreign criminal record, a DBS check can only access criminal records from the PNC and cannot access criminal records systems in other territories. Where overseas criminal records are held on the PNC, these would be revealed as part of a DBS check, as appropriate. Refugees: Afghanistan Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to ensure that eligible Afghans inAfghanistanare able to access the Afghan Citizens Relocation Scheme. Lord Murray of Blidworth: In January 2022, we launched the scheme, with some of those evacuated under Op PITTING being granted a place on the ACRS and, in June 2022, we launched two further referral pathways onto the scheme.The two further referral pathways onto the ACRS will continue to see individuals resettled to the UK. Beyond the first year of the third pathway, the Government will work with international partners and NGOs to welcome wider groups of Afghans at risk. Further detail will be set out in due course.This is one of the most ambitious resettlement schemes in our country’s history and we are proud to offer a safe and legal route to those affected by events in Afghanistan. We look forward to welcoming new arrivals to the UK and supporting them to rebuild their lives.We continue to work, including with likeminded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan, on resettlement issues and to support safe passage for eligible Afghans. Asylum: Rwanda The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to assess the ability of Rwanda to accommodate asylum seekers under the age of 18; and whether a safeguarding review will be undertaken. Lord Murray of Blidworth: Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children will not be considered for relocation to Rwanda. We will thoroughly consider the circumstances of cases involving families with children according to our policy, statutory and international obligations. A full equality impact assessment has been published on gov.uk. Illegal Migration Bill: Impact Assessments Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government when theyexpect to publish the impact assessment for the Illegal Migration Bill. Lord Murray of Blidworth: We will publish an equality impact assessment and economic impact assessment in respect of the Illegal Migration Bill in due course. Slavery: Northern Ireland Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the Northern Ireland Executive on the creation of a statutory defence for victims of modern slavery or trafficking who have committed an offence. Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office has had no discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the creation of a statutory defence for victims of modern slavery or trafficking who have committed an offence. Asylum: Housing Lord Tope: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of Clearsprings Ready Homes' provision of basic humanitarian services to the asylum seekers housed in properties they manage. Lord Tope: To ask His Majesty's Government what regulatory oversight is in place to ensure Clearsprings Ready Homes accommodation complies with its contractual obligations for the health and safety of the asylum seekers they house. Lord Tope: To ask His Majesty's Government what regulatory oversight has been implemented to ensure that Clearsprings Ready Homes does not take financial advantage of asylum seekers housed in the accommodation they manage. Lord Murray of Blidworth: It would be inappropriate to comment on commercial arrangements with suppliers. All Home Office commercial contracts are designed to ensure the best value for tax payers and the Home Office closely monitors its contractors performance, including financial results. Any profits above the agreed contractual margins comes back to the Home Office.The safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in our care is of paramount importance to the Home Office. Accommodation for supported asylum seekers is arranged by private sector providers through contractual arrangements with the Home Office. We expect high standards from all our providers across all of the services they are contractually obligated to provide and performance against delivery is managed robustly. The Statement of Requirements for what is to be delivered and to what standard is available for the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts is widely available in the public domain. The Statement of Requirements provides specific details on providers obligations to adhere to legislation such as the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010 as well as duties imposed on them by section 55 of the Border, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, and the children’s duty, to safeguard children from harm and promote their welfare.The provision of healthcare for asylum-seekers is the statutory responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care. However, there is funding available for local NHS Systems through Integrated Care Boards to assist with delivering health assessments to asylum seekers in contingency accommodation. Asylum Accommodation Providers signpost the people they accommodate to register with local GP Practices to access healthcare and work closely with local health teams to ensure that signposting is clear and those who want to register are able to do so. All supported asylum-seekers are given an induction briefing when they arrive at initial or dispersal accommodation. Performance against this is captured in Key Performance Indicators and reported on via Monthly and Quarterly reporting. In the event that people are not given appropriate induction briefings and this is reported via the AIRE service, the Home Office will take action. We expect high standards from all of our providers, and we have a robust governance framework in place to manage service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC). Details of the AASC can be found. Alongside this, asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help where they can raise any concerns regarding accommodation or support services, and they can get information on how to obtain further support. Visits Abroad: Rwanda Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government whetherjournalists fromTheGuardianwere invited to accompany the Home Secretary on her recent visit to Rwanda with journalists from other UK newspapers; if not, why not; and, further to the Home Office spokesperson’s comments reported in the Press Gazette on 25 April 2022 that the Home Office “fully adheres to the Government Communication Service Propriety Guidance when dealing with members of the media”, whether the decision on whether to inviteGuardianjournalists took account of the Government Communication Service Propriety Guidance which states that to "work effectively, media officers must establish their impartiality and neutrality with the news media, and ensure that they deal with all news media evenhandedly”. Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government howthe list of news organisations that attended to report on the Home Secretary’s visit to Rwanda was drawn up; and at what stage that list was considered against the Government Communications Service Propriety Guidance on the need for media officers to "establish their impartiality and neutrality with the news media", by dealing "with all news media evenhandedly." Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what advice the (1) Home Secretary, and (2) Permanent Secretary of the Government Communications Service, received concerning the exclusion of news organisations who may not support Government policy from attending the Home Secretary’s recent trip to Rwanda; and in particular whether they considered the Government Communications Service Propriety Guidance requiring media officers to "establish their impartiality and neutrality with the news media", by dealing "with all news media evenhandedly. Lord Murray of Blidworth: Media outlets who accompanied the Home Secretary’s visit to Kigali on March 18 – 19 were BBC News, The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, GB News, Press Association, The Sun, The Times. There were also numerous outlets in the region who covered the visit.Even-handed treatment of the media in accordance with the Government Communications Service guidelines is central to how the Civil Service communicates. Due consideration of the GCS guidelines is undertaken in Home Office communications.All news organisations were kept informed of the progress of the visit regardless of whether they attended or not. Police: Misconduct Lord Lexden: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) the Written Answer byLord Sharpe of Epsom on 22 February (HL5554) where he stated that "there are no provisions in legislation which entitle legally qualified chairs to remain anonymous”, and (2)the remarks byLord Sharpe of Epsom on 20 March (HL Deb col 1531),when the name of the legally qualified chair appointed to hear a police gross misconduct case in Cleveland will be published. Lord Lexden: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Sharpe of Epsom on 20 March (HL Deb col 1532) where he stated "I am delighted to say that Cleveland is starting to make serious progress on the engagement front", how that progress is being made; andwhat have been the results in relation to the gross misconduct hearing at which Mr Mike Veale is due to appear. Lord Lexden: To ask His Majesty's Government, what plans they have to provide a briefing to Privy Counsellors in respect of the police gross misconduct hearing pending in Cleveland. Lord Lexden: To ask His Majesty's Government how manypolice misconduct proceedings in England and Wales have not been started 18 months after their announcement. Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Home Office collects and publishes data on police misconduct cases finalised during a financial year period in the ‘Police misconduct, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin. It does not therefore include cases which have been referred to misconduct proceedings, where those proceedings have not yet concluded. The Government is unable to comment on on-going misconduct proceedings, which are rightly conducted independently of government. There are therefore no plans to provide briefing on this or any specific misconduct hearing, nor is the Government able to provide any details relating to legally qualified chairs (LQC), who are appointed to both their role and individual panels by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). Any decision concerning publication of an LQC’s name is a matter for the relevant PCC Cleveland’s most recent Police Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimacy report, published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), showed positive improvement in a number of key areas, including its crime recording and treatment of the public. However, it still has further to go to meet acceptable performance standards in respect of preventing crime and understanding and addressing its demand. As such HMICFRS have confirmed it will continue to be engaged. It remains PCC Turner’s responsibility to ensure that Chief Constable Webster takes effective action to address the inspectorate’s recommendations. We will continue to take a close interest in the force’s progress as a member of the HMICFRS-chaired Police Performance Oversight Group. Domestic Abuse The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish their response to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report Safety before status: the solutions, which was due in February. The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the recommendations in the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s second report into migrant survivors, Safety before status: the solutions, publishedon 13 December 2022. Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Tackling violence against women and girls is a government priority. We are committed to supporting victims of abuse, regardless of their immigration status.The Home Office is grateful to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for publishing the ‘Safety Before Status: The Solutions’ report and to the Commissioner’s team and external partners for researching the vital issue of support for migrant victims and survivors of domestic abuse.We will continue to engage with the Commissioner’s office on recommendations set out in the report, and across government. We have already begun to take forward work that stems from some of the recommendations.We are giving detailed consideration to the findings of this research in conjunction with the external evaluation of the Home Office funded Support for Migrant Victims Scheme pilot (SMV) and considering the wider policies affecting migrant victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Our official response will be published as soon as is practicable. In the meantime, we continue to provide £1.4 million per annum to fund support for all migrant victims of domestic abuse. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Hydrogen: Heating Baroness Worthington: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have approved consumer strategies and consumer communications developed by gas distribution network operators (1) as part of the neighbourhood trial, and (2) as part of the village trial. Lord Callanan: The gas networks have overall responsibility for leading the delivery of the neighbourhood trial and the village trial. The Government engages with the gas networks on their consumer strategies but does not routinely approve consumer communications. Hydrogen: Heating Baroness Worthington: To ask His Majesty's Government what alternative heating solutions will be provided to consumers who do not want to participate (1) in the hydrogen heating neighbourhood trial, and (2) in the hydrogen heating village trial. Lord Callanan: In the neighbourhood trial, hydrogen will be transported through pipes laid parallel with the existing gas network, so consumers will be able to continue using natural gas if they do not wish to use hydrogen. The gas networks have consulted local residents in potential village trial locations to develop their consumer offer. This includes alternatives for consumers who do not wish to or cannot connect to hydrogen, such as electric cookers and heating systems. Energy Bills Rebate: Boats The Lord Bishop of Manchester: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide fuel support to those living on licensed boats with no permanent mooring, many of whom are on low incomes or pensioners. Lord Callanan: The Government is keen to support these households living on licensed boats with no permanent mooring and to ensure that they can receive the Alternative Fuel Payment via the Alternative Fund where eligible. We are currently working to find an acceptable method for these households to provide proof of eligibility, whilst protecting public funds, so they can claim the Alternative Fuel Payment via the Alternative Fund. Carbon Emissions Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to update their policy paperNet Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, published on 19 October 2021, and (2) to bring forward the timetables for their net zero plans, given the International Panel on Climate Change'sSynthesis Report, published on 20 March. Lord Callanan: The Government is committed to its Net Zero target. The Net Zero Growth Plan and Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, published in March, set out the package of policies and proposals to meet the UK's carbon budgets. The Government has already come a long way to meet that target. The UK has cut emissions faster than any other G7 country, through deployment of low-carbon sources, such as renewables and nuclear, which provide half of the UK’s electricity generation. The Government's target is in line with the advice of the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee and is consistent with the recommendations in the IPCC report. Department for Business and Trade Employment Tribunals Service Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government how many(1) warning notices, and (2) financial penalty notices, were issued to respondent employers under section 150 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 for failure to pay an employment tribunal award in each year since 2016–17, including 2022–23 to date; how many of those financial penalties (a) have been paid, and (b) remain unpaid; how many previously unpaid awards have been recovered following (i) the issuing of a warning notice only, and (ii) the issuing of both a warning notice and a financial penalty notice; and how much money has been recovered for claimants in total in each category. Lord Johnson of Lainston: While we do hold data on Employment Tribunal Penalties, this is derived from a live case management system and has not been subject to sufficient validation that would be required for us to release this to Parliament at this time. We will give consideration to what data we may be able to publish on this subject in the future. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Development Plans Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government how many conflicts between local development plans and national development management policies have arisen in each of the last five years; and how many were resolved by the national development management policies taking precedence. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: National Development Management Policies are proposed to be introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which is before Parliament at present. Therefore no conflicts have arisen between National Development Management Policies as they have yet to be introduced. Further details of how National Development Management Policies would operate are set out in the consultation document 'Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy' published in December 2022. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Advanced Research and Invention Agency: Environmental Protection Lord Ravensdale: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Callanan on 14 December 2021 (HL Deb col 205) that an obligation on the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) would "have regard to its projects contributing to our climate change targets and environmental goals", why the ARIA framework agreement, published on 17 February, doesnot include their aforementioned commitment; and when they plan to edit the framework agreement to include it. Viscount Camrose: I thank the noble Lord for raising this matter. The ARIA Framework Agreement will be updated as soon as possible to include this commitment, without prejudice to ARIA’s freedom to have maximum autonomy over its research and project choices.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2023-04-04

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested is shown in the table. The information provided is for as at 1 April each year. The figures include support staff, as it is not possible separately to identify job roles from the available records. Full time equivalent communication staff for Cabinet Office Management Units 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Communication Group: Press Officers 11 14 20 1 16 18 8.5 7.5 9 Communication Group: non-press 2 0 5.21 7.65 15 21.64 24.68 31.25 32.8 Government Communication (formerly GICS) 3 5 11 13.67 14.67 17.7 27.06 22.39 20.62 Media Monitoring Unit 7 10 11 13 15 10 Government News Network(4) 111.76 121.49 121.59 Annual Total 18 37.21 50.32 55.67 180.10 194.73 197.73 72.42 Note 1: The Press Office figure for 2000 includes press officers specifically employed to manage the genetically modified foods communications unit which operated from the Cabinet Office between July 1999 to March/April 2000. Note 2: Communication Group now provides a central communications resource for the majority of Cabinet Office management units. Some units still maintain their own communication resource, and more did so prior to 2004. It is not possible to provide details for the staff working on communications outside of the main units without incurring disproportionate costs. Note 3: The functions of Government Communications and its predecessor GICS have changed significantly over this period. This is reflected in the variations in staff numbers. Note 4: From 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2005, the Government News Network (GNN) was part of the Cabinet Office. It is now managed once again by COI. GNN provides a service across the whole of government. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The latest available information on homicide was published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin number 02/05, Crime in England and Wales 2003–04: Supplementary Volume 1: Homicide and Gun Crime. This is available from the website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm. Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for Ministers in the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2005-07-06a

Childcare Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government: In the light of the substantial grants recently announced for the development by local authorities of formal childcare, why they are not also making provision for encouraging and empowering grandparents and kin to provide informal but quality childcare; whether they have assessed the extent to which childcare within the extended family is the parents' first choice of childcare; and whether it offers the child a better chance of long-term secure attachment to a suitable caring adult which is different or impossible in formal settings. Lord Adonis: The Government know that informal care is a popular and important form of childcare for many parents, often in combination with formal childcare. Grandparents provide a high proportion of informal care and it is valued for the trust and the flexibility it provides. The noble Lord has previously proposed that there should be financial support from the Government—perhaps through the tax credit system—for childcare provided by grandparents; or a duty on local authorities to provide information and training to grandparents to enhance their role as childcarers. Although we recognise the valuable service that grandparents provide when caring for their grandchildren, we do not think that it would be appropriate to encourage charging between family members who would not otherwise have done so. We believe that the necessary inspection checks would be intrusive and that people using relatives for childcare would not generally welcome such interference. Similarly, we do not think it would be appropriate to extend the provision in the Childcare Act 2006 which requires local authorities to secure information, advice and training for childcare providers so as to apply to those who care for children to whom they are related. Long-term secure attachment is clearly important for young children. That is why the current national standards for day care and childminding, and the Early Years Foundation Stage which replaces them from September 2008, require that every child is assigned a key person. The role of the key person is to be a significant, constant individual on whom the child can depend while they are away from their parents, helping them feel happy and secure within settings so that they have confidence to learn and explore. The key person also forms a relationship with the child's parents, working with them to ensure that the child's individual needs are met. Childcare Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the average grant of £35,000 per centre per year for each new children's centre over the next three years will be adequate to enable the setting up of 3,500 high quality children's centres; and, if not, where the necessary additional resources are going to come from to ensure that their targets for children's centres are met. Lord Adonis: The Government are committed to delivering at least 3,500 Sure Start children's centres by 2010—one for every community—and are providing more than £3 billion to support services in these centres over the next three financial years (2008-11). We do not recognise the suggested figure of average grant per centre per year, nor how it has been derived. In August we advised local authorities of their Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare Grant allocations, which included revenue allocations for children's centres and Sure Start local programmes, most of which are now designated children's centres. There are currently more than 1,600 centres up and running. Our recent guidance to local authorities Sure Start Children's Centres: Phase 3 Planning and Delivery explains that the allocations provide sufficient resource for 1,500 centres to provide intensive support services for around a million children under five living in the most disadvantaged areas; resources for around another 1,000 centres serving families living in less disadvantaged areas to provide services at a less intensive level; and set-up costs for around 1,000 centres that are being developed between 2008 and 2010. The guidance provides illustrative models of resources needed: around £400,000 on average in a full year to fund the most intensive support services for the most disadvantaged communities; and, depending on needs, between £250,000 and £100,000 in a full year for fully operational centres serving families in less disadvantaged areas. The guidance also clarifies that family and community health services and employment or training advice services, both key elements of the centres' services, are not intended to be funded through children's centres revenue. Resources for these activities come from the NHS and Jobcentre Plus. Children: Registration of Fathers Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many and what proportion of unmarried fathers jointly with the mother registered their child's birth; or, if that figure is not available, how many and what proportion of children born to unmarried parents were registered by both parents jointly in the last period for which figures are available. Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician and Registrar General, toLord Northbourne dated 12 November 2007. As the National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question regarding how many and what proportion of unmarried fathers jointly with the mother registered their child's birth; or, how many and what proportion of children born to unmarried parents were registered by both parents jointly in the last period for which figures are available. (HL86) The table below shows figures on live births to unmarried parents, broken down by registration type. Births occurring outside marriage may be registered either jointly or solely. A joint registration records details of both parents, and requires them both to be present. A sole registration records only the mother's details. In 2005, the latest available year for which figures are available, 84 per cent of live births occurring outside marriage were jointly registered by both parents. Live births outside marriage: whether joint or sole registration, England and Wales 2005 Total live births outside marriage Joint Registration Sole registration Number Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) 2005 276,505 231,335 84 45,170 16 The counts provided above are published annually in Birth Statistics, Series FM1, Table 3.8. Data for 2006 will be published in Series FM1 no.35 in December 2007. Community Cohesion Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their assessment of the contribution that councils can make towards programmes to promote community cohesion. Baroness Andrews: The Local Government White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities, published in October 2006, recognised that local authorities and their partners are at the heart of building cohesion. In its recent report, Our shared Future, the Commission on Integration and Cohesion said that improving cohesion is about local action: local areas have the necessary knowledge about local circumstances. Inclusion of cohesion as a priority outcome in the arrangements for local area agreements reflects the importance of local activity. In her response to the commission, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has announced that the Government will invest £50 million over the next three years to support local authorities in promoting community cohesion and in preventing and managing community tensions. Community Cohesion Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action they are taking to promote good relations and community cohesion to counter the effects of public opinion on immigration and migration. Baroness Andrews: In her recent response to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced that the Government will be investing £50 million over the next three years to support local authorities in promoting community cohesion and in preventing and managing community tensions. Her Majesty's Government continue to support local areas facing specific cohesion issues around new migrants by identifying and disseminating good practice, and formal peer mentoring support. In addition, Her Majesty's Government have committed to producing a consistent template for a local area information pack for new migrants, new teams to support local areas experiencing particularly rapid change and guidance on translation for local authorities. Faith Schools Lord Baker of Dorking: asked Her Majesty's Government: When Ofsted will be prepared to examine whether applications for new exclusive faith schools add to community cohesion. Lord Adonis: The Education and Inspections Act 2006 placed a new duty on the governing bodies of maintained schools—including, but not limited to, maintained faith schools—to promote community cohesion. It is planned that Ofsted will inspect all maintained schools for their contribution to community cohesion from September 2008 onwards as part of its normal school inspection cycle. Also, since May 2003 all proposals for new maintained schools—again including, but not limited to, maintained faith schools—have had to include information on how the proposed school will contribute to community cohesion. Under current decision-making arrangements, the local authority or schools adjudicator must be satisfied that the proposals for new schools will meet the duty to promote community cohesion. Faith Schools Lord Baker of Dorking: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the teachings and doctrines of Tablighi Jamaat contribute to educational community cohesion. Lord Adonis: The Government do not comment on the individual teachings of specific faiths. The Government are committed to promoting tolerant and cohesive communities and recognise the important role education can play. The Education and Inspections Act 2006 introduced a statutory duty on schools to promote community cohesion and Ofsted is planning to inspect schools against this duty from September 2008. Further Education Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will re-examine the funding, rules and charges applying to further education in English with a view to reducing waiting lists and ensuring access for low-paid workers and those forbidden to work, in accordance with their policies for social cohesion. Lord Triesman: The Government are committed to encouraging social cohesion through a wide range of policies. In relation to English provision, changes have already been made to the funding and provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, which came into force in August 2007. Full details of the changes are available in the Learning and Skills Council funding eligibility guidance. These changes included the withdrawal of automatic fee remission for ESOL courses with learners who are not in receipt of income-related benefits now being asked to make a contribution of 37.5 per cent of the course fees. This is in line with the Government's view that those who are able to pay for ESOL courses should make a contribution to the costs. The changes in August were intended to allow provision of free ESOL for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. A race equality impact assessment was used to identify priority groups and extra support for vulnerable learners such as low-paid workers and spouses is available through a hardship fund. The outcome of the changes made in August is still being assessed but initial indications are that these are helping to reduce waiting lists. The Government will continue to review how funding, rules and charges for ESOL courses can be further prioritised towards those in greatest need in line with social cohesion. Government: Regional Ministers Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: What guidance has been given to the regional Ministers in England about the proportion of their time that they are expected to spend on regional matters rather than their departmental work. Baroness Andrews: No guidance has been issued; it is for regional Ministers to decide what time to devote to their regional role. House of Lords: Website Lord Norton of Louth: asked the Chairman of Committees: How many hits were received by the House of Lords website, and how many unique users there were, in the first six months of 2007; and how this compares with the figures for the first and second halves of 2006. Lord Brabazon of Tara: The webpages on the work, history and proceedings of the House of Lords are integrated within the parliamentary website as a whole and do not form a distinct website. It is therefore not possible to quantify the number of hits directed to all House of Lords webpages. However, statistics are available since October 2006 for the number of visits to the House of Lords homepage http://www.parliament.uk/lords/index.cfm. These are as follows: Month Number of Visits October 2006 27,924 November 2006 29,897 December 2006 19,745 January 2007 28,053 February 2007 25,758 March 2007 33,533 April 2007 20,281 May 2007 28,381 June 2007 22,535 July 2007 23,477 August 2007 12,803 September 2007 16,286 October 2007 26,958 PICT is engaged in a series of improvements to the website to make it easier for the public to find information about Parliament and its work. Recent developments include an improved search facility, the publication of deposited papers online, Bills online, and a new parliamentary calendar. A series of usability and accessibility tests for the website is planned with members of the public in January and February 2008. Immigration: Language Skills Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the recommended fees for (a) attendance at courses for qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages, and (b) the requirements for citizenship and indefinite leave to remain; and how they are calculated. Lord Triesman: The cost of a Skills for Life ESOL qualification varies depending on the number of hours it takes a provider to deliver that qualification to a learner. The exact amount a learner will therefore pay will vary depending on the length of the qualification. For 2007-08 the fee element is 37.5 per cent of the basic cost of the qualification. In the LSC's Funding Guidance for Further Education 2007-08, Annex A, Table A2 sets out the fee element against the number of guided learning hours (GLH). For example, a Skills for Life ESOL qualification that takes 150GLH would have an assumed fee of £330. While 37.5 per cent is the assumed fee element by the LSC, individual providers can choose to set their fees at a level the market supports. The requirements for citizenship or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) are identical. The two methods by which applicants can demonstrate their knowledge of language and of life in the UK are: for those already at or above English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry 3 level of English, by taking a specially developed short test based on the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship; and for those below ESOL Entry 3 level, by successfully completing a language course with learning materials incorporating information about life in the UK. Courses are pitched at a level appropriate to the learners' needs and success is measured by acquiring an ESOL—Skills for Life qualification from one of the recognised UK awarding bodies. When foreign nationals apply for ILR, they are assessed against the published criteria for their category, as stated in the Immigration Rules. More information on the various categories under which people can apply for ILR can be found on the Border and Immigration Agency website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk. Justice: Civil Procedure Rules Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Under what circumstances the Civil Procedure Rules allow the Treasury Solicitor to ask for an extension of time to file an acknowledgement of service at the permission stage of a judicial review if both parties agree to the extension; and after how many days the court will proceed to make a decision on the permission application notwithstanding that the defendant has failed to file an acknowledgement of service. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Rule 3.1(2)(a) of the Civil Procedure Rules enables the court to extend the 21-day time limit within which the defendant must file an acknowledgement of service in judicial review proceedings. A party is always able to ask the court to do so, and this is not affected by whether the party is represented by the Treasury Solicitor. Whether the court would, if asked, agree to extend the limit would be a matter for the discretion of the court in all the circumstances of the case, having regard to the court's duty under the rules to give effect to the overriding objective of dealing with cases justly. There is no fixed time after which the court will proceed to make a decision on the permission application. A failure by the defendant to file an acknowledgement of service does not affect how quickly the court can proceed, but rule 54.9 makes it clear that a defendant who fails to file such an acknowledgement within the required time may not take part in a hearing to decide whether permission should be given unless the court allows him to do so. Railways: Franchises Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the additional cost, including changes to rolling stock and staff, of revising the areas of the former Virgin Cross Country, Central Trains, Midland Main Line and Silverlink franchises compared with re-letting these franchises on the same service area basis as the previous ones. Lord Bassam of Brighton: As it was never our intention to continue with these franchises as they were previously configured, we have not calculated the likely cost of re-letting them on that basis. We are, however, satisfied that the revised configuration both has the potential to deliver better services for passengers and represents good value for money.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2007-11-13b

Africa: Anti-corruption Measures Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, as part of the initiatives they are taking on Africa, they have had discussions with major United Kingdom-based companies operating in African countries about increasing transparency and reducing corruption; and, in particular, whether they have persuaded any of those companies to accord with the Publish What You Pay protocol. Baroness Amos: The Department for International Development (DfID) has discussed, and continues to discuss, the issues of increasing transparency and accountability in Africa with many UK-based companies. In particular, DfID regularly consults companies such as BP, Shell, Anglo-American, Rio Tinto, a coalition of investors lead by F&C Asset Management, and numerous other companies on this issue. All of those companies are active participants in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which was launched by the Prime Minister in 2002, partly in response to the Publish What You Pay campaign. Twelve countries in Africa have either endorsed, or are implementing the EITI, and as such all oil, gas, and mining companies operating in these countries will eventually be required to make available details of all payments made to those governments. With the infrastructure sector, DfID and other government departments have recently initiated a private/public sector anti-corruption partnership to promote best practice in the sector. This partnership will help promote awareness of the UK law on bribing overseas officials as well as the procedures in place in the UK and in UK embassies and high commissions for reporting demanded bribes. Separately, as part of the Government's efforts to raise awareness of the risks of foreign bribery and corruption, DfID has held information events for the UK business community in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, as well as other countries outside Africa. Badgers Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Jim Knight, on 26 May (HC Deb, 179–180W), how many responses were received on the consultation about licensing responsibilities under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Lord Bach: The department received 50 responses to the consultation on licensing procedures for England under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. A summary of responses is expected to be published in July. Cabinet Office: Responsibility for Public Bodies Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which public bodies the Cabinet Office is currently responsible for; and which it was responsible for in 1997. Lord Brabazon of Tara: The Cabinet Office is currently responsible for 11 public bodies: Advisory Committee on Advertising Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information Better Regulation Task Force Civil Service Appeals Board Committee on Standards in Public Life House of Lords Appointments Commission Main Honours Advisory Committee Security Commission Security Vetting Appeals Panel Senior Salaries Review Body On 1 April 1997 the Cabinet Office was responsible for nine public bodies: Advisory Committee on Advertising (under the Central Office of Information) Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Better Regulation Task Force British Government Panel on Sustainable Development Citizen's Charter Panel of Advisers Civil Service Appeals Board Committee on Standards in Public Life Political Honours Scrutiny Committee Security Commission Detailed information can be found in the Public Bodies Directory (2004) which is available on the Internet at www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/ndpb/ndpb.nsf. Previous editions of the annual directory are available in the Libraries of the House. China: North Korean Refugees Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there is a common European Union policy on access for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to all refugees or illegal residents from North Korea who are living in China; and when the matter will next be discussed, bilaterally or multilaterally. Lord Triesman: The EU has pressed for China to co-operate with the UN High Commissioner on Refugees and to apply the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees. These issues were discussed at the EU China Human Rights Dialogue, held in February 2005, which was attended by UK officials. Committee on Standards in Public Life Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government: On how many occasions during the past two years for which figures are available an individual has been disciplined or successfully prosecuted as a result of the activities of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and how this compares with prosecutions of a similar nature in the two years immediately preceding the setting up of the committee; and On how many occasions during the past two years for which figures are available complaints have been made to the Committee on Standards in Public Life which may be classified as vexations, trivial or politically motivated, or have already been investigated by other bodies such as the Local Government Ombudsman or the District Auditor. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Doughty Hanson/LM Glasfiber Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government: On what occasions (a) the Prime Minister, and (b) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry have met Mr Nigel Doughty or representatives or employees of Doughty Hanson/LM Glasfiber; what was the nature of any such meetings; and what matters were discussed. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My right honourable friend the Prime Minister and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry have meetings and discussions with a wide range of organisations and individuals. All meetings are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code. Energy Policy Development Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Statement by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 14 June (WS 54), when they expect to publish the recent Markal studies referred to on page 5 and note 13 of the Department for Trade and Industry's carbon abatement technology strategy report. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We do not yet have a precise publication date but we expect to publish the Markal study results in September 2005. Environmental Stewardship Scheme The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the costs for collecting the modulation deductions from the single farm payment scheme and the administrative and inspection costs for either the entry level or the higher level countryside stewardship scheme will be a charge against the funds raised; and what percentage of the funds raised by modulation these charges will represent. Lord Bach: Neither the costs of collecting modulation, nor the administrative and inspection costs of the entry level and higher level strands of the environmental stewardship schemes will be funded from the money raised through modulation. European Printed Papers Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked the Chairman of Committees: For the past twelve months for which figures are available, how many documents have appeared in the Demand Forms for European Printed Papers available to Members of both Houses of Parliament Lord Brabazon of Tara: Between 1 June 2004 and 31 May 2005, 47 Demand Forms for European Printed Papers were issued, listing a total of 3,209 documents. Food Security Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether any government department has held a conference on food security; and, if so, whether the proceedings are in the public domain. Lord Bach: No government department has held such a conference. Football Clubs: Ownership Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 6 June (WA 44), whether their policy to protect and promote the interests of stakeholders was fully reflected and given effect to in the recent developments affecting the ownership of Manchester United Football Club. Lord Davies of Oldham: There is not a public interest consideration for football under the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Government have no plans to introduce one. While the Government are committed to ensuring that all football clubs are run in the best possible way, issues of ownership are ultimately a matter for the football authorities and clubs to decide on. However, the Government are aware of the views held by a wide range of stakeholders and will continue to monitor developments affecting the ownership of Manchester United Football Club as appropriate. G8: Climate Change Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, as alleged in the Observer on 19 June, the United States Government has persuaded them to remove from the United Kingdom's submissions to the G8 action plan for Gleneagles next month reference to the fact that climate change is a serious threat to human health and to ecosystems, to delete any suggestion that global warming has started and to remove any suggestion that human activity is to blame for climate change; and, if so, what are their reasons for having acted in this way. Lord Triesman: Climate change is the most important long-term threat we face. It does not respect national borders and demands a global response. Not all countries' responses come from the same perspective, but the United Kingdom's G8 presidency is an opportunity to agree on the need for urgent action to cut greenhouse gases, and to make real progress on the practical question of how we do this, now and in the future. G8 negotiations are ongoing and will not be completed until the summit. In the mean time, as usual, the Government do not comment on leaked documents. Gaza: Israeli Withdrawal Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ask Mr J Wolfensohn, the quartet's special envoy, to work to ensure that the Eretz Industrial Park, on the north side of Gaza, continues to function at maximum capacity. Lord Triesman: As the quartet's (United Nations, European Union, United States, Russia) special envoy, Mr Wolfensohn's mandate is to focus on the economic aspects of disengagement, principally the revival of the Palestinian economy during and after Israeli withdrawal. Mr Wolfensohn is already working to develop a package of measures to make disengagement a success. We will discuss with Mr Wolfensohn's team what role he expects the Eretz Industrial Park to play in this. We fully support his work. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many states parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have accepted the first optional protocol to the covenant, enabling individual complaints to be made to the United Nations Human Rights Committee; and how many states parties, other than the United Kingdom, have not accepted the first optional protocol. Lord Triesman: Some 105 states parties to the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) have accepted the first optional protocol. 48 states parties, other than the United Kingdom, have not accepted the first optional protocol. Military Exports Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether any permits for military exports to Somalia have been given in the past five years; and, if so, what consideration was given to the absence of a functioning government there. Lord Triesman: All licences issued for exports to Somalia in the last five years have been for equipment destined for use by the UN or non-governmental humanitarian programmes under the exemptions allowed by the resolution. Somalia is subject to a UN arms embargo under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 733 (1992) amended by UNSCR 1356 (2001) and 1425 (2002). Details of all licences issued can be found within the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Full–Report–03.pdf. Military Exports Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why export permits for military goods have recently been given for Eritrea and Ethiopia; and whether the recent wars and the current uncertainty in the relationship between the two countries influenced the decision to issue permits. Lord Triesman: All applications for the export of military-listed goods from the UK are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria, taking full account of the prevailing circumstances at the time of application. This process includes specific criteria whereby we will not issue a licence where there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression or that the export may be used aggressively against another country. While we are unable to comment on specific licences, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, it should be noted that figures in the Strategic Export Controls Quarterly Reports 2004 for Ethiopia and Eritrea include transactions in support of international humanitarian missions, and goods intended for industrial use. The Strategic Export Controls Quarterly Reports 2004 for Ethiopia and Eritrea are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1089131553823. NHS Estates Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 14 June (WA 122), whether any part of Inventures trading services will be disposed of to third parties, including the staff of Inventures; and, if so, what procedures they intend to follow to ensure that maximum value for money is obtained. Lord Warner: The decision to close Inventures was published in An Implementation Framework for Reconfiguring the DH Arm's Length Bodies on 30 November 2004. Some of the residual assets of Inventures that have no use or value to the Department of Health have been sold to the former management in an effort to reduce closure costs. These include old computers, stationery, publicity material, web sites and trademarks. NHS Trusts: Occupational Health Services for Staff Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government: What percentage of National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts in England offer on-site occupational health services to staff. Lord Warner: All National Health Service trusts must provide staff with access to occupational health services. This is not required to be on-site and information on the percentage of on-site provision is not centrally collected. Department of Health data confirmed that in 2003 all NHS trusts were meeting this requirement and there are currently 220 occupational health units in the NHS in England. Operation TELIC Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What proportions of the troops and equipment that were (a) returned from Iraq at the conclusion of Operation TELIC 6, and (b) deployed to Iraq for Operation TELIC 7 were transported by Royal Air Force aircraft. Lord Drayson: Operation TELIC 6 forces are currently still deployed and Operation TELIC 7 forces have not yet deployed. The proportion of troops deployed for Operation TELIC 6 by Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft was 47 per cent and by charter aircraft 53 per cent. The proportion of troops recovered from Operation TELIC 5 by the RAF was 70 per cent and by charter 30 per cent. The proportion of equipment deployed for Operation TELIC 6 and recovered from Operation TELIC 5 by RAF was less than 1 per cent in both cases, the balance being moved by sea. Pension Protection Fund Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Pension Protection Fund has published a statement of principles governing determinations of investments in accordance with Section 114 of the Pensions Act 2004; and, if not, when they expect such a statement to be published. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The board of the Pension Protection Fund will be publishing its first statement of investment principles shortly. This will set out the board's policy and principles for its initial investments—the investment of initial levy moneys paid into the fund. Pension Protection Fund Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Pension Protection Fund intends to exercise voting rights attaching to equity stakes which are acquired in companies whose pension liabilities the Pension Protection Fund has assumed, or may assume; and, if not, what is the rationale for non-exercise of voting rights. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The board of the Pension Protection Fund's policy on the exercising of rights attached to initial investments will be set out in its statement of investment principles which is to be published shortly and will be reviewed annually. The board will not be assuming any assets from pension schemes until April 2006 at the earliest. The board will continually review its policy on voting rights based on the nature of assets it holds and expects to hold and will reflect that policy in its statement of investment principles. Pensions Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether all pensioners in receipt of a United Kingdom pension receive the same increases to their pensions irrespective of the country in which they live. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No, because the UK state pension paid to pensioners living abroad is uprated only where there is a legal requirement or a reciprocal social security agreement to do so. Sudan: Darfur Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What criteria they used to establish that what has taken place in Darfur is not genocide; and in what ways such criteria differed from those used by the United States State Department, and the governments of Canada and Germany. Lord Triesman: There is no doubt that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been committed in Darfur. We have consistently made clear that the perpetrators of these terrible crimes must be brought to justice. The UK applies the definition of genocide given in the International Criminal Court Act 2001. Under the Act, "genocide" is defined by reference to Article 6 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as certain acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group". This mirrors the language contained in the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, particularly Article 2. The UK, Canada and Germany are party to the Rome Statute and, together with the US, to the Genocide Convention. It is up to individual countries to choose how to interpret and apply these definitions. The UK did not have sufficient evidence to judge whether the crimes perpetrated in Sudan were undertaken with the intent necessary to constitute genocide. For this reason, we pressed for the Secretary-General of the United Nations to establish an expert international commission of inquiry (ICI) to investigate reports, of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Darfur in 2004, and to determine whether genocide had occurred. The ICI's report, issued to the Security Council on 31 January 2005, concluded that the government of Sudan (GoS) did not appear to have pursued a policy of genocide in Darfur and that, while individuals may have done so, this was a determination which only a competent court could make. The conclusion that no genocidal policy had been pursued by the GoS in no way detracted from the gravity of the crimes committed, including crimes against humanity and/or war crimes. The UK played a leading role in sponsoring UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) of 31 March, in which the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC)—as recommended by the ICI. The prosecutor of the ICC announced a formal investigation on 6 June. Sudan: Darfur Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their response to the calls of a group of former Foreign Ministers, including Madeleine Albright, Robin Cook, Lloyd Axworthy and Lamberto Dini, calling for an international peacekeeping force from NATO countries to be deployed in Darfur. Lord Triesman: The Government remain concerned by developments in Darfur and strongly support the African Union's (AU) mission in Darfur (AMIS). The UN Secretary-General has noted that where the ALT has been deployed it has made a positive impact and ceasefire violations had starkly reduced. The expansion of the AU force from, 3,300 to more than 7,700, will allow better geographical coverage of Darfur, and should improve the security situation. Given this, the government policy is to support AMIS expansion, including through NATO and EU assistance for airlift training and equipment. The UK has announced that it will provide a further £19 million, which will be used primarily to purchase vehicles and equipment and fund (NATO co-ordinated) airlift support. The UK also stands ready to provide military and police experts in support of NATO and EU assistance. We do not believe there is a need for a NATO peacekeeping force, nor is there any support for this from African or NATO governments. Sudan: Malnourished Children Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the statement of the Catholic relief agencies Caritas and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development that one in three of the children in receipt of food aid at their feeding station in Ed Dhein, Sudan is malnourished. Lord Triesman: We agree that the malnutrition problem in Ed Daein is grave. Two nutritional surveys carried out in the region show a marked deterioration in the situation. A September 2004 survey carried out in Ed Daein by Save the Children showed that 11.9 per cent of those surveyed under-five years old were suffering global acute malnutrition (GAM), with 1.3 per cent suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). A March 2005 survey by Tearfund, supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) showed that these rates had risen to GAM of 25.2 per cent and SAM of 4.3 per cent. GAM rates of 20 per cent or above or SAM rates of 5 per cent or above denote a crisis situation. Tearfund is providing intensive, clinical feeding to 190 children and providing additional high nutritive rations to 330 children in Ed Daein, though Tearfund expects that the figures will increase during the July to October hungry season. The World Food Programme (WFP) has also been distributing a supplementary ration, in addition to the general rations, in the area since the March assessment. The WFP vulnerability analysis and mapping team, in collaboration with the Italian NGO Alisei, has conducted a rapid needs assessment in the Asalaya area of Ed Daein. The results are expected shortly. Sudan: Torture Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions have been held between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office about the position of Sudanese refugees facing torture in Sudan. Lord Triesman: We hold regular discussions with the Home Office regarding the status of Sudanese nationals who could face torture in Sudan. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides regular updates and responds to specific requests from the Home Office on the situation and conditions in Sudan, which inform asylum caseworkers' decisions. Our embassy in Khartoum, both bilaterally and as part of the EU-Sudan dialogue, makes regular representations to the Sudanese Government on the need for them to abide by international humanitarian law, including international human rights treaties. We have also committed £7.2 million for a programme to reform the Sudanese judicial sector and ensure it complements Sudan's international human rights obligations, including by ratifying and implementing the UN Convention against Torture. World Food Programme: North Korea Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ask the government of North Korea to give access for the World Food Programme to the whole of their country. Lord Triesman: We deplore the restrictions placed on the World Food Programme (WFP) by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) authorities which limit its monitoring of food aid in many areas of the DPRK, and we regularly urge the DPRK authorities to grant the WFP full, unrestricted access to all parts of the country. We work closely with the WFP and the resident aid community, and embassy staff travel frequently with the WFP on its limited monitoring missions.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2005-06-27b

Algeria Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in Algeria. Lord Howell of Guildford: We welcome the decision of the Algerian Government to lift the 19 year-old state of emergency on 24 February 2011. The authorities have also announced economic and social measures and have committed to lifting restrictions on the TV/radio broadcast media. We look forward to further steps as the Algerian Government respond to the people's legitimate aspirations for social and political reforms. Alveolar Echinococcosis Lord Swinfen: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take to prevent alveolar echinococcosis entering the United Kingdom when the European Union derogation permitting the United Kingdom to impose a worming requirement on dogs entering the country expires in December. Lord Henley: The risk of introducing the tapeworm echinococcus multilocularis into the UK is considered to be negligible. We recognise that without our current treatment regime there would be an increased risk of disease introduction and the disease could become established in the UK rodent or fox population. We are currently in discussion with the European Commission with regard to the long term tapeworm treatment requirements for pets entering the UK and certain other member states. Armed Forces: Rescue Operations Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following recent action by the Armed Forces in rescuing British citizens from Libya, the United Kingdom retains sufficient military capability to meet its national and international obligations. Lord Astor of Hever: Yes. Although our future forces will be smaller than now they will retain their geographical reach and the ability to operate across a spectrum from high-intensity intervention to enduring stabilisation activity. Overall, the United Kingdom will maintain its ability to use the Armed Forces where necessary to protect our national interest. Arms Trade Treaty Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what part (a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (b) the Department for International Development, (c) the Ministry of Defence, (d) the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and (e) Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are playing in preparations for a successful outcome to the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations by 2012. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK Government remain fully committed to securing a robust and effective Arms Trade Treaty by 2012 and played a full and active role during the preparatory committee meeting on the Arms Trade Treaty that took place from 28 February to 4 March 2011 in New York. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office leads a cross-Whitehall team, including representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department for International Development (DfID) and Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), that are developing the UK position on the Arms Trade Treaty, with input from other relevant departments, such as Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Home Office. This work is undertaken in consultation with UK defence industry and non-governmental organisations (NGO). The UK is also funding NGO projects in support of the Arms Trade Treaty. The UK continues to engage, both bilaterally and multilaterally, with key international partners, such as the EU and the US, to co-ordinate our approaches to securing the treaty and we are actively engaging with those states that still have concerns about the Arms Trade Treaty and how it might work. Banking Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with the Financial Services Authority about reducing the liquidity requirements placed on United Kingdom banks. Lord Sassoon: HM Treasury regularly engages with the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority and stakeholders about regulatory issues, including liquidity, in the interests of sensible prudential standards that support financial stability and strong and sustainable growth and promote internationally consistent standards. Bees Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to protect British honey bees from the spread of Asian hornets through Europe. Lord Henley: The Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit (NBU) has undertaken a risk assessment of the Asian hornet for the GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) which will inform consideration of policy options if the hornet arrives in Great Britain. This risk assessment is being peer reviewed and will be published for stakeholder comments. The NNSS has issued a species alert on the Asian hornet which is available on its website. Information is also available on the NBU's BeeBase website. Benefits: Disability Baroness Browning: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration is given in determining entitlement to benefits to married couples who both have a disability and neither can be presumed to be the carer of the other. Lord Freud: Entitlement to income replacement or disability benefits is not determined by marital status but by a person satisfying the relevant conditions of entitlement to the benefit in question. In the income related benefits account can be taken of whether, but for the award of the relevant benefit, a person would have been entitled to carer's allowance. If so, a carer's premium can be paid to supplement the benefit in question. People with disabilities are entitled to the full range of benefits appropriate to their circumstances, including disability living allowance or attendance allowance provided that the conditions of entitlement are met. Benefits: Disability Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 25 January (WA 131), how many disabled people not living in residential care they expect will lose their existing benefit in consequence of projected cuts in spending on mobility help. Lord Freud: As the new assessment for personal independence payment and the process for reassessing the existing DLA caseload are still being developed, I am unable, at this stage, to provide a precise estimate of the numbers of people the new benefit will support. Benefits: Disability Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people they estimate now live in poverty in (a) the city of Manchester, (b) Greater Manchester, (c) Greater London, and (d) the United Kingdom as a whole; and whether any of the people living in poverty will have their incomes reduced by the projected changes to the disability living allowance. Lord Freud: Estimates of the number and proportion of people living in relative low income are published in the households below average income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or equivalised) for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living. The table below shows the numbers of people living in households with equivalised incomes below 60 per cent of contemporary median income in (a) the north west; (b) Greater London and (c) the United Kingdom as a whole. Figures for Manchester and Greater Manchester alone are not possible to produce. This is because the sample size available for UK cities apart from London is too small to produce relative low income estimates. However, it is possible to examine the numbers of people in relative low income in the region of the north west, which includes Manchester and Greater Manchester. It should be noted that due to small sample size, figures on relative low income by region are provided as three year averages. The figures are provided both on a before housing costs and after housing costs basis. Table 1: Number and percentage of people living in households with equivalised incomes below 60 per cent of contemporary median income in the North West of England, London and in the United Kingdom, 2006-07-2008-09 Number of individuals (millions) and percentage Before Housing Costs After Housing Costs North West 1.4 (20 per cent) 1.6 (24 per cent) London 1.3 (18 per cent) 2.1 (28 per cent) United Kingdom 10.9 (18 per cent) 13.4 (22 per cent) These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data for the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. The reference period for households below average income figures are single financial years. Three survey years have been combined as regional single year estimates are subject to volatility. Numbers of people in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. Figures have been presented on both before and after housing cost bases. For before housing costs figures, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, buildings insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income, while for after housing costs they are. Disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax, payments, national insurance contributions, council tax / domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes. The household level poverty threshold is defined as 60 per cent of contemporary median equivalised disposable household income. From 2013-14 we will replace disability living allowance with personal independence payment. Personal independence payment will support disabled people to lead full, active and independent lives and the assessment will consider their ability to carry out a range of key day-to-day activities. We are still developing the assessment and the detailed criteria will be in regulations. We are, however, clear that the assessment should look at people as individuals, rather than labelling them as part of a group, such as those with a particular health condition or impairment. That is why the assessment is being designed to consider an individual's personal circumstances and the support they need. We are, therefore, unable to predict the outcome of the assessment on individuals and whether any of the people living in poverty will have their incomes reduced as a result. China Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of China about the human rights activist Chen Guangcheng and his family. Lord Howell of Guildford: During his meeting in January with Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary expressed his concern about Mr Chen's treatment. My honourable friend Jeremy Browne also raised the case with the head of the Chinese delegation to the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 13 January 2011. We remain concerned about the treatment of Chen Guangcheng and his family, whose detention appears to violate Chinese laws. We continue to monitor his situation and are working with EU partners to maintain the profile of his case. Civil Partnership Act 2004 Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will amend Section 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 so as to enable a man and a woman of sufficient age to establish a valid partnership which confirms their mutual responsibilities and rights and protects any children they have. Baroness Verma: On 17 February 2011 the Government announced that we will be implementing Section 202 of the Equality Act 2010 to amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 by removing the ban on civil partnership registrations being held on religious premises. This will allow those religious organisations that wish to do so to host civil partnership registrations on their premises. This is the first step in our work in this area. Having listened to stakeholders it is clear from many that there is a desire to move towards equal civil marriage and partnerships. We will consult further on how legislation can develop, working with all those who have an interest in this area. However, parents do not need to be married to each other to obtain parental responsibility; in cases where a child's parents are not married to each other, the mother will have parental responsibility but the father may acquire it either by jointly registering the birth with the mother, through an agreement with the mother, or as the result of a court order. Egypt Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the interim Government of Egypt on the transition to and holding of democratic elections. Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Prime Minister visited Egypt on 21 February 2011. In his meetings with Field Marshal Tantawi, the Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and former Prime Minister Shafiq, he focused on the need for Egypt to seize this opportunity to make a genuine transition from military to civilian democratic rule. He welcomed the statements from the military leadership that they intend to bring about this transition. But he also urged the interim Government to make progress towards democracy, including by setting a clear timetable for free and fair elections, to convince the people that the process was genuine and irreversible. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister also met members of the opposition in Egypt. The Government have been clear, throughout the recent developments in Egypt, that it is in the UK's as well as Egypt's national interest for there to be a successful transition to a broad-based Government and an open and democratic society. Elderly People: Residential Care Lord Sheldon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to ensure that elderly people can receive residential care. Earl Howe: Older people in England can already receive residential care if they need it. Local council social services departments are responsible for assessing the social care needs of their populations. Should a person be assessed as being in need of residential care and provided they meet their local council's eligibility criteria, the council has a responsibility, subject to the person's resources, to provide or arrange such care. In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging fiscal climate, the Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care. This will mean that, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, there will be enough funding available both to protect people's access to services and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes. We are informed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that, as at 30 September 2010-the latest available figures-there were 18,075 care and nursing homes in England, with 460,823 places. The CQC does not collect occupancy information. However, the independent health and social care analysts Laing and Buisson reported that, in 2010, the national occupancy rate in homes stood at around 89 per cent, which equates to some 50,000 vacant places. EU: Budget Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Sassoon on 28 February (WS 87-9), what is their assessment of the practical effect of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden withholding their consent on the discharge of the 2009 European Union budget. Lord Sassoon: The Government abstained from the vote on the discharge recommendation at the ECOFIN Council meeting on 15 February, with strong support from Sweden and the Netherlands. The UK, Sweden and the Netherlands submitted a joint declaration setting out expectations for improvements in financial management in the near future. In particular, the joint declaration called for concrete improvements in terms of enhancing member state responsibility, improving transparency of financial management data, and encouraging the European Court of Auditors to move towards a more risk-based approach to auditing. Family and Relationship Support Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the contract process for family and relationship support has been suspended; what proposals they have for a new timescale and process for contracting family and relationship support; and, if the new contract is to commence after 1 April, what action they will take to ensure specialist parenting helplines funded by the Department for Education will be able to continue in the interim. Lord Hill of Oareford: The procurement process for new family and relationship online and telephone support services for parents and families in England was delayed in January while we considered the full implications for the family sector after the Department for Education's spending review settlement. On 25 February, departmental officials contacted organisations about the outcome of their applications under the first stage of the procurement process. For those organisations invited to submit bids under the second stage of the process, officials also provided full details of the tender and a revised procurement timetable. The procurement process remains unchanged and is fully in line with best practice set by the EU procurement directives and government procurement rules. On 25 February officials also contacted those organisations currently in receipt of telephone helpline service grants under the department's Family Information Direct programme offering them extensions for up to three months from 1 April 2011. I will write to the noble Lord to let him know the outcome of the procurement process when it is completed. Fire and Rescue Service Lord Christopher: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the financial situation of AssetCo reported in the Financial Times on 21 February, what assessment they have made of any risk that London could be without a full fire service. Baroness Hanham: Fire and rescue authorities are responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to enable them to continue to fulfil their statutory duties, not central government. This responsibility holds even in the event that private companies experience financial difficulties while under contract to lease fire engines. As a consequence it is for the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority to undertake the necessary risk assessments and put in place any remedial action. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority have given assurances regarding the ability to maintain a full fire service at all times. Food: Standards Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 9 February (WA 63-4), why they did not transpose Council Directive 2007/43/EC on minimum welfare standards for meat chicken production by the 30 June 2010 deadline; whether they will adopt a policy at the World Trade Organisation of restricting imports on the grounds of other countries' low welfare standards; and whether they will instruct HM ambassador in Bangkok to assess chicken welfare standards there. Lord Henley: The delay in transposing Council Directive 2007/43/EC which sets minimum welfare standards for conventionally reared meat chickens was caused by the general election last year, the subsequent delay to the parliamentary timetable and the need for careful consideration by the coalition of all new legislation. The Government view animal welfare as a matter of high priority. As well as promoting high animal welfare standards in this country, we are keen to encourage high animal welfare standards internationally, both in other European Union countries and in third countries. World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules do not allow members to ban imports on the grounds of the welfare standards applied in third countries and there are no current plans to adopt such a policy. However, we are working with other countries within the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) to develop and progress internationally recognised standards for animal welfare. We do not believe it is appropriate to instruct HM ambassador in Bangkok to assess the chicken welfare standards in Thailand. Gibraltar Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review has affected the United Kingdom's defence commitments in Gibraltar. Lord Astor of Hever: Last year's Strategic Defence and Security Review confirmed the commitment of Her Majesty's Government to the defence of Gibraltar and to the continued maintenance by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the permanent joint operating base there. The MoD will maintain in Gibraltar the facilities, forces and readiness levels required to support these outcomes, while at the same time further reducing its land and estate holdings and continuing to transfer services to the Government of Gibraltar as agreed under the 2007 global agreement. Good Friday Agreement Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what paramilitary prisoner early release and amnesty legislation has been enacted as a consequence of the Good Friday agreement. Lord Shutt of Greetland: There has been no legislation enacted as a consequence of the Belfast agreement that provides amnesties for paramilitary prisoners in Northern Ireland. The early release scheme to which the noble Lord refers was introduced via the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Any prisoner who successfully applies for early release under the scheme remains subject to licence conditions, as set out in the Act, for the duration of their licence and is subject to recall if the terms of the licence are breached. Government Departments: Energy Certificates Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of display energy certificate was awarded to the Department for Communities and Local Government office at Eland House in each of the past three years. Baroness Hanham: The level of the display energy certificates awarded to the Department for Communities and Local Government Headquarters, Eland House, for the past three years are shown below. The new Government are taking a series of steps to improve energy efficiency across Whitehall and reduce the carbon emissions of its estate, including Eland House. Period Operational Rating 2008-09 F 2009-10 E 2010-11 E Health: Education and Training Baroness Emerton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, in a speech on 25 February to the Universities UK spring conference that the Department of Health's education and training budget will increase by two per cent in 2011-12, what was the total multi-professional education and training budget (MPET) budget in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12; how much of the MPET budget was paid to each strategic health authority for each of those years; and what was the total allocation of the MPET budget for (a) non-medical education and training, (b) undergraduate medical education, and (c) postgraduate medical and dental education for each of those years. Earl Howe: The multi-professional education and training (MPET) component of the National Health Service central budget bundle was as follows: 2009-10-£4,646 million;2010-11-£4,781 million; and2011-12-£4,879 million. The MPET component of the NHS central budget bundle allocated to each Strategic Health Authority (SHA) is in the following table. The MPET budget is no longer issued as separate non-medical education and training, undergraduate medical education, and postgraduate medical and dental education allocations. It is issued as a single MPET budget, and it is for SHAs to decide how they wish to spend the budget, on the basis of local workforce planning and intelligence information. NHS North East NHS North West NHS Yorkshire & Humber NHS East Midlands NHS West Midlands NHS East of England NHS London NHS South East Coast NHS South Central NHS South West England Total 2009-10 £253,184 £663,787 £487,592 £359,159 £481,489 £362,862 £1,084,937 £260,108 £308,271 £385,075 £4,646,463 2010-11 £259,613 £688,434 £498,824 £371,517 £493,815 £375,139 £1,112,755 £271,104 £314,111 £396,493 £4,781,806 2011-12 £263,055 £688,208 £501,261 £372,143 £523,102 £394,920 £1,134,898 £278,527 £317,742 £405,145 £4,879,000 Health: Psychological Therapies Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 16 February (WA 180) on psychological therapies, whether the plans being drawn up by primary care trusts to implement the Operating Framework for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies will bind the relevant commissioning bodies envisaged by the Health Bill; and how they "will hold strategic health authorities to account for managing" the delivery of those plans when the strategic health authorities are to be abolished. Earl Howe: The commissioning plans drawn up by primary care trusts (PCTs) relate to the year 2011-12, as does the NHS Operating Framework. PCTs and strategic health authorities remain in place for this period. In subsequent years, subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, it will be for the Secretary of State to set a mandate for the National Health Service and for the NHS Commissioning Board to monitor the performance of commissioning bodies in delivering the priorities set out by the Secretary of State. Houses of Parliament: Maintenance Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask the Chairman of Committees what plans there are to clean the walls in State Officers' Court and Chancellor's Court. Lord Brabazon of Tara: Plans for the cleaning and conservation of stonework in the Palace are split into two separate stages. As the first stage, it is hoped that work in Cloister Court and Star Chamber Court in the Commons will begin in 2012. Detailed proposals for this work are being developed but are still subject to approval by both Houses. Work on the remainder of the courtyards (including State Officer's Court and Chancellor's Court) is currently on hold due to the current economic climate and will be reviewed in 2012. Inflation Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the current rate of inflation, in particular the impact of external factors such as energy prices; and how that compares to rates of inflation in other countries. Lord Sassoon: The Government consider a range of factors when making their assessment of inflation in the UK and the world economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic and fiscal forecasts. The OBR will publish a full analysis of recent developments and the prospects for inflation in their forecast for the forthcoming Budget. Iraq: Camp Ashraf Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the alleged psychological torture of Iranian refugees at Camp Ashraf in Iraq through the continuous use of multiple loudspeakers surrounding the camp; whether such a use of loudspeakers constitutes a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention; and what representations they have made to the United Nations on the matter. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of reports that loudspeakers are being used outside the camp by family members of the residents. On 20 February 2011, UK representatives met with the UN and the Iraqi Government's Ashraf Committee to discuss the situation at Camp Ashraf. We urged the Iraqi Government to ensure the residents' human rights are respected and we continue to encourage both sides to engage in constructive dialogue leading to a lasting, and peaceful, resolution. The Fourth Geneva Convention does not apply in this case. Protection afforded by the designation of protected persons is only applicable where there is an international armed conflict or a situation of occupation under international humanitarian law. Neither of these scenarios is relevant to Iraq now. Iraq: Camp Ashraf Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in light of alleged psychological torture of Iranian refugees at Camp Ashraf in Iraq through the continuous use of multiple loudspeakers, they intend to arrange a visit to the camp by United Kingdom observers; and, if so, whether they have sought support from the Government of the United States for such a visit. Lord Howell of Guildford: We have no intention to arrange a visit to the camp by UK observers. Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice clearly advises against all travel to Baghdad and the provinces listed, including the one in which Camp Ashraf is located. The UK is entirely reliant on US and UN support to provide transport, security and access to the camp. If there is a need for a consular visit to the camp, the UK will discuss options with the US and the UN. Our embassy officials continue to discuss the situation at the camp with the EU, US, UN and the Iraqi Government's Ashraf Committee. We receive regular updates from the UN who visit the camp on a weekly basis and are in telephone contact with representatives of residents in the camp. Libya Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British citizens have been evacuated back to the United Kingdom during the current unrest in Libya. Lord Howell of Guildford: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement given on 3 March 2011 (Official Report, Commons, col. 35-36WS) by my honourable friend the Minister for Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, on "Libya: Consular Response", in which he updated the other place on the efforts the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made to help British nationals depart Libya. Libya Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what modes of transport have been used to evacuate British citizens from Libya during the current unrest. Lord Howell of Guildford: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement given on 3 March 2011 (Official Report, Commons, col. 35-36WS) by my honourable friend the Minister for Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, on "Libya: Consular Response", in which he updated the other place on the efforts the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made to help British nationals depart Libya. Libya Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what stage they have reached in their negotiations with the Government of Libya about compensation for those in Northern Ireland who were injured by arms and explosives allegedly supplied to the Provisional IRA by the Gaddafi government during Operation Banner. Lord Howell of Guildford: I refer the noble Lord to the Statement my right honourable friend the Prime Minister made on 2 March 2011 in another place (Official Report, Commons, col. 299). Libya Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have reached agreement with the Government of Libya on the provision by that Government of financial resources to persons or organisations within the United Kingdom who suffered personal or corporate loss as a result of terrorism enabled by arms allegedly supplied by Libya. Lord Howell of Guildford: I refer the noble Lord to the Statement my right honourable friend the Prime Minister made on 2 March 2011 in another place (Official Report, Commons, col. 299). Myanmar Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose that the United Nations establish a commission of inquiry to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity alleged to have been committed by the Government of Myanmar, as recommended by the United Nations Special Rapporteur. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government support the UN special rapporteur's recommendation for the UN to consider the establishment of a UN commission of inquiry to investigate human rights abuses in Burma. We are working with partners to build further international support but this is likely to take time. We recently secured a toughly worded resolution at the UN General Assembly which supported the implementation of all the proposals made by the special rapporteur. We are currently working towards achieving a similar outcome at the March Human Rights Council. Myanmar Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose an international arms embargo on the Government of Myanmar. Lord Howell of Guildford: The EU, the US and others have had a comprehensive arms embargo in place for many years. We remain committed to the view that no one should be selling arms to a military regime with an appalling human rights record and the high likelihood that arms supplied will be used for internal repression. Our international partners are well aware of our concerns over arms sales to a country where the military is involved in violent suppression of its citizens. Myanmar Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose that the United Nations initiate a tripartite dialogue between the Government of Myanmar, the National League for Democracy and ethnic groups. Lord Howell of Guildford: We support the UN in its efforts to achieve tripartite dialogue. We have consistently made clear that only a process of genuine inclusive dialogue between the regime and all of Burma's democratic opposition and ethnic groups can bring peace and stability. In recent months, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary have met the UN Secretary General and underlined the UN's importance in re-invigorating the stalled political process in Burma. We welcomed the visit to Burma by the UN Secretary General's special adviser, Vijay Nambiar, and urge the junta to work with the UN and all of Burma's political actors towards national reconciliation. New Zealand: Earthquake Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to New Zealand following the recent earthquake there. Lord Howell of Guildford: Officials from our High Commission in Wellington, led by our High Commissioner, were quickly deployed to Christchurch to liaise with the New Zealand authorities and provide consular assistance to British nationals. In response to a request from the New Zealand Government, the UK immediately sent a self-sufficient search and rescue team of 63 experts drawn from the British emergency fire and rescue services. In addition, the New Zealand Government have accepted the UK offer of support in the process of disaster victim identification. A 10-man team, specially tailored to support the New Zealand authorities, is in Christchurch and is providing essential support and expertise in helping to identify any potential British victims and bolster the New Zealand authorities in their wider identification process. New Zealand: Earthquake Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have provided to the Government of New Zealand following the earthquake. Lord Howell of Guildford: Officials from our High Commission in Wellington, led by our High Commissioner, were quickly deployed to Christchurch to liaise with the New Zealand authorities and provide consular assistance to British nationals. In response to a request from the New Zealand Government, the UK immediately sent a self-sufficient search and rescue team of 63 experts drawn from the British emergency fire and rescue services. In addition, the New Zealand Government have accepted the UK offer of support in the process of disaster victim identification. A 10-man team, specially tailored to support the New Zealand authorities, is in Christchurch and is providing essential support and expertise in helping to identify any potential British victims and bolster the New Zealand authorities in their wider identification process. Pensions Lord Boswell of Aynho: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of couples for whom, as a result of changes in the qualifying date for state pension proposed in the Pensions Bill, the female partner will not be able to claim before her male partner. Lord Freud: The information requested is not available. Pensions Lord Boswell of Aynho: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost of retaining the existing state pension age for women to determine the age of eligibility for pension credit, in each financial year to 2020-21. Lord Freud: Under existing legislation the qualifying age for pension credit was set to increase from 60 to 65 by 2020 along with women's state pension age under the Pensions Act 1995. The cost of retaining this timetable to determine the age of eligibility for pension credit-rather than the timetable proposed in the Pensions Bill 2011-for each financial year to 2020-21 is presented below. £ millions, 2010-11 prices 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-2020 2020-21 Cost of retaining existing SPa for women timetable for pension credit eligibility £40 £120 £200 £220 £220 Note: rounded to the next £10 million. Pensions Lord Boswell of Aynho: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost of limiting increases in women's state pension age to a maximum of 12 months in addition to the timetable set by the Pensions Act 2005, in each financial year to 2020-21. Lord Freud: The cost would depend on the precise timetable which would be applied. The costs presented in the table below assumes that women's state pension age is increased by 12 months, relative to the timetable set by the Pensions Act 1995, following the timetable proposed in the current Pensions Bill, and thereafter is increased at the same rate as under the 1995 Act timetable, so maintaining a constant differential of one year, reaching 66 by April 2021. £ millions, 2010-11 prices 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-2020 2020-21 Total Added cost of alternative SPa timetable 0 0 260 1,620 2,170 4,050 Note: rounded to the next £10 million Prisons: Riots Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have protocols on prison riots; and, if so, whether they state at what point intervention by prison officers should commence and what restrictions are in place on early intervention. Lord McNally: The strategy for managing and controlling the most serious operational incidents that may occur in prisons is contained in restricted Prison Service Order 1400-Incident Management Manual. This includes acts of concerted indiscipline involving the hostile activities of a group or groups of prisoners. Where intervention may be necessary to resolve an incident prison, plans are formulated in consultation with staff trained in advanced control and restraint techniques. Intervention plans will be adapted and reassessed as the nature of the incident changes or as more resources become available to the prison. Plans will be approved by an establishment-based silver commander, or by a national gold commander where the incident requires the support, advice and guidance of the national gold command suite. Intervention will only be authorised when there is a known risk to the safety of any person, to prevent an escape, to regain control of all or part of an establishment and/or to prevent the destruction of property. The timing of an intervention will vary dependant on the individual circumstances of each incident. Questions for Written Answer Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the delay in answering 29 Questions for Written Answer to the Department for Education is due to the parliamentary section of that department being closed during parliamentary recesses; and, if not, why that department has not provided answers within the target of 10 working days. Lord Hill of Oareford: The delay in answering written questions has occurred as a result of a technical failure in the IT system that the department uses to track parliamentary questions. The problem has now been identified and fixed and we will provide responses to all outstanding questions as quickly as possible. Railways: Freight Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the document Strategic Rail Freight Network: The Longer Term Vision, published by the Department for Transport in 2009, reflects current rail freight policy; and, if so, whether bidders for the West Coast Main Line franchise are required to take it into account when preparing their bids. Earl Attlee: The Strategic Rail Freight Network: The Longer Term Vision document reflects the current rail freight policy of the Department for Transport. It is referred to in the InterCity West Coast consultation document and will be included in the data site for franchisees to consider when preparing their bids. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Health and Safety Executive plans to amend the minimum reporting time for minor injuries from three to seven days in industries subject to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3163). Lord Freud: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently consulting on the proposed amendment to Regulation 3(2) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). The proposal seeks to increase the period for reporting injuries that lead to a worker being incapacitated for work from over three to over seven days. As part of the consultation HSE will consider whether to increase the time by which the report must be made to the enforcing authority. Republic of Ireland: Financial Support Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received a request from the Government of the Republic of Ireland to re-negotiate the terms of the £7 billion loan provided by the United Kingdom Government to assist the Republic of Ireland in managing its financial deficit. Lord Sassoon: The Government have not received a formal request to reopen the terms of the bilateral loan agreement. Royal National Lifeboat Institution: Health and Safety Lord Boyce: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to extend to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution the exemption from investigation or prosecution under health and safety legislation for the police and fire service under specified circumstances, as recommended in the report Common Sense, Common Safety. Lord Freud: Common Sense, Common Safety makes a recommendation that individual police officers and firefighters should not be at risk of investigation or prosecution under health and safety legislation as a result of a heroic act and that HSE, the police and the CPS should produce further guidance on this matter. The report does not recommend any exemption from legal requirements for the police or fire and rescue services. The Government have accepted Lord Young's recommendations and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service regarding guidance on the application of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure that it is consistent with, and reflects, the principles already agreed with the two services, as set out in HSE's high level statements Striking the balance between operational and health and safety duties in the Police Service and Striking the balance between operational and health and safety duties in the Fire and Rescue Service". HSE has no plans for similar work involving the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Safeguarding Children Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage charities to participate in promoting the safeguarding of children in place of local authorities who have reduced or removed their budgets. Lord Hill of Oareford: In June last year, the Secretary of State for Education announced the appointment of Professor Eileen Munro to carry out an independent review to improve child protection. On 1 February 2011, Professor Munro published her interim report, TheMunroReview of Child Protection-Interim Report: The Child's Journey. In the report Professor Munro confirms the long tradition of children and their families drawing on support from a range of sources outside the state, from core frontline services provided by some of England's largest charities to groups of local volunteers assisting social care to enhance the service it provides. The Government endorse this approach and look forward to her final recommendations in April to which we will respond. Schools: Looked-after Children Lord Condon: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are assisting local authorities who may be experiencing difficulties in placing looked-after children in schools when they have been re-located from other local authorities, such as happened in Kent with children relocated from London. Lord Hill of Oareford: Looked-after children, with some limited exceptions, have top priority in any school admission oversubscription criteria and schools cannot therefore refuse to admit them. Outside the normal admission round local authorities are able, if necessary, to direct the admission authority of a maintained school to admit a child they look after, even where the school is full. A local authority can ask an academy to admit a looked-after child. Where the academy refuses to admit the child the local authority can ask the Secretary of State to consider whether to direct the academy. There will sometimes be good reasons why looked-after children need to be placed away from their communities although in most cases children benefit from being placed close to home. From 1 April 2011 local authorities will be required to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that there is sufficient accommodation within their local authority area to meet the needs of the children under their care. In addition, the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and accompanying statutory guidance require that a placement is the most appropriate available, that it meets the child's needs identified in his or her care plan and that the independent reviewing officer reviewing the child's case has had an opportunity to discuss the proposed arrangements before any final decision has been made. This includes where the child should go to school or obtain his or her education. The discussion should in most circumstances take place after the child has visited the proposed education setting. Where a local authority makes an out-of-authority placement it should work closely with all relevant bodies, including the local authority where the child will be living, to ensure that the child's identified needs can be met effectively. Sunscreens Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote sunscreen protection using the recommendation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's report Skin cancer: prevention, using public information, sun protection resources and changes to the environment that sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 is an appropriate level, or the British Association of Dermatologists recommendation to use sunscreen with a SPF of 30. Earl Howe: The department promotes sunscreen protection through Sunsmart, a national skin cancer prevention campaign run by Cancer Research UK. Sunsmart raises awareness amongst the public and healthcare professions about the causes of skin cancer, how to prevent it, and the importance of early detection, presentation and treatment. The campaign recommends buying sunscreens with a sun protection factor of at least 15. Sure Start Baroness Hughes of Stretford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of local authority cuts on Sure Start centres around the country. Lord Hill of Oareford: Local authorities are currently considering their budgets for next year, including how best to allocate resources to local services. It is for them to determine, in consultation with local communities, the most effective way of delivering future services to meet local need. The Government have ensured there is enough money in the system to maintain a network of Sure Start children's centres, accessible to all, but focused on those families in greatest need. Local authorities continue to have duties to consult before opening, closing or significantly changing children's centres, and to secure sufficient centre provision to meet local need, so far as is reasonably practicable. Sure Start Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have forecast the likely level of closures of Sure Start centres in 2011; whether they maintain a record of centres which local authorities propose to close; and which centres they are currently aware are scheduled for closure. Lord Hill of Oareford: Children's centres are at the heart of the Government's vision for supporting families with young children and intervening early to prevent problems from becoming crises. The Government have ensured there is enough money in the system to maintain a network of Sure Start children's centres. However it is for local authorities, in consultation with local communities, to determine the most effective way of delivering future services to meet local need. They have a duty to consult before opening, closing or significantly changing Sure Start children's centres and to secure sufficient children's centres provision to meet local need so far as is reasonably practicable. Many local authorities have not yet made final decisions about changes to their children's centres, which will depend partly on the outcomes from local consultation. Together for Children is currently assisting local authorities in making plans to keep children's centres open. Thames Tunnel Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have carried out studies to determine (a) the proposed locations of the surface access shafts for the Thames Tunnel between Hammersmith and Beckton, (b) the volumes of spoil to be removed, (c) the amount of imported materials to be transported to and from each site, and (d) the means of transport. Lord Henley: These matters fall to Thames Water to consider as part of its requirement to consult on the proposed route and associated construction sites for the Thames tunnel. We have indicated that planning consent for the Thames tunnel will be dealt with under the regime in the Planning Act 2008 for nationally significant infrastructure projects. Any application from Thames Water for planning consent will need to demonstrate that adequate consultation with local communities and local authorities on the impact of the development has taken place. Trading: Derivatives Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the competition implications for European exchange-traded financial derivatives of the proposed merger of Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext; and whether they intend to make proposals to ensure all trading houses have equal access to Eurex derivatives exchanges. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered the competition implications of vertical silos where derivative exchanges also own clearing houses; and whether they propose to take any action. Lord Sassoon: The Government are mindful of the potential implications for competition of the proposed merger, which triggers the thresholds under the EU merger regulation. The Government support fair and open access between trading platforms and central counterparties. Proposals to make progress on this are included in the forthcoming EU regulation on derivatives transactions, central counterparties and trade repositories. Vehicles: Biomethane Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken as a result of the feasibility study for a Road Vehicle Biomethane Demonstration Project completed for the Department for Transport in June 2010; and what plans they have for developing the future use of biomethane in road vehicles. Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport (DfT) recognises the importance of biomethane made from waste (eg through anaerobic digestion) as a sustainable renewable transport fuel, particularly in the heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) sector where there are few other options for reducing carbon emissions. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be publishing an anaerobic digestion strategy in spring 2011. DfT is working with Defra on a specific part of this strategy that is developing an action plan to address the question of how we ensure that operators can make the best use of biomethane as a transport fuel. Vehicles: Licensing Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the present arrangements for licensing the operating centres for public service vehicles and heavy goods vehicles; and to what extent those arrangements take into account the local roads used to access those operating centres. Earl Attlee: The licensing of public service vehicles is covered by the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, and goods vehicles (exceeding 3,500kgs) by the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995. Both of these statutes require an applicant for an operator's licence to nominate an operating centre to keep authorised vehicles when they are not in use. Neither statute gives a traffic commissioner any jurisdiction to directly consider the suitability of public road networks, but the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 does allow a traffic commissioner, either when an application for a licence is made, or at five yearly intervals following a licence first being issued, to consider the suitability of an operating centre at the point where authorised vehicles first join a public road on their way from an operating centre and on any road (other than a public road) along which the vehicles travel between such a point and the operating centre. There is no jurisdiction in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 for a traffic commissioner to consider the suitability of an operating centre nominated on a PSV operator's licence. Welfare Reform Bill Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the gender impact assessment for the Welfare Reform Bill. Lord Freud: The gender impacts have been published as part of the equality impact assessment for the Welfare Reform Bill, which was published on 8 March 2011. The equality impact assessment is available on the DWP website. World Book Day Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Rawlings on 28 February (WA 284), whether they have initiated or resourced any activities in support of World Book Day. Baroness Rawlings: On Thursday 3 March as part of World Book Day, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport ran an event on Twitter focusing on the favourite books of people from the worlds of culture, media and sport, and also solicited tweets from followers about their favourite books too. In addition, the department carried a news item on their website to promote the day which can be viewed here: http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7895. aspx. Youth Services Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of cuts by local authorities in community services for young people. Lord Hill of Oareford: The Government recognise that many local authorities are making difficult decisions to prioritise funding between different services for children and young people. We have made it clear to local authorities that they will need to consider how best to target the available resources for youth services on early interventions that ensure support for those who need it most. Youth Services Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to ensure that local authorities protect youth services in the next financial year. Lord Hill of Oareford: From April 2011, local authorities' funding from central government for services for children, young people and families will be provided via the early intervention grant. This non-ring-fenced grant gives local authorities the responsibility and flexibility to prioritise and allocate resources according to local needs, free from unnecessary ring-fencing, bureaucracy and performance targets. The Government believe giving LAs greater control is the right approach. The Government are looking to local authorities to consider how best to target youth service resources on early interventions that ensure support for those who need it most.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2011-03-09a

Northern Ireland: Police Officers Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many officers have left or retired from the police service in Northern Ireland each year since 1998; and how many were recruited in the same periods, including the Reserve Force. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The number of officers that have left or retired from the police service in Northern Ireland each year since 1998 and the number of officers recruited in the same periods, including the Reserve is illustrated in the tables below: Leavers Actual Date Regular Full-time Reserve Part-time Reserve 1998 215 166 86 1999 192 220 67 2000 207 169 79 2001 1,227 317 75 2002 423 309 46 Grand Total 2,264 1,181 353 Recruits Date Regulars Full-time Reserve 1998 183 121 1999 245 2 2000 38 2 2001 107 1 2002 387 0 Grand Total 960 126 Asylum Decisions Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they have taken in recent months to improve the quality of initial decisions for individual asylum seekers. Lord Filkin: Action to maintain and improve the quality of initial decisions on asylum applications is a continuous, iterative process. Recent initiatives include extra training on human rights and seminars by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture to better equip caseworkers to interview asylum applicants. Guidance to caseworkers and training needs are informed by, and updated in the light of, random sampling of initial decisions, emerging caselaw, policy changes, and feedback from internal and external stakeholders. Asylum Accommodation Centres Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which Ministers have visited the sites of proposed accommodation centres; which sites they visited; and on which dates those visits were made. Lord Filkin: My honourable friend the Minister of State, Home Office (Beverley Hughes) visited the proposed sites at DSDC Bicester on 26 June 2002, RAF Newton on 2 July 2002 and Throckmorton Airfield, Pershore on 8 October. "Life in the United Kingdom" Advisory Group Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) what progress has been made by the advisory group on naturalisation chaired by Sir Bernard Crick in determining the content of the naturalisation test; (b) what reports have been presented by the group to the Government; and (c) when the committee's final report will be published. Lord Filkin: The "Life in the United Kingdom" Advisory Group has now held its inaugural meeting and has agreed to seek to publish an interim report by January 2003, followed by its final recommendations by Easter 2003. Sir Bernard Crick aims to provide me with the group's early thoughts on a programme structure which I shall share with noble Lords at Report stage of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. Personality Disorder: Academic Studies Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government: In the context of the draft mental health Bill, which of the academic studies of the prevalence of personality disorder (a) in the general population; (b) in primary care; and (c) in prisoners they believe to be most reliable. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: An expert advisory group, set up with the agreement of Ministers to advise on delivering a strategy for the treatment of people with personality disorder, has reviewed a paper produced by Dr Paul Moran on the epidemiology of personality disorder, and ratified its findings. The studies quoted as follows, which are taken from Dr Moran's paper, provide the latest and most reliable information on the prevalence of personality disorder. These are as follows: (a) The General Population Studies into the prevalence of personality disorder in the general population report prevalence figures ranging from 10 per cent to 13 per cent (de Girolamo & Dotto 2000). These studies have found that personality disorders are more common in younger age groups (particularly the 25 to 44 year age group) and equally distributed between males and females—although the sex ratio for specific types of personality disorder is variable (for example, antisocial PD is commoner in males). (b) Primary Care Epidemiological studies report that the prevalence of personality disorder in primary care lies between 10 and 30 per cent (Dilling et al 1989; Casey & Tyrer 1990). (c) Prison Population In 1997 the Office for National Statistics conducted a survey on "Psychiatric morbidity amongst prisoners". This found that the prevalence of any personality disorder was 78 per cent for male remand, 64 per cent for male sentenced and 50 per cent for female prisoners (Singleton et al 1998). NHS: Cancelled Operations Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many (a) cancelled operations in total; (b) operations cancelled on the day planned for the operation; and (c) operations cancelled and not rescheduled within one month, there were in each health authority in England for quarter three and quarter four of 2001–02. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Data on the number of operations cancelled on the day of surgery during Q3 and Q4 2001–02 are not available. However, the number of operations cancelled, by the hospital, for non-clinical reasons, on, or after the day patient was due to be admitted; and the number of those patients who were not readmitted within 1 month of cancellation, broken down by health authority, are available in the Library. NHS: Acute Hospital Services Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there are any circumstances in which strategic health authorities will enter into contracts for the supply of acute hospital services in England. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Primary care trusts are responsible for planning and securing the provision of all the care and services that their population needs. This includes commissioning all acute services for their populations. Normally, the strategic health authorities' role is to ensure that each primary care trust has appropriate arrangements in place both for commissioning by itself and with others through consortia. It will also be represented on commissioning consortia for specialist services and provide support and experience as well as ensuring consistency across primary care trusts. In cases of extreme failure by PCTs to fulfil their duties/functions, provision is made for an intervention order under Section 84A or a default order under Section 85 of the National Health Service Act 1977 as a result of which strategic health authorities could be directed to undertake the duties on behalf of the PCT. Hepatitis C Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What consideration they have given to the findings of the British Liver Trust's report Hepatitis C—The Public Stealth Disease; and what action they are taking in response to its call for concerted action to make the disease an urgent public health priority. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health published a consultation document Hepatitis C Strategy for England on 14 August 2002, in recognition of the importance of hepatitis C as a public health issue. The Chief Medical Officer's infectious disease strategy, Getting Ahead of the Curve, has also highlighted hepatitis C as a priority area requiring intensified action. The hepatitis C strategy addresses many of the issues raised by the British Liver Trust report and proposes developing professional and public awareness of hepatitis C and strengthening services for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The proposals in the strategy are intended to form the basis of an action plan for hepatitis C, which is due to be produced by the end of 2002. Services for hepatitis C in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the devolved administrations. Hepatitis C Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What consideration they have given to the endorsement by the Scottish Medicine's Consortium of an advanced pegylated alfa interferon treatment for use in the National Health Service in Scotland for patients infected with hepatitis C; and whether they will make it available to patients elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of pegylated interferons compared with conventional interferons in the treatment and management of chronic hepatitis C infection. The institute expects to issue guidance in November 2003. In August 1999, the Department of Health issued Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks the National Health Service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where there is no guidance from NICE at the time the technology first becomes available. These arrangements should involve a local assessment of all the available evidence. Treatment for hepatitis C in Wales and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved administrations. Tourist Attractions: Attendances Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the attendance figures for each of the tourist attractions that are the subject of brown signs on motorways. Baroness Blackstone: Information giving a full list of tourist attractions, which are the subject of signage from motorways, is not currently held centrally. However, Visits to Visitor Attractions 2001, which gives visitor figures for over 2,400 individual attractions in the UK, has been published by the English Tourism Council. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Flooding from Sewers Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will request the National Rivers Authority, in consultation with those enterprises or publicly owned bodies responsible for the transport of sewage and its purification, to review within each river catchment the adequacy of flood defences for their installations; the risks of surcharge of foul and surface water draining systems; and their emergency plans related thereto, against the possibility of higher intensities of precipitation than experienced so far in 2002. Lord Whitty: Ofwat has recently undertaken a consultation on flooding from sewers and in publishing the results has said that it will consider proposals from sewerage undertakers to spend more in carrying out more flood alleviation schemes in the period up to 2005. This should help to reduce the risk of sewer flooding cases. The report also said that for the period beyond 2005, consideration for increased expenditure will be taken account of in the periodic review of water prices. The Environment Agency, which incorporates the former National Rivers Authority and Pollution Inspectorate, will be involved in the periodic review process. The agency will also be required to assess the potential pollution from flooding of sites storing or processing toxic material, which would include sewage treatment facilities, as part of their future responsibilities under the Water Framework Directive. Rural Poverty Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they last undertook a survey of the extent of rural poverty in England and Wales. Lord Whitty: The Countryside Agency's report The State of the Countryside 2002 was published on 28 May 2002. The report uses 20 indicators to assess the condition of rural life—including employment characteristics, income levels and distribution of income—alongside the government headline and rural indicators set out in the rural White Paper. The Statistical Focus on Rural Wales was published by the National Assembly in March 2002. It provides data comparing urban and rural areas in Wales. Scotland and England: Anniversaries of the Act of Union and of Joining of the Crowns Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 24 July (WA 87), why they have no plans to celebrate the Act of Union or the joining of the Crowns of Scotland and England. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There is nothing that can be added to previous Answers. The Government have made no plans to commemorate either anniversary. Scotland Act 1998 Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government: By what means they oversee the vires of legislation made by the Scottish Parliament. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Scotland Act 1998 established a Scottish Parliament and devolved to it the power to pass legislation within the boundaries of that Act. Her Majesty's Government do not oversee the vires of Scottish Parliament legislation for that is properly the function of the courts. Rather, Her Majesty's Government work closely with the Scottish Executive to ensure that legislation is prepared so as to be within the competence of the Scottish Parliament. The Government have a strong interest in ensuring that devolution works, and checking that legislation is within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament plays a vital part in ensuring it keeps working. In the event that any legislative provision is thought to be ultra vires, then the Scotland Act provides that the matter may be referred by the Attorney-General, the Advocate-General or the Lord Advocate to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to decide on the issue. No such references have been made to date.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2002-10-09a

Department for Education Literacy lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to increase literacy levels in England lord agnew of oulton: The government is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, ensuring all children can read fluently and with understanding. The new national curriculum, introduced in 2014, has increased the focus on reading in the primary curriculum and has a focus on phonics. There is a substantial body of evidence that shows that systematic phonics is a highly effective method for teaching early reading.The government introduced the light touch phonics screening check for year 1 pupils in 2012. The check is designed to assess pupils’ ability to decode and read words using phonics. Phonics performance is improving, with 82% of pupils meeting the expected standard in 2019, compared to 58% when the check was introduced.Building on this success, in 2018 the department launched a £26.3 million English Hubs Programme. We have appointed 34 primary schools across England as English Hubs. The English Hubs Programme is supporting nearly 3000 schools in England to improve their teaching of reading through systematic synthetic phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure. The English Hubs are focused on improving educational outcomes for the most disadvantaged pupils in Reception and Year 1. National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers lord farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the role of the National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers. lord agnew of oulton: The role of the National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers was created to support local authorities to implement new provisions introduced through the Children and Social Work Act 2017. Mark Riddell was appointed in this role in 2017. The focus of the role is to ensure local authorities provide services to care leavers in a way that reflects the corporate parenting principles set out in the Act; to help them consult on and develop a stronger ‘local offer’ for care leavers; and to implement an extended offer of a Personal Adviser to support all care leavers to the age of 25. Since 2017, Mark Riddell has visited over 60 local authorities and undertaken over 20 follow-up visits. The report of his activity from October 2017 to October 2018 was published last November and the Department for Education expects to publish a second annual report highlighting how local authorities are improving their services in due course. Schools: Construction lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of the schools built under (1) the Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme, and (2) the Second Consortium of Local Authorities building programme are (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. lord agnew of oulton: The department’s new school Condition Data Collection (CDC), due to complete this year, will provide a high-level assessment of the make-up and condition of state funded schools in England, and help inform future capital funding policy.The department has issued information and guidance on the purpose, benefits and limitations of the CDC, which has been attached and can be viewed at:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/652218/Condition_Data_Collection_CDC_Purpose_Benefit__and_Limitations.pdf. HL29_guidance (PDF Document, 119.8 KB) Overseas Students: Hong Kong lord pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent supporters from mainland China bullying and intimidating fellow students from Hong Kong in British universities who are carrying out legitimate activities in support of those demonstrating in Hong Kong in favour of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. baroness berridge: Universities have a duty of care to all students, domestic and international, and must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure freedom of speech, within the law, is secured for staff, students and visiting speakers. Studying for a degree gives students from different backgrounds and perspectives the freedom to explore contrasting views and the skills to evaluate information, including that about the current situation in Hong Kong. It is critically important that we protect this freedom. That is why we extended the existing freedom of speech duty to all providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS) through the Higher Education and Research Act. The approach of the OfS is to implement regulation as outlined in their regulatory framework, as attached. We expect all institutions to ensure that freedom of speech is not restricted as a result of bullying or intimidation. Special Educational Needs lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to reform the provision of support for children with special educational needs; and when they intend to introduce such legislation. lord agnew of oulton: The department does not currently have plans to introduce legislation to reform the provision of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).However, the department is taking steps to ensure that every child and young person with SEND can achieve well in education, find employment and lead a happy and fulfilled life.We will be investing over £700 million in additional high needs funding to support young people with complex SEND in education. This represents an increase of over 11% on the funding available this year, bringing the total high needs funding budget to over £7 billion.Furthermore, we have launched a cross-government SEND review to improve how children and young people with SEND are supported in the current system. In parallel with the review, we have also committed to reviewing the SEND Code of Practice. Students: Sexual Offences lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to increase the amount of support offered to university students who have been victims of sexual assault. baroness berridge: The government takes any form of violence and sexual harassment, including in Higher Education (HE), extremely seriously.As independent and autonomous institutions, universities are responsible for providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The legal obligation for ensuring that students do not face discrimination, harassment or victimisation rests with the HE providers. They should discharge their responsibilities fully and have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law, and to investigate and swiftly address sexual misconduct.The Office for Students and its predecessor provided £2.45m funding for 63 projects tackling sexual misconduct in 2017 and 2018.A recent survey of universities by Universities UK shows that progress is being made to address sexual misconduct in HE. However, the government acknowledges that there is much further to go to combat the culture of harassment. We urge all university leaders to take ownership and prioritise a zero tolerance culture to all harassment and hate crime.The government will continue to prioritise tackling of all forms of harassment and hate crime in HE. Erasmus+ Programme lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they haveto fund a UK-wide replacement for the Erasmus+ scheme if the UK cannot associate with the next programme in 2021–27. lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, to guaranteefunding for student exchanges for the 2020/21 academic year to bring it in line with the funding that would have been provided by the Erasmus+ scheme. baroness berridge: The government places great value upon international exchange and collaboration in education and training. This will continue to be the case after we leave the EU and establish new relationships with academic institutions across Europe and the rest of the world.If it is in the UK’s interests, we will seek to participate in specific EU programmes as a third country. While the regulations for future EU programmes are still in the process of being developed, the draft Political Declaration envisages the possibility of UK participation in EU programmes like Erasmus+ and the negotiation of general terms of participation. Officials are preparing for all eventualities and are considering a wide range of options with regard to the future of international exchange. These include potential domestic alternatives to the Erasmus+ programme for the 2020/21 academic year and beyond, should we need them. English Language: Education lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what provision they are making to enable those adults whose first language is not English to learn the language to a reasonable standard; and what resources they have committed to such provision in the last 12 months. lord agnew of oulton: The Department for Education funds English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) through the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Colleges and adult learning providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB allocation to meet the needs of their communities. In 2017/18, the latest year for which we have data available, this supported 114,300 adult learners to access English courses with £105 million of investment from the AEB.In addition, the Home Office and Department for Education have provided £10 million from 2016 - 2020 to enable refugees resettled through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme to access additional classes. From April 2019, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government set up a new Integrated Communities English Language programme, worth £4.5 million for this year. The programme will deliver community-based English language learning in 2019/20 for over 19,000 learners.The Department for Education is working closely with other government departments to develop a new strategy for ESOL. This strategy will provide a shared vision and common aims for all publicly funded ESOL. English Language: Education the lord bishop of durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to launch the new national strategy for English Language learning announced this autumn; and whether that strategy will include an assessment of the efficacy of English for Speakers of Other Languages as an English language learning programme. lord agnew of oulton: The government has committed to developing a new strategy for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in 2019. This strategy will provide a shared vision and common aims for all publicly funded ESOL. Home Education lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes they will make in response to the report by OfstedExploring moving to home education in secondary school, published on 15 October, regarding secondary school children who move from school to home education. lord agnew of oulton: The department welcomes the work that Ofsted has undertaken to investigate what happens when children are moved from schools into home education. We launched a consultation earlier this year into proposals for a mandatory register of children who are not attending state or registered independent schools. As we made clear when launching this consultation, we are concerned about the increase in the number of such children especially when the circumstances suggest that the education provided at home may not be suitable. This is particularly the case if children are the victims of the unacceptable practice of ‘off-rolling’ by schools.We are also considering the Ofsted report and its detailed recommendations. We agree with the main point raised in the report, which is that co-ordination between schools, local authorities and parents can minimise the likelihood of poor home education taking place when a child is withdrawn from school. Schools: Uniforms lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they intend totake to ensure thatchildren are able to attend school wearing the correct uniform. lord agnew of oulton: It is for the governing body of a school (or in the case of academies, the academy trust) to decide rules relating to appearance, including whether there should be a school uniform, what it will be and how it should be sourced.The department issues best practice guidance to support schools with setting and implementing their uniform policy. This sets out that a school should give the highest priority to cost considerations and achieving value for money for parents, and ensure that its school uniform policy is fair and reasonable for all its students.The government has announced its plan to put the school uniform guidance on a statutory footing and will do so when a suitable opportunity arises. This will send a clear signal that we expect schools to ensure uniform costs are reasonable.The department’s guidance is attached and available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform. HL160_PDF (PDF Document, 247.4 KB) Academies: Accountancy lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what sanctions they intend to apply to those academies who fail to file their accounts on time. lord agnew of oulton: The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) expects academy trusts to meet the requirements it sets out for financial returns. Submitting these on time is an essential requirement of the Academies Financial Handbook and a strong indicator of good governance within the trust.The vast majority of academy trusts do submit their financial returns on time. To improve compliance, and in fairness to trusts that submit their returns on time, the department names those trusts that were late with two or more of their financial returns each academic year.The ESFA will intervene where a trust’s governance is not robust. These intervention powers are clearly set out in the Academies Financial Handbook. This can include issuing a Financial Notice to Improve or, in the most serious cases, termination of the Funding Agreement.The number of academy trusts submitting two or more late returns has more than halved, reducing from 88 in 2017/18 to 43 in 2018/19. The latest list was published on 14 October 2019 and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trusts-late-financial-returns-2018-to-2019/academy-trusts-late-financial-returns-2018-to-2019. Home Education lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to roll out a home-schooling program with regular checks and tests. lord agnew of oulton: At present, local authorities have a legal duty to make arrangements to identify children of compulsory school age who may not be receiving an education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, as well as any special educational needs. If a local authority identifies any such children, it has power to enforce school attendance. The Department for Education issued revised guidance for local authorities in April 2019, making it clear that existing powers, if properly used, are adequate to ensure that children not attending school receive a suitable education. There are no plans to amend this guidance or alter the powers of local authorities to monitor or check outcomes of home education.However, in the spring of 2019, a consultation was held on proposals for a mandatory register of children not attending state or registered independent schools. This register would help local authorities carry out their responsibilities. Responses to the consultation are still being considered and a formal government response document setting out next steps will be issued in due course. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hong Kong: Politics and Government lord pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the continuing unrest in Hong Kong, what plans they have to follow the example of the Magnitsky Act legislation of the government of the United States to ban people from Hong Kong and mainland China found guilty of violating human rights and the rule of law from entering the UK, and to freeze their assets. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The UK will establish a UK autonomous global human rights sanctions regime once we leave the European Union. A global sanctions regime will allow us to respond to serious human rights violations or abuses anywhere in the world. The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. A human rights sanctions regime will help support our human rights objectives. We will look to cooperate with others, including the US and Canada, who use sanctions to address human rights. Zimbabwe: Economic Situation lord oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last met with the government of Zimbabwe at ministerial level to discuss the economic crisis in that country. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​On 16 October, Department for International Development Director General Moazzam Malik met Finance Minister Ncube at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in New York to discuss the economic and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. He stressed that comprehensive political and economic reform, and commitment to respect for human rights and the rule of law, are prerequisites for Zimbabwe’s reengagement with the international community. The UK Ambassador met Foreign Minister Moyo on 18 October and discussed the economic crisis facing the country, reinforcing the need for comprehensive political and economic reform and the protection of the poorest. Zimbabwe: Economic Situation lord oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of South Africa about the economic crisis in Zimbabwe. lord oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the EUabout the economic crisis in Zimbabwe. lord oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with any international partners about political and economic reform in Zimbabwe, and bilateral and multilateral financing for that country. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK regularly discusses the economic situation in Zimbabwe with our international partners, including the EU, US and South Africa. In October, at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in New York, the UK met international partners including the USA, France and Germany to discuss economic and political reform in Zimbabwe. We have been clear that comprehensive political and economic reform must be delivered before the UK and our international partners will discuss arrears clearance with the Government of Zimbabwe. Treasury Borders: Northern Ireland lord macpherson of earl's court: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of revenue that may be lost as a result of the implementation of the UK proposals for a new Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, published on 2 October. the earl of courtown: On 17 October the Government agreed a revised Northern Ireland protocol with the EU Commission. No estimate has been made of the impact on revenue of that protocol, or of the UK proposals published on 2 October.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2019-10-24

Department for Transport Roads: Accidents baroness gardner of parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of (1) road traffic accidents involving cyclists and HGVs, and (2) deaths resulting from such accidents. baroness sugg: The Department agrees that accidents involving cyclists and HGVs are an issue of great concern and our aim is to reduce the number of deaths that result from them. Responses to the recent Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) Safety Review Call for Evidence highlighted these concerns and we will be publishing a full response to the consultation shortly, which will seek to address the issue. Details of the Call for Evidence and the Summary of Responses are available to view on the Department’s website. Railways: North of England lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the development of a business case for a new high speed railway line across the north of England will include a Determine Stage, Stage 1 of the Department for Transport's five stage Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline; and if not, whether work on Stage 1 will follow the publication of the business case. baroness sugg: The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for Northern Powerhouse Rail is being developed by Transport for the North and is being produced in line with the Department’s guidance for transport business cases. In the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP) process, the production of the SOBC is one of the key outputs of the Determine Stage of work. Further stages of development work, depending on the nature of the intervention being considered, could follow a range of processes including those outlined in the RNEP process, Network Rail’s Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) and HS2 Ltd’s processes for hybrid Bill preparation. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Bangladesh: Election Observers viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Commonwealth about any request from either the Bangladesh Awami League or the Bangladesh National Party for it to observe the forthcoming elections. viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the High Commissioner to Bangladesh has held any discussions with the government of Bangladesh on the merits of the Commonwealth observing the forthcoming elections in that country; if so, with whom; and what was the outcome. viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh about the importance of conducting the forthcoming elections in a free and fair manner, in accordance with international norms. lord ahmad of wimbledon: Election observation by the Commonwealth would be a decision for the Commonwealth in dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh. We welcomed the Commonwealth Secretary General's visit to Bangladesh in August this year, and her call at that time for participatory elections.I am clear that the UK wants to see a free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh and I have consistently encouraged the Government of Bangladesh and opposition parties to engage in an effective dialogue to this end. During the Minister for Asia and the Pacific’s visit to Bangladesh, 29 June - 1 July, he made clear concerns regarding the prospects for the election to senior members of the Government of Bangladesh, including State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam, and members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of free, fair and non-violent elections in Bangladesh with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when they met on 24 September at the UN General Assembly in New York. Department of Health and Social Care NHS: Migrant Workers lord davies of stamford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many EU citizens have (1) left employment in the NHS, and (2) started employment in the NHS over the last 12 months for which figures are available. lord davies of stamford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many non-EU citizens have (1) left employment in the NHS, and (2) started employment in the NHS over the last 12 months for which figures are available. lord o'shaughnessy: NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) workforce statistics. These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), but not staff working in primary care or in general practitioner surgeries, local authorities or other providers.The following table shows those who have joined and those who have left National Health Service trusts and CCGs in England, by nationality, between 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018, which is latest data available.JoinersLeaversAll nationalities154,458137,161 of which: United Kingdom120,965110,446European Union (excluding UK)11,38410,487Other European Economic Area countries12293Rest of the World15,0948,288Unknown6,8937,847 Source: NHS HCHS quarterly workforce statistics, NHS Digital Mental Health Services: Children lord ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord O'Shaughnessy on 29 October (HL10675), whether they intend to take steps to reverse the 26 per cent increase in referrals to children's mental health services in England over the past five years; and if so, what steps they intend to take. lord o'shaughnessy: The Government is committed to widening access to children and young people’s mental health services to address unmet need and ensure that more children and young people get the support they need, at the right time.Through the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, we have made an additional £1.4 billion available for children’s mental health service transformation. Overall investment in children and young people’s mental health services was £1.05 billion in 2017/18. We are on track to meet the commitment to ensure that an additional 70,000 children and young people access community mental health services annually by 2020/21.In addition, the Government has announced further plans to improve early intervention for mild to moderate mental health conditions, through better join up with schools and colleges, to address rising needs and ensure that referrals to specialist services are appropriate. To deliver the key proposal to improve access to services, we are creating a new workforce of Mental Health Support Teams, working in and near schools and colleges, with trained staff to deliver interventions to young people to support their mental health. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people in England suffering from leg ulcers in England in each of the last 10 years. lord o'shaughnessy: The information is not available in the format requested. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost to the NHS in England of leg ulcers in each of the last 10 years. lord o'shaughnessy: No such assessment has been made as the relevant data is not centrally held by the Department. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits to the NHS in England of early endovenous ablation of leg ulcers. lord o'shaughnessy: The results of the Early Venous Reflux Ablation (EVRA) study (2018) and the Effect of Surgery and Compression on Healing and Recurrence (ESCHAR) trial (2004) indicate that early superficial endovenous ablation improves healing of venous leg ulceration, reduces the risk of ulcer recurrence and is cost-effective.Therefore, the results of the EVRA study and the ESCHAR trial will be incorporated into the National Wound Care Strategy Programme recommendations for care, as this will bring benefits to both patients and the National Health Service. Varicose Veins lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits to people aged over 65 of endovenous ablation treatment of varicose veins. lord o'shaughnessy: Varicose veins can cause complications because they stop blood flowing properly, including venous leg ulcers as a result of chronic venous insufficiency.The results of the Early Venous Reflux Ablation (EVRA) study (2018) and the Effect of Surgery and Compression on Healing and Recurrence (ESCHAR) trial (2004) indicate that early superficial endovenous ablation improves healing of venous leg ulceration, reduces the risk of ulcer recurrence and is cost-effective.Therefore, the results of the EVRA study and the ESCHAR trial will be incorporated into the National Wound Care Strategy Programme recommendations for care, as this will bring benefits to both patients and the National Health Service.The EVRA study and the ESCHAR trial included patients over the age of 65 so the results are applicable to older people. However, no sub-analysis is presented for people over the age of 65 so it is not possible to identify if there are any benefits or risks beyond the overall results for people over 65. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the annual cost to the NHS in England of leg ulcer patients undergoing superficial venous reflux treatment. lord o'shaughnessy: No such assessment has been made as the relevant data is not held centrally by the Department. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the efficacy of patient leg ulcer care pathways developed by the Venous Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine. lord o'shaughnessy: NHS England is not aware of any assessments of the efficacy of patient leg ulcer care pathways developed by the Venous Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine.There are plans to develop a national patient leg ulcer care pathway, and the Venous Forum has been invited to join the lower limb workstream to contribute to the development of this pathway. Multiple Births lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage prompt implementation of the updated NICE guidance on twin, triplet and more pregnancies, which is due to be published in 2019. lord o'shaughnessy: In 2017, the Department funded the Twins and Multiple Births Association Maternity Engagement Project. The results from the interim report suggest that increased adherence to relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance gave better outcomes for multiple births. Taking this into account, the Department expects all health professionals working with multiple pregnancies to adhere to the relevant NICE guidance. To reduce variance in the levels of maternity care across trusts, all maternity services now have one obstetrician, one midwife and one board level Maternity Safety Champion jointly responsible for championing maternity safety, spreading learning and encouraging best practice within their organisations. This includes adherence to NICE guidelines on issues such as antenatal care for multiple pregnancies. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many leg ulcer patients in England were aged (1) 18 to 39 years, (2) 40 to 59 years, and (3) 60 years or older, in each of the last ten years. lord o'shaughnessy: The information is not available in the format requested. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many leg ulcer patients in England were (1) male, and (2) female, in each of the last ten years. lord o'shaughnessy: The information is not available in the format requested. Abscesses lord wills: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many leg ulcer patients in England were in (1) higher and intermediate managerial, administrative, or professional occupations, (2) supervisory, clerical and junior managerial, administrative, or professional occupations, (3) skilled manual occupations, (4) semi-skilled and unskilled manual occupations, and (5) no occupation, in each of the last ten years. lord o'shaughnessy: The requested information is not centrally held by the Department. NHS Digital does not routinely collect any socio-economic or occupation-related data in association with patient episodes. NHS: Migrant Workers lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) doctors, (2) nurses, (3) health care assistants, (4) technicians, (5) paramedics, and (6) mental health professionals currently employed by the NHS were recruited from overseas; and what percentage of the overall NHS workforce those employees represent. lord o'shaughnessy: Data is not available in the format requested. Department for Education Apprentices: Taxation baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have analysed the income from the apprenticeship levy on an industry by industry basis; whether they have made a comparative analysis of (1) that income, and (2) the number of apprentices in each industry; and if so, whether they will publish the results of any such analyses. lord agnew of oulton: Before the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, we forecast the expected levy income on an industry by industry basis. This forecast is attached. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) collects the levy on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government. HMRC has not yet analysed the income received from the Apprenticeship Levy on an industry by industry basis. We published apprenticeship starts data on an industry by industry basis on 25 October 2018. This publication is attached. HL11174_Apprenticeships_levy_and_total_spend (PDF Document, 344.21 KB) HL11174_Apprenticeship_starts_table (Excel SpreadSheet, 802 KB) Religion: Education baroness whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Commission on Religious Education, Religion and Worldviews: the way forward. A national plan for RE, published in September; and whether they intend to provide a response to that report. lord agnew of oulton: Religious education helps to develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and to foster understanding among different faiths and cultures – it is also compulsory for all age groups in state-funded schools. The report by the Commission for Religious Education highlights the challenges faced in teaching religious education and sets out a number of recommendations on how the teaching and status of religious education in England could be improved. The department is reviewing these recommendations and will respond to them soon. Ministry of Justice Bail lord ponsonby of shulbrede: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new procedure in Magistrates' Courts routinely not to provide bailed defendants with written details of their bail conditions and future court dates on the number of defendants who (1) break their bail conditions, and (2) fail to appear at court; and whether they intend to monitor and track the impact of that change. lord keen of elie: The procedural requirement in Magistrates’ Courts for the provision to defendants of written details of their bail conditions, and future court dates, has not changed. The Criminal Procedure Rules require the court to serve notice of a decision about bail on the defendant. This notice can be either personally served on the defendant at court, or sent by post following the hearing. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Local Government: Standards lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review their intervention regime for local authorities in crisis. lord bourne of aberystwyth: In 2016 the Communities and Local Government Select Committee endorsed our approach to intervention in local authorities and we have no plans to review the current regime. The Secretary of State does not take the decision to intervene lightly and will only intervene in a democratically elected council where there are systemic failings and it is necessary to secure compliance with the best value duty. Unitary Councils lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government with which local authorities they are currently holding discussions regarding possible transition to unitary status. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Ministers and officials have discussions with many councils about a wide range of issues, which may include the possible transition to unitary status as in the case of discussions with the eight Northamptonshire councils, which have now in response to a formal invitation submitted a proposal for unitarisation. Ministry of Defence Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals lord goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Fijians have joined the British Armed Forces in each of the last 20 years. lord goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have a policy towards the recruitment of Fijians into the British Armed Forces. earl howe: To be eligible to join the British Armed Forces an individual must be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, either as a sole or dual national. As Fiji is a member of the Commonwealth, its citizens are eligible to apply to join. There is no recruitment process specifically for Fijian nationals. All British, Irish and Commonwealth nationals are required to make an online application and, if successful, will then go through the recruitment and selection assessment process in the UK for the Service they are applying to join. Information held by the Ministry of Defence on the numbers of Regular personnel who reported a Fijian nationality on joining the British Armed Forces in each Financial Year (FY) since 1998-99 is provided in the following table. Number of Regular personnel reporting a Fijian nationality on intake to the British Armed Forces (FYs 1998-99 to 2017-18) FYRoyal Navy/Royal MarinesArmyRoyal Air Force (RAF)Total2017-18~160~1602016-17-70~702015-16-10~102014-15~10-102013-141020-202012-13~50-502011-12~60~702010-111030-402009-102030-502008-0930140~1702007-0820220-2402006-07..20~202005-06..110..1102004-05..220..2202003-04..280..2802002-03..470..4702001-02..490..4902000-01..260..2601999-00..320..3201998-99..20..20Total110 2,980 10 3,100 Notes:Nationality is not part of the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and RAF legacy datasets (data held prior to the introduction of the Joint Personnel Administration System) and as such figures for these Services are included only from 2007-08 for Royal Navy/Royal Marines and 2006-07 for RAF. The declaration rate for nationality on intake for FY 2017-18 is 99.1%. Some personnel will declare their nationality after intake; figures in this table show nationality declared at intake. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. ‘~’ indicates a number less than 5. ‘-‘ indicates zero. Nuclear Submarines lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Commanding Officers of nuclear submarines have access to a military lawyer about the law of armed conflict. earl howe: All Service personnel, including Commanding Officers of ballistic missile submarines, receive training on the law of armed conflict (LOAC), including during initial basic training phases, staff courses and promotion courses. Personnel are also required to undertake annual LOAC training to agreed standards.Her Majesty's Government, which receives legal advice, is clear that the use of nuclear weapons - like all weapons - would be subject to the requirements of the LOAC. Only the Prime Minister can authorise the firing of nuclear weapons and the Commanding Officer of the ballistic missile submarine must confirm that the authorisation to fire meets the rigorous authentication processes in place. Warships lord west of spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how many destroyer and frigate vessels will be required to meet the UK broad strategic defence goals after Brexit. earl howe: As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, the Government is currently committed to a surface fleet of 19 Frigates and Destroyers. The Type 45 Destroyers are hugely capable ships and have been deployed successfully on a range of operations worldwide. They continue to make an enormous contribution to the defence of the UK and our international partners. We want the first Type 31e Frigate in 2023, with five ships delivered by the end of 2028. The Type 31e will replace the fleet of General Purpose Type 23 Frigates. We have signed a £3.7 billion contract for the first batch of three Type 26 Frigates. All eight Type 26 Frigates will be built by BAE Systems on the Clyde, securing the future of shipbuilding in Scotland. These plans have not changed as a consequence of Brexit. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nature Conservation lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings in the Living Planet Report 2018, published by the World Wildlife Fund and Zoological Society of London, that (1) there has been a decline of 60 per cent in species population sizes between 1970 and 2014, and (2) species population declines are especially pronounced in the tropics; and what strategy, if any, they have to address these findings. lord gardiner of kimble: The Government recognises that there have been declines in species populations across the world since 1970 and that declines have been pronounced in many tropical ecosystems. This downward trend and the impact it has on peoples’ economic and social wellbeing highlights the need to strengthen international efforts to tackle biodiversity loss. The Government is committed to being the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. We are already working worldwide, including in the tropics, to tackle biodiversity loss, by: Investing more than £36 million between 2014 and 2021 to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, and hosting the fourth international Illegal Wildlife Trade conference last month in London. The conference represented a significant step forward in the global fight to eliminate this trade;Committing £210 million of Defra’s International Climate Finance to support projects that aim to protect and restore more than 500,000 hectares of the world’s most biodiverse forests. For example, we are supporting communities in Madagascar to protect mangrove forests, which are important habitats for the protection of many species, some of which are found nowhere else on earth;Ambitious plans under the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan to reverse the decline of many species and help wildlife survive and thrive. We are committed to protecting the oceans, and have called for at least 30 per cent of the oceans to be in Marine Protected Areas by 2030. The UK is also leading the fight against plastic pollution; andIntroducing one of the world’s toughest bans on ivory sales to protect the elephant. We are also committed to developing an ambitious post-2020 strategic framework for biodiversity and are working with countries around the world to achieve this under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Home Office Capital Punishment the lord bishop of st albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals have been deported from the UK to countries where people can be sentenced to death without a death penalty assurance being sought since 2001. baroness williams of trafford: Home Office policy is not to deport foreign nationals from the UK if to do so would breach the UK’s international obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Cabinet Office Public Sector: Allowances lord foulkes of cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what allowance is paid to people serving on government agencies and bodies who have to stay overnight in London to attend meetings or perform other duties. lord young of cookham: Government agencies and bodies are made up of both civil servants and non-civil servants. For people serving on government agencies and bodies who are civil servants, the following applies.There is no central government travel, subsistence and expenses (T,S&E) policy, and as such, rates and allowances are delegated for individual departments to decide upon. In setting their rates departments must be adherent with Section 8 of the Civil Service Management Code (CSMC), Jon Thompson's 2010 review of Civil Service expense policies and The Efficiency and Reform Group Business Travel Policy Principles launched on 20 July 2011.As there is no cross-government T,S&E policy, there is no centrally held information on the accommodation allowance paid by departments to non-London based civil servants serving on government agencies and bodies when they are required to stay in London as part of their employment. This information will be held in individual departments.For people serving on government agencies and bodies who are not civil servants, information on travel, subsistence and expenses allowances would not be held centrally within the Civil Service. Although some departments may hold some relevant information about the arrangements in their non-department public bodies. Interparliamentary Forum on Brexit baroness hayter of kentish town: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the letter from the Members of the Interparliamentary Forum on Brexit to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster dated 29 October; and when they intend to respond to that letter and its conclusion that the Joint Ministerial Committee mechanism is not fit for purpose. lord young of cookham: We are grateful to the Forum for its contribution to the debate and its recommendations, which will continue to inform discussions between the UK Government and devolved administrations on the review of intergovernmental relations. We note the Forum's request for a response by 14 January and will respond in due course. Local Government: Elections lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for further voter ID pilots in next year’s local elections; and how lessons learnt from the 2018 pilots will inform decisions regarding any pilots next year. lord young of cookham: The Government is committed to making sure that our electoral system is fit for the future. Vulnerabilities cannot be allowed to undermine the integrity of our democracy.The success of the voter ID pilots in May this year proves that voter ID is a reasonable and proportionate measure.On 3 November the Government announced that eleven local authorities across England would be takiné part in voter ID pilots for the 2019 local elections:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-round-of-voter-id-pilots-announced-for-2019The pilots will give us a deeper understanding of how voter ID will work on a wider scale and what works best for voters. We are paying close attention to the Electoral Commission's recommendations to help inform the development of voter ID. Emergencies: Planning lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the reasonable worst-case scenarios that they have asked local resilience forums to work on. lord young of cookham: Local Resilience Forums are required under the Civil Contingencies Act to compile and publish community risk registers setting out the main risks in their areas to both raise awareness and guide contingency planning. In doing this, they are guided by, among other things, the National Risk Assessment (NRA) which covers the range of risks that could cause a civil emergency in the UK, and provides a list of the common consequences of these risks in the form of planning assumptions. These cover the maximum scale, duration and impact that could reasonably be expected to occur as a result of emergencies.The NRA is classified for national security reasons, and it is therefore not possible to share details of the reasonable worst-case scenarios or planning assumptions. A declassified version is available in the form of the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies (NRR). This is also provided to the local planning community, and has been placed in the House of Lords Library. Most Community Risk Registers are also available online.

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lordswrans2018-11-13

Afghanistan: Badakhshan Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many officials of the Afghan Government and of the United Nations are stationed in the province of Badakhshan. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: According to the Deputy Governor of Badakhshan, there are 12,112 paid employees of the Afghan Government working in the province. The UN has six international and 50 Afghan staff working in Badakhshan. Higher Education: Disabled Students Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress they have made to improve access to higher education for disabled students since the National Audit Office's finding in 2002 that an 18-year-old with a disability or other health problem has a 40 per cent chance of access compared with other students; and what impact they expect their new proposals for higher education funding will have in improving that figure. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government are keen to ensure that students with disabilities receive the best support possible so that they are able to study alongside their fellow students on an equal basis. HESA figures for 2001–02 suggest the proportion of higher education students with self-declared disabilities has grown from 4.6 per cent in 1996–97 to 6 per cent in 2001–02. The disabled students' allowances (DSAs) are available to students with disabilities attending or undertaking courses of higher education, who by reason of their disability, incur additional expenditure as a result of their attendance on the course. DSAs are paid in addition to the existing standard support package. The extension of DSAs to part-time undergraduates and full and part-time postgraduates in 2000–01, including Open University students, has enabled more students with disabilities to enter higher education. An additional 3,235 DSAs were awarded in 2003–04 compared to the previous year. Recently, the department has reviewed the administration of the DSA scheme and engaged with representatives from the sector so that disabled students are able to access the scheme more quickly and efficiently. We have done much to increase awareness of the financial assistance available to disabled students. The booklet Bridging the Gap: a guide to the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSAs) in Higher Education is specifically for disabled students, with over 180,000 copies available in 2004–05. The introduction of the new student finance arrangements will assist disabled students in the same way as non-disabled students, in that they will not pay fees up front, and loans will be written off after 25 years. "Aimhigher" aims to increase participation in higher education from under-represented groups. The planning guidance for the new integrated Aimhigher programme, which starts in August 2004, lists disabled students as an under-represented group for whom local partnerships should seek to widen access. Extra funding has been granted to universities to improve support and facilities for disabled students. Institutions receive HEFCE funding to recruit and support students with disabilities. A total of £10 million is allocated in this way in 2003–04 within the funding for widening access and improving retention. Additionally HEFCE is providing £117 million to improve provision for students with special needs, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and its extension in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. Funding is available between April 2004 and March 2006 to improve the physical and IT infrastructure for students with disabilities. For example these may include signage for visually impaired, flashing fire alarms and hearing loops, wider doors, ramps, lifts and special IT or other equipment. Universities: Honours Degrees Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 10 December 2002 (WA 21) concerning honours degrees, what were the equivalent figures for (a) 2003; (b) 1998; and (c) 1993. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Data for the number of first degree graduates in 1993 were published by the Universities Statistical Record and give figures for the total number of first degrees and the number of first class honours degrees only. These and figures for first degree graduates in 1998 and 2003, which are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, are given in the tables. First Degree Graduates by Class of Degree Obtained, 1993 Numbers Percentages 1st class Other Total 1st class Other The University of Birmingham 230 2,354 2,584 8.9 91.1 The University of Bristol 220 1,963 2,183 10.1 89.9 The University of Cambridge 810 2,562 3,372 24.0 76.0 The University of Leeds 264 2,892 3,156 8.4 91.6 The University of Liverpool 159 2,155 2,314 6.9 93.1 King's College London 124 1,300 1,424 8.7 91.3 London School of Economics and Political Science 49 642 691 7.1 92.9 The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne 192 2,152 2,344 8.2 91.8 The University of Nottingham 241 2,538 2,779 8.7 91.3 The University of Oxford 493 3,000 3,493 14.1 85.9 The University of Sheffield 207 2,273 2,480 8.3 91.7 The University of Southampton 171 1,703 1,874 9.1 90.9 The University of Edinburgh 209 2,054 2,263 9.2 90.8 The University of Glasgow 240 2,339 2,579 9.3 90.7 Cardiff University 139 2,091 2,230 6.2 93.8 The University of Warwick 140 1,625 1,765 7.9 92.1 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 232 994 1,226 18.9 81.1 University College London 200 1,657 1,857 10.8 89.2 The Victoria University of Manchester 288 2,958 3,246 8.9 91.1 Source: Universities Statistics Record First Degree Graduates by Class of Degree Obtained, 1998 Numbers Percentages 1st class Upper 2nd Other Total 1st Class Upper 2nd Other The University of Birmingham 353 1,879 1,300 3,532 10.0 53.2 36.8 The University of Bristol 318 1,252 790 2,360 13.5 53.1 33.4 The University of Cambridge 888 1,688 568 3,144 28.2 53.7 18.1 The University of Leeds 350 2,142 1,658 4,150 8.4 51.6 40.0 The University of Liverpool 190 1,147 1,454 2,791 6.8 41.1 52.1 King's College London 182 718 741 1,641 11.1 43.8 45.1 London School of Economics and Political Science 134 484 271 889 15.1 54.4 30.5 The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne 190 1,243 1,105 2,538 7.5 49.0 43.5 The University of Nottingham 333 1,814 722 2,869 11.6 63.2 25.2 The University of Oxford 634 1,805 1,249 3,688 17.2 48.9 33.9 The University of Sheffield 252 1,681 1,354 3,287 7.7 51.1 41.2 The University of Southampton 277 1,285 1,497 3,059 9.1 42.0 48.9 The University of Edinburgh 328 1,453 1,149 2,930 11.2 49.6 39.2 The University of Glasgow 317 1,218 1,464 2,999 10.6 40.6 48.8 Cardiff University 300 1,451 1,288 3,039 9.9 47.7 42.4 The University of Warwick 243 1,275 767 2,285 10.6 55.8 33.6 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 270 591 691 1,552 17.4 38.1 44.5 University College London 376 1,349 1,043 2,768 13.6 48.7 37.7 The Victoria University of Manchester 379 1,849 1,686 3,914 9.7 47.2 43.1 Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency First Degree Graduates by Class of Degree Obtained, 2003 Numbers Percentages 1st class Upper 2nd Other Total 1st class Upper 2nd Other The University of Birmingham 414 2,000 1,598 4,012 10.3 49.9 39.8 The University of Bristol 462 1,561 733 2,756 16.8 56.7 26.5 The University of Cambridge 1,160 1,851 518 3,529 32.9 52.5 14.6 The University of Leeds 641 3,000 2,073 5,714 11.2 52.5 36.3 The University of Liverpool 309 1,378 1,390 3,077 10.0 44.8 45.2 King's College London 325 1,302 1,125 2,752 11.8 47.3 40.9 London School of Economics and Political Science 190 510 242 942 20.2 54.1 25.7 The University of Newcastle upon Tyne 290 1,390 1,136 2,816 10.3 49.4 40.3 The University of Nottingham 533 2,192 1,149 3,874 13.8 56.6 29.6 The University of Oxford 767 1,980 526 3,273 23.4 60.5 16.1 The University of Sheffield 553 2,121 1,307 3,981 13.9 53.3 32.8 The University of Southampton 468 1,605 1,070 3,143 14.9 51.1 34.0 The University of Edinburgh 482 1,688 1,262 3,432 14.0 49.2 36.8 The University of Glasgow 295 1,326 1,640 3,261 9.0 40.7 50.3 Cardiff University 459 1,958 1,101 3,518 13.0 55.7 31.3 The University of Warwick 532 1,522 561 2,615 20.3 58.2 21.5 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 390 660 666 1,716 22.7 38.5 38.8 University College London 545 1,653 1,083 3,281 16.6 50.4 33.0 The Victoria University of Manchester 660 2,048 1,495 4,203 15.7 48.7 35.6 Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency NHS: Nurses Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether— (a) a quarter of National Health Service nurses are now aged 50 or over and most of them plan to retire when they are 58; and (b) there is a 15 to 20 per cent drop-out rate from nurse training courses; and, if so, why and how they intend to address the situation. Lord Warner: As at September 2002, 19 per cent of qualified nurses employed in the National Health Service were aged 50 and over. This is in line with the expected age profile of the workforce. Information is not collected centrally on when nurses intend to retire. Extending the participation of older staff is a key part of our strategy to meet our workforce targets. The Department of Health is promoting flexible retirement through the Improving Working Lives initiative to encourage nurses to consider alternatives to retiring, such as reducing their commitment or taking on new roles. The latest complete information on attrition from nurse training courses relates to the 1997–98 cohort and was 20 per cent. The Human Resource Performance Framework published in October 2000 sets a target of 13 per cent attrition for students entering nurse training in 2000–01. Workforce development confederations are working with higher education institutions to ensure that this target is achieved. Temik The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: What would be the effect upon the health of the public of the addition of 1.2 tonnes of Temik (10 per cent Aldicarb) to the public water supply; and what measures are in place to deal with such an incident. Lord Warner: There are safeguards in place to protect the safety and quality of public water supplies. The effects on public health would depend on the concentration and the amount ingested from any contamination of public water supplies. Nationally agreed medical and public health briefings on aldicarb, and a public information sheet, are available to healthcare professionals through the National Poisons Information Service. The National Health Service has plans for major incidents and would be supported by advice from appropriate experts. Organ Donation Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Following campaigns in 1999 and 2002 to raise awareness of organ donation among south Asian and black communities, what success they have had in raising the level of donation among these communities; and whether they have any plans for future campaigns Lord Warner: The campaigns launched in 1999 and 2002 to raise awareness of organ donation among the south Asian and black communities are ongoing. End of year figures are not yet available but there are early signs that donation rates for Asian, black and mixed race donors are improving. The number of deceased organ donors in the United Kingdom since 1999, by financial year and ethnic origin, (percentage of total where ethnic origin recorded) is as follows: Ethnic origin 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 White 391 (97.3%) 733 (97.1%) 729 (98.2%) 755 (97.7%) 639 (96.5%) Asian/Asian-British 6 (1.5%) 13 (1.7%) 2 (0.3%) 8 (1.0%) 13 (2.0%) Black/Black-British 4 (1.0%) 7 (0.9%) 4 (0.5%) 4 (0.5%) 5 (0.8%) Chinese/Oriental — 1 (0.1%) 1 (0.1%) 2 (0.3%) — Mixed — 1 (0.1%) 2 (0.3%) 1 (0.1%) 5 (0.8%) Other 1 (0.2%) — 4 (0.5%) 3 (0.4%) — Total non-White 11 (2.7%) 22 (2.9%) 13 (1.8%) 18 (2.3%) 23 (3.5%) Not recorded 375 18 3 4 — Total 777 773 745 777 662 2003–04 figures up to 19 February 2004. FTSE 100 Companies Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: For the most recent year for which statistics are available, how many men and how many women were employed mainly or wholly in the United Kingdom by FTSE 100 companies. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: A breakdown of this information is not maintained within government statistics. Ofcom: Pornographic and Paedophilic Images Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Ofcom has been given any statutory duties or powers under the Communications Act 2003 to receive or act upon complaints about pornographic and paedophilic images shown on the internet. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Ofcom has no direct duties or powers to receive or act on complaints about images of child abuse or other pornographic images shown on the Internet. However, Ofcom has responsibility for approving the industry code for premium rate services, which is administered and enforced by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS). Ofcom also has the power to enforce breaches of the approved code by imposing fines or ultimately suspending the right to provide services. The Government believe that co- and self-regulation are more appropriate than statutory regulation of content specific to the Internet. We support the role of the Internet Watch Foundation, which was established by the Internet industry in consultation with the Government. The Internet Watch Foundation works in partnership with Internet service providers, telecommunications companies, mobile operators, software providers, police and Government, to minimise the availability of illegal Internet content, particularly child abuse images. Its Internet hotline deals with reports of potentially illegal Internet content, such as websites, newsgroups and online groups that contain images of child abuse anywhere in the world; adult material that potentially breaches the Obscene Publications Act in the UK; and criminally racist material in the UK. One measure of the success of this self-regulatory approach is that less than 2 per cent of the illegal content reported to the IWF relates to material hosted in the UK. House of Lords: Ministerial Answers Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11 February (HL Deb, col. 1100) that it would be "quite improper" for him as a Minister to answer the question put to him by a Member of the House, whether they will publish in the Official Report the criteria which permit a Minister to define a question as "quite improper" and decline to answer it. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Lord Sainsbury of Turville refused to answer the question put to him on 11 February by the noble Baroness on the grounds that he disagreed profoundly with the assumption on which it was based. If he had answered it, it would have been foolish rather than improper. Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the locations of the nearest alternative 50-metre swimming pools and 10-metre Olympic diving platforms to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The nearest alternative 50-metre swimming pools are located in Ealing, Aldershot and Norwich. The nearest alternative 10-metre Olympic diving platform is located at Southampton. Railways: Salisbury to Yeovil Line Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they consider that the existence of a single-track line with passing places on the railway between Salisbury and Yeovil is compatible with the demands of a modern railway system. Lord Davies of Oldham: South West Trains will be introducing an hourly service from Waterloo to Yeovil in December but has not found it necessary to reinstate double track west of Salisbury. The Strategic Rail Authority has agreed with local authorities that this will be followed by an assessment of the likely demand for extending the hourly service to Exeter. The study will also consider whether any infrastructure improvements would be needed to allow this to happen. Regulations: Cost to Business Viscount Goschen: asked Her Majesty's Government: What they estimate to be the cost to business of new regulations introduced in each year since 1997; and how those figures are calculated. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information required is not held in the form requested. All regulatory proposals likely to impact on business are subject to regulatory impact assessment (RIA). RIAs are published and placed in the Libraries of the House. In addition a series of Command Papers list RIAs for each six-month period, the most recent being No 5981. RIAs contain a wide range of information on the costs and benefits of each proposal.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2004-03-01a

Abortion Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of the United States regarding the possibility of the President issuing an executive order to lift the condition prohibiting abortion applied to all United States foreign aid, including humanitarian medical aid for girls and women raped in conflict. Baroness Northover: UK officials are engaged in regular working level discussions with US Government officials who work to improve access to reproductive health. This has included discussions of the conditions that govern the use of US family planning funds-including those imposed by the Helms amendment. The July 2011 Department for International Development practice paper clearly outlines the UK policy position on safe and unsafe abortion in developing countries. We are open to discussing our position with others who wish to learn more from our stance. Armed Forces: Medals Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 31 January (WA 301), what is the policy of the relevant department about the wearing of Merchant Navy Medals; and whether the relevant department will now put forward a recommendation to the Committee on the Grant of Honours and Medals to enable holders of the Merchant Navy Medal to wear it alongside United Kingdom decorations. Earl Attlee: We recognise the invaluable contribution made by merchant seamen to our national life, in times of both war and peace. Her Majesty's Government are currently considering the representations which have been made in relation to the wearing of the Merchant Navy Medal. Bahrain Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 24 January (WA 199), whether they have made representations to the Government of Bahrain about the detention of Dr Al Singace and his living conditions in Jau prison. Lord Howell of Guildford: Although we have not raised individual cases with the Bahraini authorities, we have consistently maintained that everyone, whether they took part in any political protests or not, should have access to the medical treatment they need when in custody. We have made it clear to the Government of Bahrain that the civil rights of opposition figures and the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be respected. We also expect the government to meet all its human rights obligations by ensuring its citizens can exercise the universal human rights and freedoms to which they are entitled and to which it has committed. Banking Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they or UK Financial Investments or any other Government entity is party to or a signatory of the employment contract of any director of Royal Bank of Scotland or Lloyds Banking Group. Lord Sassoon: UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI) is responsible for managing the Government's investments in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) on an arm's length and commercial basis. Neither Her Majesty's Government nor UKFI is a signatory of the employment contracts of any directors of RBS and LBG. Biological Weapons Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries they understand to be maintaining active biological weapons research programmes. Lord Howell of Guildford: Since 1991, parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) have been required to submit information on defensive and offensive biological defence research and development programmes, both current and past. Of the 165 parties to the BTWC, 69 returns were submitted in 2011, covering the year 2010. Many parties consider them to be only voluntary. Twenty-two states parties, including the UK, made them available publicly at: http://www.unog.ch/bwc/cbms. The publicly available confidence building measures show that the following states parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention declared national biological defence research programmes in 2011: Australia; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Czech Republic; Denmark; Finland; Germany; Latvia; Norway; Portugal; Romania; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; UK; and the United States. We continue to push for those countries which have not submitted returns to do so. We also actively encourage those countries which are not yet parties to adhere to the convention and to abide by these reporting requirements. Biological Weapons Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made about ensuring that the Biological Weapons Convention has an adequate compliance verification mechanism. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are keen to see a robust verification mechanism for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). However, there remain no signs that the international climate has changed enough to permit universal agreement on verification, particularly given the need to operate by consensus. The European Union (EU) Council decision 2011/429/CFSP of 18 July 2011 relating to the position of the European Union for the seventh BTWC review conference stated that the EU is willing to work towards identifying options that could achieve similar goals. The second BTWC review conference (1986) agreed to introduce confidence building measures (CBMs). The UK has submitted annually, and several states parties (including the UK and United States) now make their CBMs available publicly. While CBMs do not replace a verification mechanism they do serve to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ambiguities, doubts and suspicions. We continue to encourage all parties to the convention to report annually. Currently only 42 per cent do so. At the seventh BTWC review conference in December 2011 the UK supported amendments to the CBM forms in order to improve their quality and encourage increased participation. We also supported strengthening national implementation of the BTWC and giving greater impetus to promoting its universality-31 countries remain outside the convention. Broadcasting: Press TV Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask Ofcom to provide their reasoning for revoking the licence of the Press TV English service. Baroness Garden of Frognal: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised: During the course of an investigation into Press TV for its broadcasting an interview obtained under duress from the Newsweek and Channel 4 journalist Maziar Bahari, it became clear that the editorial control of the channel rested with Press TV International, which is based in Tehran. The Communications Act requires that a licence is held by the person who is in general control of the TV service: that is, the person who chooses which programmes are shown on the service and organises the programme schedule. In this case the wrong person held the licence (Press TV Ltd, who did not have full editorial control). Children: Parenting Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many children do not normally reside in a household which includes their father. To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many children do not normally reside in a household which includes their mother. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Roberts of Llandudno, dated February 2012. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of how many children do not normally reside in a household which includes 1. their father 2. their mother The Office for National Statistics does not routinely publish estimates of the number of children who live in a household which does not normally include (1) their birth mother or (2) their birth father. However the article "Children with a non-resident parent" published by ONS in Population Trends 140 (see www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/population-trends-rd/population-trends/no--140--summer-2010/index.html) estimated from survey data that 3.8 million dependent children in Great Britain in 2009 had one birth parent not living in the household. Information about the gender of the non-resident parent is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. HL15360 and HL15361. Croatia: EU Membership Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they support the accession of Croatia to the European Union; and, if so, (1) what assessment they have made of the fairness of the recent referendum campaign, and (2) how many Croatian nationals they estimate will take up posts in the European Union institutions following Croatian accession and what will be the United Kingdom's share of the cost of those jobs. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is a strong supporter of European Union (EU) membership for Croatia. The Government therefore welcomed the decision by the Croatian people who, on 22 January, voted to join the EU. The referendum campaign was not formally monitored by independent international electoral monitors, but we have no reason to doubt the fairness of the campaign, which was conducted in a free and open environment. It is pertinent to note that the 4 December general elections, which were monitored by the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, were judged to be transparently and professionally run, in a pluralistic environment. We now look to Croatia to demonstrate continued progress on the reform agenda so that we can welcome Croatia as a full EU member in July 2013. The UK supports the principle that nationals of all member states should hold posts within the EU institutions, and expects that the EU will actively support the recruitment of Croatian nationals after accession. We believe that this should be achieved without increasing the human resources available to the EU institutions or imposing additional costs on the EU budget. Debt Lord Roberts of Conwy: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest estimate of the totality of (1) private sector debt in the United Kingdom, and (2) public sector debt. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Roberts of Conwy, dated February 2012. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what is Her Majesty's Government's latest estimate of the totality of (1) private sector debt in the United Kingdom, and (2) public sector debt. (HL15112) Latest Data Using the latest data published by ONS on 22 December 2011, for the third quarter of 2011, please find below the information you have requested with further detail regarding how the sectors have been grouped and the specific data items we have used. Public and Private Sector Debt UK. 3 Quarter 2011 £ billions Public sector total financial liabilities 1,650 Private sector total financial liabilities 28,063 Source: ONS, UKEA 3rd Quarter 2011 Further detail The above figures are the aggregated total financial sector liabilities as published in the sector financial balance sheets of the United Kingdom Economic Accounts (UKEA). These liabilities do not make any allowance for the financial and non-financial assets held by each sector. For the purposes of this question, we have defined the sectors as follows Private sector private non-financial corporations; financial corporations; and household and non-profit institutions serving households. Public sector public corporations; local government; and central government. The total financial liabilities supplied are valued at current market prices (ie not adjusted for price inflation) and are unconsolidated. Alternative public sector net debt measure For the public sector there is an alternative definition of debt, which is the standard measure of public debt used in the UK to monitor (and forecast) the Government's fiscal position. This measure is known as the public sector net debt and the latest estimates are published in the monthly Public Sector Finances statistical bulletin jointly published by ONS and HM Treasury (at http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index. html?nscl=Public+Sector+Finance). Public sector net debt is defined as the total financial liabilities of the public sector minus the liquid assets, and is valued at nominal prices rather than market prices. All data are consolidated across the public sector, ie all intra public sector asset/liability holdings are removed. On this basis, public sector net debt was: £1,004 billion at the end of December 2011, excluding public sector banking groups and the temporary effects of Government financial interventions; and£2,330 billion at the end of December 2011, including public sector banking groups and the temporary effects of Government financial interventions. The public sector banking groups referred to above are Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Lloyds Banking Group plc, Northern Rock Asset Management and Bradford and Bingley. Within the United Kingdom Economic Accounts figures, these banking groups are all recorded under financial corporations and so are within the private sector. Education: Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the equality impact assessment with regard to the ending of the two specialist consultancy services provided to the Department for Education by Arthur Ivatts OBE and Margaret Wood, on the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children. Lord Hill of Oareford: The Department for Education advocates the use of equality impact assessments when developing new policies or making significant changes to existing ones, but would not routinely use them when ending consultancy contracts. No formal equality impact assessments were drawn up with regard to ending the contracts of Arthur Ivatts OBE and Margaret Wood 21 days earlier than originally planned. The department is very grateful to Arthur Ivatts and Margaret Wood for the support which they have provided on the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils. The department continues to seek their advice on an informal basis, through its regular meetings with the Advisory Council on the Education of Romany and Other Travellers and through the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller education stakeholder group. Egypt Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports from Egypt of attacks on Copts and their homes in the village of Kobry-el-Sharbat (el-Ameriya), Alexandria. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of reports that Coptic homes were looted and burned in the village of Kobry-el-Sharbat. Ministers have regularly raised our concerns with the Egyptian authorities about the dangers of extremism and sectarianism in Egypt. We continue to press the authorities to promote religious tolerance, revisit policies which discriminate against anyone on the basis of their religion, and enshrine respect for human rights in the Constitution, including guarantees for minority rights. Embryology Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the current commissioning arrangements for in vitro fertilisation treatment funded by the National Health Service. Earl Howe: The Government are supporting Infertility Network UK, the leading infertility support group, to undertake a primary care trusts liaison project. The purpose of this three-year project is to gauge the extent to which commissioners are following the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility guideline and sharing good practice in their treatment of people with fertility problems. A final report from the project is due later this year. Embryology Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the proposed reforms of the National Health Service, what plans they have for the future commissioning of in vitro fertilisation treatment funded by the National Health Service. Earl Howe: The Government are considering the future commissioning arrangements for infertility services, including in vitro fertilisation treatment. No final decisions have been taken at this stage. Energy: Energy Company Obligation Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number and percentage of low income and vulnerable households living in fuel poverty that will benefit from the Energy Company Obligation. Lord Marland: The Government's recent consultation on the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) set out proposals for the size and design of ECO, and was accompanied by a draft impact assessment. This estimated that, assuming continuation of ECO to the end of 2022, there would be a reduction in the number of households in fuel poverty of between 350,000 and 550,000, compared to the number of households who could have been in fuel poverty at the end of 2022 without ECO. Many more households could stand to benefit from an alleviation of the extent to which they are in fuel poverty through the Green Deal and ECO. We are currently considering the consultation responses, and will publish a formal response in due course, accompanied by a revised and updated impact assessment. Energy: Energy Company Obligation Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number and percentage of hard-to-treat homes in terms of energy efficiency that will benefit from the Energy Company Obligation; and what other source of funding will be available for hard-to-treat homes. Lord Marland: Many hard-to-treat homes have solid walls, and as part of our recent consultation we have proposed that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) carbon target should have a particular focus on solid wall insulation. The impact assessment published alongside the consultation provided estimates of the number of properties that might be treated on this basis. The consultation also asked whether other expensive measures that are appropriate for hard-to-treat properties, such as insulation of hard-to-treat cavities, should be included under the ECO. We are currently considering responses to the consultation, which closed on 18 January, and the Government will be publishing their formal response in due course. This will be accompanied by an updated impact assessment. Energy: Oil and Coal Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the amount of energy that will be derived from oil in the United Kingdom by 2025 and 2050. To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the amount of energy that will be derived from coal in the United Kingdom by 2025 and 2050. Lord Marland: As part of its annual emissions and energy projections DECC publishes different scenarios for energy consumption to 2030. The assumptions are described in detail in DECC's Updated Energy and Emissions Projections 2011 publication available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_projs/en_emis_projs/en_emis_projs.aspx. Table 1 contains the projected primary demand for oil and coal in 2025. Table 1: Projections of primary energy demand1 by fuel in the UK, 2025 (TWh) Coal 189 Oil 918 1 Includes all fuel used for transformation into other forms of energy (eg electricity, heat or transportation). This is energy before conversion losses. Source:Updated Energy and Emissions Projections 2011, October 2011, Annex H However these estimates do not include additional policies to meet the 4th carbon budget (2023-27) as set out in The Carbon Plan published on 1 December 2011. The Carbon Plan published on 1 December 2011 sets out four plausible pathways towards 2050. Details of these pathways are set out in Annex A of the Carbon Plan: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/emissions/carbon_budgets/carbon_budgets.aspx. These were produced using the 2050 pathways calculator tool, which supports users in exploring these and other pathways in great detail. It is available at: http://2050-calculator-tool.decc.gov.uk/. The range of primary energy demand from coal and oil under these four pathways is shown in Table 2 below. Table 2: Primary energy1 demand by fuel in the UK, 2050 (TWh) Coal 0 to 198 Oil 225 to 476 1 Includes all fuel used for transformation into other forms of energy (eg electricity, heat or transportation). This is energy before conversion losses. Source: 2050 Calculator (December 2011) Export Control Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, since May 2010, what licences have been awarded for the export of military equipment; to which companies, and for which country; and, in each case, whether conditions have been imposed to ensure that the equipment is not used against demonstrators. Baroness Wilcox: The Government publishes information on export licences in the annual and quarterly reports on strategic export controls. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including overall value, type (eg military, other) and a summary note of the items covered by these licences. They are available to view on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website at https://www. exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk. As an export licence is required to export arms and other military equipment from the United Kingdom, details about what items were licensed for export to all destinations will be contained within these reports. However, the fact that a licence has been issued does not mean that an export has necessarily taken place. These reports do not contain names of applicants or details of whether specific conditions have been imposed. Disclosure of the names of companies would not be in the public interest because this information is provided in confidence to the Government along with other details (such as names of end-users and third parties) which are not published in the reports. The release of information would prejudice commercial interests and would reveal information that has been provided to the Government in confidence. Lastly, all export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria taking account of all prevailing circumstances at the time of application. A licence will not be issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the criteria or other relevant announced commitments. In particular, criterion two concerns the "respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of destination", and states that the Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression. If the situation in a country changes or new information comes to light that causes us to have concerns, we can and do revoke export licences where we consider that the proposed export would, in the light of the changing situation, contravene the criteria. Government Departments: Accountancy Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many written instructions have been provided by Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to the Accounting Officer for the Department in accordance with paragraph 5.5 of the Ministerial Code in the past two years; and for what reasons. Baroness Wilcox: No Minister in the coalition Government has made a direction, under the provisions of paragraph 5.5 of the Ministerial Code, to the Accounting Officer for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Government Departments: Records Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the titles of any Government files in the National Archives at Kew dealing with the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland dating from the period before 1960 that remain fully or partially closed. Lord McNally: There are over 11 million entries on the National Archives' catalogue and there is a very wide variety of search terms which may identify records dealing with the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland pre-1960. Records dealing with the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland are not always readily identified as such in historical catalogue descriptions. Therefore it is not possible to provide a definitive list of file titles. Results for various search terms can be viewed by searching the publicly available catalogue at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. A search on the catalogue for records containing "Ireland" in the title or catalogue description returns a result of 34,849 records; 429 of these are closed or partially closed and pre-1960. The titles of these records can be viewed by searching for "Ireland AND closed" at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk and restricting the search by date. Closed files are clearly marked on the catalogue and anyone can request that a closed file be opened under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Government Departments: Restructuring Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on restructuring the department in each month since May 2010; how it was restructured; what discussions they had with trade unions and others; and how much they expect to spend on restructuring the department in each of the next 12 months. Baroness Wilcox: In response to the need to work sustainably within a reduced budget BIS has delivered a change programme. As part of this programme the department undertook a restructure which involved: reorganising groups and teams; reducing the layers of management from up to 10 to six; and undertaking a fair and transparent process to select staff to match the reduced total number of posts. There was regular and open communication with staff and the trade unions were fully consulted. The programme has resulted in staff departures: a voluntary exit scheme in 2010-11 under which 330 staff left on voluntary terms; and a redundancy scheme in 2011-12 under which 240 staff left on voluntary terms and up to 18 staff are expected to leave on compulsory terms. The total cost of the staff departures already completed or anticipated over the next 12 months is £43,071,280. The department is continuing to take further action to deliver greater efficiency, but associated implementation costs have yet to be finalised. Government Departments: Running Costs Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost of running the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in each of the past three years. Baroness Wilcox: In each of the past three financial years the department has reported, via publication of its resource accounts, that the administration costs of the core department have been as follows: Financial Year Staff Costs Other Administration Costs Operating Income Net Overall Cost 2010-11 £177,860k £131,770k £18,967k £290,663k 2009-10 £192,091k £179,302k £31,353k £340,040k 2008-09 £183,702k £139,435k £29,436k £293,701k Government Departments: Staff Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants employed by HM Treasury and each of its agencies were (1) prosecuted, and (2) convicted of a criminal offence, and how many were as a result (a) suspended, and (b) dismissed, from their post in each of the past five years, broken down by age, sex and directorate. Lord Sassoon: No civil servant employed by HM Treasury or any of its agencies has been prosecuted or convicted of a criminal offence. None was suspended or dismissed as a result of being either prosecuted or convicted of a criminal offence in the past five years. Government Departments: Staff Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants employed by HM Revenue and Customs and each of its agencies were (1) prosecuted, and (2) convicted of a criminal offence, and how many were as a result (a) suspended, and (b) dismissed, from their post in each of the past five years, broken down by age, sex and directorate. Lord Sassoon: The information requested has been deposited in the Library of the House. Government Departments: Staff Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) administrative assistants, (2) administrative officers, (3) executive officers, (4) higher executive officers, (5) senior executive officers, (6) grade 7, and (7) Senior Civil Servants, are currently employed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS); how this compares with the numbers employed by BIS and its predecessor departments in (a) 2005, (b) 2008, (c) 2009, and (d) May 2010; and what estimate they have of what the numbers will be for each of the next two years. Baroness Wilcox: The table below shows a grade breakdown of staff in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in each of the years from 2009-12 and projections for 2013 and 2014. Dec 2009 May 2010 Jan 2012 2013* 2014* AA 29 44 34 263 258 AO 329 317 248 EO 537 537 449 419 410 HEO 913 910 777 1120 1097 SEO 410 411 374 Grade 7 793 789 659 952 924 Grade 6 372 366 306 SCS 256 233 208 203 198 Unknown** 109 Total 3748 3607 3055 2957 2887 * Staffing projections merge some grade categories ** Unknown consists of staff out of the department (but paid by BIS), some UKTI staff, and a significant number of former DIUS staff who were out at the creation of BIS, and did not have a grade entered on the system. The data required for BIS's predecessor departments in 2005 and 2008 are held in several different sources and to gather this information would on this occasion entail a disproportionate cost. Government Departments: Stationery Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on stationery since May 2010; and how much they expect to spend in each of the next 12 months. Baroness Wilcox: From May 2010 to December 2011 (inclusive) the department has spent £458,833 on stationery. The forecasts for each of the next 12 months are not available but future departmental expenditure on all administration costs is subject to business need and is closely monitored as part of the department's 2010 spending review target to deliver a 25 per cent real-terms reduction in our budgets by 2014-15. Government Departments: Transparency Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional data they have published as part of their open public services commitment since the formation of the coalition Government. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: As part of the open public services and transparency commitment a large number of datasets have been published to date. A list of these has been placed in the Library of the House. List of Transparency Publications since May 2010 Some of the original commitments have been amalgamated to produce one return. Publication Frequency/commenced Publish a detailed organigram for all central government departments (as classified by ONS) to include salary, name and post details for SCS 2 or equivalent and above. 6 monthly/October 2010 Total salary detail for all SCS earning over £150,000 per annum. Total salary includes base pay and additional allowances paid Annually/June 2010 Publish detailed spend data for all transactions over £25,000 for all central government departments (as classified by ONS) and for core government departments to include plain English descriptions where necessary Monthly in arrears/November 2010 - backdated to April 2010 Detailed spend data on all transactions over £500 for all local authorities Monthly in arrears/ November 2010 Historic COINS data from HMT database on spend across government Published quarterly/August 2010 All central government ICT contracts published online; all documentation for tenders over £10,000 to be published; and all contracts issued by central government departments to be published in full All published via Contract Finder as they go live or are awarded/January 2011 Street level crime data maps and data Updated monthly in arrears/January 2011 Full information on all DFID international development projects over £500 to be published online, including financial and project documentation Updated monthly in arrears/January 2011 All local government tender and contract documents published in full Full rollout not complete but some local authorities are publishing/January 2011 Detail of all GPC transactions over £500 for core government departments Currently moving to monthly in arrears publication/October 2011 Create a new "right to data" so that government-held datasets can be requested and used by the public and then published on a regular basis Can be requested though Departments and data.gov.uk Data published by public bodies is published in an open and standardised format, so that it can be used easily and with minimal cost by third parties All data being published in open format. DoH to publish data on comparative clinical outcomes of GP practices in England to be published by Dec 2011 following the lead of the NHS in London which has agreed a set of 22 indicators with GPs Dec 2011 DoH to publish complaints data by NHS hospital so that patients can see what issues have affected others and take better decisions about which hospital suits them. Published in October 2011 DfE to publish data enabling parents to see how effective their school is teaching high, average and low attaining pupils across a range of subjects from Jan 2012 Jan 2012 DfE to bring together, for the first time, school spending data, school performance data, pupil cohort data and Ofsted judgments from Jan 2012 in a parent-friendly portal, searchable by postcode Jan 2012 DfE to publish data on attainment of students eligible for pupil premium to be published from Jan 2012 Jan 2012 Open up Whitehall recruitment by publishing central Government job vacancies online New CS recruitment database launched in October 2011 Publish an annual statement to Parliament setting out numbers, names and pay bands of special advisers, the appointing Minister and the overall pay bill - WMS to include salary of those earning over £58,200 Last published centrally by CO in July 2011 Statement covering Ministers' interests published twice yearly Published by CO Publish at least quarterly details of gifts received and given by Ministers valued at more than £140 Published by Depts quarterly in arrears Publish at least quarterly details of hospitality received by Ministers in a ministerial capacity Published by Depts quarterly in arrears Publish at least quarterly details of Ministers' external meetings Published by Depts quarterly in arrears Publish at least quarterly details of all overseas travel by Ministers Published by Depts quarterly in arrears Cost of operating Dept (including procurement, employment cost and property) overtime and against projected cost Published as part of Quarterly Departmental Statistics Cost of corporate services (including human resources, finance, information and communications technology, communications, procurement) as a percentage cost of operating the department Published as part of Quarterly Departmental Statistics Property cost per square metre and per employee Published as part of Quarterly Departmental Statistics Cost of standard desktop computer per employee and number of electronic devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones, etc.) per employee Published as part of Quarterly Departmental Statistics Value of major areas of spending (office products, travel, etc) Published as part of Quarterly Departmental Statistics News 28 Oct 2010 - publish details of hospitality and gifts received by special advisors and quarterly publish list of special advisers in post and salaries of those paid over £58,200 Published quarterly in arrears by Depts MCO announcement - details of Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) benchmarks to be published online Published in December 2010 MCO announcement - details of Exceptions to moratoria on: consultancy; marketing; recruitment; IT contracts to be published on-line Published in Dec 2010 GO'D letter to Tony Wright June 2009 - Publication of business expenses incurred by the most senior officials in depts - DG and above and non-exec members of departmental boards. Itemised breakdown of travel, hotel and other costs including hospitality given Publication quarterly in arrears by Depts Detail of all non-consolidated payments made to SCS in 2011 Published October 2011 ePimms data on Government estate data published Published October 2011 Sentencing data by court will be published by November 2011, enabling the public to see exactly what sentences are being handed down in their local courts, and compare different courts on a wide range of measures. The data, anonymised, will include the age, gender and ethnicity of those sentenced, the sentence given, and the time taken at each stage from offence to completion of the case in court November 2011 From May 2012, the national crime mapping website, police.uk, will provide the public with information on what happens next for crime occurring on their streets, i.e. police action and justice outcomes. May 2012 Data on performance of probation services and prisons including reoffending rates by offender and institution, to be published from October 2011 October 2011 Data on current and future roadworks on the strategic road network will be published from October 2011, and subject to consultation extended during 2012 to local authority streetworks registers maintained under statute Published October 2011 All remaining government-owned free datasets from Transport Direct, including cycle route data and the national car park database to be made available for free reuse from October 2011 Published during October 2011 Real time data on the Strategic Road Network including incidents, speeds and congestion to be published Published Dec 2011 Rail timetable information to be published weekly by National Rail from December 2011. Dec 2012 Guantanamo Bay Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 25 January (WA 239), why discussions with the Government of the United States concerning the release of Mr Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo Bay have taken over four years; when they expect him to be released; and whether they expect compensation issues to arise. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government remain committed to seeking the release of Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo Bay and regularly raise the issue at senior official and ministerial level with the United States (US) authorities. We will continue to do so, but ultimately the decision to release Shaker Aamer is one for the US authorities to take. The Government will not speculate when he might be released, and are not in a position to discuss possible compensation issues at this stage. Health: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will examine the effect which the Department for International Development spending freeze is having on the Global Fund's efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Baroness Northover: There is no spending freeze on UK contributions to the Global Fund to tight AIDS, TB and malaria. On the contrary, in November 2011, the Department for International Development was able to bring forward part of the UK's existing pledge to the fund (of up to £1 billion from 2008-15) in order to make sure that all round-10 grants could be signed. For the fund's last replenishment period (2008-10) the UK accounted for 6.6 per cent of all donor contributions. In 2011 the UK accounted for 16.4 per cent of all contributions. Health: Tropical Diseases Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what funding will be made available to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to support their efforts to eliminate elephantiasis; whether they see the eradication of neglected tropical diseases of this kind as central to the strategy of alleviating world poverty; and whether they consider the elimination of elephantiasis by 2020 to be an achievable target. Baroness Northover: Neglected tropical diseases affect the poorest and hardest-to-reach people. People affected by these diseases are less economically active and often unable to look after their families, causing a cycle of poverty from which it is hard to escape. The UK has supported the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine since 1998 and will continue to do so, through their global programme to eliminate elephantiasis, together with GlaxoSmithKline. The elimination of elephantiasis is an ambitious goal that is only achievable if all those involved step up their efforts in tackling this disease. At the meeting held in London on 30 January 2012, "Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases", the UK challenged the World Health Organisation, the partner countries and organisations to deliver on this ambition. India Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the debate on international development policy on 1 December 2011, what initiatives they have taken in connection with the Secretary of State for International Development's recent visit to India concerning the Dalit communities there, particularly with a view to ensuring that Dalit girls enter and remain in education. Baroness Northover: We are pressing ahead with the design of a stipend scheme benefiting over 200,000 tribal and Dalit girls in Orissa, conditional on their enrolment and regular attendance at secondary school. In addition we will continue to support free schooling and residential hostels for some of the poorest Dalit, tribal and Muslim girls across India as part of our contribution to the Indian Government's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (basic education) and Mahila Samakhiva (women's empowerment scheme) programmes. Institutional Investors: Voting Records Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government in what circumstances they would require institutional investors to publish details on how they vote at public shareholder meetings as permitted under Section 1277 of the Companies Act 2006. Baroness Wilcox: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 21 November 2011 (Official Report, col. WA 195). We do not currently plan to bring this section into force. Section 1277 of the Companies Act 2006 provides a power to require the disclosure of information about the exercise of voting rights by, among others, institutional investors. The Financial Reporting Council's stewardship code requires institutional investors to disclose their voting records on a comply or explain basis. Iran Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any restrictions on the reception of the BBC Persian service in Iran. Lord Howell of Guildford: There continues to be regular interference with the broadcasting signals of the BBC's Persian service and other Persian language satellite broadcasters. Satellite operators have traced this interference to Iranian territory. In October 2011, the Foreign Secretary, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and European Union Foreign Ministers called on the Iranian authorities to lift all restrictions on communications, whether broadcast or online, and to put an immediate end to the jamming of satellite broadcasting. We will continue to urge the Iranian authorities to stop all interference with satellite broadcasts emanating from their territory, and will push for the issue of illegal interference with satellite broadcasts to be addressed at the World Radiocommunications Conference, being held in Geneva this month. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel about the alleged beating of the co-director of the Beit Arabiya Peace Centre; and about the arrest of Mr Abul Jabbar Fuqaha from his home in Ramallah on or before 25 January. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of reports on the incidents mentioned by the noble Lord. The UK, along with European Union (EU) partners, regularly raises our concerns with the Israeli Government about the application of due process, the treatment of Palestinian detainees and disproportionate force used by the Israeli security forces. On the arrest of Palestinian legislators, we have instructed our embassy in Tel Aviv to raise the issue with the Israeli authorities. They have discussed it with the Israeli police. Mr Abdul Jabbar Fuqaha is the fifth Hamas lawmaker to be arrested during January 2012. Together with our EU partners, we are considering what further action might be taken. We have not raised the specific issue of the Beit Arabiya Peace Centre with the Israeli authorities. Officials at our embassy in Tel Aviv are monitoring the situation closely. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel about reports of Israeli settlers having broken into Joseph's Tomb, near Nablus, under protection by Israeli soldiers. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of sensitivities over access to Joseph's Tomb in Balata village, east of Nablus. The Israeli army provides regular escorted visits for Israeli settlers to the religious site, co-ordinated with Palestinian Authority security forces. According to our officials at the British consulate-general in Jerusalem, there have been no reports of Israeli settlers breaking into Joseph's Tomb under protection of Israeli soldiers. On 27 January, the Palestinian Authority security forces detained five settlers who tried to enter Joseph's Tomb without co-ordination. We have not made any representations to the Israeli authorities on this issue. Israel and Palestine Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they and the Quartet will discuss with the Government of Israel the conditions in which Palestinian child detainees are held. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK remains concerned about the treatment of child detainees in Israel. We regularly discuss these concerns with the Israeli authorities. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), most recently raised the issue of child detainees with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon on 18 January as well as with the Israeli ambassador to London. We welcomed the decision of 4 October 2011 by the Israeli Government to raise the age of legal majority for Palestinian children in the Israeli military justice system. When fully implemented, this will be an important step towards protecting children's rights in the West Bank. We continue to lobby for further improvements, including a reduction in the number of arrests that occur at night and the introduction of audio-visual recording of interrogations. The UK has also funded a number of projects aimed at improving the impact of the conflict on Palestinian children, including those in detention. Officials at our embassy in Tel Aviv continue to discuss the treatment of child prisoners with the Israeli Government. Local Healthwatch Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the costs arising from requiring local authorities to put out to competitive tender contracts to run local healthwatch organisations. Earl Howe: Local authorities are not required to go out to competitive tender for the contract for local healthwatch organisations. Competitive tender is one of the options available to them. Any cost arising from whichever option is chosen will be the responsibility of each local authority to establish. £3.2 million is being provided to local authorities in 2012-13 to help with the start-up costs for local healthwatch. Mongolia Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the long-term prospects for bilateral relations with Mongolia; and whether the Prime Minister has plans to receive the Mongolian Prime Minister in April 2012. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK enjoys very good relations with Mongolia. Our officials speak regularly on global issues and our Armed Forces are both operating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. The UK also has significant commercial interests in Mongolia and we hope to expand these further in the coming years. We receive each other officially at a high level. In May 2011, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) visited Ulaanbaatar. Whilst there, he met the Deputy Prime Minister, the Education Minister and the State Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade. In the opposite direction, the Mongolian President visited the UK in October where he met the Prime Minister, my right honourable friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), in Downing Street. The Government are aware that Prime Minister Batbold wishes to visit the UK this year. We have not yet received final confirmation of this, but we are actively working with the Mongolian Government on developing the planned visit. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence quality standards are currently in development for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and motor neurone disease; and, if so, when these will be completed. Earl Howe: We expect to publish details of the quality standard topics being referred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), following the engagement exercise, shortly. A copy of the referral letter to NICE will be placed in the Library when it is sent. National Minimum Wage Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they continue to support the national minimum wage. Baroness Wilcox: Yes. As stated in the coalition programme for government, we support the national minimum wage because of the protection it gives low paid workers and the incentives to work it provides. NHS: Foreign Nationals Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to implement a requirement for up-front payments by foreign nationals before treatment in the National Health Service except in the case of emergencies incurred in the United Kingdom, in the light of reports that foreign nationals are failing to pay for treatments carried out by the National Health Service. Earl Howe: Entitlement to free National Health Service hospital treatment is based on ordinary residence in the United Kingdom (lawful, properly settled residence), or exemption from charge under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011. These regulations place a legal obligation on NHS hospitals to identify overseas visitors that are not exempt from charge and to make and recover charges from them. Guidance to the NHS makes clear that the full cost of non-urgent treatment should be recovered in advance from patients who are neither ordinarily resident in the UK nor exempt. The guidance is also clear that immediately necessary and urgent treatment must be provided even if payment has not been received in advance. Ports Lord Fearn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what tonnage of shipping passed through the port of Liverpool, in or out, during the six months ended 31 December 2011. Earl Attlee: Official statistics on the tonnage of shipping passing through UK ports in 2011 are planned for release in September 2012 at http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics. Equivalent statistics for 2010 are planned for release in March 2012, when improvements to the data collation process are completed. Previously this statistic was only compiled on request. The latest official statistics on the weight of goods unloaded or loaded at the port of Liverpool show 12.7 million tonnes of inward and 4.0 million tonnes of outward freight handled in the six months up to 30 September 2011. These statistics were published on the Department for Transport website within tables port0504 and port0505 of the statistical release Port Freight Statistics Quarter 3 2011 (http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/port-freight-statistics-quarter-3-2011/). Provisional statistics up to 31 December 2011 will be published on 8 March 2012 at: http://www.dft. gov.uk/statistics. Prisoners: Voting Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 20 December 2011 (WA 372), which Council of Europe member countries (1) currently prohibit convicted prisoners from voting, and (2) permit certain categories of prisoners to vote; and for which member countries they have no information. Lord Howell of Guildford: I will deposit in the Library of the House an updated version of the document which I deposited in response to the noble Lord's previous Question for Written Answer on 21 March 2011 (Official Report, col. WA 123). Public Bodies Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many appointments to public bodies have been made since formation of the coalition Government. To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of appointees to public bodies still in existence who have come to the end of their term since the formation of the coalition Government and sought reappointment have been so reappointed. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Cabinet Office does not record centrally the number of public appointments made. Statistics on the number of appointments made by year and the number of these which are reappointments are recorded by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for those bodies within his remit. The commissioner's annual reports are published online and the latest information will be available in the report expected to be published in early autumn 2012. Neither the Commissioner for Public Appointments nor the Cabinet Office record the number of reappointments sought, only the number which are made. Publishing: Licensing Lord Walton of Detchant: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in their review of copyright law they propose to abolish licensing arrangements for published works in the education sector. Baroness Wilcox: There are no proposals to abolish licensing arrangements for published works in the education sector in the Government's copyright consultation. The consultation was published on 14 December 2011 and copies are available in the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament. Questions for Written Answer Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they provide to government departments on the requirement to answer Questions for Written Answer tabled in the House of Lords within 10 working days; and whether they will place a copy of this guidance in the Library of the House. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Government's guidance on answering Parliamentary Questions, both for the House of Lords and the House of Commons is set out in Cabinet Office guidance which can be found at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/guidance-drafting-answers-parliamentary-questions and the Guide to Parliamentary Work, which can be found at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/guide-parliamentary-work. Both make clear that departments should aim to answer Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords within 10 working days. Republic of Macedonia Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees about the commitment by the Republic of Macedonia of social housing and financial assistance for temporary housing for Kosovo Roma refugees. Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Skopje is a close partner of UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and other United Nations agencies within Macedonia. Our embassy has not made any formal representations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the Macedonian Government's commitment to provide social housing and financial assistance for temporary housing for Kosovo Roma refugees. Nor have we made any formal representations to the Macedonian Government regarding specific aspects of support for Kosovo Roma refugees. The UNHCR in Macedonia is fully cognisant of the need to continue to work with the Macedonian Government towards achieving durable solutions for Kosovar refugees through voluntary return and local integration, in accordance with the Macedonian Government's strategy. The European Union (EU) is also playing a role. As an EU candidate country, Macedonia is subject to annual monitoring by the European Commission to ensure that it meets the standards required for EU membership, including their compliance with EU acquis and international standards in the area of respect for and protection of minorities. The October 2011 European Commission progress report on Macedonia noted that in June 2011, there were 1,554 refugees and internally displaced persons in Macedonia, of whom the majority were Roma from Kosovo. From this, only 24 were recognised refugees and a long-term solution for the remainder was required. The EU progress report noted that the Macedonian Government had provided some financial assistance to Roma refugees from Kosovo. Republic of Macedonia Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia about support and housing for Kosovo Roma refugees. Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Skopje is a close partner of UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and other United Nations (UN) agencies within Macedonia. Our embassy has not made any formal representations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the Macedonian Government's commitment to provide social housing and financial assistance for temporary housing for Kosovo Roma refugees. Nor have we made any formal representations to the Macedonian Government regarding specific aspects of support for Kosovo Roma refugees. The UNHCR in Macedonia is fully cognisant of the need to continue to work with the Macedonian Government towards achieving durable solutions for Kosovar refugees through voluntary return and local integration, in accordance with the Macedonian Government's strategy. The European Union (EU) is also playing a role. As an EU candidate country, Macedonia is subject to annual monitoring by the European Commission to ensure that it meets the standards required for EU membership, including their compliance with EU acquis and international standards in the area of respect for and protection of minorities. The October 2011 European Commission progress report noted that in June 2011, there were 1,554 refugees and internally displaced persons in Macedonia, of whom the majority were Roma from Kosovo. From this, only 24 were recognised refugees and a long-term solution for the remainder was required. The EU progress report noted that Macedonian Government had provided some financial assistance to Roma refugees from Kosovo. Republic of Macedonia Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia regarding the provision of education and post-traumatic stress disorder counselling for the children of Kosovo refugees, so that those who have been accepted for residence can integrate. Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Skopje is a close partner of UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and other United Nations agencies within Macedonia. Our embassy in Skopje has not made any formal representations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the Macedonian Government's commitment to provide social housing and financial assistance for temporary housing for Kosovo Roma refugees. Nor have we made any formal representations to the Macedonian Government regarding specific aspects of support for Kosovo Roma refugees. The UNHCR in Macedonia is fully cognisant of the need to continue to work with the Macedonian Government towards achieving durable solutions for Kosovar refugees through voluntary return and local integration, in accordance with the Macedonian Government's strategy. The European Union is also playing a role. As an EU candidate country, Macedonia is subject to annual monitoring by the European Commission to ensure that it meets the standards required for EU membership, including their compliance with EU acquis and international standards in the area of respect for and protection of minorities. The October 2011 European Commission progress report noted that in June 2011, there were 1,554 refugees and internally displaced persons in Macedonia, of whom the majority were Roma from Kosovo. From this, only 24 were recognised refugees and a long term solution for the remainder was required. The EU progress report noted that Macedonian Government had provided some financial assistance to Roma refugees from Kosovo. Schools: Grammar Schools Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in relation to grammar school expansion, there is a limit as to where an annex to a grammar school can be situated; and, if not, whether they envisage a chain of grammar schools throughout the country, similar to the chains of academies. Lord Hill of Oareford: Section 39 EIA 2006 and s104 SSFA effectively mean there can be no new maintained schools with selective admission arrangements and we have not proposed any changes to that legislation. The Academies Act 2010 only provides for existing grammar schools to convert to academy status and does not allow any new selective academies to be established. It is possible for an existing maintained grammar school or academy with selective arrangements to expand the number of places they offer, including by extending onto another site; split site schools are not a new concept. There are, however, limitations on expansion. It would have to be a continuation of the existing school. Shipping: Ship-to-ship Transfers Lord Condon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the operation of ship-to-ship transfer of oil off the coast of Southwold, Suffolk, following their decision last year to allow such transfers. Earl Attlee: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) continues to review the adequacy of the present arrangements for ship-to-ship transfers off the coast of Southwold, Suffolk, and to monitor the safe conduct of operations in this area. All STS operations, including those off the coast of Southwold, are supported by a tier 1 counter pollution response level, namely the provision of on-site local resources. All STS vessels are subject to an MCA vetting procedure; this is in addition to the very strict owner/operator/charterers vetting arrangements. If necessary, MCA surveyors will board a vessel involved in an STS operation to carry out a port state control inspection. Sport: Membership Subscriptions Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what protections will be put in place to protect consumers from being locked into long-term contracts, which cannot be cancelled, with private gyms. Baroness Wilcox: Existing law (the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008) provides protections for consumers in this area. In 2011 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) secured an order from the High Court against Ashbourne Management Services to stop it using unfair terms, including those that imposed a minimum membership term on consumers with insufficient cancellation rights, and those which imposed minimum terms of more than 12 months. On 31 January 2012 the OFT announced it was investigating all of the major gym companies for similar issues. Taxation Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would be able to veto the introduction of a financial transaction tax based on the residence principle in respect of trades executed in London. Lord Sassoon: Agreement to introduce an EU-wide financial transaction tax would require unanimity in the Council of Ministers, giving the UK Government a veto over any such proposal. Therefore, such a tax cannot be imposed on the UK without the UK's agreement. Member states, including the UK, can already introduce their own national taxes based on the residence principle, provided that these do not undermine the single market. Transport: Public Address Announcements Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have issued any guidance about ensuring that public address announcements on trains and buses can be clearly understood. Earl Attlee: Following the introduction of rail vehicle accessibility regulations in 1998, the Government issued guidance on how the audio-visual information mandated by those regulations should be provided. This is available on the Department for Transport's website at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100406155128/http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/rail/vehicles/pubs/rva/rvareg1998/. A guide to good practice for bus passenger technology providers was developed by The Real Time Information Group with the support of the Department for Transport. The guide is published at: http://www.rtig.org.uk/web/Portals/0/RTIG-PR003-D002-1.5%20RTI%20and%20disabled%20travellers.pdf. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, has encouraged train companies to ensure messages are clear, but also not excessive. Unemployment Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 25 January (WA 251-2), whether the Eurostat definition of unemployment for full-time students during term-time is the same as the 1982 International Labour Organisation definition, of being workless, currently available and seeking work, which they use in the United Kingdom Labour Force surveys; and, if not, whether they will seek to harmonise the two; and whether the United States follows the practice of defining such students as unemployed. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Laird, dated February 2012 As Director General of the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 25 January (WA 251-2), whether the Eurostat definition of unemployment for full-time students during term-time is the same as the 1982 International Labour Organisation definition, of being workless, currently available and seeking work, which they use in the United Kingdom Labour Force surveys; and, if not, whether they will seek to harmonise the two; and whether the United States follows the practice of defining such students as unemployed. [CO] HL15367 I can confirm that the definition of unemployment used by Eurostat when publishing statistics derived from the Labour Force Surveys of EU member states is consistent with that prescribed by the International Labor Organisation (ILO) in 1982. The definition applies to all categories of people surveyed, regardless of their main economic activity, and at all times of the year. There are, however. some small differences in survey coverage among member states. In particular, the UK statistics relate to people aged 16 and over whereas those for most other EU member states also include those aged 15. The Eurostat unemployment statistics are therefore harmonised in all aspects apart from the age group covered. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes estimates of employment and unemployment every month derived from its Current Population Survey. These estimates are all consistent with the ILO definition and so students are defined as unemployed in the same way as in EU countries. The tables published by the BLS include estimates of unemployment for people aged 16 to 24 who are enrolled in school or college. Weapons of Mass Destruction Lord Harris of Haringey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they have made to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540; and what steps they are taking to encourage other nations to respond to Resolution 1540. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK strongly supports UNSCR 1540 (United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540). We were active in negotiating the renewal of the mandate in April 2011 and have provided the UNSCR 1540 Committee with a number of status reports in line with, and beyond, the resolution's reporting obligations. UK reporting has been corroborated by the UNSCR 1540 Committee experts and is published on the 1540 website. Activity to encourage UNSCR 1540 reporting and implementation undertaken through international initiatives on non-proliferation, the European Union, and the G8, is supported by the UK. The cross-government global threat reduction programme undertakes work in a number of countries to reduce the risk of proliferation by improving physical security measures. Legislative assistance and awareness raising activities funded through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's strategic programme fund contribute to the implementation of the resolution.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2012-02-07a

Lord Davies of Oldham: The total number of fixed penalty notices issued by government departments, agencies and contractors together with the total amount of fines and charges raised for the past 12 months could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2006-06-08a

International Criminal Court Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ask members of the European Union and the Commonwealth who have not yet done so to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court. Baroness Amos: Yes. Only three members of the EU, Ireland, Portugal and Greece, have yet to ratify the statute. We are confident that they will do so soon in line with the commitments agreed in the EU Common Position on the International Criminal Court in June 2001. Fourteen Commonwealth countries have ratified to date. We shall continue our policy of lobbying the remainder at every opportunity. Diplomatic Premises Overseas Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Of which diplomatic premises overseas they are the freehold owners. Baroness Amos: The posts overseas which have offices and/or official residences of heads of post mission of which the FCO is the freehold owner are as follows (see attached list). Post Office or Residence Abidjan Office Abidjan Residence Abidjan Office Alexandria Office and Residence Algiers Residence Algiers Office Alicante Office Almaty Office (visa section only) Amman Residence Amman Office Amsterdam Residence Amsterdam Office Antananarivo Residence Asuncion Residence Athens Office Athens Residence Atlanta Residence Auckland Residence Bahrain Office and Residence Bangkok Offices and Residence Barcelona Office Belgrade Office Belmopan Residence Belmopan Office Berne Office Berne Residence Bilbao Office Bogota Residence Bordeaux Residence Boston Residence Brasilla Residence Brasilla Office Bratislava Residence Bratislava Office Bridgetown Residence Bridgetown Office Brisbane Residence Brussels Residence Brussels Residence Bucharest Office Bucharest Residence Budapest Residence Buenos Aires Office Buenos Aires Residence Cairo Office Cairo Residence Calcutta Office Cape Town Office Caracas Residence Caracas Office Castries Residence Chicago Residence Colombo Office Dakar Residence Dakar Office Damascus Residence Dar Es Salaam Residence Dublin Office Dublin Residence Durban Residence Gaborone Office Gaborone Residence Georgetown Office Georgetown Residence Gothenburg Residence Guatemala City Residence Guatemala City Office Harare Residence Helsinki Residence Helsinki Office Ho Chi Minh City Office Ho Chi Minh City Residence Houston Residence Jakarta Office Jakarta Residence Jerusalem Office Jerusalem Residence Johannesburg Residence Karachi Office Karachi Residence Kathmandu Office Kathmandu Residence Khartoum Residence Khartoum Office Kigali Office Kingston Residence Kingston Office Kingstown Office Kingstown Residence Kinshasa Residence Kinshasa Office Kuala Lumpur Residence Kuala Lumpur Office La Paz Office La Paz Residence Lliongwe Office Lliongwe Residence Lima Office Lima Residence Lisbon Residence Lisbon Office Los Angeles Residence Luanda Office Luanda Residence Luxembourg Residence Lyon Residence Madras (Chennai) Residence Madras (Chennai) Office Madrid Office Madrid Residence Manila Residence Manila Office Maputo Office Maputo Residence Marseilles Office Mbabane Office Mbabane Residence Melbourne Residence Mexico City Residence Mexico City Office Montevideo Residence Montevideo Office Montreal Residence Munich Residence Nairobi Residence Naples Office Naples Residence Nassau Residence New York Jmo Residence Nicosia Office Nicosia Residence Oslo Office Oslo Residence Ottawa Office Ottawa Residence Palma Office Panama City Office Paris Residence Paris Office Perth Residence Plymouth Office Port Louis Residence Port Louis Office Port of Spain Residence Portimao Office Prague Residence Prague Office Pretoria Office Pretoria Residence Quito Residence Quito Office Rabat Residence Rangoon Office Rangoon Residence Reykjavik Residence Riga Office Riga Residence Rio De Janeiro Residence Rome Residence Rome Office San Francisco Residence San Jose Residence San Salvador Residence Santiago Residence Santiago Office Sao Paulo Residence Seattle Residence Seoul Office Seoul Residence Singapore Office Singapore Residence Skopje Office Sofia Residence St George's Residence St John's Residence St Petersburg Office St Petersburg Residence Stockholm Office Stockholm Residence Strasbourg Residence Suva Office Sydney Residence Tehran Residence Tehran Office Tel Aviv Office Tel Aviv Residence The Hague Office The Hague Residence Toronto Residence Vancouver Residence Victoria Residence Vienna Office Vienna Residence (Ambassador) Vienna Residence (Head of UKMIS) Vienna Residence (Head of OSCE) Vientiane Residence Vilnius Office Vilnius Residence Washington Residence Washington Office Wellington Residence Wellington Office Windhoek Office Windhoek Residence Yerevan Office Yerevan Residence Diplomatic Premises Overseas Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to dispose of freehold real estate overseas which is used for British diplomatic missions. Baroness Amos: The FCO has disposed of or will dispose of the following properties from the diplomatic estate overseas in the current financial year (see below). Post Africa Cape Town 2 residential properties Dar es Salaam 1 residential property Lagos 2 residential properties Lilongwe 6 residential properties Lusaka 1 residential property Mbabane 1 Office Pretoria 2 residential properties Americas Bogota 6 residential properties Bridgetown 1 residential property Buenos Aires 1 residential property Chicago 1 residential property Montevideo 1 residential property New York 2 residential properties Ottawa 1 residential property Port of Spain 3 residential properties Santiago 1 residential property Stanley 1 residential property Washington 7 residential properties Asia Pacific Bombay 2 residential properties Jakarta 1 residential property Kuala Lumpur 1 residential property Singapore Residence garden (surplus part) Sydney 1 residential property European Union Athens 3 residential properties Berlin 1 residential property Brussels 2 residential properties Dublin 2 residential properties Helsinki 2 residential properties Lyons 1 residential property Munich 1 residential property Paris 13 residential properties Stockholm 1 residential property The Hague 3 residential properties Vienna 1 residential property Wider Europe Geneva 1 residential property Kiev 1 residential property Oslo 1 residential property Reykjavik 1 residential property Valletta 1 residential property and1 plot of land to rear Middle East and North Africa Cairo 1 residential property Muscat 1 residential property Tel Aviv 2 residential properties Israel: Occupied Territories The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ask the high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention concerning the protection of civilians in time of war in the Occupied Territories to discuss Israel's alleged further violations of that convention. Baroness Amos: In line with the July 1999 agreement, the United Kingdom, together with our EU partners, has agreed in principle to the reconvening of the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to consider the development of the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Territories. Population Policies Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: On what basis they maintain that the United Nations Population Fund monitors coercive population policies in the 47 counties referred to by Lord Grocott on the International Development Bill (H.L. Deb., 25 October, col. 1119); what data have been published and what monitoring takes place in the other 2,435 Chinese counties. Baroness Amos: UNFPA's programme in China is the subject of close scrutiny. The fund seeks through its own routine monitoring to visit sites in all counties where it is providing support twice each year. Members of UNFPA's Executive Board including the United Kingdom, United States and EU member states, and developing countries have also made external monitoring visits to programme areas on at least two occasions since 1999. Representatives from EU member state missions also maintain close interest in UNFPA's programme. US Congressional staff and officials from US missions in China have also made several visits to monitor UNFPA's work in China. UNFPA's new Executive Director, Dr Thoraya Obaid, is visiting China in December to review the programme. UNFPA maintains a watching brief on non-UNFPA programme counties and reports allegations of abuses by family planning officials in other parts of China to the Chinese authorities. UNFPA also investigates specific allegations of abuse through independent mission visits. I will arrange for a copy of the report of the October 2001 mission to UNFPA programme counties in China, led by Dr Nicholas Biegman, former Dutch Ambassador to the United Nations, to be placed in the Library of the House. Passports Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many of the total number of United Kingdom passports in issue are machine readable and how many are not; and at which points of entry into the United Kingdom immigration officers have equipment to record electronically details of machine readable passports. Lord Rooker: The United Kingdom Passport Service has been issuing machine-readable passports since 1988. As a result, almost all United Kingdom-issued passports are machine-readable. The only exceptions will be where a passport has been exceptionally extended due to an emergency. A small number of non-machine readable passports are issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at posts overseas. It is not possible to provide details of the numbers of passports this involves. All arriving passengers subject to immigration control are checked against the computerised warning index (WI) which automatically reads personal details from machine readable passports. The WI already contains the details of large numbers of lost or stolen passports and identity cards. While the Immigration Service does not currently retain the passport details of all arriving passengers, it is currently urgently exploring with other control agencies the use of technology to require airlines to retain the passport or identity card details of passengers before they board a flight to the United Kingdom. Passports Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many passports were reported lost or stolen in the last financial year; how many passports which have been reported lost or stolen were subsequently handed back to the authorities; and whether the charges made to those losing their passports reflect the complete cost of issuing replacement passports. Lord Rooker: The United Kingdom Passport Service records information on passports reported lost, stolen or unavailable. For the year ending 31 March 2001 there were 122,269 passports recorded under this category. The Passport Service does not routinely collect data on the number of passports lost or stolen which have been recovered. Requests for the issue of a replacement passport are handled in the same way as first-time applications. The costs involved are broadly comparable and therefore no additional charges are made. The Passport Service operates on a net running cost regime and all costs are recovered through receipt of passport fees. Ferrets and Gerbils in Breeding and Supply Establishments Lord Gregson: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish guidance on the housing and care of ferrets and gerbils in breeding and supplying establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Lord Rooker: We have today laid before Parliament a draft Supplement to the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals in Designated Breeding and Supplying Establishments. The draft sets standards for the housing and care of ferrets and gerbils in designated breeding and supply establishments, and is a consequence of the species concerned being added to the list in Schedule 2 of the 1986 Act (animals which can only be obtained from designated sources). The draft has been produced and laid under Section 21 of the Act and is subject to the negative resolution procedure. Copies have been placed in the Library. Asylum Applicants: Application Registration Card Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether those who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom are entitled to travel abroad while their applications are being considered; and whether the proposed new smart cards to be issued to asylum seekers will be valid as travel documents for re-entry into the United Kingdom. Lord Rooker: Asylum applicants who travel abroad while their claim is being considered are deemed to have withdrawn their application for asylum in the United Kingdom. The application registration card (ARC) is not a travel document and will not confer the right of re-entry to the United Kingdom. The purpose of the ARC is to show that the holder has lodged an asylum application with the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate. It will replace the standard acknowledgement letter (SAL) which is currently used and provide evidence of entitlement to the facilities or services available to asylum seekers. The ARC's format and security features, which includes the holder's fingerprints, will make positive identification more straightforward to establish and help prevent abuse. Lay Magistrates Lord Carlile of Berriew: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the current allowances payable to lay magistrates who lose a day's pay in order to sit; and whether they have any proposals to change those allowances. Lord Irvine of Lairg: Lay magistrates receive Financial Loss Allowance to compensate them for loss of earnings or social security benefits or additional expenditure incurred by them in performing their duties. The maximum amounts payable for sitting in excess of four hours are £83.56 for self-employed magistrates and £65.18 for employed magistrates. Lay magistrates are also entitled to claim travelling and subsistence allowance. The rates at which allowances are paid are reviewed annually by my department. The allowances were reviewed earlier this year and the new rates became payable on 1 September 2001. Newspaper Distribution Lord Smith of Leigh: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the current system for the wholesale distribution of national newspapers serves the interests of the public and of the smaller retailers. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Director General of Fair Trading monitors the newspaper distribution markets and does not believe there are currently grounds, under the Competition Act, for an investigation. Waste Rubber Tyres Lord Glentoran: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) what contingency plans they propose for the disposal of waste rubber tyres after 2003 when they will no longer be disposed of in landfill sites; and (b) whether they anticipate that they will be able to meet their recycling targets after 2003 as a result of this change. Lord Whitty: (a) The Landfill Directive introduces a two-stage diversion of tyres away from landfill: whole tyres in 2003 and shredded tyres in 2006. Value is presently recovered from around 70 per cent of the 400,000 tonnes of tyres disposed of each year, with the balance landfilled, largely in shredded form. The Government maintain regular dialogue with the tyre industry on this issue through the Used Tyre Working Group and we remain confident that sufficient tyre recovery capacity will be developed to enable the disposal of tyres to landfill to cease by the specified dates. (b) Tyres form part of the industrial and commercial waste stream. Diverting them from landfill will contribute to the target of reducing the amount of that waste landfilled to 85 per cent of 1998 levels by 2005 but will not contribute to the Government's targets for the recycling of household waste. Foot and Mouth: Rural Recovery Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they have not fully accepted the recommendations of Lord Haskins' report on Rural Recovery after Foot-and-Mouth Disease; and whether this means that they have no confidence in Lord Haskins. Lord Whitty: The Government made an immediate and positive response to the constructive and thoughtful report of my noble friend Lord Haskins. On the day the report was published, on 18 October, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responded immediately to just one of his numerous recommendations—that extra resources should be provided for the Business Recovery Fund. That her announcement involved expenditure of £24 million through an extension of the Business Recovery Fund shows just how seriously we took his recommendations and those of the Rural Task Force, also published on 18 October. As well as giving this immediate and practical response, Ministers indicated that they would consider the other recommendations in the report and provide a full response shortly. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Baroness Gale: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will provide the information on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' TSE research programme promised in their statement on 22 October. Lord Whitty: We have today placed a paper describing the programme in full in the Library of the House. GLA Precept Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What increase in the Greater London Authority precept they would consider acceptable. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The GLA sets its own precept, and should consult with the London electorate, to whom it is accountable. London voters will make informed choices about their own council tax and public services in their areas. Nevertheless, we have reserve powers to protect local people from excessive council tax increases. Small Businesses: Rate Relief Lord Willoughby de Broke: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect to introduce legislation consequent upon the proposal in the Green Paper Modernising Local Government Finance to give special rate relief to small businesses. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We will shortly be issuing a White Paper on local government which will set out our decisions on the Green Paper's proposals, including that for rate relief for small businesses. The timing of any subsequent legislation would depend on the availability of parliamentary time. Vehicles and Railway Line Safety Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action is being taken or planned to prevent vehicles travelling along motorways or similar roads from crashing onto railway lines. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The standards for barrier provision on motorways and all-purpose trunk roads are set out in The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges which is produced by the Highways Agency. In March this year the Deputy Prime Minister asked the Highways Agency to review its standards for nearside safety barriers and that work is taking place. West Coast Main Line Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether recent announcements about delays in upgrading the track on the West Coast Main Line represent any dilution of their long-term commitment to the West Coast Main Line being an integral core component of the United Kingdom rail network. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government remain committed to providing a revitalised rail network and the West Coast Main Line upgrade is an integral part of that commitment. It is clear from our discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority, the Railway Administrator and Virgin that the project is facing problems in terms of cost increases and uncertainty about the timetable for delivery. Railtrack and Virgin have presented a number of options for taking the project forward. We are in discussion with the SRA, the Railway Administrator and Virgin to ensure that we have a common understanding of the issues involved and the options. We are working to confirm a project which is value for money and can be delivered to a clear timetable, subject to the need to obtain any planning consents. Middlesex Hospital Chapel and Murals Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans there are to ensure that the chapel and the murals in the front hall of the Middlesex Hospital are preserved when the hospital buildings are permanently vacated. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The trust's art and heritage committee, with the assistance of the Slade School of Fine Arts, is considering how best to use the murals in the front hall of the Middlesex in the context of the new hospital. Moving them to a new location will not present a technical problem. The most appropriate setting and presentation is being considered by the committee. The chapel at the Middlesex Hospital is a Grade 2 listed building and as such will be preserved on the site. This is a matter for the London Borough of Westminster, as the relevant planning authority. Induced Abortion and Breast Cancer Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What guidance has been issued to hospitals and clinics offering abortion services on advising their patients of the link between induced abortion and breast cancer. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' evidence-based guideline The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion considered this issue and decided that the evidence was inconclusive. The college issued the guideline to its fellows and members in March 2000 and it can also be bought from its bookshop. As there is no scientific consensus on the possible association wth breast cancer, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund is co-ordinating research on this topic and hopes the conclusions will be available next year. Tourism Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Tourism Initiative Group has presented its report to Ministers; and, if so, what is their response. Baroness Blackstone: In July, the Secretary of State asked the English Tourism Council (ETC) to consult senior tourism industry leaders and propose a clear programme for modernising and restructuring the industry which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport could then consider as a basis for entering into partnership and investing in reform. The ETC then set up the Tourism Initiative Group to take this work forward and sent its report to the department on 10 September. The Tourism Initiative Group's report was part of an ongoing process to push ahead with the modernisation of the tourism sector. This report was discussed when my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, together with my honourable friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, met leading figures from the tourism industry on 10 and 11 October at Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire. This meeting was convened to discuss the immediate difficulties facing the industry in the wake of the foot and mouth outbreak and the terrorist attacks of 11 September but also to agree the necessary programme for long-term strategic reform of the industry to achieve more consistent high standards and better value for money. The main conclusions for action from the meeting include the urgent need for tourism bodies to review their programmes so as best to meet the needs of the current difficulties; the importance of acting in the new spirit of partnership between industry and government; the creation of the CBI chaired voice for tourism, the Tourism Alliance; the need to focus public sector resources on improving co-ordination of marketing, rationalising tourism data collection so that it is more useful, improving the quality of product, strengthening service through improved training and skills and developing better tourist information, including through the use of the Internet. The outcomes of the meeting build on the Government's strategy for tourism, Tomorrow's Tourism, and the work commissioned from the Tourism Initiative Group. The following table sets these conclusions out in more detail. Tourism Industry Seminar—Outcomes Immediate short-term action Our approach will be to ensure government and industry understands and appraises the impact of current challenges, co-ordinate public sector and private sector responses to those challenges, and for the public sector to make a direct contribution where that is justified. Who to lead Timescale 1. The London Tourist Board and the English Tourism Council have been asked to review their programmes, working with the industry, to meet the new circumstances. DCMS Ministers are ready to see more of the more than £60m already available directed to marketing to the domestic market. The hotel and major attractions industry are creating packages to offer to the domestic market. DCMS will chase progress and encourage and support co-operation of this sort. Industry and associations, LTB, ETC, DCMS Immediate 2. The British Tourist Authority is re-designing its overseas marketing campaign, in close consultation with key industry partners in the UK and overseas. BTA End of October 3. Other measures which might provide effective assistance are being examined. The industry has made a number of proposals. DCMS October 4. Ministers are strong advocates of and for the industry. DCMS October 5. Ministers and officials are in constant discussion with the tourism industry about the impact of the events in America. DCMS Ongoing Medium-term action We will take this action in a new spirit of partnership between industry and government. The industry will take the lead in modernising, improving quality and product development. Government will support where better regulation and co-ordination of public services is needed. Ministers will review in three months whether the current distribution of responsibilities supporting the joint programme is working well enough and will meet with industry again in six months to review the progress of the whole programme. All the initial action is to be taken within six months and further assignments then agreed at a further joint meeting with industry leaders. Who to lead Timescale 1. We will create a voice for the tourism sector which reflects the diversity of its main core industries and ensures a coherent view is put to government on key opportunities and issues of common concern. CBI-supported Tourism Alliance Launched October, starts November 2001 2. Ministers are ready to develop stronger and more co-ordinated arrangements for the marketing of English tourism to the domestic market in response to the views of the industry. We are ready to concentrate public sector resources on three areas—marketing co-ordination, data gathering, and quality assessment. This will mean reducing support on other areas. Marketing co-ordination should have a strong private sector lead and embrace regional and local government spending. DCMS, ETC and the industry to develop new arrangements First discussion at November Tourism ForumNew plan within six months 3. We will strengthen regional arrangements. We are committed to closer marketing co-ordination at regional level, development of strong sub-regional brands, and implementation of TIC modernisation. RDAs, RTBs and local authorities Proposals to Secretary of State by end November 4. We are ready to develop a "fitness for purpose" approach to better regulation of hotels and restaurants. The aim is to bring together the many regulatory controls, and make them into a basic and strong assurance to customers. Premises not meeting the standard would be improved or closed. Arrangements for modernising alcohol and entertainment licensing, and gaming, will go ahead in parallel. DCMS with key Departments and Local Government Association Report to Secretary of State by end December 5. We will bring together the many sources of public sector data on tourism performance and trends and create a partnership with the private sector to give the industry and Ministers the information which is needed to decide policy, make investments, and improve service to the customer. The first step is to rationalise what is there at present and improve coherence and leadership. One objective will be to undertake a public attitude survey, and another to report annually. There will be a regional and local dimension to this but the first phase will look at national information and data. DCMS, ETC, BTA Prepare remit for Secretary of State's approval within one month 6. We will follow a fresh approach to training and skills. Our ambition is to create a major new skills body embracing the major industries of the sector. It will drive an improvement in service quality and career opportunities. Ministers will back it strongly within Government and ensure a fair share of resources is available to support effective new arrangements. Industry to convene, Ministers to back it in Government To be set up and seek recognition by Government by December 7. We will ensure wide adoption of the productivity and performance improvement techniques emerging for the Government-supported Productivity for Profit initiative. Industry Launched. Review in 2002 8. We will build on the EnglandNet and other e-tourism initiatives to create a strong network of tourist information services and to encourage the take up by small and micro-businesses of electronic means of communication and booking. ETC, DCMS, Industry, RDAs First stage by April 2002 Treasure Act 1996 Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will announce the outcome of the review of the Treasure Act 1996. Baroness Blackstone: The Report on the Operation of the Treasure Act 1996: Review and Recommendations is being published today and I am arranging for copies to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. Terrorist Acts Viscount Bridgeman: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they share the view of the Justice Minister of the Republic of Ireland that we are moving inexorably towards a common definition of a terrorist act; and whether in their view punishment beatings and enforced exile carried out by supporters of Sinn Fein-IRA constitute terrorist acts. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The interpretation of terrorism in the United Kingdom is placed within an international context and is contained in Part I, Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which received Royal Assent on 20 July 2000 and came into force on 19 February 2001. Under the Terrorism Act 2000 paramilitary beatings and enforced exile can be interpreted as terrorist acts. The Government remain utterly and unequivocally opposed to any such acts from whatever quarter they come. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: UK Delegation Lord Walker of Doncaster: asked Her Majesty's Government: If they will announce the full composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union. Lord Williams of Mostyn: The United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Western European Union is as follows: Terry Davis Esq MP (Leader) Full Representatives Substitute Members David Atkinson Esq MP Janet Anderson MP Malcolm Bruce Esq MP Tony Banks Esq MP Sir Sydney Chapman MP Baroness Billingham Tom Cox Esq MP Lord Burlison James Cran Esq MP Ann Cryer MP Bill Etherington Esq MP Michael Hancock Esq CBE MP Paul Flynn Esq MP Baroness Hooper Lord Judd Rt Hon Lord Kilclooney Baroness Knight of Collingtree DBE Khalid Mahmood Esq MP Tony Lloyd Esq MP David Marshall Esq MP Jim Marshall Esq MP Alan Meale Esq MP Chris McCafferty MP Gordon Prentice Esq MP Kevin McNamara Esq MP Geraldine Smith MP Eddie O'Hara Esq MP Lord Tomlinson Lord Russell-Johnston Dr Rudi Vis MP John Wilkinson Esq MP Robert Walter Esq MP Jimmy Wray Esq MP Civil Employment under the Crown Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they intend to take to remove general restrictions as to nationality which apply to civil employment under the crown. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Government are keen to open up civil employment under the crown regardless of nationality, while reserving the right, enjoyed by all EC member states, to reserve posts for their own nationals where strictly necessary. Although it has not been possible to secure a slot in the legislative programme to address civil employment under the crown generally, the Police Bill contains a provision which will enable a person of any nationality who is living in the UK free of conditions and who meets the required standards to be appointed to the office of constable. Equalities Commission Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What lessons they have learnt from the experiences of a unified single Equalities Commission in Northern Ireland; and whether there are any benefits for the remainder of the United Kingdom in following that route. Baroness Morgan of Huyton: We are learning from the experience in Northern Ireland of creating a unified single Equality Commission. It covers a range of practical and financial matters, as well as issues relating to the functions, structure, balance, focus and accountability of the commission. Further lessons will no doubt be learnt as the commission beds down. Equality and human rights issues, including the setting up of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, were key factors in the Good Friday Agreement. The situation in Northern Ireland is unique. However, we are continuing to watch developments there so that we can consider whether, and, if so, the extent to which, lessons learnt might be applied throughout the rest of the UK. Anti-discrimination Legislation Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to simplify anti-discrimination legislation and bring forward a single Equalities Bill, as is the case in Northern Ireland. Baroness Morgan of Huyton: The Government's priority is to achieve coherence and, where desirable and appropriate, consistency between the different anti-discrimination statutes in Great Britain. We also need to ensure we effectively meet our European obligations. Our actions will be focused on the steps necessary to provide individuals, business and other organisations with a clear understanding of their respective rights and responsibilities under these laws. There are a number of options for achieving this. We intend to issue a consultation document setting out our plans on equality legislation within the next three months. Gibraltar Lord Garel-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the position of talks regarding the future of Gibraltar. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As previously announced, the Government resumed talks under the Brussels Process in July. We are aiming to build a better future for Gibraltar and firmly believe this represents the best way forward. A further ministerial meeting under the Brussels Process is planned for 20 November. Both we and the Spanish Government hope that the Chief Minister of Gibraltar will participate in this meeting. The Government stand by their commitment to the people of Gibraltar as set out in the Preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution. Gibraltar: European Parliament Elections Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether British residents in Gibraltar will have the right to vote in the next election at the European Parliament. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government are actively working to ensure Gibraltar's enfranchisement in time for the 2004 elections to the European Parliament. We unequivocally accept the obligation to give effect to the judgment of the ECHR and are continuing our efforts to this end.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2001-11-07a

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Science: Industry lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment theyhave made of the impact of uncertainty regarding Brexit on the UK science industry. lord duncan of springbank: The Government is committed to making the UK a global science superpower and a magnet for brilliant people and businesses from across the world - building on our position of existing global excellence. That is why we have affirmed our commitment to increasing R&D investment to at least 2.4% of GDP and will be setting out plans to reach this later this Autumn, providing long-term certainty to the scientific community. We have also recently announced that we intend to launch a comprehensive UK Space Strategy, introduce a fast-track immigration scheme for top scientists and researchers and develop proposals for a new funding agency. The Government has committed to guarantee funding for all successful eligible UK bids to Horizon 2020 that are submitted before the end of 2020, for the lifetime of projects. We have also guaranteed funding for participation in all Horizon 2020 projects open to third countries after exit, which are collaborative projects. The Science Minister has written to his counterparts across the EU to set this out. In a no deal Exit scenario, the guarantee would cover funding for all successful competitive UK bids to Horizon 2020 submitted before the UK leaves the EU, even if they are notified of their success after exit. The guarantee would apply for the lifetime of projects. Again, in a no deal scenario, the extension to the guarantee would cover funding for all successful competitive UK bids to Horizon 2020 calls open to third country participants submitted from the date of exit until the end of 2020. Like the guarantee, the extension would apply for the lifetime of projects. In addition to the Government’s no deal guarantee and extension funding commitments, we have committed to ensuring that all UK bids to mono-beneficiary ERC, MSCA and SMEi (now known as European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator) calls that are submitted to Horizon 2020 before Exit are evaluated in all scenarios. This means researchers and innovators can continue to submit proposals to Horizon 2020 with confidence, right up to the point of exit, knowing that the best proposals will be funded – regardless of how we leave the EU. Science: EU Grants and Loans lord watson of richmond: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Royal Society that Britishscience has lost approximately€500 million in EU funding as a result of uncertainty around Brexit. lord duncan of springbank: The Government has committed to guarantee funding for all successful eligible UK bids to Horizon 2020 that are submitted before the end of 2020, for the lifetime of projects. We have also guaranteed funding for participation in all Horizon 2020 projects open to third countries after exit, which are collaborative projects. The Science Minister has written to his counterparts across the EU to set this out. UK researchers and innovators have continued to be successful in securing European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding, with the UK consistently ranking first in both areas since the beginning of Horizon 2020 in 2014. In addition, the Government has committed to ensuring that all UK bids to mono-beneficiary ERC, MSCA and SMEi (now known as European Innovation Council Accelerator) calls that are submitted to Horizon 2020 before Exit are evaluated in all scenarios. This means researchers and innovators can continue to submit proposals to Horizon 2020 with confidence, right up to the point of exit, knowing that the best proposals will be funded – regardless of how we leave the EU. Looking ahead, we have also affirmed our commitment to increasing R&D investment to at least 2.4% of GDP and will be setting our plans to reach this later this Autumn, providing long-term certainty to the scientific community. Additionally, the Government remains committed to ensuring that world leading talent is attracted to and retained within the UK. On 8 August, the Prime Minister announced a new fast-track immigration scheme aimed at enabling a wider pool of scientific talent to come to the UK. This scheme will ensure that those with specialist skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects can come to the UK and make an important contribution to our leading science and research sectors, significantly enhancing the intellectual and knowledge base of the UK. Post Offices: Rural Areas baroness mcintosh of pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote access to, and services provided by, rural post offices; and wwhether they will provide an update on the status of the Post Office Card Account. lord duncan of springbank: Government committed in its 2017 manifesto to safeguard the Post Office network and protect existing rural services, recognising the important role post offices play in serving their communities. The Government promotes access to rural post offices by setting accessibility criteria which the Post Office must meet. This ensures that in rural areas over 95% of people are within 3 miles of their nearest post office service. In remote and rural areas where it is difficult to deliver services to consumers via a permanent site, Post Office Limited use outreach services, such as a mobile van, or a village hall. These offer the same products and services as bricks-and-mortar branches. In recent years the Government has provided over £2bn investment into the Post Office which has seen over 7700 branches modernised, many thousands in rural areas. Having a modern accessible network enables the Post Office to secure and deliver services for customers, such as banking, bill payment and mails services, across the whole network, including rural areas, where in many cases the post office is the last shop in the village. The contract for the Post Office Card Account (POca) is a commercial matter for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Post Office Limited (POL). The contract will come to an end on 30 November 2021. DWP is working with Post Office Limited (POL) to prepare POca users for this by undertaking a project to move significant volumes of existing POca service users onto a mainstream bank account. Those POca customers who transition to a mainstream account will still be able to access their pension and benefit payments via the post office. For claimants who are unable to open a mainstream account ahead of this date, DWP will implement an alternative payment service that allows users to obtain cash payments whatever their location before the end of the contract. Perfume: Chemicals baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the chemicals contained in perfume and fragrance products, and any potential risks to human health. lord duncan of springbank: Perfume and fragrance manufacturers are required under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products (“the Cosmetic Products Regulation”) to ensure that their products, including any chemical ingredients, are safe for human health. All cosmetic products must undergo a safety assessment. Annex III of the Cosmetic Products Regulation requires that the use of certain substances is subject to restriction. The presence of a substance listed in Annex III must be indicated in a product’s list of ingredients, in addition to the words parfum or aroma. At the moment, 26 fragrance allergens are listed in in this Annex, and the list of allergenic fragrances is kept under review. A Cosmetic Product Safety Report must be compiled before the product is placed on the market. This report may be inspected at any time by the enforcement authority. Perfume: Labelling baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements are placed on producers of perfume and fragrance products to list their ingredients on product packaging. lord duncan of springbank: Under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products (“the Cosmetics Regulation”) containers or packaging of cosmetic products (or on an enclosed or attached documentation) must set out a list of ingredients, including perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials. These perfume and aromatic compositions must be referred to as ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’. Annex III of the Cosmetic Products Regulation requires that the use of certain substances is subject to restriction. The presence of a substance listed in Annex III must be indicated in a product’s list of ingredients, in addition to the words parfum or aroma. At the moment, 26 fragrance allergens are listed in in this Annex. The labelling must be on the carton, or if there is no outer packaging, then on the container. If the perfume or fragrance is small and difficult to label, the ingredient list may be on a leaflet provided with the product, or displayed close to where the product is offered for sale. Perfume: Safety baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements are placed on perfume and fragrance manufacturers (1) to test, and (2) to demonstrate, the safety of their products for human health. lord duncan of springbank: Perfume and fragrance manufacturers are required under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products to ensure that their products are safe for human health. All cosmetics products must undergo a safety assessment. A Cosmetic Product Safety Report must be compiled before the product is placed on the market which may be inspected at any time by the enforcement authority. Perfume: Safety baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to change product safety and labelling requirements relating to perfume and fragrance products if the UK leaves the EU. lord duncan of springbank: The Government is committed to maintaining the same high standards of product safety and labelling for perfume and fragrance products when the UK leaves the EU. Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs lord foulkes of cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Smart Export Guarantee Tariff perkilowatt hour as proposed will be the same for (1) small commercial, (2) household, and (3) community-owned generators. lord duncan of springbank: The Smart Export Guarantee will be a market-based mechanism, with suppliers free to set prices, in line with government’s objective to move towards market pricing. The level of tariffs will be for relevant suppliers to determine, other than a requirement for them to provide a remuneration for exported electricity that is greater than zero at all times of export. Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs lord foulkes of cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of Smart Export Guarantee Tariff that will be necessary to give communities a viable route to market for the electricity they generate from (1) hydro, (2) onshore wind, and (3) solar sources; and what, if any, economic appraisal has been made of the potential (a) economic development, and (b) environmental benefits, of restoring access to the generation markets for community owned generators, following the demise of the Feed-in Tariff scheme. lord duncan of springbank: The Smart Export Guarantee will be a market-based mechanism, with suppliers free to set prices, in line with government’s objective to move towards market pricing. The level of tariffs will be for relevant suppliers to determine, other than a requirement for them to provide a remuneration for exported electricity that is greater than zero at all times of export. An Impact Assessment for the Smart Export Guarantee was published on 10 June 2019, which also considers the potential impact of this new policy on deployment of low-carbon generation, greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. It is available at the Gov.uk website. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Palestinians: Detainees baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ruling by the Jerusalem Magistrate Court on 10 October which banned the publication of any details regarding certain detainees’ cases and therefore prevents Addameer the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association from expressing concern for the well-being and health of those detainees. lord ahmad of wimbledon: While we have not made any assessment on this issue, the Government has concerns about mistreatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, and about Israel’s respect of its obligations in this regard under applicable international law. We have raised concerns over treatment of Palestinian minors detained by the Israeli authorities on many occasions, most recently on 27 August. We have concerns over the continued transfer of Palestinian child and adult detainees to prisons inside Israel in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. ​ Gaza: Breast Cancer baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the availability of, and access to, urgent treatment for breast cancer by women in Gaza. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on movement and access in Gaza, and the impact that this is having on the humanitarian situation. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises the matter of medical permits with the Israeli authorities. Israeli restrictions severely restrict the movement of medical professionals, patients and families from Gaza, hampering the provision of quality health services, as well as impacting Palestinians in the West Bank. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa also raised this issue with the Israeli Ambassador on 22 October. The situation in Gaza is particularly acute, and is compounded by frequent closure by Egypt of the Rafah crossing, preventing urgent medical cases from seeking treatment in Egypt. A lasting resolution to the situation is needed that will ensure that all those who are in need of medical attention and their families have unimpeded access to healthcare provisions. We call on the Israeli Government to ease restrictions further and for Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Egypt to work together to ensure a durable solution for Gaza. Chile: Politics and Government lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of thesituation in Chile. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The United Kingdom Government is concerned at events that have occurred in Chile in recent days. We condemn the violence that has occurred and welcome the efforts of everyone who is working to restore the situation in the country to peace and normality. Our Embassy in Santiago are in close contact with the Chilean authorities, and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Palestinians: Political Prisoners lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the reported detention of (1) Adnan Ghaith,(2) Shadi Mutawar, and (3) Yasser Darwish; and what responses they have received. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​Whilst we have not raised these specific cases, we urge Israel to respect the role of Palestinian institutions and politicians serving Palestinians in East Jerusalem. British ministers and officials continue to make repeated representations to the Israeli Government about their extensive use of administrative detentions. According to international law, these should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary rather than as routine practice and as a preventive rather than a punitive measure. We call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and either charge or release detainees. Guyana: Elections baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken sincethe joint statement by the UK High Commissioner, the United States Ambassador, and the EU Ambassador, to Guyana, published on 19 September, calling on the President of Guyana “to set an elections date immediately in full compliance with Guyana’s constitution”; and what plans they have to support such an election to be held in an open and transparent manner. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We note the President of The Cooperative Republic of Guyana's announcement of a firm election date of 2 March 2020.The UK continues to work with the Guyanese authorities, our international partners, multilateral bodies and local stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections, through elections assistance and monitoring. Iran: Nuclear Fuels lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government in which areas Iran has breached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action; and whyHer Majesty's Government have not withdrawn from that Plan. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We remain fully committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), a key achievement of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, which is in our shared security interests. Since July, Iran has exceeded key JCPoA limits on uranium enrichment, uranium stockpiles and on 7 September announced suspension of the JCPoA's nuclear research and development restrictions. We are deeply concerned by Iran's steps to reduce compliance with the deal. We are working closely with remaining JCPoA parties to address this and we urge Iran to reverse the steps it has taken. Department of Health and Social Care Health: Screening lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to establish mandatory annual health screenings. baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Department does not have any plans to establish mandatory annual health screenings. Screening in the United Kingdom is undertaken through informed consent. There are 11 national screening programmes that are recommended by the UK National Screening Committee, which cover 37 conditions across adults and babies (antenatal and neonatal). Approximately 11 million people are invited to participate in screening programmes each year. There is also the NHS Health Check service which is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74 every five years. It is designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. The Government’s recent Green Paper Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s announced the intention to undertake a review of the NHS Health Checks programme to maximise the benefits it delivers in the next decade. Professor Richards’ review of National Adult Screening programmes was published on 16 October and as part of this review it explored the future of screening. The Department, NHS England and Public Health England will consider the recommendations of Professor Richards’ report and publish an implementation plan in due course. Dental Services baroness gardner of parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take in respone to the shortage of National Health Service dentists. baroness blackwood of north oxford: The latest headcount data published by NHS Digital show that the total number of dentists actively delivering National Health Service services increased from 24,308 to 24,545 during the period 2017/18 to 2018/19. Both NHS England and Health Education England (HEE) have initiatives in place to tackle recruitment and retention issues. HEE’s current programme Advancing Dental Care is exploring the opportunities for flexible dental training pathways that can better serve patients as well as improving dental workforce retention. NHS England is introducing ‘flexible commissioning’, which allows local NHS commissioners to commission a wider range of services from dental practices which is expected to make NHS dentistry more attractive to newly qualified dentists. These initiatives sit alongside the Department’s and NHS England’s work to reform the current NHS dental contract to support dentists to deliver preventatively focussed care. The patient pathway in the new model makes greater use of the whole dental team including nurses and therapists which moves away from needing dentists to complete every course of treatment. The interim NHS People Plan, published in June 2019, sets out plans for the future dental workforce. This commits to creating a capable and motivated multidisciplinary dental workforce, of a sufficient size, to meet population health needs. Hospitals: Food baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of food served in English hospitals is (a) organic, and (b) locally sourced; and what plans they have, if any, to increase that percentage. baroness blackwood of north oxford: Data on the percentage of organic and locally sourced food served in English hospitals is not collected centrally.On 17 June 2019, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced a root and branch review of the food provided in National Health Service hospitals for patients, visitors and staff which will include ensuring that food provided in the NHS is sustainable, in line with the aims of the Government’s National Food Strategy. NHS: Drugs lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research by the Universities of Tehran Medical Sciences and Birmingham into the effectiveness of the polypill in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke; and what plans they have to use the polypill for NHS patients. baroness blackwood of north oxford: The full study results have not been evaluated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency as no application to market the product in the United Kingdom has been received.Currently, there are no polypills (containing multiple medicines) approved in the UK or Europe. Specific combinations of two medicines for blood pressure control or a statin and aspirin only at appropriate doses are licensed and available for use in the UK for those patients with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.There are safety risks combining multiple medicines and using them as a public health preventative strategy particularly in people who have no symptoms or diagnosable disease. These arise from interactions between medications including potentiation of effects, individual differences and susceptibilities as well as long term effects. Prior to licensing such a polypill combination, these aspects will need to be evaluated. Counselling and Psychiatry: Training baroness thornhill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce legislation to regulate the qualifications and training of psychotherapists and counsellors. baroness thornhill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on vulnerable people of unqualified psychotherapists and counsellors providing treatment. baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Government has no plans to extend professional regulation to psychotherapists or counsellors.Statutory regulation should only be considered where the risks to public and patient protection cannot be addressed in other more proportionate ways (such as through employer oversight or accredited voluntary registration).Any employed health or care practitioner, whether regulated or unregulated, will be subject to employer checks. Depending on the role they perform, in particular if their role brings them in contact with vulnerable people, this may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check in England or Wales or the equivalent check from Disclosure Scotland or Disclosure Northern Ireland.The Professional Standards Authority currently accredits 10 voluntary registers relating to psychotherapy and counselling and covering approximately 50,000 talking therapy professionals.We urge anyone seeking the services of a psychotherapist or counsellor to take the time to find a reputable, insured and appropriately qualified practitioner. NHS: Drugs lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with theMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency about licensing the polypill in the absence of applications by pharmaceutical companies. baroness blackwood of north oxford: There have not been any recent meetings with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) about licensing the polypill in the absence of applications from pharmaceutical companies.The MHRA is only able to grant a marketing authorisation once the legislative requirements for placing on the market of the product are fulfilled. Prior to approval, the marketing authorisation holder will need to generate and provide adequate evidence of quality, safety and efficacy for the product in a particular group of people (indication). In the absence of a marketing authorisation holder, an application seeking the licence, or data supporting the product, the MHRA is unable to authorise any product. Moreover, the MHRA is not able to compel any sponsor to make an application. The MHRA has over the years contributed to the European guideline, supporting the development of such combination products and has provided scientific advice to companies to facilitate development of polypill product. Dental Health: Training lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they haveto include oral health in pre-registration training for all public health professionals, as recommended by the Royal College of Surgeon's Faculty of Dental Surgery's report The state of children's oral health in England, published in August. baroness blackwood of north oxford: The independent professional health and care regulators set the outcomes required from undergraduate (and in some cases postgraduate) education and training for registration as a healthcare professional. It is for education training providers to determine the content of training in order to meet these required outcomes.Health Education England has an important role in supporting health and care professionals, including public health professionals, to promote good health, including good oral health and has a number of free to access resources to guide good practice in this area. This includes e-learning, evidence-based toolkits and competency frameworks. NHS: Negligence lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in each of the last three years, (1) what was the total cost of clinical negligence cases to the NHS, (2) how many cases were resolved prior to going to court, (3) howmany cases went to court; and(4) what was the percentage of those cases which were won by the NHS. baroness blackwood of north oxford: NHS Resolution handles clinical negligence claims on behalf of National Health Service organisations and independent sector providers of NHS care in England.NHS Resolution has provided the following information:The total cost of clinical negligence cases to the NHS.2016/172017/182018/19£1,707.2 million£2,275.5 million£2,359.9 million The number of cases resolved prior to going to court.2016/172017/182018/1910,99611,41711,255 The number of cases that went to court.2016/172017/182018/191287253 The percentage of those cases which were won by the NHS.2016/172017/182018/1956%65%57% Note:The above figures are in relation to the NHS in England only (Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and other relevant schemes).The figures provided do not include claims brought against general practice. Department for International Development Pakistan: Religious Freedom lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they intend to have with the Pakistan Public Services Commissions about ways in which to support the training and professional development of workers from religious minority backgrounds; andwhat plans they have to increase aid funding to be used for training teachers in Pakistan to promote freedom of religion or belief. baroness sugg: We have already funded teacher training modules on equity and inclusion delivered to nearly 100,000 teachers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. UK aid prioritises support for the poorest and most excluded people and communities in Pakistan regardless of race, religion, social background or nationality. DFID Pakistan is currently developing new education programmes and as part of this process we will actively consider what we can do to benefit these groups. Religious Freedom lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include modules on freedom of religion or belief in all existing and future Department for International Development capacity building programmes. baroness sugg: DFID’s increasing use of country context analysis has improved the way in which religious dynamics and religious groups are factored into country programmes. Through this process, DFID identifies the most significant problems that hinder development and the main entry points and opportunities to create change. This includes the role of religion and freedom of religion or belief. Through UK Aid Connect, DFID is funding a consortium led by the Institute of Development Studies to address the challenges in building tolerance and freedom of religion or belief. In November 2018, Lord Ahmad and Lord Bates launched this £12 million initiative which will contribute to making poverty reduction programmes more inclusive, by highlighting and redressing religious inequalities, with a focus on highly volatile contexts. Pakistan: Religious Freedom lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support the government of Pakistan to developfinancial incentives for parents from marginalised religious minority communities to register their children upon birth, and to send them to schools. baroness sugg: DFID supports the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) which is the Government of Pakistan’s national social protection scheme. Under the BISP education programme, a total of 3.2 million children will be supported to enrol and stay in primary schools. Targeting is based on poverty status, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, and encourages parents to provide the birth registration certificate as part of enrolment into the programme. We do not support financial incentives for any parents to register the birth of their children, as our assessment is that this is not the most appropriate tool to improve birth registration. However, we will continue to actively engage with the Government of Pakistan to promote increased accessibility to birth registration services for marginalised and hard to reach groups, including for religious minorities. We are also designing interventions under our Aawaz II programme to directly work with groups like religious minorities in communities to better access services. Pakistan: Minority Groups lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require organisations that receive UK aid funding for projects in Pakistan to hire at least 5per cent of any in-country staff from minority communities. baroness sugg: We do not have any plans to require recruitment by quota for DFID funded programmes. People from minority communities may be reluctant to disclose their minority status, which makes it difficult to count and monitor against this metric. However, our programme documentation makes clear that we require our partners to avoid discriminatory practices in recruitment as well as take action on safeguarding. Our Aawaz programme has helped members of minority communities to challenge discrimination and its successor Aawaz 2 will continue this work. Burma: Rohingya baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the safe and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. baroness sugg: We are clear that the repatriation process for Rohingya refugees must be safe, voluntary and dignified, and meet international humanitarian principles and standards. We agree with the UN Refugee Agency that conditions for such repatriation do not yet exist in Rakhine State, Myanmar. We have pressed and continue to press the Government of Myanmar for full implementation of the Kofi Annan Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations to create the conditions for the safe and voluntary returns of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. A recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine separatist group, and the Myanmar military is a further barrier to returns. An end to the fighting will be important to de-escalate tensions and create space for progress on the conditions for returns. The UK has recently announced further funding to the crisis, bringing our total commitment to the response in Bangladesh since August 2017 to £256 million, and making us the second largest donor to the 2019 international Joint Response Plan. We welcome Bangladesh’s continued commitment to the principle of voluntary, safe and dignified returns and encourage the Government of Myanmar to pursue the dialogue it started with Rohingya refugees in July 2019. Burma: Rohingya baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide sexual and reproductive health and rights services to Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting those refugees. baroness sugg: The UK is supporting partners including the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Population Fund to deliver the Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health in Crises to Rohingya refugees and those living in the host communities. This includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights services, such as a variety of family planning choices, midwifery services, and post-abortion care. Significant progress has been made since August 2017, including improved health and sanitation infrastructure; improved coverage and variety of services; 24/7 emergency care; and consistent availability of reproductive health supplies. Bangladesh: UN Population Fund baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what funding they have committed to support the UN Population Fund’s work in Bangladesh. baroness sugg: DFID Bangladesh has current commitments to the United Nations Population Fund’s work in Bangladesh amounting to £20.8 million, to support strengthening of the national health system, and to provide midwifery education and services across the country, and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services for Rohingya refugees and host communities. Bangladesh: Rohingya baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support host communities of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. baroness sugg: We are aware of the difficulties facing the host communities in Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh. Our latest £117 million funding includes over £20 million of new support to the thousands of already vulnerable Bangladeshi families, who now have nearly one million refugees living in their district. This funding will allow over 10,000 individuals of the host community to access livelihood opportunities; over 50,000 people will have improved access to safe water. Around 6,000 host community children and adolescents will access improved quality education and vocational training. Host community members will also benefit from a range of health services, including gender-based violence and sexual rights and health services. DFID is also supporting host communities in Cox's Bazar through our strategic partnership with BRAC on education, health, ultra-poor graduation, skills and climate change work. Burma: Rohingya lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations contained in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Rights of the Rohingya's report A New Shape of Catastrophe: two years on from the 2017 Rohingya Crisis, published on 10 September. baroness sugg: I am grateful for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Rights of the Rohingya's sustained work and attention on the Rohingya crisis response. I wrote to the Co-Chair of the Group, Anne Main MP, on 27 September in response to the report. The UK has recently announced further funding to the crisis, bringing our total commitment to the response in Bangladesh since August 2017 to £256 million, and making us the second largest donor to the 2019 international Joint Response Plan. DFID’s latest funding to the crisis will maintain and improve protection and humanitarian assistance provided to refugees, including through the provision of food, healthcare, water, sanitation, care and counselling for sexual violence survivors, and protection of vulnerable groups. Over 75,000 children and adolescents from the refugee and host communities will have access to education and skills training and over £20 million of new support will be provided to the thousands of already vulnerable Bangladeshi families in Cox’s Bazar district. The UK is also one of the largest donors in Rakhine State, Myanmar, where over 600,000 Rohingya remain in need of assistance. The UK is committed to justice for the Rohingya, and has led international efforts on sanctions and establishing an evidence gathering mechanism. Bangladesh: Clothing baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) support, and (2) funding, they provide to the Better Work programme in Bangladesh to improve working conditions in the garment industry in that country; and which businesses that programme supports. baroness sugg: DFID Bangladesh supports the Better Work initiative through our £6.6 million Better Jobs in Bangladesh programme, which supports improving working conditions in the ready-made garments sector of Bangladesh. The Dutch and Canadian governments co-fund this programme, making equal contributions of $16.3million. Better Work is focused on improving compliance standards in factories to reduce multiple audit requirements by buyers. Better Work is working with 210 factories to create a role model of compliance in factories in Bangladesh. Bangladesh: Clothing baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) support, and (2) funding, they provide to the Mothers@Work initiative in Bangladesh to promote maternity rights and good working conditions for women in the garment industry in that country;and which businesses that programme supports. baroness sugg: DFID Bangladesh supports the Mothers@Work initiative through our joint £6.6 million Better Jobs Bangladesh programme. The Dutch and Canadian governments co-fund this programme making equal contributions of $16.3million. Mother@Works is working with 82 factories with some 30,000 female workers to improve the health conditions of pregnant and nursing mothers. It does this by supporting working mothers to understand and implement their employment rights and holding employers accountable for ensuring that their female employees receive the provisions they are entitled to when they return to work. Developing Countries: Health Services baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to prioritise marginalised people and communities in regard to sexual and reproductive health and rights; and what plans they have to discuss this matter at the 2019 Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development. baroness sugg: The Secretary of State recently announced new UK efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children by 2030. The UK is committed to achieving universal health coverage and to achieve our goals, we must reach the most marginalised. Without sexual and reproductive health and rights, we cannot achieve universal health coverage. Our programmes are reaching the most marginalised. For example, the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health reproductive health programme uses innovative ways to identify and reach the poorest and most marginalised women with essential services across 27 countries. Our support to the Robert Carr Fund, Amplify Change and the Safe Abortion Action Fund all support grassroots organisations to campaign for and access their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The Nairobi Summit on International Conference on Population and Development 25 is an opportunity for the global community to re-state the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights including for marginalised people and communities. The UK will make our ongoing commitment clear, including our efforts on challenging issues such as female genital mutilation, child marriage and unsafe abortion in the most marginalised and hard to reach communities. Department for Education History: Curriculum baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the causes and consequences of the Irish famine are part of the current curriculum in English schools; and if not, whether they intend to add this to the curriculum. lord agnew of oulton: The history curriculum gives teachers and schools the freedom and flexibility to use specific examples from history to teach pupils about the history of Britain and the wider world. Schools and teachers can determine which examples, topics and resources to use to stimulate and challenge pupils and reflect key points in history. There are opportunities within the themes and eras of the history curriculum for teachers and schools to teach the Irish Famine at key stages 1-3. Schools can teach it at key stage 1, about events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally and at key stage 2, within a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066. There are also opportunities at key stage 3, within the ‘ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901’ theme – ‘Ireland and Home Rule’ is one of the example topics in this theme - or within a local history study. The Irish Famine also falls within the scope of the subject content set out for GCSE History. One of the aims of the history curriculum is to ensure all pupils know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world. This could also include teaching about Britain’s role in the abolition of slavery. EU Grants and Loans lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to commit to funding (1) the Erasmus+, and (2) the Horizon research, programme beyond 2020. baroness berridge: The government places great value upon international exchange and collaboration in education and training. It is also committed to continuing to back UK researchers and innovators by supporting measures to enable world-class collaborative research and innovation. This will continue to be the case after we leave the EU and establish new relationships with institutions across Europe and the rest of the world.If it is in the UK’s interests, we will seek to participate in some specific EU programmes as a third country. While the regulations for future EU programmes are still in the process of being developed, the draft Political Declaration envisages the possibility of UK participation in EU programmes like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe post-2020. Officials are preparing for all eventualities and are considering a wide range of options with regard to the future of international exchange and cooperation in education and research. Sugar: Schools lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage all schools to become sugar free, as recommended by the Royal College of Surgeon's Faculty of Dental Surgery's report The state of children's oral health in England, published in August. lord agnew of oulton: The government is committed to improving children’s oral health, particularly in deprived areas. The new School Food Standards came in to force from January 2015. These standards have been widely welcomed, but since then new advice on sugar and nutrition has been published.Therefore, the Department for Education, supported by Public Health England, will update the School Food Standards in light of revised government dietary recommendations. The update will be comprehensive on reducing sugar consumption and will be coupled with detailed guidance to caterers and schools, so they are well prepared to adapt to the changes. Special Educational Needs: Visual Impairment lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support is provided for children and young people with visual impairment in (1) early years settings, and (2) schools. lord agnew of oulton: We want early years providers and schools to have a workforce equipped to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and we are working on this with various organisations, including the National Sensory Impairment Partnership. We have recently announced a £780 million increase to local authorities’ high needs funding, increasing the budget by 12% and bringing the total spent on supporting those with the most complex needs to over £7 billion for 2020-21. This funding can be used to fund children aged 0 to 25 with complex additional needs, such as visual impairment. The Children and Families Act (2014) requires local authorities to work with parents, young people and providers to keep the provision for children and young people with SEND under review, including its sufficiency. We do not prescribe in detail how local authorities should allocate their high needs funding. In consultation with schools and other services, local authorities should carefully consider how best to meet the needs of children and young people in their area, including those with visual impairment. The Senior Deputy Speaker House of Lords: Restaurants lord palmer: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the cost of this year's refurbishment of the House of Lords' River Restaurant. lord laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. A full refurbishment of the seating area, fridges and payment stands in the River Restaurant was carried out in September and October 2019. The new design has increased the number of available seats by four and improved the accessibility and flow of the area. The costs for this project are laid out below: Enabling and redecoration works: £35,000Equipment and fittings: £83,207 Total Cost of Project: £118,207 Peers: Harassment lord blencathra: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what representations, if any, the House of Lords Administration has made to the Metropolitan Police regarding protestors intimidating Parliamentarians leaving the Parliamentary Estate. lord mcfall of alcluith: The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) works closely with the Metropolitan Police (MPS). PSD officials meet with the MPS frequently to discuss anticipated or ongoing issues, which can include intimidation of Parliamentarians and staff by protestors when entering and leaving the estate.PSD holds a weekly meeting with the MPS, Black Rod and the Serjeant at Arms to assess forthcoming events for potential issues around access and security, enabling PSD and MPS responses to be updated accordingly. For security reasons we do not provide details of security arrangements.When high levels of protest activity are expected, Parliamentarians are sent communications advising them of access information and security advice. Parliamentarians are also encouraged to raise any security concerns with the Director of Security for Parliament, and to raise access queries with Black Rod. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Disadvantaged lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps theyintendto take in response to their statistics and reports on the English Indices of Deprivation 2019,published on 26 September. viscount younger of leckie: The Government is committed to levelling up every part of the UK - unemployment is down 1.2 million since 2010 while wages continue to rise at their fastest in over a decade. We’re supporting families with their cost of living and providing more support to the most deprived authorities, which now have a spending power 16% higher per home than the least deprived. For those who need extra support, the UK Government spends over £95 billion a year, including for those who are on a low income. Following our departure from the EU, we will create the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a programme of investment designed to tackle inequalities between communities by raising productivity.The Government recently announced 100 places which will be invited to develop proposals for our £3.6 billion Towns Fund - 45 of these places are in the Northern Powerhouse and 30 in the Midlands Engine, demonstrating our commitment to the whole country. The fund will deliver transformative investment in transport, digital, skills and culture in order to boost productivity and sustainably raise living standards in towns across the country.The Chancellor confirmed in August that the National Infrastructure Strategy will be published in Autumn 2019. The Strategy will set out the Government’s plans to deliver a step change in infrastructure investment to support the UK economy, as well as providing a formal response to the NIC’s National Infrastructure Assessment. As part of his Spending Round speech, the Chancellor set out his ambitions to deliver an infrastructure revolution, which included a commitment to use increased infrastructure investment to support growth and productivity across the whole of the UK. Non-domestic Rates: Appeals the earl of lytton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 8 October (HC294199), when the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will (1) launch, and (2) conclude, its review of the effectiveness of the Check, Challenge, Appeal system; and whether business rates payers will be consulted as part of such a review. viscount younger of leckie: The Government remains committed to the Check, Challenge, Appeal system. As the full impact of the policy can only be assessed after the end of the appeals cycle, my Department intends to first conduct an interim review of the reforms, with a fuller review following after the end of the 2017 rating list. The Government intends to complete the interim review by the end of 2019. The VOA is also conducting a customer evaluation of the delivery of the new system, which will include consultation with a range of stakeholders. Department for Work and Pensions Children: Maintenance lord stevenson of balmacara: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to amend the legislation relating to the calculation of child maintenance so that such calculations are based on a parent's gross salary, after tax and National Insurance deductions but before the deduction of pensions contributions. baroness stedman-scott: Our statutory child maintenance scheme calculates payments simply and efficiently, usually based on the paying parent’s gross taxable income. This information is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs for the latest available tax year. We continue to review the calculation but have no plans to change it at this time. Home Office Immigration: EU Nationals lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the interests of children of European citizens who are resident in the UK in the event of Brexit taking place (1) with, and (2) without, a deal. baroness williams of trafford: The Government has been clear that we will protect the rights of EEA citizens resident in the UK before Brexit and their family members, regardless of whether we leave the European Union on 31 October with or without a deal. This includes the rights of EEA citizen children and of non-EEA national children of EEA citizens.The EU Settlement Scheme will continue to operate as now for those resident here before Brexit and they will have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply for UK immigration status under the scheme. That status will enable them to continue to live in the UK and enjoy the same access to benefits and services as now.Applications under the EU Settlement Scheme can be made by children, or by a parent or legal guardian applying on their behalf, and can be based on the child’s own residence in the UK or in line with that of a parent applying under the scheme. We are paying particular attention to how we communicate the EU Settlement Scheme to children and are undertaking research in partnership with the University of Liverpool to develop age-appropriate communications materials. We are also working with a range of children’s rights organisations to benefit from their insight and use their networks to ensure wide access to these materials. Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government why organisations that received Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) support through the UK Responsible Authority are not covered by the funding guarantee announced on 12 September in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and what consideration has been given to making alternative funding available to charities at risk of losing their AMIF funding. baroness williams of trafford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 30 October 2019.The correct answer should have been: The family Immigration Rules set out the requirements to be met to allow any adult dependant relative of a British citizen to come to the UK. The applicant must be outside the UK and in most cases, the sponsor will be in the UK.The adult dependent relative rules, together with the policy on exceptional circumstances, ensure that leave can be granted for those who demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, there is a level of long-term personal care required that can only be provided in the UK by their British relative who is here, or who is intending to return here with their dependant relative.The Home Office will provide the necessary funding for projects under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for the lifetime of their projects, even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. baroness williams of trafford: The family Immigration Rules set out the requirements to be met to allow any adult dependant relative of a British citizen to come to the UK. The applicant must be outside the UK and in most cases, the sponsor will be in the UK.The adult dependent relative rules, together with the policy on exceptional circumstances, ensure that leave can be granted for those who demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, there is a level of long-term personal care required that can only be provided in the UK by their British relative who is here, or who is intending to return here with their dependant relative.The Home Office will provide the necessary funding for projects under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for the lifetime of their projects, even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Asylum: Finance baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatcriteria they use to determine whetheran applicant for section 4 asylum support should be considered particularly vulnerable; what is the target timescale for an asylum seeker who is deemed to be vulnerable to receive that support under Home Office guidelines; and what was the average time taken for a payment to be made after an application for support by an applicant that met thatcriteria in the most recent period for which figures are available. baroness williams of trafford: The Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2005 define a vulnerable person as:A minorA disabled personAn elderly personA pregnant womanA person who has been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence;A person who has had an individual evaluation of his situation that confirms he/she has special needs.Accommodation providers are also contractually required to take account of any particular circumstances and vulnerability of those that they accommodate. The definition of vulnerability in the contracts is the same as the one set out in the 2005 Regulations.The particular circumstances of other supported asylum seekers and their dependants who may have other particular vulnerabilities are also carefully considered, for example because they have care needs or health problems that require a need for a specific type of accommodation or accommodation in a particular location. Further details regarding these policies can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-requests-policyWe aim to decide most of these applications within 5 working days, or 2 days of the Home Office reviewing the application if the person is vulnerable, but some take longer because of the need to make further enquiries to establish that the person is eligible to receive the support.The Home Office monitors closely the performance of asylum support application decision making and has a range of targets for processing support applications depending on the nature of the application being made. However information on processing times is not recorded in a format suitable for publication. We are currently in the process of embedding a new system and reporting tools and once this has been implemented we will review our reporting processes,. Accommodation Requests policy (PDF Document, 87.23 KB) British Nationality baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that British citizenship is granted to stateless persons who fulfil the conditions of paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the British Nationality Act 1981 but who may be unable to obtain sufficient evidence of that. baroness williams of trafford: To register a child under paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 of the British Nationality Act 1981 the Home Office needs to be satisfied that the statutory requirements are met, and will make relevant enquiries to establish the facts in each case. British Nationality: Hong Kong baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in responding to the request of ex-Hong Kong servicemen for British citizenship for service to the Crown, following their meeting with the Home Office on 30 November 2018 and their supply, in early 2019, of the information requested by the Home Office. baroness williams of trafford: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 30 October 2019.The correct answer should have been: The family Immigration Rules set out the requirements to be met to allow any adult dependant relative of a British citizen to come to the UK. The applicant must be outside the UK and in most cases, the sponsor will be in the UK.The adult dependent relative rules, together with the policy on exceptional circumstances, ensure that leave can be granted for those who demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, there is a level of long-term personal care required that can only be provided in the UK by their British relative who is here, or who is intending to return here with their dependant relative.Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme, that was introduced in 1990 and ran until 1 July 1997, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as a British citizen.We are giving careful consideration to representations made on behalf of those former Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were unable to obtain citizenship through the selection scheme. baroness williams of trafford: The family Immigration Rules set out the requirements to be met to allow any adult dependant relative of a British citizen to come to the UK. The applicant must be outside the UK and in most cases, the sponsor will be in the UK.The adult dependent relative rules, together with the policy on exceptional circumstances, ensure that leave can be granted for those who demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, there is a level of long-term personal care required that can only be provided in the UK by their British relative who is here, or who is intending to return here with their dependant relative.Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme, that was introduced in 1990 and ran until 1 July 1997, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as a British citizen.We are giving careful consideration to representations made on behalf of those former Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were unable to obtain citizenship through the selection scheme. Crime Prevention lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to prevent criminals exploiting a no-deal Brexit. baroness williams of trafford: The continued safety and security of our citizens remains the top priority.We continue to work closely with operational partners, and engage with EU Member States, to ensure we are ready for a no deal scenario, keeping our planning under rigorous review.We will transition our law enforcement cooperation with EU Member States to alternative non-EU arrangements, which include making more use of Interpol, Council of Europe instruments and other forms of co-operation with European partners, such as bilateral channels. Whilst these alternative arrangements are not like-for-like replacements, they are largely tried and tested mechanisms that we already use for cooperating with many non-EU countries.Our law enforcement community have been and will continue to monitor, assess the potential response of organised crime groups (OCGs) to a no-deal situation.Our preparations include extra funding for the National Crime Agency to build resilience in their international criminality bureau and international liaison network. Refugees: Syria baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to take in more Syrian refugees if President Erdogan ejects them from Turkey. baroness williams of trafford: We continue to resettle refugees affected by the Syria conflict who have been deemed the most vulnerable by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and where resettlement has been deemed as the only durable solution for their circumstances. Over 17,000 refugees have found sanctuary in the UK through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and are rebuilding their lives here.Once we have delivered our current commitments under the VPRS, Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme and Gateway Protection Programme, we will consolidate these schemes into a new global resettlement scheme to start in 2020. We will continue to work with UNHCR to identify refugees for resettlement as we implement the new scheme. Racial Discrimination: Football lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many football-related racist incidents were recorded in each year since 2009. lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to investigate the possibility of increasing the penalties for football-related racist attacks and incidents. lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 with a view to increasing penalties for racist incidents. baroness williams of trafford: We abhor racism, which has no place in football and must not be tolerated. Racist chanting or abuse may be an offence under section 3 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 or sections 4, 4A or 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. Offences under sections 4 and 4A of the 1986 Act carry a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and are capable of being charged as a racially or religiously aggravated offence. In addition, the court must impose a preventative Football Banning Order following conviction for these offences if making an order would help to prevent football-related violence or disorder. Football Banning Orders prohibit the subject from attending regulated football matches for between three and ten years and can impose additional conditions if necessary.Data on police reported football-related racist incidents for football seasons 2012/13 to 2018/19 is shown in the table below. No earlier data is available. During the 2017/18 football season, the Home Office’s UK Football Policing Unit commenced a new working arrangement with the Football Association and Kick It Out to ensure police are aware of football-related racist incidents that otherwise would not have been reported.SeasonNumber of police reported football-related racist incidents2012/13942013/14992014/15782015/15682016/17702017/18942018/19152We have a strong legal framework in place to deal with the perpetrators of racism and other hate crime. The Law Commission is carrying out a full review of the coverage and approach of current hate crime legislative provisions, including in the context of football. Cabinet Office Elections: Visual Impairment lord crisp: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take toensure that their proposals to "protect the integrity of the electoral system" include provisions to ensure people with conditions such as sight loss are able to vote. earl howe: The Government announced in conjunction with the Queen’s Speech that it intends to bring forward a package of measures that respond to issues raised in the Government’s response to the 2018 Call for Evidence on Access to Elections. These will include increasing the range of support available to voters with disabilities, including people with sight loss, in polling stations and allowing a wider range of people (such as carers) to assist disabled voters in polling stations if needed. Elections: Visual Impairment lord crisp: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the judgment by the High Court in May which ruled that the current method used in elections to make ballot papers accessible for blind and partially sighted voters was unlawful, what plans they have to reform that method. earl howe: The Government continues to work with the Cabinet Office chaired Accessibility of Elections Working Group to make an informed assessment of the most suitable options to take forward. Work has been undertaken to revise guidance to electoral administrators and, with input from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), to research technical solutions which will be further discussed at a dedicated sub-group. Officials are also due to hold a meeting specifically on this topic with the RNIB shortly.The proposals announced as part of the package around the Queen’s Speech, will bring forward measures that respond to issues raised in the Government’s response to the 2018 Call for Evidence on Access to Elections. This will include increasing the range of support available to voters with disabilities, including sight loss, in polling stations and allowing a wider range of people (such as carers) to assist disabled voters in polling stations if needed. Elections: Visual Impairment lord crisp: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure that any introduction of a photographic ID requirement for voting will not have a disproportionate effect on blind and partially sighted people. the earl of courtown: Voter ID is part of a body of work this Government is delivering to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and give the public confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century.We will continue to consult and work with a broad range of representative groups, charities and civil society organisations to understand the needs of all voters. We will also continue to listen to the Cabinet Office Accessibility of Elections Working Group, which includes in its membership the Royal National Institute of Blind people.We will keep Public Sector Equality Duty compliance at the core of our preparations and work with stakeholders as we take forward measures to improve the integrity and accessibility of our elections. These measures will include increasing the range of support available to voters with disabilities in polling stations and allowing a wider range of people (such as carers) to assist disabled voters in polling stations if needed. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Football: Racial Discrimination lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to combat racism in football. baroness barran: We strongly condemn the recent incidents of racism in sport both at home and abroad. There is no place anywhere for racism in sport and we want it stamped out at every level of competition. The football authorities have set out robust plans to combat racism in football. This includes a consistent approach to stronger education measures, improved reporting systems and better training and support for referees and stewards - such as through improved CCTV for recognition of offenders, and expanding the use of body cameras worn by stewards. The FA have announced an increase of the minimum sanction for discriminatory behaviour to a ten-match ban. It is vital the football authorities continue to prioritise tackling this despicable abuse and we expect them to consult with both players and supporters’ groups as they progress their plans. We will be monitoring how the football authorities implement their plans through the season.We welcome the Premier League’s continuing commitment to eradicate racism from the game, with the promotion of their No Room For Racism campaign over two match weeks, that urges supporters to report discrimination. After the appalling incidents during the recent Bulgaria versus England game, the Government wrote to the England team supporting and commending their dignity on the pitch, and to UEFA urging that swift action be taken to investigate the incidents and punish those involved. Social Media lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce legislation concerning the application of augmented realityfilters by social media networks. baroness barran: At present the Government has no plans to introduce legislation concerning the application of augmented reality filters by social media networks. Ministry of Justice Prisons: Food baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of food served inEnglish prisons is (a) organic, and (b) locally sourced; and what plans they have, if any, to increase that percentage. lord keen of elie: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) purchase food commodities for prisoner and staff meals from a national food contract currently held by Bidfood UK. HMPPS does not require its supplier to provide figures relating to the percentage of organic and locally produced products provided to prisons through this contract. However, the contract was one of the first to adopt and implement the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)’s Plan for Public Procurement: Food & Catering. Regular scrutiny and reporting of the contract shows that the level of UK sourced commodities purchased is 52% (Country of Origin) and the level of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) provision is over 60%. Bidfood UK are committed to increasing the percentage of UK sourced products.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2019-10-30

Home Office Livestock: Theft baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent of farm animal theft. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office’s Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) asks businesses about their experience of crime in the last 12 months.Figures on crime experienced by business premises within the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector have been published in the latest ‘Crime against businesses’ publication: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-against-businesses-findings-from-the-2017-commercial-victimisation-survey-data-tables.This includes estimates of theft and specifically of livestock theft but not on the theft of farm equipment. Agricultural Machinery: Theft baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent of farm equipment theft. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office’s Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) asks businesses about their experience of crime in the last 12 months.Figures on crime experienced by business premises within the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector have been published in the latest ‘Crime against businesses’ publication: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-against-businesses-findings-from-the-2017-commercial-victimisation-survey-data-tables.This includes estimates of theft and specifically of livestock theft but not on the theft of farm equipment. Crime Against Businesses findings from 2017 (Excel SpreadSheet, 123.5 KB) Offences against Children: North of England lord morris of aberavon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will invite HM Inspector of Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service to analyse and report on the timeliness of the investigations into and prosecutions for sexual offences concerning girls in Huddersfield and other northern towns and cities. baroness williams of trafford: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is already inspecting the child protection work of every police in England and Wales through its National Child Protection Inspections. As part of these inspections HMICFRS will continue to inspect against forces’ awareness of and response to child sexual abuse and exploitation, including how well the service helps and protects vulnerable children and investigates these crimes.The investigations in Huddersfield are ongoing and are an operational matter for the local police. It is for the police and Crown Prosecution Service to investigate allegations and build cases for prosecution. These parts of the criminal justice system are independent of government and it is a vital principle that police carry out their duties free from political interference.It is for the locally elected Police and Crime Commissioner to decide how best to hold his force to account and commission a review if he considers it appropriate.In addition, in March 2015 the Home Office established the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse to consider the extent to which institutions – including the police – have failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The Inquiry has announced an investigation examining institutional responses to the sexual exploitation of children by organised networks. Home Office: Staff lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals who have declared as (1) Muslims, and (2) members of other faiths and none, there were in the top four grades of the Home Office on (a) 1 September 2012, and (b) 31 September 2014. baroness williams of trafford: The information is provided in the table belowReligionSeptember 2012September 2014Muslim**********Other Faiths64%70%No Religion**********Data Source: Data View - Office for National Statistics compliant monthly snapshot corporate Human Resources data for Home Office.Period Covered:01/10/2011 to 30/09/201201/10/2013 to 30/09/2014Organisational Coverage:Home OfficeEmployee Coverage: Data is based on Headcount of current paid permanent civil servants in SCS grade,Top 4 grades classed as SCS members (SCS PB1, PB2 (Directors), PB3 (Director Generals) and PB4 (Permanent Secretary))Note: Figures for protected characteristics of Religious Belief are representative of only those staff who have made a positive statement.Those who ‘Prefer not to say’ or are ‘Not Surveyed’ have been excluded.Statistical disclosure controls: these have been applied to this information to comply with the UK Statistics Authority Code of Practice and the Data Protection Act.Where a category has either (a) fewer than 5 employees or (b) no employees figures have been redacted and replaced with ***** (5 stars) to prevent the disclosure of small numbers. This enables transparency of as much information as possible without the need to redact the overall figures. North Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel baroness harris of richmond: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the findings of the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel into the behaviour of the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, whether they intend to review that Panel's powerto hold the Police and Crime Commissioner to account. baroness williams of trafford: Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have an important role in holding their forces to account and focusing on cutting crime and it is right they are held to the very highest standards.PCCs operate in the full gaze of the media and must justify their record to the public every four years, via the ballot box.Police and Crime Panels have the appropriate powers to effectively scrutinise the actions and decisions of Police and Crime Commissioners and enable the public to make an informed decision when voting. The Senior Deputy Speaker Palace of Westminster: Fire Prevention lord blencathra: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration was given to the needs of disabled users of the Palace when the decision was taken to install temporary fire doors in certain areas of the Palace of Westminster; and how long he anticipates those doors being in place. lord laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The temporary fire doors needed to be installed to ensure mitigation to Fire Life Safety non-compliance. The floor springs and hinges of the original doors had deteriorated to the extent that it was not possible to ensure compliance. Work had to be undertaken requiring their removal and replacement with temporary fire doors.Consideration was given to disabled users; the temporary doors are in excess of current part M Building Regulations, requiring minimum 800mm width doors, as 830mm wide doors have been installed which fully comply with both Part M (access) and Part B (fire) requirements. The original doors will be returned from mid-November to the end of November. Palace of Westminster: Fire Prevention lord blencathra: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration has been given to replacing the recently installed single-leaf temporary fire doors in the Palace of Westminster with double-leaf doors that (1) swing both ways, and (2) have larger glass panels. lord laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The existing doors’ apertures are not large enough to accommodate temporary frames and temporary double leaf fire doors. The cost of providing temporary double leaf doors is considerably more expensive than single doors and the lead time for double leaf doors would delay the programme; the cost and delay would increase further for doors with double swing frames. The installed temporary glass panels are compatible with certified British Standards and Building Regulations standards for disabled access/visibility in that they allow wheelchair to wheelchair visibility through the glass.No consideration has been given to replace the temporary doors given the deadline to achieve life safety compliance, compliance with British Standards and Building Regulations, and the additional cost of replacement. The original doors will be returned between mid-November and the end of November. Palace of Westminster: Fire Prevention lord blencathra: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration has been given to replacing the recently installed temporary fire doors in the Palace of Westminster with models more in keeping with the aesthetic of the Palace. lord laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. To fabricate temporary doors more in keeping with the original doors would be extremely costly and would delay the programme well beyond the compliance deadline date.  Such a door would require the alteration of the original frame which would not be permitted under current listed building permissions.No consideration has been given to replace the temporary doors given the deadline to achieve life safety compliance, compliance with British Standards and Building Regulations, and the additional cost of replacement. The original doors will be returned between mid-November and the end of November. Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice: Families baroness eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Ministry of Justice policies have been assessed against the Family Test; and whether they have published the outcome of any such assessments. lord keen of elie: The Government is committed to supporting families. To achieve this, in 2014 we introduced the Family Test, which aims to ensure that impacts on family relationships and functioning are recognised early on during the process of policy development and help inform the policy decisions made by Ministers. The Ministry of Justice does not collect information on the number of Family Test assessments completed. There is no requirement for departments to publish the results of assessments made under the Family Test. Women and Equalities Government Equalities Office: Families baroness eaton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Government Equalities Office policies have been assessed against the Family Test; and whether they have published the outcome of any such assessments. baroness williams of trafford: The government is committed to supporting families. To achieve this, in 2014 we introduced the Family Test, which aims to ensure that impacts on family relationships and functioning are recognised early on during the process of policy development and help inform the policy decisions made by Ministers. There is no requirement for departments to publish the results of assessments made under the Family Test.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2018-11-07

Department for Transport Diesel Vehicles: Imports lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government, whether they intend to ban the importation of vehicles produced by those German car manufacturers that are being investigated by the German anti-trust authorities for alleged collusion to misrepresent diesel emissions until that investigation has concluded. lord callanan: This is a matter for the relevant competition authorities and we await their findings. There are no plans to ban the importation of vehicles from the manufacturers that are reportedly under investigation. Trains: Standards baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what comparative assessment they have made of (1) new Intercity Express bi-mode trains, and (2) fully electric trains,in respect of their (a) acceleration, and (b) overall speed. lord callanan: Hitachi Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) are testing the Intercity Express Trains in diesel and electric to ensure they can deliver existing timetables and offer journey time reductions once electrification is complete. We remain confident that journey time improvements will be delivered. Testing is ongoing in the run up to the Intercity Express Train introduction on the GWR network. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Electric Vehicles baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the capacity of the electricity grid to cope withadditional demandresulting fromincreased numbers of electric cars and buses. lord prior of brampton: The Government has set out its ambition for almost all cars and vans to be zero emissions by 2050, and that sales of new conventional cars and vans will end by 2040. By setting these long-term goals, the Government can ensure that there is plenty of time to ready the grid for the mass transition towards cleaner, more efficient vehicles.We have regular discussions with all the key parties in the electricity systems – including energy suppliers, network operators and National Grid – to ensure that all parties are prepared for electric vehicle take up. The capacity market is our principal tool for ensuring we have sufficient capacity to meet demand. National Grid use the latest trends in supply and demand (including from electric vehicles) when advising on the volume of capacity to secure through these auctions.Distribution Network Operators forecast the likely uptake of plug-in electric vehicles, in discussion with Government, in order to shape their investment plans. Government is also taking powers as part of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill to require all new chargepoints sold or installed in the UK to be smart enabled. Smart charging can help reduce the impact of electric vehicles on the electricity network by ensuring that they can flex to the grid’s need, avoiding existing peaks in demand. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Israel: Palestinians lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose measures to improve the status quo for the people of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, for humanitarian reasons and to prepare the way for permanent peace negotiations. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK Government regularly raises with the Government of Israel concerns about the situation for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and pushes for an easing of restrictions. We are firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, and call upon all parties to abide by International Humanitarian Law. Ultimately peace will only come through fresh negotiations between the parties, which the UK fully supports, and it is critical that Israel and the Palestinians take advantage of any momentum gathered through international efforts. Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom the lord bishop of leeds: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia. lord ahmad of wimbledon: Saudi Arabia remains a human rights priority country because of the restrictions on the freedom of religion and belief, including the prohibition on publicly practising religions other than Islam. The UK Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international human rights instruments. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Foreign Secretary intends to meet the Iranian Foreign Minister or members of his team at the next UN General Assembly; and if so, whetherhe will seek to ensure that the British Ambassador to Iran can visit the detained British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, particularly in the light of concerns about her health. baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make an appeal to Iran to release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe,in the context ofthe theme of the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Foreign Secretary met the Iranian Foreign Minister on 18 September and raised the cases of our British/Iranian dual-national detainees, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. I also raised our dual national detainees with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, at the UN General Assembly in New York. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are taking forward the request from Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's legal representative that an independent medical commission should examine her for her fitness to remain in prison; and whether they intend to seek assurances that any such assessment will be objective. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are not aware of any request to assist on this matter from either the legal representative or family of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, but we will consider what assistance we may be able to offer should a request be made. Israel: Palestinians baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports thatHamas leadershave offeredthe government of Israel a long-term ceasefire in exchange for the blockade on the Gaza Strip being lifted. lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​While we have not made any assessment of this issue, we have been clear that we believe that a durable ceasefire agreement should ensure that Hamas and other terrorist groups permanently end rocket fire and other terrorist attacks against Israel, and that all terrorist groups in Gaza should disarm. Our policy on Hamas remains clear: Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. Hamas must make credible movement towards these conditions, which remain the benchmark against which its intentions should be judged. We call on those in the region with influence over Hamas to encourage them to take these steps. Israel: Palestinians baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reports of the eviction of families living in East Jerusalem. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Minister of State for the Middle East issued a statement on 6 September condemning the eviction of the Shamanseh family from the property they have lived in for decades in East Jerusalem. The UK considers such evictions contrary to international law and they cause unnecessary suffering. The increased trajectory of evictions, demolitions and settlements in East Jerusalem undermines the prospects for peace. Israel: Burma baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of Israel has supplied weapons to the government of Myanmar. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have not made representations on this issue. Under the EU arms embargo to Myanmar, the UK would not export military equipment to Israel if we believed that the ultimate end user destination would be Burma. Palestinians: Freedom of Expression baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Palestinian Authority following reports of restrictions being imposed on free speech and the arrest of activists who have criticised Palestinian Authority leaders. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Government stands up for and strongly supports the right of freedom of expression. We have concerns about the contraction of space for free speech in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Our Consul-General to Jerusalem raised our concerns over the arrest and detention of human rights activists and advocates of free speech with the Palestinian Authority on 10 September. Bahrain: Technical Assistance lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 31 July (HL931), how the £1.52 million from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund for technical assistance to Bahrain in 2016–17 wasbroken down by head of expenditure; and how much was actually spent under each of those heads. lord ahmad of wimbledon: In 2016-17, the UK continued to work with the Government of Bahrain – including through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) – to encourage progress on human rights in areas which included focusing on building effective and accountable institutions, strengthening the rule of law and justice reform. All of our work aims to support these institutions to operate in line with international standards, including on human rights, through sharing UK expertise and experience. Any training provided by or on behalf of the UK Government fully complies with our domestic and international human rights obligations. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not in a position to make precise figures available as we have a duty to maintain the confidentiality and confidence of our partners. Department for Education Entry Clearances: Overseas Students baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many international students with Tier 4 visas gained qualifications in the last academic year for which figures are available. lord nash: We do not hold information on how many students with a Tier 4 visa gain qualifications each year. However, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects data on those gaining HE qualifications by country of domicile. This shows that in the academic year 2015/16 there were just over 150,000 higher education qualifications obtained at UK Higher Education Institutions by students living in non-EU countries immediately prior to them commencing their studies. Not all these students would have required Tier 4 visas to study in the UK. T-levels baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in developing T-level qualifications. baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government who is developing T-level qualifications; in what subjects; and at what levels. baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect T-level qualifications to be available to candidates. lord nash: The government is creating a world class technical education system. The best way to deliver this successfully is through partnership between government, business experts and leaders and education professionals. We are therefore working closely with these stakeholders and their representative bodies to ensure we get these reforms right.T levels will be shaped by industry professionals and will provide stretching technical content, delivered to industry standards. This will ensure the qualifications have real labour market value and credibility. The first teaching of T levels by a number of providers will commence in September 2020, with all routes available from September 2022.We are planning a public consultation on the design of T levels, to allow all interested organisations and individuals to contribute towards the development of the new programmes. We will provide an update on progress with the development of T levels later this year. Ministry of Justice Magistrates' Courts: Newcastle upon Tyne lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether magistrates court proceedings will be heard in Newcastle following the proposed relocation of family proceedings to the Civic Centre; and if not heard in Newcastle, where. lord keen of elie: HM Courts & Tribunals Service intends that magistrates’ court hearings will continue to be heard in Newcastle following the proposed relocation of civil and family work to the Civic Centre. Legal Representation lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the results of their review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 in relation to (1) the number of unrepresented litigants compared to the situation prior to the coming into force of the Act, and (2) the outcomes in cases where litigants are unrepresented in cases relating to housing and family law and the criminal courts; and if so, when. lord keen of elie: The Lord Chancellor is currently considering the planned post-implementation review of recent legal aid reforms and will make an announcement in due course. Ministry of Defence Caribbean: Hurricanes and Tornadoes lord naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government when relief aircraft at RAF Brize Norton were ordered to be loaded up to fly to the disaster zone affected by Hurricane Irma. lord naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government when RAF Brize Norton was informed of the impact of Hurricane Irma and of the need for relief flights. earl howe: On 6 September 2017 RAF Brize Norton was notified of the potential requirement to provide humanitarian relief flights and on 7 September the station was tasked to prepare those flights. Having identified and prioritised the relief stores required and established which runways remained open following Hurricane Irma's impact, the first aircraft were loaded and dispatched from RAF Brize Norton on 8 September, reaching the Caribbean that night. The Ministry of Defence is providing significant support to the relief efforts in the Caribbean following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) MOUNTS BAY was pre-positioned in the region and loaded with aid precisely so we could respond to hurricane damage. So far 60 tonnes of much needed humanitarian aid has been distributed across the region by air. HMS OCEAN arrived in the British Virgin Islands on Friday 22 September with a further 60 tonnes of aid and is helping to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and engineering tasks. UK military personnel will continue to provide immediate support after Hurricane Maria has passed. Defence activity will remain under constant review and we will continue to work with local authorities to establish what is required. Caribbean: Hurricanes and Tornadoes baroness sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK military personnel are engaged in relief efforts in (1) the British Overseas Territories, and (2) other Commonwealth nations, impacted by Hurricane Irma. earl howe: The Ministry of Defence is providing significant support to the relief efforts in the Caribbean following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. As at 21 September 2017, there are 543 UK military personnel in the British Overseas Territories of the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 671 personnel are in the Commonwealth nation of Barbados. In addition there are 207 military personnel on RFA MOUNTS BAY, which was pre-positioned in the region ready for the hurricane season. HMS OCEAN arrived in the British Virgin Islands on Friday 22 September with an additional 632 personnel to support relief efforts.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2017-09-26

Abortion Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 29 October (WA 135), whether the Abortion Act 1967 is being infringed when abortions are authorised by two doctors who had neither seen the patient nor read her notes. Lord Darzi of Denham: The certificate of opinion (form HSA1) requires each doctor to indicate whether he has or has not seen or examined the patient. It also requires that the certificate of opinion relates to the circumstances of the pregnant woman's individual case. If the doctor knows nothing of the woman's individual case, he could not have formed his opinion in good faith (as required by Section 1 of the Abortion Act 1967 and the HSA1 form prescribed in the Abortion Regulations 1991, which includes a declaration that the opinion was formed in good faith). Agriculture: GM Crops Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will always apply the precautionary principle when considering issues concerning genetically modified crops, their cultivation and importation; and, in particular, whether they are applying this principle to genetically modified maize and its possible effects on butterflies and other beneficial insects. Lord Rooker: There are strict EU safety controls on the proposed release of genetically modified (GM) organisms, and the Government take a precautionary approach when addressing this issue. Risk assessments of GM crops look at the potential impact on insects, in particular where the crop is designed to be resistant to a specific pest species. Alcohol Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the Department of Health leaflet How Much is Too Much? updated in October states that one small glass of wine containing 125 millilitres (ml) contains one unit of alcohol, when that amount of most table wines containing 13.5 per cent alcohol would be 1.7 units of alcohol; and why the department's web page on alcohol and health states that a 175 ml glass of wine contains two units, when the figure for most table wines is 2.36 units. Lord Darzi of Denham: In the leaflet How Much is Too Much? the information that a 125 millilitre (ml) glass of wine contains around one unit of alcohol is inaccurate. A 125 ml glass of wine containing 13 per cent alcohol contains 1.6 units of alcohol. The department is committed to ensuring that everyone has accurate information so that they can estimate how much they really drink. In addition, as the noble Lord pointed out, the entry on the alcohol and health web page was inaccurate and has now been corrected. I would like to thank the noble Lord for bringing this to the Secretary of State's attention. Alcohol Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many residential alcohol treatment requirements have been imposed by the courts of England and Wales in each quarter since Section 212 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 came into force on 4 April 2005. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The table below shows the number of alcohol treatment requirements made under community orders and suspended sentence orders that commenced under Probation Service supervision in each quarter since they were introduced for adult offenders for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005. Information on the number of alcohol treatment requirements made where the required treatment was residential is not centrally available. Q2 2005 Q3 2005 Q4 2005 Q1 2006 Q2 2006 Q3 2006 Q4 2006 Q1 2007 Q2 2007 277 627 644 749 819 892 800 940 1,095 These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Alcohol Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the number of places available in establishments suitable for persons subject to alcohol treatment requirements under Section 212 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003; and how many of these were unoccupied on the latest convenient date. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There is no specific allocation of places in residential rehabilitation for offenders sentenced to an alcohol treatment requirement (ATR). Offenders on ATRs will generally be managed as out-patients but they can be referred into residential treatment provision subject to an assessment of their suitability, the availability of a placement and the necessary funding being in place. The Bedvacs residential database indicates that there are 2,148 beds in residential rehabilitation services in England and Wales (this figure excludes the 412 beds that are reserved solely for those with a drugs problem). Of the 2,148 beds, 427 were unoccupied in the week ending 23 November 2007 (the most recent date for which figures are available). Alcohol Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What arrangements they have made for monitoring the subsequent criminal justice history of persons discharged from alcohol treatment requirements under Section 212 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003; and whether they are evaluating the comparative effectiveness of treatment in the establishments to which offenders are committed. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Alcohol treatment requirements (ATRs) provide access to a tailored treatment programme with the aim of reducing or eliminating drink dependency. The requirement can last between six months and three years. Information on the termination of alcohol treatment requirements, the reasons for their termination and the time taken to terminate is routinely monitored by RDS NOMS in the form of a data collection exercise, under which each probation area submits regular monthly data returns to RDS NOMS. However, there is no specific monitoring of the subsequent criminal justice history of persons discharged from ATRs. Reoffending rates of persons discharged from ATRs may be included in future reoffending reports. The first reoffending report in which community orders will be reported on will be the 2006 cohort results, which are planned to be published in late July 2008. A research study has been commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, which, although not assessing reoffending specifically, will examine ATR retention and completion rates and will consider the different commissioning and delivery models for ATRs. This study will report at the end of 2008. The Ministry of Justice is not evaluating the comparative effectiveness of treatment in the establishments to which offenders are committed. However, the Department of Health's Review of the Effectiveness of Treatment for Alcohol Problems (2006) provided a "critical appraisal of the evidence base for the treatments available for people with alcohol problems" which offenders on ATRs will be referred into. Asylum Seekers: Unaccompanied Children Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations they received from the British Dental Association regarding the use of dental X-rays to assist in determining the age of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children; and whether they will place copies of this and other representations on this subject in the Library of the House, together with their responses. Lord West of Spithead: We received 119 written responses to our consultation paper Planning Better Outcomes and Support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children. This included a response from the British Dental Association. We have considered the responses received and intend to publish our response paper in the near future. Copies will be placed in the House Library. Carers Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many carers under the age of 18 are unable to attend school or college; and how this has changed in the past year. Lord Adonis: This information is not collected. The parents of all children of compulsory school age have a duty to secure their children's participation in suitable full-time education, whether at school or otherwise. Schools record the attendance and absence of their registered pupils using national codes that show the reason for any absence, but there is no discrete code for absence that results from caring responsibilities. We do not collect absence data for pupils who are not of compulsory school age or children and young people who are educated outside the school system. Children: Care Lord Bradley: asked Her Majesty's Government: For each of the 10 metropolitan councils in Greater Manchester, how many children were placed in care outside their own district in each of the last five years; and what was the cost of these placements in each of the last five years. Lord Adonis: For children who were placed in care outside their own local authorities, this information has been collected only since 2005-06 and so is not available for the last five years. The most up-to-date local authority information can be found in Table 22 of the statistical volume entitled Children Looked After by Local Authorities, Year Ending 31 March 2006 and is accessible at www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgatewav/DB/VOL/v000721/Addition1.xls. An edited version of Table 22 is shown below. Edited version of Table 22: children looked after at 31 March 2006 by placement in or out of local authority's area at 31 March 20061,2,3,4,5,6 England Numbers Children for whom local authority is responsible Placement of children All children3 Placed within LA boundary 3 Placed outside LA boundary3 Area of placement unknown3,4 External children placed within LA5 All children placed within LA boundary6 Net gain of children by responsible LA6 Bolton 390 265 85 40 110 375 -15 Bury 305 195 90 15 95 290 -15 Manchester 1,465 755 645 60 190 950 -515 Oldham 365 210 135 20 95 305 -60 Rochdale 310 195 95 25 130 325 15 Salford 565 335 210 20 75 410 -155 Stockport 310 200 95 10 225 425 120 Tameside 320 225 80 10 115 340 20 Trafford 215 145 - - 125 270 55 Wigan 415 290 110 15 120 410 - 1. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements. 2. Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return. 3. Children who are the responsibility of the LA. 4. Placement is not known or not collected (not collected where child placed for adoption). 5. Children who are the responsibility of another LA. 6. Figures exclude children whose LA of placement is not known. Further information is also available on national level data for children placed in care outside their local authorities only by foster placement, children's homes and secure units, year ending 31 March 2007. Table A3 is accessible at www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000741/index.shtml. Information on the cost of out-of-authority placements is not collected centrally. Children: Computerised Database Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in light of the missing computerised personal data relating to child benefit from HM Revenue and Customs, they intend to continue to compile the computerised children's database created under the Children Act 2004. Lord Adonis: The department is fully committed to implementing the ContactPoint system. Before it is put into service, ContactPoint will go through extensive user acceptance testing by practitioners to ensure that the system meets their needs and is fit for purpose. It will also be subject to rigorous penetration testing by people who are experts in the IT security field and approved by the Communications and Electronics Security Group. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families (Kevin Brennan) and I have today made the following Written Ministerial Statement about funding and implementation of ContactPoint: I am announcing today levels of funding to local authorities to support the implementation of ContactPoint and providing an update on the implementation timetable. To support local implementation until March 2009, £40 million will be made available, made up of the following elements: £27 million to local authorities in England, from April 2008 to March 2009, to support implementation;£1 million from April 2008 to March 2009 to support national partners' ContactPoint implementation projects;a further £12 million from January 2008, made available to lead organisations to support modifications to case management systems. This will enable the main existing systems to provide data to ContactPoint and/or for authorised users to be able to have one-way access to ContactPoint via those systems. We have also provided indicative funding allocations to local authorities for future years: £27 million in 2009-10 and £15 million in 2010-11. My officials will write to local authorities and national partners today to inform local authorities and other partners about this funding. ContactPoint is a key element of the Every Child Matters programme to transform children's services by supporting more effective prevention and early intervention. Its goal is to improve outcomes and the experience of public services for all children, young people and families. ContactPoint will provide a tool to support better communication among practitioners across education, health, social care and youth offending. It will provide a quick way for those practitioners to find out who else is working with the same child or young person. ContactPoint will be a simple basic online tool containing: minimal identifying information for each child, and name, address, date of birth, gender, and contact details for parents or carers; each child will also have a unique identifying number;contact details for the child's educational setting and GP practice and for other practitioners or services working with them; and an indication as to whether a service or practitioner holds an assessment under the common assessment framework or whether they are a lead professional for that child. No case information will be held on ContactPoint. ContactPoint is being developed with extensive input from a wide range of stakeholders. These include: delivery partners—local authorities and national partners (for example, voluntary and community sector organisations);practitioners and managers from across children's services, and bodies that represent them; andchildren, young people and parents and carers. Over the last few months, we have been considering the substantial stakeholder feedback that we have received and we have looked at the implications that the resulting proposed changes could have on the system. It is clear from the considerable work that we have done so far that we will need more time than we originally planned to address the changes to ContactPoint that potential system users suggested. The change to the timetable will mean that deployment of ContactPoint to the "early adopters" local authorities and national partners will be in September or October 2008. It will be deployed to all other local authorities and national partners in 2009, between January and May, depending on final deployment slots. The additional time available presents a number of opportunities to do more work in the period prior to ContactPoint deployment, which will help to realise some benefits earlier. The fundamental design of ContactPoint will not change; the alterations will make sure that the system works even more effectively for users and improves the ability of local authority ContactPoint teams to manage user access. The news on Tuesday 20 November of the loss of large volumes of child benefit data from HMRC has raised questions about the safety of large-scale personal data in other government systems, including ContactPoint. ContactPoint will not contain any financial information (such as bank details) or case information (such as case notes, assessments, medical records, exam results or subjective observations). On Tuesday 20 November, the department conducted an assessment of how personal data are stored and protected in the department. As a result of that assessment, I am confident that we have very robust procedures in place. On Wednesday 21 November, the Prime Minister confirmed this approach when he asked all departments to check their procedures for the storage and use of data. In light of the security breach at HMRC, we are continuing to check our procedures to ensure that standards are as high as they can be. To this end, on 20 November, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families decided to commission an independent assessment of its security procedures. This will be undertaken by Deloitte. Delaying the implementation of ContactPoint will enable the independent assessment of security procedures to take place as well as address the changes to ContactPoint that potential system users have told us that they need. Delivery partners will receive further information early in the new year. In the mean time, progress will be reported to local project managers regularly through their ContactPoint implementation co-ordinators. They will work with individual authorities and national partners to agree new deployment slots as soon as it is possible to do so. Climate Change: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the publication of the annual report and accounts for 2006-07 for the Environment Agency, whether industrial carbon dioxide emissions are not falling fast enough to meet United Kingdom domestic targets because (a) the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme offers insufficient incentive, or (b) other parts of the United Kingdom are increasing carbon emissions. Lord Rooker: The most significant factor contributing to increases in UK carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2005 and 2006 was greater electricity generation from coal burning. The price of gas has been at a level that has meant that it is more profitable to generate electricity through the increased use of coal. The introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) set a price on CO2 emissions. Power stations are covered by the scheme and must account for their emissions by surrendering allowances. In phase 1 of the EU ETS, the price of allowances fell significantly due to oversupply in the market. It is still more profitable for electricity generation to come from increased use of coal even when factoring in additional carbon costs of burning coal compared to gas. In phase 2 of the EU ETS, the European Commission's decision to request significant reductions on several member states' caps will help to ensure greater scarcity of allowances in the market. This should deliver a carbon price that incentivises cost-effective emission reductions and investment in clean technology. Crime: Domestic Abuse The Earl of Dundee: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to meet the national shortfall in refuges for women who have experienced domestic abuse. Baroness Andrews: There is a range of support for victims of domestic violence. Some victims will be accommodated in refuges, but sanctuary schemes and mainstream local authority accommodation may be an option for others, while some victims will pursue independent solutions with help and advice from support schemes as necessary. Housing associations have around 3,200 units of accommodation for women at risk of domestic violence. In the period 2006-08, the HC allocated £17 million for 153 units in 17 schemes or refuges, which will accommodate some 400 persons. It is currently assessing bids for 2008-11. The department provided revenue support for victims of domestic violence through the Supporting People programme of £61.6 million in 2006-07, up from £59.3 million in 2005-06. The Government also fund the national domestic violence helpline to give support and advice. Many victims of domestic violence prefer to stay in their own homes, if these can be made safe. We have published guidance on sanctuary schemes for housing providers, which set out the security measures that can enable victims and their children to remain in the family home. Crime: Electronic Tagging Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many people under 18 are currently monitored by electronic tagging in England and Wales; and how many have been monitored in each of the last five years. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Electronic monitoring (EM) is currently available for those aged 10 to 17 who have been sentenced to curfew orders, bailed with a curfew requirement from the courts, or subject to curfew on release from custody under a detention and training order. According to data provided by the EM contractors Group 4 Securicor and Serco, the case load for this age group at 31 October 2007 was 3,447. The total number of these cases monitored in each of the last five financial years, according to data returns from the EM contractors, is set out in the table below: Financial year Total number of people aged 10 to 17 subject to electronic monitoring 2002-03 6,235 2003-04 8,400 2004-05 10,343 2005-06 17,240 2006-07 21,703 Total 63,921 Disabled People: Electric Powered Vehicles Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations Ministers have received on the effects for disabled people, including severely disabled war pensioners, of subjecting to import duties the electric powered vehicles on which they depend for their mobility; and what action they will take. Lord Davies of Oldham: Electric mobility scooters have been classified in the same tariff heading for customs import duty purposes since at least 2002 when the World Customs Organisation published its classification opinion on the subject. The World Customs Organisation is the international authority responsible for tariff classification. The European Union has set an import duty of 10 per cent for these vehicles. Representations have been received from both the industry and disabled users of mobility scooters. They cover a range of issues: the tariff classification of the vehicles;the potential impact of demands for unpaid customs duty on companies within the industry and the increased cost to disabled people;the effect on value added tax (VAT) zero rating; and the usage of mobility scooters for travelling on pavements etc. VAT and customs are separate regimes. Classification for duty purposes under the customs regime has no direct bearing on VAT liability, which is determined by VAT law. For VAT purposes, mobility scooters may qualify for the zero rating that applies when disabled people purchase certain "carriages" or other equipment specifically designed to meet their needs. The Government have no plans to change the scope of this VAT relief. Classification for import duty purposes has no direct bearing on the usage of mobility scooters for travelling on pavements, usage on public roads etc. Officials from HM Revenue and Customs are working with the industry on the options available to pursue a change to the classification. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is now their view that passenger data should be included in e-Borders when the contract is due to be let for its provision. Lord West of Spithead: The e-Borders solution contract was awarded to the Trusted Borders consortium, led by Raytheon System Ltd, on 14 November 2007. The contract has provisions for the capture of all travel document information (TDI) from carriers during their check-in process as part of the core contractual requirements. We also have the option of additional service provisions to add to the core contract to enable capture of other passenger information (OPI), which are reservations data transmitted from carriers. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: For how long it is intended that Project Semaphore will run. Lord West of Spithead: Project Semaphore was commissioned to run for 39 months to provide an operational prototype to trial e-Borders concepts and technology in order to inform and derisk the e-Borders solution. The project currently receives and processes 30 million passenger movements each year, covering 134 non-UK arrival and departure points, and has exceeded its 30 million target. It will conclude on 31 March 2008. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the status of the authority to carry scheme within e-Borders. Lord West of Spithead: The e-Borders programme will establish the capability to automatically deny authority to carry (ATC) at the point of check-in to certain categories of individuals seeking to travel to the UK. Primary legislation is already in existence for the authority to carry scheme. E-Borders will require carriers to submit passenger details in advance of travel to the UK. The travel document data will be checked against a specific ATC categories list, which will be specified in secondary legislation. If a person is on this list, authority to carry can be refused to the carrier. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Within what timetable the authority to carry scheme is to be achieved. Lord West of Spithead: The e-Borders service provider has been tasked with delivering components of the authority to carry scheme over a phased period from October 2008. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 23 October (WA 101) regarding the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's (HFEA) code of practice, why the HFEA has not previously taken similar account of the Declaration of Helsinki. Lord Darzi of Denham: I am advised by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority that the guidance in the sixth edition of its code of practice, published in January 2004, provided information in line with the guidance set out in the Declaration of Helsinki, in respect of information for women donating eggs for research and the general obligations relating to consent. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many women have donated eggs specifically for research at each respective licensed centre following the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority press statement on 21 February; and what level of financial compensation was paid to egg providers at each respective licensed centre since that date. Lord Darzi of Denham: The information requested has not been collected by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) prior to February 2007. For these cases, the information is held locally on licensed centres' records and is made available for examination at HFEA inspections. Since February 2007, HFEA records show that no women underwent ovarian stimulation treatment specifically to donate eggs for research. Eggs have been donated as part of an egg-sharing arrangement for patients who were also undergoing their own fertility treatment. This is shown in the following table: Eggs donated for research since February 2007(1) Licensed centre Number of patients Number of cycles Number of eggs University College Hospital, London 1 1 3 Wessex Fertility Ltd, Southampton 1 1 4 St Mary's Hospital, Manchester 19 19 68 Note: (1) The HFEA is investigating the possibility of some double counting by two of the centres, which may affect the accuracy of these figures. The HFEA will release updated information when its investigations are complete. Source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Where all the eggs provided are for donation, the donor, irrespective of whether the eggs are to be used for treatment or research, can be reimbursed only for loss of earnings (up to a daily maximum of £55.19 with a maximum total payment of £250) and reasonable expenses. In egg-sharing arrangements, the patient receives treatment at a reduced cost in return for donating some of her eggs for the treatment of others or for research. Egg-sharing arrangements are carefully regulated and the HFEA's code of practice requires that the patient's treatment is not compromised by the donation. Emissions Trading Scheme Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government: To which companies and in what proportions the emissions allocations of the first phase of the European Emissions Trading Scheme were distributed. Lord Rooker: The EU has approximately 12,000 installations that monitor and report emissions to agreed guidelines in phase I of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). In the UK, approximately 1,100 installations were covered under phase I. These installations carry out activities as listed in Annexe I of the emissions trading directive. They include heavy emitters such as large electricity producers, energy-intensive activities such as iron and steel production and smaller combustion installations with a thermal input capacity above 20 megawatts (MW). The exact allocation to each UK installation is laid out in the final allocation decision for phase I. This is available on the Defra website. In the UK, all sectors except for the electricity supply industry were provided allocations that were equivalent to business-as-usual projections. The electricity supply industry was expected to deliver the emission reductions that the UK's share of the phase I cap required, as it faced limited international competition and had relatively low-cost abatement opportunities. Energy: Renewables Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much the cost of expansion of the national grid required to accommodate expected levels of renewables generation in the United Kingdom will exceed that assumed in the regulatory impact assessments conducted for the renewables obligations of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lord Jones of Birmingham: The energy White Paper set out proposals that will bring forward a wider range of renewables generation technologies. This includes the likely accelerated development of offshore wind. We estimate the costs of connection of 8 gigawatts of offshore wind generation to be £2.5 billion to £3 billion. Investment in onshore electricity networks is made by the transmission owners and distribution network operators under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. Ofgem has agreed £560 million of investment in the onshore transmission network specifically to connect new renewables generation in Scotland and the north of England. In the transmission price control, which covers the five-year period from 1 April 2007, a further £3.8 billion of investment in the transmission network was agreed. This figure includes both refurbishment and the costs of connecting new generators of all types, and it may increase if warranted by generator demand. These costs are not included in the regulatory impact assessment for the renewables obligation. The costs of new electricity infrastructure will ultimately depend on which technologies are brought forward, the amount of generation, its location and the technical and commercial framework within which it is delivered. Flooding Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the total cost of flood damage in each of the last 10 years. Lord Rooker: Where the information is available, the Environment Agency records flood extents. Complete estimates of actual flood damage in past years are not recorded centrally. Regular flooding occurs to a variable extent each year. Estimates of flood damage caused by some of the larger individual events in recent years are £3 billion from the flooding in June/July 2007 (still being evaluated), £450 million in Cumbria in 2005 and £1 billion in the autumn 2000 events. Flooding Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to give greater powers to the Environment Agency for the co-ordination of action to prevent flood damage. Lord Rooker: The Environment Agency is empowered under the Water Resources Act 1991 to manage flood risk arising from designated "main" rivers and the sea. The agency also exercises a general supervision over matters relating to flood defence. Under our developing strategy to improve flood risk management, Making Space for Water, we intend to give the agency a strategic overview for management of flood risk from all sources (main rivers and other watercourses, sea, surface, sewer and ground water). We have announced the detailed form that this new role will take on the coast and are considering how the role should be applied inland. As with the coastal overview role, the inland changes will be informed by public consultation. Flooding Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the number of different organisations producing flood mapping as a consequence of flood damage earlier this year. Lord Rooker: The Environment Agency's first national map of flooding was published on the internet in 2000. The Environment Agency is aware of other organisations, such as Norwich Union, that produce flood maps. However, the agency does not have a complete picture of the number of other organisations in the private sector that have produced flood maps since the summer floods. Flooding Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: What advice is being provided to local authorities on (a) the costs, and (b) the benefits of appropriate insurance cover for flood damage; and what assessment they have made of the costs incurred as a consequence of inadequate cover. Baroness Andrews: The Government do not hold detailed information about local authority insurance provision. Local authorities have a duty under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 to ensure that they have a sound system of internal control which facilitates the effective exercise of their functions and which includes arrangements for the management of risk (Regulation 4). Guidance issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy on local authority reserves and balances lists "the adequacy of the authority's insurance arrangements to cover major unforeseen risks" as one of the factors that authorities should consider in deciding the level of their general reserves (LAAP Bulletin 55). This guidance is available at www.cipfa.org.uk/pt/laap.cfm. Communities and Local Government (CLG) wrote to all local authority chief executives on 15 November 2007 to recommend that they review their decisions in respect of insurance cover for flooding to ensure that they are satisfied with the arrangements and level of cover in place in their authority. CLG suggested that they do so whether or not they experienced flooding this year. Food: Supplements Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment has been made by the Royal Mail of the volume of business it receives from the Channel Islands involving the carriage of food supplements and herbal remedies that either contain illegal ingredients or are marketed with illegal claims; and what steps they intend to take to ensure that Royal Mail addresses this issue. Lord Jones of Birmingham: This is an operational matter for which Royal Mail has direct responsibility. I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to provide a direct reply to the noble Baroness. Government: Devolved Institutions Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government: What formal mechanisms are in place to ensure that new developments in areas of devolved responsibility are shared between the United Kingdom Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The way in which the United Kingdom Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly communicate new developments in areas of devolved responsibility is rightly a matter for those bodies. The UK Parliament remains of course the sovereign legislature in the United Kingdom and can continue to debate, inquire into or make representations about devolved matters if it wishes. Health: Contaminated Blood Products Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which Ministers, from which departments of state, including the Ministry of Justice, the Scotland Office and the Wales Office, will be meeting the independent public inquiry, headed by Lord Archer of Sandwell, into the deaths of 1,757 haemophilia patients infected with contaminated National Health Service blood and blood products. Lord Darzi of Denham: There are currently no plans for Ministers to meet Lord Archer's independent inquiry. Officials from the department are co-operating fully with the inquiry, have met the inquiry team twice and have supplied it with copies of relevant official documents in line with the Freedom of Information Act. HIV/AIDS Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the incidence of HIV, AIDS and AIDS-related illness in the United Kingdom, by regions, for the years 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005. Lord Darzi of Denham: HIV is currently monitored at the overall population level by collection and analysis of data on the number of new HIV diagnoses, which includes newly acquired (incident) and existing (prevalent) infections. The data for 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005 are shown in the table. New HIV diagnoses by country/strategic health authority (SHA) and year of diagnosis Country/SHA of diagnosis England 1990 1995 2000 2005 North-east 26 23 38 156 North-west 146 182 237 633 Yorkshire and Humberside 82 84 102 501 East Midlands 58 52 100 405 West Midlands 90 101 184 446 East of England 53 78 181 530 London 1,642 1,683 2,331 3,180 South-east Coast 120 117 219 488 South Central 71 49 148 445 South-west 97 91 121 331 England total 2,385 2,460 3,661 7,115 Wales 36 45 45 122 Scotland 122 148 159 362 Northern Ireland 12 12 19 63 United Kingdom total 2,555 2,665 3,884 7,662 Source: Health Protection Agency The increase in the number of new HIV diagnoses has occurred for several reasons including: increased testing for HIV of groups at risk of infection;the introduction of HIV antenatal screening;diagnosis of infections in the United Kingdom that were acquired abroad in countries of HIV prevalence;continuing transmission of HIV in the United Kingdom, mainly transmitted sexually between men; and the introduction of effective antiretroviral drug therapies in the mid-1990s, which may have led to an increase in HIV testing. HIV incidence (newly acquired infections) is currently monitored through unlinked anonymous testing of men who have sex with men across a network of 15 sentinel genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Data are analysed for London and outside London. There have been no statistically significant trends since 1996 in the incidence of HIV among men who have sex with men as measured through this sentinel surveillance system. In 2006, incidence of HIV among men who have sex with men was estimated at 2.1 per cent. For London the estimated incidence was 2.6 per cent and outside London it was 1.3 per cent. Men who have sex with men who attend GUM clinics are considered to be a higher risk of HIV than the general population of men who have sex with men and therefore are likely to have a higher incidence of HIV. Available data about the estimated incidence of first AIDS and first AIDS-defining illness are shown in the table. Incidence estimates of first AIDS and of the six major first AIDS-defining illness by year in the United Kingdom per 100 person years of follow-up Year AIDS Pneumocystis pneumonia Candidiasis Kaposi's sarcoma Wasting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 1995 19.1 5.9 3.7 2.8 1.4 1.4 1.2 2000 4.3 1.3 0.4 0.7 0.3 0.8 0.3 2004 2.2 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.1 Source: Health Protection Agency Notes: 1. First AIDS or first AIDS-defining illness refers to the first occasion on which an individual has had AIDS or an AIDS-defining illness. Data that are available on first AIDS diagnoses, which include newly acquired (incident) and existing (prevalent) infections, are shown in the table. First AIDS diagnoses by country/SHA and year of diagnosis Country and SHA of diagnosis 1990 1995 2000 2005 England North-east 18 26 15 19 North-west 82 95 26 75 Yorkshire and Humberside 47 42 31 58 East Midlands 20 26 31 53 West Midlands 43 56 53 31 East of England 15 56 44 77 London 749 1,041 403 249 South-east Coast 56 98 57 66 South Central 46 47 25 42 South-west 50 76 42 35 England total 1,126 1,563 727 705 Wales 17 30 7 20 Scotland 0 0 0 0 Northern Ireland 6 13 5 7 United Kingdom Total 1,149 1,606 739 732 Source: Health Protection Agency Notes: 1. First AIDS diagnosis refers to the first occasion on which an individual has been diagnosed with AIDS. 2. Numbers may rise as further reports are received, particularly for recent years. These diagnoses include newly acquired (incident) and existing (prevalent) infections. 3. In 1990 it was not possible to allocate the region of diagnoses for 93 first AIDS diagnoses 4. In 1995 it was not possible to allocate the region of diagnoses for 166 first AIDS diagnoses 5. In 2000 it was not possible to allocate the region of diagnoses for 95 first AIDS diagnoses 6. In 2005 it was not possible to allocate the region of diagnoses for 58 first AIDS diagnoses After a marked reduction in the number of AIDS cases following the introduction of antiretroviral drug therapy in the mid-1990s, numbers have remained consistently at a relatively low level. Housing: Home Improvement Packs Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they plan to implement the scheme for home improvement packs for one-bedroom or two-bedroom properties; and what action they are taking to introduce the mandatory requirements to include energy performance certificates in home improvement packs for all domestic properties. Baroness Andrews: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement on home information packs given on 22 November (Official Report, WS 124-26). Housing: Home Improvement Packs Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their estimate of the number of domestic energy assessors who will lose their jobs due to the delays in implementing the full home improvement packs. Baroness Andrews: This information is not held centrally. I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement on home information packs given on 22 November (Official Report, WS 124-26). Housing: Rural Areas Baroness Scott of Needham Market: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will respond to the recent report from the Commission for Rural Communities, Taking Forward the Recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission: Final Report, on the subject of affordable housebuilding in rural areas. Baroness Andrews: We are preparing a formal response to the Affordable Rural Housing Commission's final report. We expect it to be published in the first quarter of the new year. Immigration: Haslar Removal Centre Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why men are being held in Haslar immigration removal centre for more than eight months. Lord West of Spithead: All individuals detained in an immigration removal centre face administrative removal or deportation. The chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency outlined in recent letters to the Home Affairs Committee this year the reasons for the time taken before removal and deportation take place. Copies of these letters are available in the Library of the House. Immigration: International Medical Graduates Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will continue to regulate international medical graduates' entry to the United Kingdom on nationality and not merit, meaning that only those who hold a United Kingdom or European Union passport will be eligible for a work permit; and Whether they have any plans to change the situation whereby international medical graduates with medical degrees from Commonwealth medical schools, recognised by the General Medical Council, can be considered for employment in this country only if they hold a United Kingdom or European Union passport. Lord West of Spithead: International medical graduates (IMGs) who are UK or EEA passport holders have free access to the UK labour market, apart from Romanians and Bulgarians, who still require a work permit. IMGs not holding UK or EEA passports can currently gain entry to the UK as follows. Those who have taken the foundation course in the UK and need to continue with their postgraduate training can apply for jobs in UK hospitals. The NHS trust will need to apply for a work permit and undertake a recruitment search to ensure that the post could not be filled by a resident worker. This complies with the normal requirements of the work permit arrangements. IMGs may apply to enter the UK under the highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP), as long as they meet the points threshold. Successful HSMP applicants have free access to the UK labour market. The medical training initiative (MTI), which is part of the training and work experience scheme (TWES), offers an additional work permit route for IMGs who may need specific training in a particular area of medical procedures. As this is specific training for the individual doctor, advertising is not appropriate. The period of approval for the MTI is limited to 24 months and requires endorsement by the deanery. We currently have no plans to change these three entry routes other than to bring them within the scope of the new points-based system during 2008-09. Marine Environment: Whales Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether any action against the Government of Japan will be considered in view of the resumption of licensed hunting of humpback whales. Lord Rooker: The UK Government have consistently voiced their opposition to Japanese "scientific" whaling. The UK's position is that we remain strongly opposed to all lethal whaling, except for some limited subsistence whaling. We do not believe that this lethal research is necessary and consider that a great deal of this information can be obtained by non-lethal means. It is difficult not to conclude that this research is driven primarily by commercial gain rather than science and we have serious reservations as to the scientific value of this research. Japan plans to take 50 humpback and 50 fin whales this season. The humpback populations targeted by this research belong to small vulnerable populations. Humpback whales are classified as vulnerable in the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of threatened species and fin whales are classified as endangered. As in the past, we will consider high-level protest to the Japanese Government following consultation with like-minded anti-whaling countries. Whaling involves an unacceptable level of cruelty and we will remain in the forefront of maintaining the moratorium on commercial whaling and opposing efforts by Japan to undermine this moratorium by so-called "scientific" whaling. Northern Rock Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government: Where the £24 billion loaned to Northern Rock has come from; and what effect the loan will have on government DEL (departmental expenditure limits) expenditure. Lord Davies of Oldham: Full details of the Bank of England loan to Northern Rock are set out in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's letter to the Treasury Select Committee and Public Accounts Committee of 11 October, copies of which are available in the Library, and his Statements of 11 October and 19 November. The loan is secured against high-quality assets, and the Treasury's indemnity to the Bank of England will be triggered only in the event that the Bank is unable to recover its full loan. There is therefore no direct impact on the public finances at this stage. Official Documents Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, when negotiating the terms of the draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents, they will seek to ensure that persons requesting access to official documents are able to challenge violations of the convention in processing their requests, such as administrative silence, or a refusal to receive requests, or the imposition of excessive charges for copying documents; and Whether, when negotiating the terms of the draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents, they will seek to ensure that persons requesting access have a right of appeal to an independent and impartial tribunal or other public authority authorised to give a binding decision; and Whether, when negotiating the terms of the draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents, they will seek to ensure that it prescribes a maximum time limit for answering requests; and Whether, when negotiating the terms of the draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents, they will seek to ensure that exemptions from the right of access are appropriate, necessary and proportionate to the legitimate aims of such exceptions; and Whether, when negotiating the terms of the draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents, they will seek to ensure that it provides a right of access to official documents relating to functions of a public nature performed by private bodies. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government welcome the work that has been carried out by the group of specialists on access to official documents in drawing up a draft convention. The Government are keen that there should be a robust convention along the lines of the Freedom of Information Act, yet moderate enough to gain wide acceptance. Any exemptions from the right of access should be proportionate to the aim of protecting other legitimate rights and interests. The Government are working closely with civil society groups on proposals for an Explanatory Memorandum that will emphasise the principles contained in a convention. These proposals concern: the definition of a public authority; possible limitations to the right of access; the establishment of time limits, including the opportunity to challenge administrative silence; the denial, review and appeal of requests; and proactive disclosure of information. The Government will continue to work closely with these groups to determine how these proposals can be reflected in the Explanatory Memorandum. Police: National Computer Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect that the national firearms licensing management system will have a live interface with the police national computer. Lord West of Spithead: Work to establish a live interface between the NFLMS and the PNC was completed in October. Pollution: Risk Appraisals Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the publication of the annual report and accounts for 2006—07 for the Environment Agency, whether operator and pollution risk appraisals apply to (a) oil terminals; (b) oil distribution depots; (c) warehouses; (d) shopping centres; and (e) supermarkets; and, if not, what environmental risk assessments are made for them, by whom and at what intervals. Lord Rooker: The Environment Agency's operator and pollution risk appraisal methodology applies to those activities that are permitted under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations or licensed under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations. The operator and pollution risk appraisal methodology does not consider oil terminals, oil distribution depots or warehouses unless these form part of a larger pollution prevention and control installation. It also does not apply to shopping centres or supermarkets, as these activities are not regulated under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations or Waste Management Licensing Regulations. Oil terminals, oil distribution depots and certain warehouses are regulated under the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations, if sufficient quantities of hazardous materials are stored. Environment Agency officers assess the environmental risk of these facilities every five years. The Environment Agency does not directly regulate supermarkets or shopping centres. The agency acts as an adviser and statutory consultee to local planning authorities on flood risks and environmental impacts as part of the planning application process for these facilities. Prisoners: Public Protection Sentences Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many prisoners at HM Young Offender Institution Aylesbury are serving indeterminate public protection sentences; and whether enough places are being provided for these offenders on courses required to satisfy the parole authorities that it is safe to release them. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are currently 119 IPP-sentenced young offenders held at HM Young Offender Institution Aylesbury. Course availability is prioritised and those with the shortest tariffs are placed first on suitable programmes. Funding is provided for 133 enhanced thinking skills (ETS) and controlling anger (CALM) places and for 16 sex offender treatment programme (SOTP) places per year. Young Offenders: Juvenile Justice Centre, Bangor Baroness Harris of Richmond: asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations the Northern Ireland Office is making to the Department of Education for the school within the juvenile justice centre in Bangor to be linked to the C2K computer network. Lord Rooker: The issue of C2K connectivity is being addressed as part of ongoing consultation between the Youth Justice Agency and the Department of Education in relation to the review of education services. Young Offenders: Juvenile Justice Centre, Bangor Baroness Harris of Richmond: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the human rights and equality implications of the non-recognition of the school system within the juvenile justice centre in Bangor. Lord Rooker: A recent independent review of education services within the juvenile justice centre in Bangor, commissioned by the Youth Justice Agency, has recommended that education provision for young people in custody should continue to be provided by the Youth Justice Agency but that closer links should be forged with the Department of Education to inform future provision. As part of an ongoing programme, the juvenile justice centre is currently undergoing an inspection by the Northern Ireland criminal justice inspectorate. The inspection team includes an inspector from the Department of Education. It will review all aspects of children's rights compliance and Section 75 equality issues. The inspection report is expected to be published in due course. Young Offenders: Mental Health Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: What proportion of people under 18 who have received custodial sentences over the last five years have been assessed for mental health problems; and, of those, how many were deemed to have such problems. Lord Darzi of Denham: The information requested is not held centrally. In a study commissioned by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) in 2005, Mental Health Needs and Effectiveness of Provision for Young Offenders in Custody and in the Community (Professor Richard Harrington and Professor Sue Bailey), 31 per cent of young offenders were estimated to have a mental health problem. A copy has been placed in the Library. All young people are assessed at the point of reception into prison and those who are at risk of having a mental health problem, or vulnerable to suicide, are referred for a mental health assessment. A comprehensive health assessment tool has been developed by the department in partnership with the YJB and Her Majesty's Prison Service. This provides a reception screen for first-night arrivals to custodial placements, which is followed by a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment covering general health, mental health, physical health and substance misuse.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2007-12-03b

Department for Transport Level Crossings: Plumpton Green Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville: To ask Her Majesty’s Government (1) whether they consider the action of Network Rail in closing the level crossing in the East Sussex village of Plumpton Green acceptable, and (2) whether they will call on Network Rail to re-open the affected road running through the village as a matter of urgency; and what arrangements will be made for emergency vehicles, access for disabled people and parents trying to get their children to local schools. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Whilst Network Rail has an otherwise excellent record of completing works at the 6,200 level crossings which it manages with minimal disruption, it is highly regrettable that there appears to have been a lapse in project management in this particular case.The impact which the continued closure of the crossing is having on the lives of local residents and businesses is not acceptable. Ministers have raised this matter with Network Rail at the highest level to request that the company urgently re-doubles its efforts in partnership with local stakeholders to find a solution and ensure that the crossing can re-open as quickly as possible. A1: Accidents Lord Blunkett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the accident on the M1 on 12 October, how long it took the Highways Agency to reopen junction 25 on the southbound carriageways, and how far north diversions were put in place. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Highways England report that the incident occurred around 2:15 am, with the carriageway fully reopened by 9:25 pm. Diversions were initially put in place from junction 25 of the M1, with traffic diverted onto the A52 westbound, the A5111 southbound, the A6 southbound and the A50 eastbound, to re-join the M1 at junction 24. Unfortunately, there was a second incident on the slip road of the M1 at junction 25, resulting in a lane being closed. This meant the M1 closure was extended further north to junction 26 until this incident was cleared.Variable Message Signs were set prior to junction 38, in order to encourage drivers to divert via the A38. In addition, messages were displayed on the M62, A1(M), M18, A46, A52 and A38. M1: Speed Limits Lord Blunkett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the 50 mile per hour limit on the M1 between junctions 19 and 15 will be lifted, in the light of the fact that work there has been suspended. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Highways England reports that Junction 15 to 16: traffic management was lifted in September 2015 and Junction 16 to 19: traffic management will be lifted in stages. It will be completely removed by the end of November 2015. Railways: Tickets Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have given any detailed consideration to requiring train operators to offer more flexible season tickets in order to protect the needs of those who work part-time or flexible hours. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are committed to introducing part-time season tickets and the industry is making progress on delivery of more flexible tickets. Two major commuter franchises – GTR and c2c – have obligations to start offering carnet-based season tickets on smartcards. Smartcard technology will make flexible ticketing possible and provides the necessary security and revenue protection to make it attractive to both passengers and operators. Many thousands of part-time workers will benefit from these new products when they are introduced. Speed Limits: Rural Areas Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for the introduction of a 50 mile per hour speed limit on single-carriageway rural roads, and whether they plan to consult on such a proposal. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are no plans to decrease the speed limit to 50 mph on single carriageway rural roads.The Department for Transport has provided guidance to traffic authorities in the Speed Limit Circular 01/2013 - Setting Local Speed Limits. This encourages traffic authorities to keep speed limits under review, and to consider lower speed limits than the default, especially where there may be a relatively high number of bends, junctions or accesses. High Speed 2 Railway Line Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 28 October (HL2659) stating that there was no intention to seek a derogation from the technical specifications for interoperability in respect of dimensions of the GC structure gauge for new high-speed lines for station platforms, whether HS2 have withdrawn their letter to the European Commission dated 21 July that seeks such a derogation. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Department for Transport with HS2 Ltd are discussing with the Commission compliance requirements with the technical specification for infrastructure dealing with platform heights. These discussions are ongoing. The intention is, irrespective of the outcome of discussions on platform height, to meet the GC gauge requirements. Toxicity of Chemicals in Food Consumer Products and the Environment Committee The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 16 September (HL2047) regarding the Committee on Toxicology's advice about toxic chemicals in food and the environment, when they intend to write to the members of both Houses. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Department for Transport’s officials are cooperating with the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment regarding the letter that clarifies the Committee’s position on cabin air. This is to ensure the Committee’s advice is represented in full and with clarity. The letters will be sent to the Members of both Houses imminently, certainly in November. Aircraft: Air Conditioning The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 8 July (HL831), how many of the recorded fume or smell events during the 100 flights referred to in that answer were reported to the Civil Aviation Authority under the mandatory reporting scheme. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: No fume event occurred during this study (Aircraft Cabin Air Sampling Study, Cranfield University, 2011) which triggered the airline’s formal reporting procedures to the Civil Aviation Authority. Aviation: Pregnant Women The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 23 July (HL1538), whether workplace exposure limits apply legally to passengers as well as crew; and what evidence they have that damage to a foetus cannot occur from a single exposure at those limits. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Air passengers, and by extrapolation an unborn child, are within the scope of workplace exposure limits, which take into account susceptible groups and therefore would protect pregnant women.No specific evidence was collected during the studies regarding damage occurring to a foetus from a single exposure at workplace exposure limits. Department for Education Castes: Discrimination Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 15 July (HL Deb, col 575), whether they will clarify how the judgment in Tirkey v Chandhok has changed the law on caste discrimination. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The judgment suggests there is an existing legal remedy for claims of caste-associated discrimination, under the ‘ethnic origins’ element of Section 9 of the Equality Act 2010. Academies: Finance Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the value of the charges deferred to local authority budgets as a consequence of a school with a deficit joining an Academy Trust with an external sponsor, in each of the last five financial years. Lord Nash: The Department does not hold this information on local authority budgets.It is right that the deficits of sponsored academies remain with their local authority when they convert. These schools were the responsibility of the authority when they were found to be failing or underperforming and it is the authority’s responsibility for ensuring the school managed its expenditure satisfactorily. Ministry of Justice Liverpool Prison: Health Services Baroness Stern: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the finding in 2014 by the Care Quality Commission that healthcare provision in HM Prison Liverpool was unsafe and the October report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on HM Prison Liverpool that improvement in healthcare "had a long way to go", when they expect that prison to provide an acceptable level of healthcare. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: Action is currently being taken to address the recommendations made in the inspection report.That includes working closely with Lancashire Care NHS Trust to improve the healthcare provision, which includes the recruitment of appropriate skilled healthcare professionals and robust data management collection.The inpatient facility now operates a structured daily regime for in patients and the holistic approach by the multi-disciplinary team which includes service user forums, psychiatric sessions and care plan reviews provides an enhanced care package. Administration of Justice: Saudi Arabia Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they cancelled the contract with Saudi Arabia on justice, security and policing. Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the financial cost of cancelling the contract with Saudi Arabia on justice, security and policing. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Ministry of Justice has not entered into, or withdrawn from, a contract with Saudi Arabia concerning justice, security and policing. Earlier this year Just Solutions international (JSi), the commercial arm of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), submitted a bid to undertake a training needs analysis for the Saudi Arabian prison service. On 13 October 2015, the Secretary of State for Justice announced that this bid would be withdrawn, and so no contract was signed. I refer the honourable member to the Justice Secretary’s statement to the House of Commons which can be found in House of Commons Hansard Debates, 13 Oct 2015: Column 180.No direct cost was incurred as a result of withdrawing the bid from the competition process. Ministry of Defence Middle East: Military Aid Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards are in place to prevent armed opposition fighters funded by Western countries from using their arms and training against unintended targets, or acting in a way that contradicts the Government's overall strategy in the Middle East, in particular in Syria. Earl Howe: The US-led programme to Train and Equip members of the moderate Syrian opposition, to which the UK has contributed, incorporated a screening process to determine the suitability of candidates. The training programme itself was designed to reinforce positive behaviours and on completion, successful candidates were required to make a formal declaration committing themselves to the fight against ISIL. Efforts continue to be made to monitor the activities of such individuals and the groups to which they are affiliated, to mitigate the risk that they engage thereafter in activities inconsistent with the aims of the programme. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Fly-tipping Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the fly-tipping statistics for England 2014–15, and what action they will take in response to them. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The 2014/15 fly-tipping statistics showed that there were 900,000 reported fly-tipping incidents in England.Tackling fly-tipping is a priority for the Government. As set out in our manifesto we will be giving councils the power to tackle small scale fly-tipping through penalty notices as an alternative to prosecutions in spring 2016.These steps will build on other action we have taken, including working with the Sentencing Council to strengthen its Guideline for sentencing for environmental offences, which came into force on 1 July last year; making it easier for vehicles suspected of being involved in waste crime to be stopped, searched and seized; and continuing to work in partnership with others through the Defra-chaired National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, to promote and disseminate good practice in the prevention, reporting, investigation and clearance of fly-tipped waste. Motor Vehicles: Litter Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish the scoping study on littering from vehicles legislation, and why such legislation was not implemented nationally in April. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: We expect to publish the study later this month.Before any regulations to tackle littering from vehicles are implemented, it will be important to get the details right. This will include matters such as the size of the fine, the form and content of the penalty notice, and exceptions to the keeper’s liability (for example if the vehicle has been stolen). We will therefore want to seek Local Authorities’ and others’ views before legislating. Any such regulations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before coming into effect.Legislation to enable the seizure of vehicles involved in fly-tipping came into force in April 2015. As set out in our manifesto, we will be giving councils the power to tackle small scale fly-tipping through Penalty Notices, as an alternative to prosecutions, in spring 2016, and we will review the case for increasing fixed penalties for littering. Department for Communities and Local Government Syria: Refugees Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial support is in place to help local authorities to resettle Syrian refugees. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Under the expanded Vulnerable Persons scheme, local authorities costs for the first year of a Syrian refugee's resettlement are funded from the Official Development Assistance budget. To ensure that local authorities can plan ahead we will also provide additional funding to assist with costs incurred in future years (2 to 5). The Government is working closely with the Local Government Association and individual councils on the details of how funding arrangements for years 2 to 5 will operate. Combined Authorities: Devolution Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether introducing an elected mayor will be a requirement of all future devolution deals with combined authorities. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Development of devolution deals is a bottom up process, in which areas bring us their proposals for the powers and budgets they want devolved to them. The accompanying governance arrangements they propose to support those powers and budgets must be commensurate with the scale of devolution they are seeking.Elected mayors provide that strong, single point of accountability which is essential for any devolution deal of the scale and ambition of the deals we have announced for Greater Manchester, Sheffield City Region, Tees Valley and the North East. Cabinet Office Constituencies Lord Falconer of Thoroton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to amend section 3(5A) of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 to remove the requirement on the Secretary of State to lay the draft of an Order in Council for giving effect to the recommendations contained in the Boundary Commissions’ reports. Lord Bridges of Headley: The Government will outline its plans for constituency boundaries when it responds to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee’s report, What next on the redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries?, in due course. Department of Health Care Quality Commission: Fees and Charges Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether an additional allocation will be made to the National Health Service to compensate for the costs of the proposed increases in fees set out in the options in the consultation paper published by the Care Quality Commission on 2 November. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of clinical staff in the National Health Service who will need to be made redundant to fund the proposed increases in fees as set out in the options in the consultation paper published by the Care Quality Commission on 2 November. Lord Prior of Brampton: Government policy for fee-setting regulators is that their chargeable costs should be fully covered through their fees income, in line with HM Treasury Guidance set out in ‘Managing Public Money’.The proposed fees increases being consulted upon for 2016-17 reflect the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) commitment to achieving full cost recovery, in line with Managing Public Money, within the period of the Spending Review. The fees being charged are therefore funding the CQC as an effective regulator. They allow the CQC’s tough inspection regime to drive up standards across the country, which in turn ensures quality and safety of health and social care provision.The CQC’s new regulatory model, led by three specialist Chief Inspectors, provides for robust monitoring and inspection of hospitals, adult care providers and general practitioners.Our expectation is that National Health Service providers should be able to absorb these increases within their overall income which will depend, amongst other factors, on the outcome of the Spending Review and the subsequent tariff setting process for 2016-17.The Department has also announced that it will make up to £15 million available for general practice in order to cover this and other pressures in 2016/17.It is for providers to ensure that they have the appropriate capacity and capability in place in order to deliver a safe, high quality service. NHS: Pensions Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what surplus they forecast for the NHS Pension Scheme in 2015–16 and 2016–17. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional contribution in cash terms they expect the NHS to make to the NHS Pension Scheme in 2016–17. Lord Prior of Brampton: The NHS Pension Scheme is a ‘pay as you go’ pension scheme without financial assets. The last valuation in 2012 identified a deficit of £10.3 billion in the notional fund which is met by contributions from employers.No additional contribution is expected from the National Health Service in 2016-17. NHS employers will continue to pay the standard employer contribution rate of 14.3%.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2015-11-10

Department for International Trade Exports Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to publish an itemised list, including budgets, of the current export promotion activities of UKTI, broken down by region and country of the UK; and if not, why not. Lord Price: The central marketing campaign implemented by UKTI over the last year to drive new exporters; Exporting is GREAT, covers the whole of the United Kingdom. As the budget is centrally held and the paid-for marketing activity is centrally procured through a media buying agency it is not possible to detail the breakdown of the budget by region or nation. The Exporting is GREAT campaign includes multi-channel promotional activity, outreach engagement across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, supported by PR activity to maximise awareness, interest and engagement. A list of the paid-for activity to support this programme is detailed within this response. November 2015 Launch: TV, Digital / Social, Search, National Press – Full National programme targeting first time exporters across the whole UK, including devolved nations Radio – national and specific regional coverage through the Bauer and Global networks. The regional media was achieved through a mix of Bauer (City 1, City 2 and City 3, Magic , Kiss and more) and Global (LBC, Capital, Heart and Smooth Networks and more) local radio stations across the UK. At the bottom of this outline is a comprehensive list of all the stations that are part of these networks. Outdoor advertising - 689 digital poster sites across key urban metropolitan areas in England, Wales, Scotland and NI. This includes including large format roadside commuter screens, premium sites in urban centres and sites screens in shopping centres. Examples of premium sites include: the Manchester Digital Bridge, Five Way Island Birmingham, Bristol Great Western Link Inbound and Outbound, Newcastle screen on the Tyne, Leeds Northern Light, Liverpool Media Wall, Manchester Printworks and in NI Castle Court Shopping Centre and Victoria Street Shopping Centre. Feb – March 2016: TV, Digital / Social, Search – Full National targeting first time exporters across the whole UK, including devolved nations Radio – national and specific regional coverage through the Bauer and Global networks. The regional media was achieved through a mix of Bauer (City 1, City 2 and City 3, Magic , Kiss and more) and Global (LBC, Capital, Heart and Smooth Networks and more) local radio stations across the UK. Radio Detail (Launch and Feb-March campaign) Bauer City 1CFM (Cumbria and South West Scotland)Clyde 1 (Glasgow and the West of Scotland)Forth 1 (Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife)Hallam FM (South Yorkshire and the North Midlands)Key 103 (Greater Manchester)Metro Radio (Tyne and Wear and Northumberland)MFR (Scottish Highlands, Moray and Orkney)Northsound 1 (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)Radio Aire (Leeds and West Yorkshire)Radio Borders (Scottish Borders and North Northumberland)Radio City (Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales)Rock FM (Lancashire)Tay FM (Tayside)TFM (Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire)Viking FM (East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire)West FM (Ayrshire) Bauer City 2Clyde 2 (Glasgow and the West of Scotland)Forth 2 (Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife)Hallam 2 (South Yorkshire and the North Midlands)Key 2 (Greater Manchester)Metro 2 Radio (Tyne and Wear and Northumberland)MFR 2 (Scottish Highlands, Moray and Orkney)Northsound 2 (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)Radio Aire 2 (Leeds and West Yorkshire)Radio City 2 (Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales)Rock FM 2 (Lancashire)Tay 2 (Tayside)TFM 2 (Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire)Viking 2 (East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire)West Sound (Ayrshire)West Sound (Dumfries and Galloway) Bauer City 3 Clyde 3 (Glasgow and the West of Scotland)Forth 3 (Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife)Hallam 3 (South Yorkshire and the North Midlands)Key 3 (Greater Manchester)Metro 3 Radio (Tyne and Wear and Northumberland)MFR 3 (Scottish Highlands, Moray and Orkney)Radio Aire 3 (Leeds and West Yorkshire)Radio City 3 (Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales)Rock FM 3 (Lancashire)Tay 3 (Tayside)The Hits (UK-wide on Freeview and online)TFM 3 (Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire)Viking 3 (East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire) Capital 95.8 Capital FM London105-106 Capital FM Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh)*105-106 Capital FM North East (Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough)105 Capital FM Yorkshire (Leeds, Sheffield, Kingston Upon Hull)102 Capital FM Manchester96-106 Capital FM East Midlands (Derby, Leicester, Nottingham)102.2 Capital FM Birmingham97.4/103.2 Capital FM South Wales (Cardiff, Newport, The Valleys)*103.2 Capital FM South Coast (Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight)95-106 Capital North West &Wales (Anglesey & Gwynedd, North Wales Coast, Wirral, Wrexham and Cheshire)107.6 Capital Liverpool Heart Heart LondonHeart West MidlandsHeart Watford & HemelHeart Four CountiesHeart CambridgeshireHeart EssexHeart East AngliaHeart KentHeart SussexHeart SolentHeart Thames ValleyHeart WiltshireHeart South WestHeart Bristol & SomersetHeart CornwallHeart GloucestershireHeart North WalesHeart ScotlandHeart North WestHeart North EastHeart South WalesHeart Yorkshire Smooth Smooth Radio North West (Liverpool, Manchester, Preston)Smooth Radio LondonSmooth Radio North East (Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesborough)Smooth Radio West Midlands (Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry)Smooth Radio East Midlands (Derby, Nottingham, Leicester)Smooth Radio Glasgow Magic North EastNewcastle Magic 1152Stockton-on-Tees Magic 1170North WestLiverpool Magic 1548Greater ManchesterPiccadilly Magic 1152Preston Magic 999YorkshireHull Magic 1161Leeds Magic 828Sheffield Magic AMLondonLondon Magic 105.4 Outdoor (Launch campaign) Detail Primesight Large Format Digital 48 Sheets Court Shopping Centre, Victoria Street Shopping Centre, London, Barnet, Brent, Croydon, Enfield, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh Ocean Outdoor Manchester Digital Bridge, Five Way Island Birmingham, Bristol Great Western Link Inbound and Outbound, Newcastle screen on the Tyne, Leeds Northern Light, Liverpool Media Wall, Manchester Printworks Adshel Live Towns BirminghamBristolCardiffCheltenhamExeterGloucesterIpswichLeedsLiverpoolMiddlesbroughNewcastle Upon TyneNorwichOxfordSouthamptonSwanseaKens & Chelsea - LondonAberdeenBournemouthDundeeGlasgowThamesdownKirkleesSeftonWirral Shopping Centres: Metro Centre GatesheadBluewater Greenhithe, KentMeadowhall SheffieldLakeside Grays, LondonThe Manchester Arndale ManchesterHigh Cross Shopping Centre LeicesterQueensgate Shopping Centre PeterbroughThe Luton Arndale LutonBraehead GlasgowGolden Square WarringtonTelford Centre TelfordFestival Place Basingstoke

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-08-11

Airports: Heathrow Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they plan to provide separate facilities for detained men and women in the holding room of short-term holding facilities in terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport. Lord West of Spithead: We are currently in the process of looking at the feasibility of creating separate short-term holding facilities at terminal 3 for women as recommended in the recent Independent Monitoring Board report. Airports: Heathrow Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government: What arrangements they have made to ensure that detainees in the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport are able to make the free telephone call to which they are entitled. Lord West of Spithead: There is no national standard or policy regarding the use of telephones by detainees which would cover the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport. However, the IS91R (notice of reasons for detention) form which is issued to a detainee states: "You may request to have a person known to you or who is likely to take an interest in your welfare informed at public expense as soon as practicable of your whereabouts". Detainees are given access to telephone calls either via their own mobile phone (except for those with cameras, recording or internet facility), or via a payphone. Alternatively, if they are not able to use these, access to a free telephone call is provided. Airports: Heathrow Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many detainees in the past six months waited more than eight hours for transportation from the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport to Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre. Lord West of Spithead: The information requested is not readily available and provision of a reply would be at disproportionate cost. Armed Forces: Director of Service Prosecutions Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Who were on the panel that selected the new Director of Service Prosecutions. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The members of the panel which considered candidates for the Director of Service Prosecutions post were: Elizabeth McMeikan, Civil Service Commissioner; Sir Ian Andrews, Second Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence; General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff; and Sir Ken McDonald, Director of Public Prosecutions. Aviation: Refusal to Carry Passengers Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: In what circumstances and on what grounds staff of BAA are entitled to instruct airlines to refuse to carry passengers; at what level such decisions are made; and how many such decisions have been made at each of London's airports in the past 12 months. Lord Bassam of Brighton: BAA is not entitled to instruct airlines to refuse to carry passengers. Airlines within their own terms and conditions may refuse to carry passengers—for example, in circumstances where they have incorrect documentation, have been disruptive or have made hoax threats. Bees The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will allocate £8 million over five years from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs's contingency fund specifically for research on bee health; and whether they will consult the British Beekeepers' Association and other interested parties to help prioritise research areas. Lord Rooker: Defra's contingency reserve is for tackling emergencies such as major disease outbreaks or natural disasters. The expectation is that funding for commissioned research specific to honey-bee health will be around the same level as in previous years. In addition to this, honey-bee health benefits from other Defra-funded research activities. A Bee Health Research Funders' Forum has been created to discuss priorities. Defra, the National Bee Unit and the British Beekeepers' Association participate along with other interested parties. Research priorities are also addressed in the draft bee health strategy, which is currently available for public consultation. British Citizenship Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 25 April (WA 324), why it costs £735 to be registered as a British citizen. Lord West of Spithead: We now calculate the fees for immigration applications with a flexible charging model. This means we use a number of factors to determine the fees working within strict financial limits agreed with HM Treasury. We no longer set fees on a straightforward cost-recovery basis but flexibly to cover the full end-to-end cost of the immigration system and by taking into account the value of a successful application in terms of entitlements and benefits to the migrant. Burma: Cyclone Nargis Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will make representations to the Government of Burma to postpone the referendum scheduled to be held on 10 May because of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis. Lord Malloch-Brown: Our ambassador in Rangoon wrote to Senior General Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other members of the Burmese Government to put the referendum process to one side and mobilise all efforts on the urgent relief effort following Cyclone Nargis. It is incomprehensible in the current circumstances that the regime went ahead with the referendum on 10 May, with the intention to conduct the remaining part of the process on 24 May. The referendum and any subsequent process leading to the planned election in 2010 need to be inclusive, transparent and conducted in an environment where all political parties can participate without fear of intimidation. Care Services: Children Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have identified specialist authorities with appropriate procedures and services for unaccompanied children who are suspected of being trafficked and who require care and protection; and whether they will appoint independent guardians and an independent rapporteur for such children. Lord West of Spithead: We are holding discussions with potential specialist authorities over the care and support of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Such care and support will include measures to identify and meet the needs of those who may have been trafficked. On the appointment of guardians, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 14 November 2007 (Official Report, col. WA 19). The Government do not currently believe that there is a role for an independent rapporteur for trafficked children. We have in place an interdepartmental ministerial group on human trafficking supported by a stakeholder group of non-government organisations which meets Ministers on a regular basis. Each provides opportunities for consultations on the Government's strategy for combating human trafficking. Key children's charities, and the Children's Commissioner, are represented on the NGO stakeholder group. Care Services: Farming Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they will take to support the National Care Farming Initiative in its efforts to expand its database. Lord Rooker: The Government recognise the valuable work carried out by care farms and support the National Care Farming Initiative's plans to create a database of all care farming providers. I will be visiting a long established care farm, Highfields Happy Hens, on 22 May. China: Submarine Base Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the implications of the reported new Chinese submarine base. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: I am aware of recent articles about construction at Sanya Naval Base on Hainan Island. An enhancement of the facilities on Hainan Island would not be at odds with China's published 2006 national defence White Paper, which states that its navy "aims at gradual extension of the strategic depth for offshore defensive operations and enhancing its capabilities in integrated maritime operations and nuclear counterattacks". We routinely monitor Chinese military developments and consistently encourage it to maintain transparency and a responsible approach to military modernisation. Climate Change Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: Over the past year (a) how much money has been raised by the climate change levy; (b) what the cost of this levy has been per individual household; and (c) what the cost has been of the promotion, development and subsidy of renewable energy. Lord Davies of Oldham: (a) Receipts from the climate change levy for the 2006-07 financial year were roughly £712 million. HM Revenue and Customs routinely publishes data on levy receipts in the climate change levy bulletin, which is available at www.uktradeinfo.com. (b) The levy is charged on energy supplied to business and the public sector; supplies of energy to domestic consumers, charities and non-business use are excluded from the levy, so costs are not borne by individual households. (c) Expenditure by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on sustainable energy projects in 2007-08 was £29.6 million. Of this total, £26 million was capital grant expenditure. Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payment Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many single farm payments are outstanding for the years 2005 and 2006; and what proportion of the 2007 payments have been made. Lord Rooker: There are eight payments outstanding for the 2005 single payment scheme (SPS) year and 42 outstanding for the 2006 SPS year. The outstanding payments for these years relate to complex cases, mainly involving legal and probate issues. Of the total estimated claimant population of 106,700, 91.7 per cent have received full SPS payment for the 2007 SPS year. The RPA is working to finalise remaining payments as soon as possible. Courts: Young Witnesses The Earl of Dundee: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are taking to avoid trauma for young witnesses by enabling them to give testimony to courts through video links. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 permitted child witnesses under the age of 14 years in the case of offences of violence or cruelty, and child witnesses under 17 years of age in sex-offence cases, to give evidence by way of live link, so that they can give evidence from outside the courtroom. The availability of live links was extended by the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 to all witnesses who are under 17 years of age. The legislation includes presumptions that live links will be used for young witnesses, particularly in cases of sexual or violent offences. There are now video-link rooms in all Crown Court centres and in 77 per cent of all magistrates' courts. Her Majesty's Courts Service has allocated £2 million this financial year to upgrade equipment in the Crown Court and the magistrates' courts and, where required, provide a small amount of new equipment in the Crown Court and magistrates' courts. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will set out the timetable for the incorporation of "authority to carry" within the United Kingdom's e-Borders programme; and when they expect full implementation of such a system. Lord West of Spithead: The "authority to carry" capability will be available over a phased period from October 2008, with a manual response process to inform carriers. A fully automated response to carriers is a future service under the e-Borders contract. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will set out a timetable for the incorporation of "other passenger information" (OPI) data within the United Kingdom's e-Borders programme; and when they expect full use of OPI data within United Kingdom border checks. Lord West of Spithead: The e-Borders system already collects and uses a small sample of OPI which it has used to de-risk the main programme. From summer 2009 the e-Borders solution will begin the incremental capture of other passenger information (OPI), and by the end of December 2013 will be processing 100 million targeted/selected OPI passenger movements. e-Borders Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What consultations they have had with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand with regard to the technologies they have employed to operate their authority to carry schemes for the past 10 years; and whether and when this technology will be employed within the United Kingdom's e-Borders programme. Lord West of Spithead: Heads of Border Operations within the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States sit on a five-country steering group. The group is committed to strengthening links between the participating countries and has held discussions on the various "authority to carry" schemes. The "authority to carry" capability will be available from October 2008, with a manual response process to inform carriers. A fully automated response to carriers is a future service under the e-Borders contract. Health: Shipman Inquiry Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 25 March (WA 81) concerning the reports of the Shipman inquiry, what steps have been taken to implement the measures proposed to strengthen the systems of death and cremation certification; and Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 25 March (WA 81) concerning the reports of the Shipman inquiry, whether they will implement the recommendation that it should be unlawful for a single doctor to provide certification of death for burial purposes; and Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 25 March (WA 81) concerning the reports of the Shipman inquiry, whether they will implement the recommendation that there should be independent scrutiny by a second person of the circumstances of death and the deceased's medical history; and Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 25 March (WA 81) concerning the reports of the Shipman inquiry, whether they will implement the recommendation that there should be cross-checking of information between the treating doctor or doctors, the deceased's family and, where appropriate, nursing or care staff, to ensure that the suggested cause of death is consistent with the circumstances of the deceased's death; and Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 25 March (WA 81) concerning the reports of the Shipman inquiry, whether they will implement the recommendation that no doctor should by themselves be permitted to make the decision whether or not to refer a death to the coroner for investigation; and Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 25 March (WA 81) concerning the reports of the Shipman inquiry, whether they will introduce the proposal in the third report for new forms of reporting and adequate capturing of information relating to the circumstances of death. Lord Darzi of Denham: The department published a consultation paper, Improving the Process of Death Certification, on 24 July 2007. The paper sought views on proposals to address the weaknesses identified by the Shipman inquiry in the process of death certification in England and Wales. Key proposals are that: all medical certificates of cause of death (MCCDs), with the exception of cases referred directly to the coroner by the certifying doctor, would be subject to scrutiny by an independent medical examiner appointed by a primary care trust (or an equivalent organisation in Wales) and with strong links to the National Health Service clinical governance teams;if the medical examiner was satisfied that all was in order, he/she would issue an authorisation enabling the family of the deceased to register the death and proceed to burial or cremation;where the medical examiner was not satisfied that the MCCD told the full story, or felt that there were other unusual circumstances, he/she would refer the case to the coroner for further investigation, along with his/her reasons for doing so; the medical examiner would have full access to medical records and would be empowered to discuss the circumstances of the death with the doctor signing the MCCD and with the family of the deceased; andNHS clinical governance teams would collate information from MCCDs and would use this to analyse trends and patterns, looking out for unusual features, such as those revealed by Shipman's pattern of deaths. Clauses implementing these important reforms will be included in the coroners and death certification Bill announced as part of the Government's draft legislative programme for 2008-09. A summary of responses to the consultation on Improving the Process of Death Certification will be published by the department on 21 May 2008. The Government believe these proposals represent a transparent, proportionate, consistent and affordable response to the weaknesses identified by the Shipman inquiry that will provide greater protection for the public and improve the quality and accuracy of death certification. The proposals will also improve public health surveillance and remove current inequalities in the way burials and cremations are dealt with. Immigration: Language Capability Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) what standard of spoken or written English, if any, is required for entry for settlement in the United Kingdom by individuals who can show assets of £1,000,000 in a United Kingdom bank account; (b) when that requirement was fixed; and (c) what is the timetable for reviewing that requirement in future. Lord West of Spithead: There are no English-language requirements for entry to the UK in the investor category. Those who wish to apply for settlement as an investor will need to have spent a continuous period of at least five years in the United Kingdom before becoming eligible to apply. Adults aged 18 or over but under the age of 65 who apply for settlement need to demonstrate knowledge of the English language and of "Life in the UK", unless they are applying under one of the categories which does not contain this requirement. A person can demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of the English language and of life in the UK by passing either the "Life in the UK" test, or by obtaining an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) with citizenship certificate. This requirement was introduced from 2 April 2007. The policy requirement to demonstrate knowledge of the English language and of "Life in the UK" will continue with the introduction of the points-based system, tier 1 (investors), later this summer. Justice Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have any proposals to alter the laws protecting the right to liberty and security; if so, when; and whether they will (a) abolish the detention of persons under 18; (b) abolish the detention of immigrants, either on arrival or prior to removal; (c) require communication of reasons for detention in accessible and appropriate language; (d) create a right of detained persons to be visited by medical practitioners, lawyers and family members at any time; and (e) create a presumption against remand; and Whether they have any proposals to alter the laws on equality and discrimination in the United Kingdom; if so, when; and whether they will (a) widen the grounds of discrimination beyond those protected in European Union law; (b) adopt positive discrimination in favour of defined social groups; and (c) ensure that disabled persons enjoy human rights equally with others; and Whether they have any proposals to alter the laws on the right to life and protection against state killing; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create an equivalent horizontal right to life, protecting persons from other persons as well as from the state; (b) retrospectively apply the Human Rights Act 1998 to deaths which occurred before 2 October 2000; (c) extend the law on inquests to allow witnesses to be compelled to give evidence; and (d) alter the law on the minimum use of force to create a different test for persons under the age of 18; and Whether they have any proposals to alter any laws protecting the right to physical integrity; if so, when; and whether they will (a) extend hate-crime legislation to cover all forms of discrimination; and (b) give women the right to control their reproduction; and Whether they have any proposals to alter the laws prohibiting inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; if so, when; and whether they will (a) reform the law permitting the return of a person to a country where he may be legally executed; and (b) prohibit evidence obtained through ill treatment or torture from being admissible in criminal proceedings; and Whether they have any proposals to alter the laws prohibiting slavery and forced labour; if so, when; and whether they will only permit work in prison which is rehabilitative; and Whether they propose to alter the law on the right to respect for private and family life; if so, when; and whether they will (a) add freedom from domestic violence and the protection of the best interests of the child to those rights; (b) repeal statutory limitations on non-nationals marrying and entering into civil partnerships; (c) strengthen data protection legislation to make processing of data subject to the consent of the persons concerned; and (d) remove all exemptions to disclosure of personal information; and Whether they propose to alter the law on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; if so, when; and whether they will abolish all oaths imposed by state bodies; and Whether they propose to alter the law on the right to freedom of expression; if so, when; and whether they will (a) extend freedom of information legislation to cover information required for the exercise or protection of human rights; (b) add consideration of the best interests of children to the limitations on that right; and (c) alter the law on restrictions on free speech through the extension of anti-hatred legislation to cover all grounds of discrimination; and Whether they propose to alter the law on the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly; if so, when; and whether they will (a) reverse the emphasis of the right to make association more important than peaceful assembly; (b) add the right to participate in trade-union activities (including the rights to strike and engage in collective bargaining) to the rights to form and join trade unions; (c) alter the law on restrictions on peaceful assembly and association through the extension of anti-hatred legislation to cover all grounds of discrimination; and (d) grant trade-union rights to the Armed Forces; and Whether they propose to alter the law on the right to culture, language and identity; if so, when; and whether they will (a) incorporate in domestic law the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe; (b) limit cultural, ethnic, linguistic, religious and communal minority rights so as not to conflict with the rights and freedoms of others; (c) protect against coercive cultural assimilation by public bodies; (d) create a right for indigenous and non-indigenous groups to be educated through minority languages; and (e) treat sexual orientation as a basis for national minority status; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to nationality and identity; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create a right in domestic law to nationality equivalent to the right in international law not to be stateless; and (b) add to nationality law provisions barring discrimination on all grounds except nationality; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to education and lifelong learning; if so, when; and whether they will (a) add lifelong learning to the existing right to education; (b) ensure private educational institutions respect democratic principles; (c) work towards the realisation of universal educational access and achievement; (d) create extensive rights for children in education; and (e) ensure education is provided in accordance with parental preferences; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to an adequate standard of living; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create a right to an adequate standard of living; (b) create a right to the continuous improvement of living conditions; and (c) work towards the realisation of these two rights; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to the highest attainable standard of health; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create a right to receive appropriate health and social care; (b) alter the law on reproductive healthcare; (c) work towards the realisation of the right to the highest attainable standard of health; (d) create a right to emergency medical treatment and essential primary healthcare; and (e) create a right for children to have access to information on social and health issues; and Whether they propose to alter the law on the right to housing; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create a right to adequate housing that is affordable, accessible, habitable, safe and appropriate, with access to public services and social facilities; (b) create a right to appropriate emergency accommodation; (c) work towards the realisation of the right to adequate housing; and (d) make public authorities responsible for housing those evicted by the courts; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to a sustainable environment; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create a right to a sustainable, healthy and safe environment; (b) provide public information on the environment; and (c) foster participation in decisions on planning applications; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to work; if so, when; and whether they will alter the law on (a) the right to choose freely and practise a trade or profession; (b) conditions of work and terms of employment; (c) equal conditions of work for women and men; (d) equal treatment for migrant and national workers; (e) entitlement to rest, leisure, respite and reasonable limitation of working hours, as well as appropriate provision for retirement; and (f) equality of opportunity and fair treatment of pregnant women and workers with children; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to social security; if so, when; and whether they will work towards the realisation of this right, including the right to social assistance, social insurance and pensions; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to a fair and non-discriminatory justice system; if so, when; and whether they will (a) create additional informal justice mechanisms; and (b) ensure that all those in the administration of justice are recruited or appointed on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria relating to qualifications and experience; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to a fair trial; if so, when; and whether they will (a) remove civil rights from the ambit of this right; (b) ensure the right of appeal to a higher tribunal; (c) provide information on rights in appropriate and accessible language; (d) ensure the right to silence with no adverse inferences being drawn subsequently by juries or judges; (e) ensure the right to trial by jury; (f) allow defendants to compel witnesses; (g) ensure evidence incompatible with human rights is inadmissible; (h) ensure the free use of an interpreter in custody; (i) ensure no child or other vulnerable person is subjected to the ordinary criminal process; and (j) ensure there are no controls on lawyers; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to humane conditions of detention; if so, when; and whether they will (a) ensure there is no deprivation or restriction of any human right except to the extent demonstrably necessitated by the fact of detention; (b) ensure information is provided on the reasons for deprivation of liberty; (c) ensure that treatment or other support that enables reformation and social rehabilitation is provided; (d) ensure that there is prompt access to appropriate legal and medical assistance and pastoral care; (f) provide adequate support for the families and children of prisoners and ex-prisoners; and (g) provide for the reintegration and resettlement of former prisoners into society under the best possible conditions; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the rights of victims and witnesses to fair treatment; if so, when; and whether they will ensure witnesses are treated in the same manner as victims; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the rights of children and vulnerable adults as witnesses and victims of crime; if so, when; and whether they will require children and vulnerable adults only to be cross-examined by trained individuals with appropriate expertise; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the rights of victims of crime or of human rights violations; if so, when; and whether they will (a) require full disclosure of the truth relating to relevant crimes or human rights violations; (b) ensure necessary care and support is provided in accordance with the needs of victims; (c) require thorough investigation of missing persons; (d) ensure that status as a victim of crime is not dependent upon whether the crime is reported to the police; and (e) ensure that lawyers and voluntary sector workers are also to be treated as victims; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the rights of children and young people in the justice system; if so, when; and whether they will (a) treat every person under 18 as a child; (b) ensure the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration; (c) raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18; and (d) ensure that children are not detained or imprisoned except as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to participate in public life; if so, when; and whether they will ensure there is (a) the opportunity without discrimination to participate freely in public life and political affairs; (b) a balance of men and women holding domestic and international public positions; (c) equal representation of men and women in the formulation of government policy; and (d) an increased role for women in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to freedom of movement; if so, when; and whether they will provide (a) the right to a passport for citizens; and (b) special treatment for trafficked people, domestic workers and victims of domestic violence; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the right to choose a nomadic or settled lifestyle; if so, when; and whether they will permit persons to change from one lifestyle to another; and Whether they propose to alter any law on the rights of the child; if so, when; and whether they will (a) extend all human rights and fundamental freedoms to children; (b) ensure the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration for all public bodies and private institutions; (c) ensure the right of children to participate; (d) ensure a child's right to a stable, safe and secure family environment; (e) provide a right to play; and (f) ensure that under-18s are not recruited into the Armed Forces; and Whether they plan to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998 in part or all of the United Kingdom; and Whether they plan to dispense with the United Kingdom's powers to derogate from and to make reservations under the European Convention on Human Rights; and Whether they plan to empower the courts of the United Kingdom to apply unincorporated international human rights law; and Whether they plan to establish human rights courts or tribunals. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In view of the number and breadth of the Questions posed by the noble Lord, I shall reply to him by means of a letter once I have collated the information relevant to his Questions; and I shall place a copy of that letter in the Library. Pre-Budget Report: North Sea Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government: What revenues (if any) accrue from the North Sea in addition to those in table B8 in the 2007 Pre-Budget Report (Cm 7227). Lord Davies of Oldham: The North Sea revenues line in table B8 of the 2007 Pre-Budget Report includes all direct tax revenues accruing to the Government from profits made from oil and gas production. The breakdown of these revenues can be found in more detail in HM Revenue and Customs statistics at table 11.11, which is published on the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11-11.pdf. In addition the Government, through the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, also collect licence fees from licence holders. In 2007-08 these amounted to £60 million. Questions for Written Answer: Guidance to Civil Servants Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. Lord Rooker: Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants on drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions was published in February 2005. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House. It can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and _ethics/civil_service/pq_quidance.aspx. We have internal guidance in place on Lords Written Questions that was last updated on 11 April 2007. Questions for Written Answer: Guidance to Civil Servants Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Scotland Office on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. Lord Davidson of Glen Clova: Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants on drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions was published in February 2005. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House. It can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffce.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/pq_guidance.aspx. Internal departmental guidance is provided orally when required and the departmental written guidance is currently being updated. Questions for Written Answer: Guidance to Civil Servants Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Department for Transport on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. Lord Bassam of Brighton: Cabinet Officeguidance for civil servants on drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions was published in February 2005. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House. It can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/pq_guidance.aspx. This guidance is available to all civil servants at the Department for Transport on the department's intranet site. Roads: Safe Use The Earl of Dundee: asked Her Majesty's Government: What will be the content of the foundation course in safe road use to be piloted in Scotland, announced on May 7. Lord Bassam of Brighton: We are currently discussing the content with the Scottish Qualifications Authority and our other partners in the project. This is a qualification designed principally for those who have not yet reached driving age. It will therefore include topics such as the content of the Highway Code, being a safe and responsible passenger in a car or bus, a good attitude towards road use and the economics of owning a car. Roads: Safe Use The Earl of Dundee: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the likely take-up of the foundation course in safe road use to be piloted in Scotland. Lord Bassam of Brighton: In the fora of young people that the Driving Standards Agency organised as part of preparing the Learning to Drive consultation proposals, including those held in Scotland, 85 per cent of participants said that they would be interested in taking a foundation qualification in safe road use, provided it was not an obligatory course. The aim is to make this qualification engaging and enjoyable as well as valuable. Roads: Safe Use The Earl of Dundee: asked Her Majesty's Government: What timetable they envisage for the extension throughout Great Britain of the foundation course in safe road use to be piloted in Scotland. Lord Bassam of Brighton: We plan that our foundation qualification in safe road use should be available in Scotland from autumn this year. No decision has yet been taken in respect of other parts of Great Britain. Taxation Baroness Hollis of Heigham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What percentage of an individual's annual income currently goes on direct taxes and national insurance, at earnings of (a) £10,000, (b) £20,000, (c) £30,000, (d) £40,000, (e) £50,000, (f) £60,000, (g) £70,000, (h) £80,000, (i) £90,000, (j) £100,000, (k) £150,000, (l) £200,000, and (m) £500,000. Lord Davies of Oldham: The information on liabilities is in the table. The figures assume no reliefs or deductions apply, and reflect the Statement by the Chancellor that the basic personal allowance for 2008-09 would be raised by £600 to £6,035, and the basic rate limit set at £34,800. Earnings Income tax liability £ Primary class 1 NIC £ Total income tax and NICs £ Income tax and NICs as percentage of earnings £10,000 793 499 1,292 12.9% £20,000 2,793 1,599 4,392 22.0% £30,000 4,793 2,699 7,492 25.0% £40,000 6,793 3,799 10,592 26.5% £50, 000 10,626 3,903 14,529 29.1% £60,000 14,626 4,003 18,629 31.0% £70,000 18,626 4,103 22,729 32.5% £80,000 22,626 4,203 26,829 33.5% £90,000 26,626 4,303 30,929 34.4% £100,000 30,626 4,403 35,029 35.0% £150,000 50,626 4,903 55,529 37.0% £200,000 70,626 5,403 76,029 38.0% £500,000 190,626 8,403 199,029 39.8% Notes: 1. Assumes not contracted-out class 1 NIC rate applies, and that earnings are spread evenly throughout the year. 2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £1. 3. Assumes only income is earnings and no income tax reliefs or deductions apply. Information on the average rate of income tax liability for various ranges of total income is shown in table 3.5 on income and deductions based on the survey of personal incomes, of which 2005-06 is the latest year available. This table reflects the effect of deductions and reliefs as well as different tax rates on different types of income. The information can be found on the HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm. Upper Earnings Limit Baroness Hollis of Heigham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What additional revenues would be generated by the removal of the upper earnings limit. Lord Davies of Oldham: The yield from removing the upper earnings limit for employee class 1 national insurance contributions would be £8.5 billion for 2008-09. This excludes any estimate of behavioural effects, which could be significant given the scale of the change. The estimate is consistent with Budget 2008 assumptions and assumes that the NHS allocation contribution rates are unchanged.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2008-05-21a

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Telecommunications Systems Lord Stevenson of Balmacara: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to communicate with (1) the public, (2) businesses, and (3) charities, about the forthcoming switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network; and what assessment they have made of the impact the switch-off will have for (a) alarm manufacturers, and (b) vulnerable users of analogue technology enabled care products. Baroness Barran: The retirement of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and its replacement with Internet Protocol technology, is being led by Openreach and Virgin Media, as the relevant infrastructure owners. Openreach and Virgin Media have publicly set out their plans to withdraw these services by the end of 2025. The migration is likely to affect all fixed exchange lines, of which there are 31.3 million in the UK. In June 2020, the Broadband Stakeholder Group, a Government advisory forum on telecoms policy, launched the ‘Future of Voice’ website. This consumer-facing website is designed to inform the public and businesses of the PSTN switchover process and was developed with the support of telecoms companies, Ofcom and DCMS. The website will also be a useful resource for charities, trade associations and public sector bodies to inform their members of the change. Ofcom estimates that 81% of UK households have a landline service, with 4% of UK adults living in a home with a landline and no mobile phone, while 3% of UK households have only a landline without any broadband.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2021-02-26

Department for Transport East-West Rail Link: Freight lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 19 February (HL1348),whetherthey intend to require that the line is (1) designed to accommodate rail freight, (2) to be electrified, and (3) to be provided with suitable rail freight terminal facilities to serve the freight logisitics facilities along the route of the line; what is the latestbusiness case for East West Rail; and whether thatbusiness case includes consideration of any environmental benefits of rail freight use of that network. baroness vere of norbiton: The strategic scope for East West Rail is currently being developed, including options for depots. Electrification is being reconsidered after previously being descoped to reduce capital costs. At a minimum, passive provision is being provided in construction so that electrification may be implemented in the future subject to value for money and affordability. EWR Co. are considering provision for freight, ensuring the route will support existing freight, and are currently undertaking a study to understand potential freight use. The Western Section of East West Rail is moving towards its Full Business Case, whilst the Central Section is at SOBC stage. As the business cases continue to develop, they will consider the benefits of freight. High Speed 2 Railway Line: Euston Station lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answerby the Prime Minister on 11 February with reference to HS2that they will"take proper control of what is happening at Euston which…has been a shambles" (HC Deb, col 729) and comments in the Oakervee Review of HS2, published on 11 February, that theexisting planned construction of the approachin the form of a tunnelled dive-under is "expensive and exposes major risks to the existing railway and services during construction", whetherthey will instruct HS2 to cease all further temporary works in the area around Euston to avoid possible unnecessary destruction until the new control and management is in place with an agreed design and method of construction. baroness vere of norbiton: In a statement to Parliament on 11 February, the Prime Minister set out that after careful consideration of the independent Oakervee review, the decision has been taken to proceed with HS2. The Government published the Independent Oakervee Review on 11 February and it is now considering its formal response to the review conclusions and recommendations, including those in relation to Euston. In relation to HS2 works in the area around Euston, in order to avoid further delays to implementation of the HS2 project, HS2 Ltd and its contractors will continue with the current programme of enabling and early works; only where such works will be required regardless of design changes that may arise in response to the outcomes of the Oakervee Review. Railways: Midlands and North of England lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government who within the government willbe principally responsible for delivering the Integrated Rail Plan described in the Terms of reference for an integrated rail plan for the north and midlands, published on 21 February; and whether, in "working with HS2",they will takeinto account the recommendations of theOakerveeReview of HS2, published on 11 February, which foundthat "HS2 Ltd technical assurance or challenge panels which are made up of experts, some previously involved with the design of the scheme, should be refreshed and reconstituted". baroness vere of norbiton: As set out in his speech to the New Statesman's Northern Powerhouse conference on 27 February 2020, the HS2 Minister will lead the development of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP). The Government agrees with the Oakervee review that we need to strengthen HS2 Ltd’s governance and capability, and we are taking decisive action to do just that. The IRP is to review arrangements for sponsorship and delivery. Railways: Electrification lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comparative risks posed to the public by (1) a limited amount of extension of third-rail electrification for which a commercial case exists, and (2) continuing with the existing alternative arrangements of using diesel trains or carrying heavy freight traffic by road. baroness vere of norbiton: The Government is taking a holistic approach and our Transport Decarbonisation Plan will coordinate action across modes to deliver UK transport’s contribution to net zero. We are also supporting work to understand and reduce the railway’s contribution to air pollution. We will take an evidence-based approach to identifying solutions, including taking account of the efficacy of past interventions and of new technological developments. We are supporting work by the Rail Safety and Standards Board to report in 2021 that will consider both the risks of extending third-rail electrification and the risks of not doing so. Railways: Electrification lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to sanction further extensions to the electrified network in the near future to ensure a continued workload for the skilled labour involved in present railway electrification schemes. baroness vere of norbiton: Electrification will play a significant role in the government’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. Network Rail’s Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy (TDNS) will help to inform decisions about a deliverable and affordable programme of electrification and use of other technologies. Railways: Electricity lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 25 February (HL1519), whether they plan to initiate a further upgrade of power supply to cater for any increase in the demand for rail freight or passenger services. baroness vere of norbiton: The development of the Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the north will identify whether further upgrades of the power supply, beyond those already planned within the £1.2 billion East Coast Main Line Enhancement Programme, are needed to support extra rail freight or passenger services on the route. Motorways: Safety lord goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take following the evidence stocktake on the safety of smart motorways. baroness vere of norbiton: Any death on our roads is one too many. We want our roads to be as safe as possible. That is why the Secretary of State asked the Department to carry out an evidence stocktake to gather the facts about the safety of smart motorways and make recommendations. The Department will present the findings of the stocktake shortly. While I would not want to pre-judge the results of that work, what I can say is that we will continue to prioritise improving safety – making conditions safer for everyone on our roads. I will write to you as soon as the stocktake is completed to answer your specific question. Electric Vehicles: Charging Points baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many additional charging points are planned for installation on UK motorways by the end of 2020. baroness vere of norbiton: Chargepoints at Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) are installed by commercial operators. The Government is aware of the importance of ensuring chargepoint provision across the Strategic Road Network (SRN) to support the uptake of electric vehicles and to combat range anxiety. Highways England has committed £15m to ensure that there are chargepoints (rapid where possible) every 20 miles on 95% of the SRN by the end of 2020. Last year, work commenced to review the provision of rapid and higher-powered charge points along England’s SRN and we aim to report on this in Spring 2020. Electric Vehicles baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to synchronise any increased demand on the UK electricity supply in line with the growth of electric vehicle usage and the availability of charging points. baroness vere of norbiton: We will be engaging with stakeholders, including network companies, to ensure that increasing demand can be accommodated, whilst minimising the impact on businesses, workers and consumers across the UK, building on the significant demand and supply side measures in place. The electricity market is already set up to promote investment in generation capacity to meet demand; for example, the Contracts for Difference scheme facilitates significant investment in low-carbon generation. This complements numerous measures to ensure a smarter, more flexible energy system, increasing the efficiency of the electricity system to prepare for electric vehicles (EVs). ‘Smart’ charging of EVs (at off-peak times) can reduce demand from EV charging at peak times; the Government has taken powers in the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act to mandate that all charge points sold or installed in the UK must be smart enabled and we have recently consulted on secondary regulations. The Government has also invested £30 million to support vehicle-to-grid technology, where the storage capability of EV batteries provides electricity back to the grid. Ofgem, the independent energy regulator, is developing its next set of energy network price controls to incentivise network companies to be ready for the future needs of the energy system, including the required capacity to support EVs. Ofgem has a performance-based framework to set price controls, the RIIO (Revenue=Incentives+Innovation+Outputs). Ofgem uses price controls to determine the revenues companies recover, investment they make and performance standards they must deliver. Ofgem’s next RIIO framework will ensure companies make the case for investment needed to support decarbonisation. As part of the RIIO process, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) forecast the likely uptake of EVs, in order to shape investment plans for reinforcing the network. The regime allows DNOs to seek approval from Ofgem for increased funding, should load growth be significantly higher than anticipated during the price control period. Electric Vehicles baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the estimated increased impact from electric vehicles on the UK power grid system is likely to be by 2035; and what factors were considered in making that assessment. baroness vere of norbiton: The latest National Grid Future Energy Scenarios report was published last year and sets out the impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) on the electricity system. The electricity market is already set up to promote investment in generation capacity to meet demand; for example, the Contracts for Difference scheme facilitates significant investment in low-carbon generation. In February this year, the Government launched a consultation on bringing forward an end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040. The responses to the consultation will inform our analysis and research, to consider any future grid demand scenarios. The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders at all stages of the electricity system, including Distribution Network Operators, to ensure they are able to fulfil required capacity. Existing mechanisms help to ensure that network and generating capacity will stay in step with growing EV demand, and our work on the smart charging of EVs, at off-peak times, can reduce demand from EV charging at peak times. Electric Vehicles baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measuresthey plan to take to informconsumers about the comparative carbon footprint generated by different electric vehicles in their production. baroness vere of norbiton: Vehicle manufacture is a global industry and there is no agreed harmonised approach that can be used to inform consumers of the comparative carbon footprint of the production of different vehicles. The Government does not have any current plans to inform consumers about the comparative carbon footprint generated by different electric vehicles in their production. We expect the transition to zero emission motoring to be industry led and supported by the measures set out in the Road to Zero strategy. In 2018, the Department for Transport developed the Transport Energy Model, published alongside the Road to Zero strategy, to provide a clear assessment of the relative environmental impacts of different road vehicle technologies and fuels. This showed that battery electric vehicles in the UK have substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional vehicles, even when taking into account the energy mix of the electricity to charge the battery and the electricity used for battery production. This largely agrees with full life cycle analyses (which also account for greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle manufacture) from independent sources. Emission values are highly dependent on the electricity mix of the country in which the vehicle is charged, and the country(/ies) in which the vehicle, battery and other parts are manufactured. They will also vary according to model type, car size and miles driven. To obtain full environmental benefits, electric vehicles and their batteries need to be manufactured using electricity from carbon-free sources. The UK’s £274 million Faraday Battery Challenge is taking steps to ensure the batteries used in electric vehicles are sustainable. This includes research into greenhouse gas emissions over the lifecycle of a battery, from raw materials to end-of-life. By 2050, as the electric grid decarbonises and we further establish UK electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, we expect battery electric vehicles produced and driven in the UK to reach near zero greenhouse gas emissions. Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the case fora standardised formula for assessing vehicular carbon footprint to ensure a reliable comparative assessment system that has public confidence. baroness vere of norbiton: We have not made an assessment of the case for a standardised formula for assessing vehicle carbon footprint. However, the Government has carried out a relative assessment, in terms of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, of different fuel and powertrain options based on outputs from the Transport Energy Model, which was published alongside the Road to Zero strategy in 2018. The modelling makes clear that, even with the current electricity grid emissions, battery electric vehicles are estimated to have greenhouse gas emissions 66% lower than a petrol car and 60% lower than a diesel car. Between now and 2050 we project that grid emissions will fall by around 90%, with total emissions from electric vehicles falling in parallel. As well as considering the greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, we have also considered the emissions from battery production. As battery production is an energy intensive process we would also expect these emissions to fall over the period to 2050. We are clear that battery electric vehicles have substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional vehicles even when taking into account the electricity source and electricity used for battery production. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Global Navigation Satellite Systems lord tunnicliffe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to commit to a full global satellite system to replace UK participation in the EU’s Galileo system. lord callanan: This government has made clear its ambitions for renewed vigour in space, through our new ministerial-level National Space Council and developing a UK Space Strategy to bring long-term strategic and commercial benefits for the UK. A sovereign UK global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is being investigated within this ambition. The very purpose of the current engineering design and development phase (EDDP) is to ascertain the UK’s requirements and how we can meet them, so it’s right and proper that we take the appropriate time to investigate fully, involving our key international allies. Global Navigation Satellite Systems lord tunnicliffe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of the UK’s new satellite navigation system to replace UK participation in the EU’s Galileo system. lord callanan: The initial estimated engineering cost in 2018 of a UK GNSS was £3 - 5 billion but this would be subject to the findings of the engineering design and development phase (EDDP). The Government continues to look at a number of funding options as part of the EDDP. Global Navigation Satellite Systems lord tunnicliffe: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many satellites the UK’s new satellite navigation system will have to replace UK participation in the EU’s Galileo system. lord callanan: The engineering design and development phase (EDDP) continues to define options for a UK Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and it is too early to speculate a final design that will meet the UK’s position, navigation and timing (PNT) requirement. Galileo System lord tunnicliffe: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would consider access to the EU’s Galileo system in return for providing UK technical expertise. lord callanan: The Government’s EU negotiating paper (Future Relationship with the European Union 27 February 2020) does not seek participation or service access to Galileo. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review lord mcinnes of kilwinning: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage civil society to contribute to the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The review will engage with a range of stakeholders here and abroad to ensure proper consultation and challenge. We will listen and learn from different voices across the UK and internationally including civil society. Good practice from previous reviews and strategies will be explored when formulating the right approach. Malaysia: Politics and Government lord alderdice: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the current political situation in Malaysia, and (2) the protection of freedom of religion or belief by the government of Malaysia; and what representations they have made to that government about the protection of religious minorities in that country. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We continue to follow the political developments in Malaysia closely. We look forward to working with the new Prime Minister and his government on institutional reforms and to tackle important global challenges such as climate change.The Foreign Secretary's visit to Kuala Lumpur on 11 February underlined the strong, historic ties between the UK and Malaysia and set out our vision for a dynamic future relationship.The British Government is firmly committed to standing up for freedom of religion, and for individuals to practise their beliefs free from fear. These views are well known in Malaysia, and our longstanding relationship allows us to raise concerns at senior levels with the Malaysian government.I discussed freedom of religion or belief with the then Malaysian Minister for National Unity, Waytha Morthy, in January. Our High Commission in Kuala Lumpur regularly raise the issue of freedom of religion or belief with their Malaysian counterparts. Hong Kong: Politics and Government lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the arrest of (1)Hong Kong media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, (2) the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Labour Party, Lee Cheuk-yan, and (3) the former chairman of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, Yeung Sum, by the Hong Kong Police; what representations they have made to the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People’s Republic of China about those arrests; and what assessment they have made of the effect of those arrests on the “one country, two systems” principle, and the protection of freedomsguaranteed for the peopleof Hong Kong under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are concerned by the arrests of Jimmy Lai, Lee Cheuk-Yan and Yeung Sum and are following their cases closely. It is important that due process is followed, and that justice is applied in a fair and transparent way.It is essential that protests are conducted peacefully, and that the authorities avoid actions that inflame tensions. The authorities should focus on rebuilding trust through a process of meaningful political dialogue.The Foreign Secretary regularly raises Hong Kong with Chinese and Hong Kong officials at the highest levels. Senior officials are in frequent contact with their counterparts in Hong Kong, Beijing and London.We remain fully committed to upholding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms underpinned by the legally binding Joint Declaration, and the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework set out in the Hong Kong Basic Law. China: Coronavirus lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China about the role of ‘wet markets’ in the global spread of COVID-19. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The virus is believed to have originated in a seafood and live animal market in Wuhan, China in December 2019, but it has since spread widely through human to human transmission. China has now announced a proposal prohibiting the trade and consumption of wildlife. We have been in regular contact with the Chinese authorities since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, including most recently on 5 March when the Minister for Asia met the Chinese Ambassador. Northern Ireland Office Abortion: Northern Ireland baroness o'loan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to place a copy in the Library of the House of the report on the consultation on abortion law conducted by the Northern Ireland Office in November and December 2019. viscount younger of leckie: I can confirm that the Government will shortly publish its response to the consultation ‘A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland: Implementation of the legal duty under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019’. The Government will also shortly lay before Parliament regulations providing for lawful access to abortion services in Northern Ireland, consistent with what is required under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019. Department of Health and Social Care Electronic Cigarettes viscount ridley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the World Health Organization's decision to welcome the government of India's decision to ban e-cigarettes; and what plans they have to implement a similar ban in the UK. lord bethell: The World Health Organization recommends countries either ban or regulate e-cigarettes. The Government has no current plans to ban e-cigarettes in the United Kingdom and they continue to be regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. It remains the goal of the Government to maximise the public health opportunities presented by e-cigarettes to reduce smoking, while managing any risks. UK regulated e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking, but they are not risk free. Research shows e-cigarettes are effective in helping some smokers to quit. We continue to keep the evidence base on e-cigarettes under review and the next Public Health England annual review on e-cigarettes will be published this month. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control viscount ridley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage they pay of the costsof the World Health Organization's secretariat for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. lord bethell: For the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Secretariat work programme for January 2020 to December 2021, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pays 5.9240% of the assessed contribution as a member of the Convention. This amounts to $521,340. The UK ratified the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, in June 2018, and, as a Member, pays 14.9691% of the assessed contribution. This amounts to $748,411 for January 2020 to December 2021. The WHO FCTC publishes details of assessed contributions online on its website.In addition, the UK Government contributes funds to the FCTC 2030 project, through official development assistance funding, which is hosted in the WHO FCTC Secretariat. £15 million has been committed to the five-year project to support low and middle income countries improve their tobacco control. The project concludes at the end of March 2021. Coronavirus: Italy lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to test all pupils returning to the UK from school trips in northern Italy for Wuhan coronavirus. lord bethell: The Department and Public Health England has produced guidance available online on GOV.UK that applies to all travellers returning from northern Italy, including school children returning to the United Kingdom from trips. Laboratory testing for COVID-19 is recommended for returning travellers from an at-risk area who develop respiratory symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19. NHS: Finance lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Bethell (HL Deb, cols 248 and 253), what measure of inflation they used in the cash figures for the four financial years included in the NHS Funding Bill. lord bethell: Under the NHS Funding Bill 2019-20, the Government commits to increase investment in the National Health Service in the years to 2023-24 (compared with 2018-19) by £33.9 billion in cash terms.At the time the NHS settlement was confirmed in January 2019, real terms growth calculations used the GDP Deflator forecasts, as set out in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook in October 2018.The NHS funding settlement was fixed in cash terms and it is these cash budgets that underpin the NHS Long Term Plan. NHS Trusts: Loans lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Bethell (HL Deb, cols 248 and 253), whether (1) NHS Trusts with loans will have to repay those loans or service them from the cash figures in the NHS Funding Bill, (2) new loans will be available from those cash figures for Trusts in financial difficulty, and (3) the new financing framework promised for 2020–21 will be published before the start of the financial year. lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of loans to NHS Trusts in financial difficulty at the end of the current financial year. lord bethell: The National Health Service is funded through the NHS funding settlement for finance costs on loans drawn from the Department. Individual trusts are, therefore, expected to finance loan repayments from either their internal resources or surplus cash generated from operating activities. Those cash reserves are ultimately financed by the NHS funding settlement.Loans are provided to trusts from the Department’s own cash limit set as part of HM Treasury Parliamentary Supply Estimates that are presented to and voted upon by Parliament. The NHS is expected to achieve financial balance within the figures set out in the NHS Funding Bill and that includes covering any deficits associated with loans that have been provided.As explained in the NHS planning guidance dated January 2020, we are considering whether reforms to the cash regime might be appropriate and will provide further detail on this ahead of 2020-21. The following table shows loans issued to trusts in difficulty in the current financial year until 31 December 2019. Interim revenue supportInterim capital supportNHS trusts£830 million£70 millionNHS foundation trusts£630 million£120 millionTotal£1,460 million£190 million NHS: Standards lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the new operating targets for the NHS will be included in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution for England. lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will maintain the right to be seen by a cancer specialist within a maximum of 2 weeks from GP referral for urgent referrals where cancer is suspected,contained in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution for England, when new operating standards are introduced. lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the new operating standard for 28 day diagnosis for cancer, to be introduced in the NHS from April 2020, will be made a right in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution. lord bethell: The clinically-led review of National Health Service access standards is ongoing. NHS England and NHS Improvement’s final recommendations to the Government are due by the spring. Hospitals: North West lord bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many NHS hospital trusts in (1) Greater Manchester, (2) Lancashire, (3) Merseyside, (4) Cheshire, and (5) Cumbria, have completed mandatory autism training of staff. lord bethell: This information is not available as autism training is not currently a mandatory requirement though under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, employers are required to take steps to ensure that their staff receive support and training to undertake their roles competently.In ‘Right to be Heard’, which was published on 5 November 2019, we outlined our plans to introduce mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff in England. Work is currently underway with Health Education England and Skills for Care to develop and trial, during 2020/21, a standardised training package, which will be known as ‘the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Learning Disability and Autism Training’. The evaluation of the trial, which will be published at the end of March 2021, will inform future roll-out. Department for International Development Sudan: South Sudan baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to guarantee humanitarian access to the civilian population in Abyei. baroness sugg: The UK is concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan and, as one of the largest humanitarian donors in the country, we are committed to assisting those in need. We welcome the Government of Sudan’s commitment to unfettered humanitarian access across the country, however we note that full humanitarian access has yet to be delivered. The UK has continued to call on PM Hamdok and the Government of Sudan to ensure this commitment is achieved. HMA and DFID officials in Khartoum have continued to engage with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on how we can coordinate and respond effectively to the humanitarian needs across all of Sudan, including in the Abyei region. Furthermore, senior UK officials in Juba continue to urge all parties to abide by the commitments they have made to ensure full, safe, unhindered humanitarian access throughout South Sudan. Department for Education Families: Disadvantaged lord laming: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to increase the funding available for family support and preventative services. baroness berridge: the government is providing councils with an additional £1 billion for adult and children's social care in every year of this parliament. This is on top of the continuation of the £410 million social care grant next year. Funding for children’s social care is not ringfenced, allowing councils to spend based on local need and priorities, including on family support and preventative services.This government has also made a commitment to continuing and improving the Troubled Families Programme. £165 million has already been made available for the Programme to be extended in 2020-21. This will ensure that more families get access to the vital early support they need to overcome complex problems such as anti-social behaviour, mental health issues and domestic abuse. National Retraining Scheme lord touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the national retraining scheme will be rolled out across England. baroness berridge: The government has initiated rolling out the first part of the National Retraining Scheme, Get Help to Retrain. This service helps users to understand their current skills, explore alternative occupations that they could do and find and sign up to the training they need to access opportunities for a broad range of good jobs.Since the start of the roll out of Get Help to Retrain in the Liverpool City Region in July, more features have been added to the service, and it has been rolled out to users in a further five areas. The service will be further tested and improved in 2020.Alongside Get Help to Retrain, we are developing other products that will collectively make up the full National Retraining Scheme service. National Retraining Scheme lord touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people participated in the initial pilot rollout of the national retraining scheme. baroness berridge: The government has started to roll out the first part of the National Retraining Scheme, Get Help to Retrain, in 6 areas across England.Get Help to Retrain is a digital service that will help users to understand their current skills, explore alternative occupations that they could do and find and sign up to the training they need to access opportunities for a broad range of good jobs.Since the start of the roll out of Get Help to Retrain in July 2019, over 1,000 users have tested the service. The service will be further tested and improved in 2020.Other products are being developed that will sit alongside Get Help to Retrain, collectively making up the full National Retraining Scheme service. Ministry of Justice Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 lord goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Keen of Elie on 24 February (HL1472), why they have no current plans to review Part Three of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. lord keen of elie: Part 3 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (“LASPO”) makes a series of amendments to the existing sentencing and release framework, very few of which are standalone provisions. Furthermore, some of the LASPO provisions have subsequently been amended, or even repealed. It would therefore be difficult to isolate the impact of the amendments brought in by LASPO from the impact of other provisions, or to identify a causal link between the specific LASPO changes and wider factors in crime and sentencing. Department for International Trade Type 31 Frigates lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in finding an export market for the new Type 31 class of frigate. viscount younger of leckie: Work to identify an export market for the new Type 31 class of frigate is on-going. A General-Purpose Frigate Export Working Group (GPFEWG), with representatives from cross-Government and Industry, has been set up and is responsible for supporting the realisation of Type 31 export opportunities in support of the National Ship Building Strategy (NSBS). The GPFEWG is meeting regularly to agree the export opportunities and the strategy to pursue them. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Travellers: Hate Crime lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tackle hate crimes against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. baroness bloomfield of hinton waldrist: The Government takes hate crime against all communities very seriously, which is why we published the hate crime action plan (Action Against Hate: The UK Government’s plan for tackling hate crime) in July 2016. This plan was refreshed in October 2018.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is supporting Herts GATE (Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment) with over £75,000 of funding in 2019/20 to encourage reporting and support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) victims of hate crime.In November 2019 the Crown Prosecution Service held its second National Scrutiny Panel on hate crime affecting GRT communities. The Panel considered issues relating to the investigation and prosecution of GRT hate crime and subsequently produced an Action Plan of commitments, including working with key departments across Government to raise awareness of the issues. This followed a first Action Plan that was published in February 2017. Buildings: Insulation lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many buildings still have illegalaluminium composite material cladding. baroness bloomfield of hinton waldrist: Information on the number of high-rise (over 18m) residential and publicly owned buildings in England with Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding systems, unlikely to meet building regulations and yet to be remediated, is published in the building safety programme monthly data release, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-january-2020.At 31 January 2020, there are 141 high-rise residential and publicly owned buildings in England that have completed remediation works to remove and replace ACM cladding systems – an increase of six since the end of December.This leaves a total of 310 high-rise residential and publicly owned buildings with ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet Building Regulations yet to be remediated in England. Of the 86 social sector residential buildings with ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet Building Regulations yet to be remediated:• 75 have started remediation;• 10 have a remediation plan in place but works have not started; and• 1 building has reported an intent to remediate and is developing plans. Of the 175 private sector residential buildings with ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet Building Regulations yet to be remediated:• 32 have started remediation;• 100 have a remediation plan in place but works have not started; and• 43 have responded with an intent to remediate and are developing plans. BSP monthly data release Jan 2020 (PDF Document, 885.47 KB) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Flood Control: Finance lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to invest further in flood defences. lord goldsmith of richmond park: The Government is doubling funding for flood defences to £5.2 billion in this week’s Budget, helping to build 2000 new flood and coastal defence schemes and better protecting 336,000 properties across the country. Agriculture: Subsidies lord willoughby de broke: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the recent adverse weather conditions, what consideration they have given to suspending the requirement for farmers to grow three different crops in order to qualify for payments under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2020. lord gardiner of kimble: We are working closely with the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) to look at all the available options to support farmers who are being affected by wet weather issues. The RPA has published online guidance to provide advice around crop diversification requirements and force majeure. We encourage farmers to look at that guidance in the first instance. We are currently exploring what options are available to us to offer flexibility to the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme rules now we have left the EU. Food: Marketing lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to promote British food and beverages. lord gardiner of kimble: Food and drink exports are a success story, increasing to £23.6 billion in 2019. The Government is determined to help showcase and promote our excellent food and drink even more in the years to come.The Government promotes UK food and drink through Defra’s ‘Food is GREAT’ campaign. The campaign helps raise the profile and reputation of UK food and drink overseas, by building global demand and increasing positive perceptions of our food and drink products. It uses the UK’s growing reputation for quality food and drink, with high standards of food safety, animal welfare and sustainability as an excellent platform to increase demand for our products still further. ’Food is GREAT’ promotes excellent food and drink products from across the four nations of the UK. Most recently, the campaign showcased Northern Irish gin, Scotch Whisky, Welsh seafood, and English Sparkling Wine to Japanese consumers, trade and media in events coinciding with the Rugby World Cup. The campaign is also active in other priority markets including the USA and China, as well as within the UK. Floods: Property lord hunt of chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) advice, and (2) funding, they have provided, or intend to provide, to help property owners protect their properties from flooding. lord goldsmith of richmond park: Since 2016 Defra have been working with industry through a Property Flood Resilience Roundtable to explore how business, homeowners, and Government can reduce the impact of flooding through greater awareness and the use of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures. Following the unprecedented flooding in November and following the recent storms, Government announced Property Flood Resilience recovery grants of up to £5,000 in affected areas to help eligible homes and businesses become more flood resilient. Between 2015 and 2021 the Environment Agency is spending approximately £3.6 million of grant in aid on PFR resistance measures for households at very significant risk. In additional, the Government is funding a £2.9 million PFR Pathfinder project which aims to boost the uptake of PFR measures through education, advice portals and innovative initiatives to make homes and buildings more resilient to floods. Property: Insurance lord hunt of chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, or intend to have, with the insurance industry about incentivising property owners to protect their properties from (1) flooding, and (2) wind damage. lord goldsmith of richmond park: Since 2016, Defra has worked with insurers and other industry representatives through a Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Roundtable to take forward technical issues and develop pathways to deliver greater uptake of Property Flood Resilience. A ‘Code-of-Practice’ to improve service delivery has recently been published by the group. Flood Re have published their Quinquennial Review into the future development of the scheme, including ways to incentivise PFR, which the Government is carefully considering. We have not had any discussions with the insurance industry on wind damage. Floods lord hunt of chesterton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide more data to local organisations and communities to help them prepare for future floods. lord goldsmith of richmond park: The Environment Agency (EA) publishes data and maps for England on coastal erosion risk and flood risk. This includes a five-day flood forecast, river levels and flood warnings. The EA makes, and will continue to make, this and other environmental data openly available for download so that it can be used by individuals, communities and local organisations free of charge. The EA will continue to improve these digital services based on feedback.The EA will be releasing an updated flood information service (https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings) in spring 2020 which will feature more impact information, rainfall information and improved navigation. In addition, the EA is working with Fujitsu, EE and the University of Hull to undertake trials of Cell Broadcasting technology (https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/cell-broadcast-trial), and is intending to work with other Government bodies to help to implement this service to warn those at highest risk in advance of flooding. Home Office Human Trafficking: Children lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money has been allocated to fund independent guardians for trafficked children in the current, and each of the last three, financial years; and how much they intend to allocate for such purposes in 2020–21. baroness williams of trafford: Over the last three financial years, the Home Office has allocated approximately £3m to the provision of Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) in early adopter sites, broken down as: 2017/18, £0.5m; 2018/19, £1m; 2019/20, £1.53m. Home Office budget allocations for 2020/21 are currently being agreed. Human Trafficking lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many victims of human trafficking who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision have (1) had the recovery needs assessment, and(2) been granted additional support; what is the average length of time assigned to victims under the recovery needs assessment; and how many of those who have been granted additional support are waiting for an immigration decision from the Home Office. lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) non-EEA, and (2) non-UK national, victims of trafficking with a positive conclusive grounds decision have received support following a recovery needs assessment. baroness williams of trafford: The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the UK’s system for identifying and providing access to support for potential victims of modern slavery.Potential victims have their individual support needs assessed on entry to the NRM and through contact with their support worker while they remain in the system awaiting a conclusive grounds (CG) decision. The Recovery Needs Assessment is conducted after a positive CG.The RNA enables support workers to consider whether a victim has any ongoing recovery needs arising from their modern slavery experience.The information requested on RNA data does not currently form part of the published NRM statistics. The Home Office publishes quarterly statistics regarding the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-referral-mechanism-statisticsThe UK Annual Report on Modern Slavery can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2019-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery Modern Slavery Report - 2019 (PDF Document, 1.78 MB) National Referral Mechanism Stats (PDF Document, 339.62 KB) Human Trafficking lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many victims of human trafficking in England and Wales with a positive conclusive grounds decision received discretionary leave to remain in 2018–19, and on what grounds. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office publishes quarterly statistics regarding the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-referral-mechanism-statistics and the UK Annual Report on Modern Slavery which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2019-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slaveryStatistics on the total number of people granted discretionary leave for all reasons can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-december-2019A positive conclusive grounds decision does not result in an automatic grant of immigration leave. However, the Single Competent Authority (SCA) will consider whether a grant of discretionary leave is appropriate based on the victim’s individual circumstances and usually after consideration has been made by UK Visas and Immigration of any existing applications for more advantageous forms of leave.The grounds for granting discretionary leave to victims of modern slavery, which includes human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour, can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/739436/dl-for-victims-of-modern-slavery-v2.pdf National Referral Mechanism Stats (PDF Document, 339.62 KB) Annual Report - Modern Slavery (PDF Document, 1.78 MB) Human Trafficking lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many victims of human trafficking with a positive (1) reasonable, and (2) conclusive, grounds decision are currently held in immigration detention. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office does record the number of all individuals referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) this information is published quarterly and can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-referral-mechanism-statistics-quarter-3-2019-july-to-septemberThis information does not distinguish between those detained under immigration powers and those living in the community. The reason for this is two-fold, firstly because the NRM referral is not an immigration route by which individuals should regularise their stay in the United Kingdom and secondly, because a person’s status in immigration detention is not permanent and can change.The use of immigration detention in all cases is subject to regular reviews and consequently, a change in circumstance may result in a different consideration. It is quite possible that an immigration detainee is referred to the National Referral Mechanism during a detention period and is re-leased into the community at any point during that process.As National Referral Mechanism (NRM) referrals, Reasonable Grounds and Conclusive Grounds decisions are considered separately from immigration enforcement action, there is no central record of those who have received a positive (1) reasonable, and (2) conclusive, grounds decision and are detained under immigration powers. The Home Office therefore does not collate or publish the data requested.Published data on the number individuals held in immigration detention can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-december-2018/how-many-people-are-detained-or-returned National Referral Mechanism Stats -2019 (PDF Document, 339.62 KB) Human Trafficking lord mccoll of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to incorporate EU Directive2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims into UK law. baroness williams of trafford: The Government is committed to eradicating human trafficking and the scourge of modern slavery.The UK currently gives effect to obligations on modern slavery under The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT), Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive (2011/36), through the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and policy guidance.At the end of the EU Exit transition period in December 2020, the UK will no longer be bound by EU law. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relevant policy guidance will be unaffected. The UK will remain bound by international obligations in relation to preventing and combatting human trafficking and modern slavery. Police: Graduates lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police officers in England and Wales of the rank of Assistant Chief Constable, or equivalent, are university graduates. lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police officers in England and Wales of the rank of Assistant Chief Constable, or equivalent, and above areBAME. lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police officers in England and Wales are currently serving on secondment abroad. lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Chief Constables, or equivalent, in England and Wales served in another force in a chief officer rank before being appointed to their present post. lord wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Chief Constables, or equivalent, in England and Wales were promoted to that post from the post of Deputy Chief Constable, or equivalent, in the same force. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office collects and publishes information on the police workforce on a biannual basis. The latest statistical releases are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-walesThe annual “as at March” release contains information on the ethnicity of officers by rank. The rank of ‘Chief Officer’ includes all ranks above Chief Superintendent, and the latest information shows that as at 31 March 2019, 2.6% of Chief Officers were BAME.Data on promotions can also be found in the “as at March” edition of this release. However, as the rank of ‘Chief Officer’ includes all ranks above Chief Superintendent, promotions within Chief Officer ranks are not collected and we are therefore unable to say how many Chief Constables were promoted from the rank of Deputy Chief Constable or equivalent.The releases also contain information on how many officers are on secondment, however, data are not collected on the location of those secondments.Information on whether officers are university graduates, or whether they served at the same rank in another force are not collected. Police Workforce England and Wales (PDF Document, 1.54 MB) Extradition: USA baroness wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been extradited to the United States under the UK–US extradition treaty of 2003. baroness wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people extradited to the United States under the UK–US extradition treaty of 2003 were accused of (1) offences related to terrorism, and (2) finance-related charges, including wire fraud. baroness wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of those extradited under the UK–US extradition treaty of 2003 entered a plea bargain in the US judicial system. baroness williams of trafford: The Extradition Treaty between the UK and the US came into force on 26 April 2007. Since that date 133 people have been extradited to the US. Of those, nine were extradited for terrorism offences and 57 were extradited for finance-related charges, including wire fraud. The following offences have been included in this broad category of criminality:Wire FraudBriberyFraudConspiracy to DefraudTax Evasion / OffencesSecurities FraudMoney LaunderingComputer FraudMail fraudInformation on plea bargaining is not centrally recorded by the Home Office.All figures are from local management information and have not been quality assured to the level of published National Statistics. As such they should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change. The figures do not include Scotland, which deals with its own extradition cases. Immigrants: Detainees lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were held in immigration detention in the UK at the start of each of the last five financial years; how many were compulsorily deported in each year; and what proportion of deportations were of (1) people at the end of court sentences, and (2) unsuccessful asylum claimants. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office publishes data on people in detention in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of people in detention on the last day of each quarter are published in table Det_D02. Data on people leaving detention every quarter by reason for leaving (including whether they were returned from the UK) are published in Det_D03 of the Detailed Detention datasets.Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year ending December 2019. Additionally, the Home Office publishes a high-level overview of the data in the 'summary tables'. The ‘contents’ sheet contains an overview of all available data on detention.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’. Q1 2020 figures will be released on 21st May 2020.The term 'deportations' refers to a legally-defined subset of returns which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. Information on those deported is not separately available and therefore the ‘returned from the UK’ category in the leaving detention by reason figures, refer to all enforced returns and voluntary departures. Cabinet Office Trusts baroness wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they give to the political views of an individual being considered for a trusteeship which they have to approve. baroness wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they give to statements revealing views opposed to Brexit when deciding on public appointments. lord true: Public appointments are made by Ministers following the Governance Code on Public Appointments. This Code sets out the principles that should underpin all public appointments, including those appointments that Ministers have delegated to others. Public Bodies: Location lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many public bodies they plan to move from London and the south east of England to elsewhere in the UK during this Parliament. lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many new public bodies they intend to establish as a result of the UK leaving the EU; how many of those bodies they plan to be located outside London and the south east of England; how many people they expect those people to employ in (1) London and the south east of England, and (2) elsewhere in the UK; and when they expect any such bodies to be established. lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government which executive agencies they are considering moving from London and the south east of England to elsewhere in the UK; how many staff they (1) expect to relocate, and (2) intend to recruit from local workforces; and when they expect any suchmoves of agenciesto be concluded. lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government which Non-Departmental Public Bodies they are considering asking to movefrom London and the south east of England to elsewhere in the UK; how many staff they (1) expect to relocate, and (2) intend to recruit from local workforces; and when they expect any such moves of those organisationsto be concluded. lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil service roles have been moved from London and the south east of England to elsewhere in the UK since the establishment of the Places for Growth programme; and how many of those roles were filled (1) by existing staff relocating, and (2) by recruitment to fill vacancies in the new location. lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many roles in Non-Departmental Public Bodies have beenmoved from London and the south east of England to elsewhere in the UK since the establishment of the Places for Growth programme; and how many of those roles were filled (1) by existing staff relocating, and (2) by recruitment to fill vacancies in the new location. lord true: The Government is clear the administration of government needs to be less London-centric. The Cabinet Office has established the Places for Growth programme to drive the necessary planning and preparation within departments and public bodies to locate roles and bodies out of London in the regions and nations of the United Kingdom.The programme has introduced a presumption against the creation of new public bodies with a base in London. As such, 15 new public bodies have been established out of London since 2017.Plans are focusing on the relocation of roles, through natural churn and new recruitment, rather than relocation of staff in post. It is intended that the majority of relocated roles will be recruited from local labour markets, offering career progression for civil servants throughout the UK. Treasury Free Zones lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether existing and new freeports will be required to maintain the rules and precautions on plant and animal hygiene that now apply in all other ports; and if not, why not. lord agnew of oulton: Freeports will be subject to the same high standards for plant and animal hygiene that apply in other UK ports. We are currently consulting on the policy model underpinning Freeports. However, any eventual Freeport policy model will maintain the UK’s high standards for security, safety, workers’ rights, and the environment. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Data Protection lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for introducing legislation to permit the legal ownership of personal data. baroness barran: The word ‘ownership’ usually implies certain rights over a property such as being able to use it, sell it or give it away, but this is unlikely to be a workable concept in the wide range of circumstances that processing of personal data occurs. Data protection legislation in the UK does, however, impose obligations on data controllers to process personal data lawfully and transparently in a way that individuals would expect. It also gives individuals specific rights in relation to their data. These include rights to seek access to, rectify or erase their data or to object to its continued processing. Broadband lord birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government which (1) body, or (2) individual, is accountable for the delivery of gigabyte-capable broadband for all by 2025. baroness barran: DCMS is the lead Government department for the delivery of gigabit capable broadband, working closely with the telecommunications industry and other Government departments.Government is delivering a number of reforms to make it easier for the private sector to deploy gigabit broadband. For example, the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill will make it easier for network builders to access blocks of flats where there is an absent or unresponsive landlord. The Government also intends to bring forward legislation to ensure new build homes have the infrastructure to support gigabit capable connections. In addition, the Government intends to invest £5 billion of funding to deliver faster broadband in the hardest to reach areas of the UK. Internet: Safety baroness hollins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with online media platforms to ensure readers and users of their comment sections are not subject to online harms. baroness barran: DCMS ministers and officials regularly meet stakeholders to discuss a range of issues, including online media sites and their comment sections. The Government published the initial response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation in February 2020. This confirmed that the Government is developing legislation on online harms to establish a new duty of care on online companies towards their users, overseen by an independent regulator. This framework will make companies more responsible for their users’ safety. For comments sections on media sites, the legislation will not duplicate existing regulation. Arts Festivals lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they provide for the promotion of literary festivals. baroness barran: Through Arts Council England (ACE) we are investing and promoting the arts and culture all around the country. ACE provides funding to a number of literary festivals including the Manchester Literature Festival and Ilkley Literature Festival, and in 2019/20 will provide over £3.7 million to a number of organisations and festivals that promote literature. Sports: Equality lord lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatdiscussions they have had with Sport England about the practical application of the Equality Act 2010 in sport; and what were the results of any such discussions. baroness barran: Government’s sport strategy Sporting Future and Sport England’s strategy Towards an Active Nation set out both organisations’ commitment to creating a diverse sport sector. DCMS have regular meetings with Sport England to discuss diversity in sport. These meetings cover a wide range of issues including increasing participation amongst under-represented groups, such as those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and ensuring a more diverse workforce. Outputs from Sport England’s work in this area includes: The ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, which encourages women to get active regardless of shape, size and ability and seeks to break down the barriers that prevent them from doing so. The campaign has inspired 3.9 million women to take part since its launch in 2015 Work with a range of partners to increase BAME participation in sport and activity. Sport England published their ‘Sport for All’ report in January 2020, showing how people from BAME communities are taking part in sport and physical activity. Launched in response to low rates of participation in many BAME communities, this invited and challenged partners to address the ethnicity gap in sport participation, with Sport England committing to leading a joined-up approach to tackle this across the sport sector. Work with leading board recruitment agency Perrett Laver to increase diversity at board level within national governing bodies of sport, with 65% and 75% of appointments to date being BAME and female candidates. Investment in programmes that help disabled people get active and make sport more inclusive of their needs. Sport England also ensures that programmes for disabled people are included across each of their investment programmes, and are investing £1.6m from 2017 - 2020 into seven National Disability Sports Organisations who represent specific impairment groups. Sport England has also worked alongside leading charities including Age UK to develop the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ campaign, aimed at supporting people with long-term health conditions to be active. Sporting Future asked Sport England to treat LGBT+ people in the same way as it does other groups protected by the Equality Act 2010. This enables sports to get the same expert help from Sport England and its partners with tackling increasing LGBT+ participation as they do with the other protected characteristics groups and they are making investments into key delivery partners to support their work in this space. For example, Sport England has invested £80,000 into Pride Sports to support Sport England with mapping all LGBT+ specific sport activity across the country and to deliver a LGBT+ summit event to offer insight, strategies and good practice solutions for engaging LGBT+ people in sport. Women and Equalities International Women's Day baroness mone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plansthey have to mark UN International Women’s Day on 8 March. baroness berridge: International Women’s Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in the UK and across the globe.As you are aware, the UK Parliament has held debates in both Houses to mark this important event. The House of Commons debate was led by the Minister for Women and Equalities, Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, who delivered the opening statement. Maria Caulfield MP closed the debate.I opened the House of Lords debate as the Minister for Women, and it was closed by Baroness Sugg. Thank you for your personal contribution.The Prime Minister hosted an International Women’s Day Reception in Downing Street on Thursday 5 March where he gave a speech and took part in a panel discussion with inspirational women from across a range of sectors. Representatives from business, science, and sport, among other areas, attended, alongside school pupils. International Women’s Day is an important moment and receives significant press attention. As such, Government Equalities Office planned communications ahead of this year's event. This included the Government Equalities Office digital and campaign plans for a series of content featuring women activists and change makers, and Ministerial content including to showcase excerpts from Parliamentary speeches.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2020-03-11

Leader of the House of Lords House of Lords: Parliamentary Procedure Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask the Leader of the House whether she will initiate discussions with the usual channels as to the desirability of establishing a general principle whereby items of business with a speakers list of more than 35 members should be tabled over two days, and not on one. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: Where the Speakers List for a debate is exceptionally long, it is open to the Usual Channels to consider special arrangements - including an early sitting of the House (as was arranged for the Second Reading of the European Union Referendum Bill) or adjourning the debate and resuming it on a subsequent day. However, in considering whether to make such arrangements, account must also be taken of members wishing to speak who may not be able to be present on a subsequent day, or for an earlier sitting, and would consequently not be able to participate if such an arrangement were made at short notice. For this reason, case-by-case consideration of the best way forward may serve the House better than a general principle, and so I do not propose to initiate discussions along the lines suggested at this time. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Public Sector: Trade Unions Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation they carried out about prohibiting public sector employers from providing a check-off service. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We have not undertaken a formal consultation. This clause will receive full Parliamentary scrutiny during the Bill's passage through Parliament. Manufacturing Industries: Foreign Companies Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many manufacturing companies in the UK employing more than 500 people are foreign-owned; and what is their assessment of the implications of such ownership for the development of indigenous management. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Draft AnswerThere are 320 manufacturing enterprises in the UK with more than 500 employees that are foreign owned (i.e. have over 50% foreign control). This is 61% of manufacturing companies with over 500 employees. The UK welcomes foreign direct investment and enjoys the benefits of jobs and skills that it brings and UK manufacturing continues to be globally attractive and competitive. However, the Government is not aware of any evidence which indicates that foreign-owned companies treat UK management any differently to British-owned companies.We are taking a number of steps to increase indigenous management skills and capability. Apprenticeships standards are now available or being developed in senior level and management occupations. These include degree level qualifications and cover such areas as Manufacturing Engineer, Chartered Manager and Project Manager.The apprenticeships levy will come into effect from April 2017. It will apply to all UK employers with a pay bill in excess of £3 million and incentivise them to train their apprentices in the technical and professional skills their businesses need, including quality management and leadership.The Government is also supporting work being undertaken by senior industry leaders to examine ways to increase manufacturing productivity in the UK, which is part of the business-led action referenced in the Government’s Productivity Plan published in July 2015. This work will look at how indigenous performance could be improved in areas such as leadership, management and employee engagement, and will also consider what steps could be taken to develop a stronger culture that embraces innovation and new technologies such as digitisation. We will consider the findings when they are produced by industry later in 2016. Universities: CAGE Lord Balfe: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to take steps to ensure that the organisation CAGE is prevented from speaking at British universities. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Government introduced a duty on universities in September to ensure that they have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. The statutory guidance which accompanies the duty makes clear that universities must ensure that they assess the risks associated with organisations and speakers at events on campus, putting mitigations in place where necessary or cancelling events where the risk cannot be mitigated.The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has been appointed as the body to monitor compliance at English universities, including where potential breaches of the duty are reported. Appropriate arrangements will apply in Wales and Scotland. Universities: Radicalism Lord Balfe: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to take steps to prevent the Egyptian cleric Fadel Soliman from speaking at British universities. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Government introduced a duty on universities in September 2015 to ensure that they have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. The statutory guidance which accompanies the duty makes clear that universities must ensure that they assess the risks associated with organisations and speakers at events on campus, putting mitigations in place where necessary or cancelling events where the risk cannot be mitigated.The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has been appointed as the body to monitor compliance at English universities, including where potential breaches of the duty are reported. Appropriate arrangements will apply in Wales and Scotland. Department for International Development Burundi: Bilateral Aid Lord Bruce of Bennachie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider re-opening a bilateral development programme in Burundi, in the light of recent violence in that country. Baroness Verma: The UK Government is extremely concerned by the ongoing political unrest in Burundi, and its humanitarian consequences, including the flow of Burundian refugees to neighbouring countries.DFID offices across the region, including in Tanzania, DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, are working closely to monitor the situation, review preparedness activities and provide humanitarian support. £18.15 million has been committed by DFID for refugee response in the region through UN agencies, such as UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP, and international NGOs. This funding includes £14.25 million to support refugees in Tanzania, and £3.9 million to support refugees in Rwanda. We are staying in close contact with the UN system about future funding needs. Additionally, DFID is working closely with the FCO to coordinate HMG’s response, and international partners such as the EU on Article 96 discussions, to ensure that humanitarian assistance continues to reach those in need.DFID is monitoring the situation closely and may consider additional funding. DFID has deployed a Humanitarian Advisor to the region in support of the response and to monitor funding provided so far.DFID is currently undertaking a Bilateral Aid Review, but there are no plans to reopen the DFID office in Burundi. Ministry of Justice Forensic Science: Languages Lord Quirk: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 21 December 2015 (HL4282), how they reconcile that answer with the statement by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in Postnote on forensic linguistics of September 2015 that even recordings of an offender's voice, verified to the satisfaction of police experts, are "not admissible as evidence" in the criminal justice system. Lord Faulks: The research briefing to which the noble Lord refers distinguishes between speaker profiling, which courts have yet to find to be sufficiently reliable a technique to constitute admissible evidence in a criminal case, and speaker comparison, evidence of which may be admissible.Expert evidence is admissible in criminal proceedings at common law. In summary, the evidence must be relevant to what is in issue; it must be capable of helping the court to assess the significance of matters beyond everyday experience (for example, the results of scientific tests); and it must be given by someone who is competent to do so. The Criminal Procedure Rules and the associated Criminal Practice Directions set out the procedure for introducing expert evidence, and list the factors to which the court will have regard in determining the reliability of expert opinion. The Lord Chairman of Committees Peers: Oaths and Affirmations Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask the Chairman of Committees how many Peers have taken the Oath of Allegiance in the current Session. Lord Laming: 826 Members have taken the oath of allegiance or made the solemn affirmation in the current session. This includes 799 Peers and 27 Lords Spiritual. The figure includes Members who have subsequently died, taken leave of absence or retired during the session. Ministry of Defence Royal Military Academy Baroness Jolly: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many foreign nationals received training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in each year between 2005 and 2016. Baroness Jolly: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many nationals of (1) Bahrain, (2) Kuwait, (3) Oman, (4) Qatar, (5) Saudi Arabia, and (6) the United Arab Emirates, received training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in each year between 2005 and 2016. Baroness Jolly: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial remuneration the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has received from the training of foreign nationals in each year between 2005 and 2016. Baroness Jolly: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial remuneration the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has received from the training of nationals of (1) Bahrain, (2) Kuwait, (3) Oman, (4) Qatar, (5) Saudi Arabia, and (6) the United Arab Emirates, in each year between 2005 and 2016. Earl Howe: Defence has a long and proud tradition of training overseas military and civilian personnel at its training establishments throughout the UK and this is an essential ingredient of Defence Engagement. Training establishments such as Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) offer international students prestigious courses which remain highly prized. Courses currently undertaken by foreign nationals are the Commissioning Course, the Army Reserve Commissioning Course, the Professionally Qualified Officer Course and the International Trainer Development Course.These courses expose international partners to UK policy, and promote concepts of accountability, human rights and transparency. They are important in building skills which enable other countries to deal appropriately with their own internal problems, thereby contributing to regional security. The courses are paid for by a combination of self and UK funding. Information on the number of foreign nations in receipt of training at RMAS is provided in the attached table. HL4953-Foreign Nations trained at RMA Sandhurst (Word Document, 29.56 KB) Department for Culture, Media and Sport Brunei Gallery Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they provided financial support to the exhibition Sand in My Eyes: Sudanese Moments at the Brunei Gallery, and what assessment they have made of whether that exhibition received funding from the government of Sudan or the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We did not provide financial support to the exhibition Sand in My Eyes: Sudanese Moments at the Brunei Gallery, which is co-presented by the Brunei Gallery, SOAS and the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan.We are aware that the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are supporting the exhibition, however no formal assessment has been made whether the exhibition has received funding from the Government of Sudan or the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services.The human rights situation in Sudan remains of serious concern; HMG consistently raise our concerns with the Government of Sudan and armed opposition groups and, where relevant, in the UN. Home Office Vetting Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Henley on 21 March 2012 (HL Deb, cols 914–6), and in the light of the fact that the number of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in 2014–15 was the highest since 2010–11, what plans they have to reduce the number of DBS checks, and in particular to limit the DBS checking of groups such as parent volunteers. Lord Bates: The Government has introduced an Update Service to enable existing criminal record certificates to be kept up to date whilst reducing the need for repeat checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS is driving greater uptake of the Update Service which will continue to reduce the need for repeat checks.The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 reduced the scope of “regulated activity” from which unsuitable people can be barred. It is for schools to decide whether or not to carry out disclosure checks on parent volunteers who work under supervision. Police: Biometrics Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 12 November 2015 (HL3286), whether the review of the retention of custody images by police forces has now been completed and reported; if so, what are the recommendations of that review and how they will be taken forward; and if not, why not. Lord Bates: The Review of the use and Retention of Custody Images has now concluded. The report has been submitted to Ministers and they will consider the recommendations. The outcome of this will be made public in due course. Road Traffic Offences Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 16 December 2015 (HL4139), what assessment they have made of whether the police have sufficient officers to undertake enforcement action to deal with moving traffic offences outside London. Lord Bates: The Government has not made any assessment of this nature. It is a matter for chief officers, working with their Police and Crime Commissioners to decide the size and makeup of their workforce, taking into account local priorities. Police Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 30 November 2015 (HL3832), what assessment they have made of Eurostat's figures for comparative police numbers in EU countries; whether they accept that police numbers in England and Wales per head of population are at 64 percent of the average of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain; and whether they consider police numbers in England and Wales to be at an appropriate level. Lord Bates: Comparisons of police numbers between different EU countries should be made with extreme caution. This is because different countries have different legal systems, police responsibilities vary considerably, and there are differences in definitions used.Decisions on the size and composition of the police workforce are operational matters for Chief Officers working with their Police and Crime Commissioners and taking into account local priorities. What matters is how officers are deployed, not how many of them there are. All forces need to look at the way frontline services are delivered to ensure that the quality of service provided is maintained or improved. Rights of Accused Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 30 November 2015 (HL3712), whether, in the interests of transparency, they will arrange for police forces to collate and publicise the occasions on which persons arrested but not charged have had their names disclosed. Lord Bates: The Home Office currently has no plans to arrange for police forces to collate and publish data in relation to the occasions on which persons arrested but not charged have had their names disclosed.Police are guided in making such decisions by the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) Guidance on ‘Relationships with the media’.There are clearly great risks in naming suspects and the College of Policing guidance makes clear that decisions should only be made on a case-by-case basis, and that the police should not release the names of those who are arrested or suspected of a crime unless they have clearly identified circumstances to justify disclosure. Department for Energy and Climate Change International Climate Fund Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are aware of any intermittency issues concerning renewable generating capacity installed using finance from the UK International Climate Fund. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Through the International Climate Fund (ICF) we support a number of renewable energy projects in developing countries, with the aim to increase the availability of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. On the grid, we support a diverse portfolio of renewable energies which are planned to contribute to generation diversity and system stability; we also support off-grid renewable energy systems, which are integrated with storage technologies. ICF support not only keeps the lights on, but also improves health and education, spurs economic growth and creates jobs. Our work is aligned with the new Global Goals, particularly Goal 7, to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. Fossil Fuels Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they respond to the chief executive of Shell, who claims that oil and gas companies would be negatively affected in the event that the UK leaves the EU. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in the United Kingdom - so we can get a better deal for our country and secure our future. Department of Health Pharmacy: Training Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans for pharmacists who support general practitioners and Accident and Emergency departments to be trained as healthcare professionals, rather than solely as scientists. Lord Prior of Brampton: It is the responsibility of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC) to set the standards and outcomes for the education and training of pharmacists and to approve training curricula to ensure newly qualified pharmacists are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide high quality care.New roles for pharmacists are being pursued as part of the NHS Five Year Forward View, most notably the employment of clinical pharmacists in general practitioner practices.In partnership with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, NHS England has launched a pilot programme to support general practices to recruit and employ clinical pharmacists. This is supported by Health Education England (HEE) through the delivery of a comprehensive education and training programme. This is a new role unlike acute hospital pharmacists or community pharmacists. They will consult with patients, be able to prescribe, where necessary, in particular for those with long term conditions and multiple medication, developing individual pharmaceutical care plans.HEEare considering the potential development of an enhanced programme of clinical training for pharmacists in accident and emergency following research undertaken in 2015 in partnership with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, GPC and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.While there are a range of (often) locally-isolated examples of good practice in the Emergency Department (ED) workforce, there exists little published evidence to support the role of pharmacists in the ED or, specifically, to support pharmacists in undertaking “hands-on” clinical work in the ED. As a result, HEE commenced nation leading project development and research, in partnership with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, GPC and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, with the following aims:- To test and justify development of clinical pharmacist roles within the ED; and- To provide an evidence base for further project work and national scaling.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-01-21

Apprenticeships Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Wilcox on 12 May (WA 226), and in the light of the move by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust to offer degree-level apprenticeships resulting in the training of nurses outside the university system, what progress they have made in the development of work-based apprenticeships resulting in the gaining of a professional qualification and membership of a professional body such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Electrical Engineers or the Royal College of Nursing. Baroness Wilcox: The Government have continued to work to extend advanced and higher apprenticeships opportunities and to strengthen links with professional qualifications and bodies since the Written Answer on 12 May. In summer 2011, we launched the higher apprenticeship fund, with £25 million to support the creation of up to 10,000 advanced and higher apprenticeships over the next four years, giving firms in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering the hi-tech skills they need to grow. Professional bodies were amongst those encouraged to respond. The deadline for proposals closed on 16 September and these are now being evaluated. The outcome will be announced in November. In addition, we have asked the Technician Council to look at the issue of professional registration for people graduating from apprenticeships, and anticipate its advice in the new year. This will include examining the extent to which apprenticeship frameworks currently lead towards registration, and if there are further steps that professional bodies or others might take to offer more help to people to attain this goal. It is important that professional bodies are involved from the outset in the development of apprenticeship frameworks, in particular at the higher level, to ensure that these lead towards eligibility for membership and professional status. Apprenticeship framework developers have considerable experience of working with professional bodies within their sectors. Armed Forces: Under-18s Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government, for each of the past five years, (a) how many people under the age of 18 were recruited into the armed services, (b) how many recruits under the age of 18 started army apprenticeships, (c) how many recruits under the age of 18 completed army apprenticeships, and (d) what were the categories of army apprenticeships in each case. Lord Astor of Hever: The number of people under the age of 18 recruited into the armed services in the past five years is as follows: Year Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Total 2010-11 280 2,390 90 2,760 2009-10 610 3,700 470 4,780 2008-09 840 4,340 770 5,940 2007-08 840 4,720 390 5,950 2006-07 820 4,990 150 5,960 All numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. The number of Army recruits under the age of 18 who started and completed Army apprenticeships in the past five years are as follows: Year Number of recruits starting the course Number of recruits who completed the course 2010-11 1,261 954 2009-10 1,418 1,089 2008-09 1,407 963 2007-08 1,346 968 2006-07 1,317 940 These Army recruits undertake a vocational apprenticeship which enables them to prepare for military training and life. In addition, they undertake academic qualifications in information technology (IT), mathematics and English; soldiers are enrolled on a level 2 apprenticeship for IT users which consists of the level 2 IT diploma for IT users along with functional skills (FS) in English and mathematics at level 1. All those who achieve level 1 FS in English and mathematics during the programme have the additional opportunity to achieve those skills at level 2. Colombia Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will sign any agreements during President Santos's forthcoming official visit to the United Kingdom in support of programmes and reforms for social prosperity in Colombia. Lord Howell of Guildford: President Santos of Colombia will be visiting Britain next month. His visit will further broaden our strong relationship with Colombia. The British Government want the visit to deliver ambitious and sustainable goals that benefit both Britain and Colombia. Although it is too early to comment on what agreements may be signed during his visit, discussions will cover a range of issues, including trade, prosperity, human rights, international co-operation and counter-narcotics. Colombia Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote United Kingdom economic interests in Colombia. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are working with the Colombian Government to support their programme of socioeconomic reforms, which aim to lay the basis for increased UK/Colombia trade and investment in the future. This includes specific projects to promote best practice in public contracting, developing the regulatory framework for renewable energies and sharing experience on public private partnerships. UK Trade and Investment supports companies seeking to enter the market through the range of services that it offers, including identifying and communicating specific opportunities and linking UK companies with partners and customers in the market. We raise specific issues affecting UK economic interests with the Colombian Government. This includes the continued presence of non-tariff barriers in the liquor sector, which have an impact on UK spirits. Compensation Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address any growth of a compensation culture in the United Kingdom. Lord McNally: The Government are implementing a fundamental reform of no-win no-fee conditional fee agreements. Under these changes, meritorious claims will be resolved at more proportionate cost, while unnecessary or unavoidable claims will be deterred from progressing to court. As part of our commitment to curb the compensation culture, the Government have also announced their intention to ban referral fees in personal injury cases. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they intend to make to the request of the Episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo to increase the number of international observers monitoring the forthcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to disarm and neutralise armed groups threatening to destabilise the elections and initiate dialogue with Rwanda and Uganda to seek their assistance in neutralising militias, and to ensure that minerals and resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo are not used for illicit purposes. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is one of the major donors to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) election process. We have already provided £26.1 million with a further £5 million committed by end of 2012 for the 2007-13 electoral cycle. While we are not funding election observation directly, we pushed strongly for the EU election observation mission. This is deployed for a period of three and a half months, from the end of September 2011 until mid-January 2012. The first long-term observers are now in the country. We also remain in close contact with partners, including the Carter Center, African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Catholic Church, and the Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa (EISA) about their observation missions. We are funding disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation, resettlement, and reintegration (DDRRR) programmes to encourage the surrender of members of the armed groups in eastern DRC. These programmes combined with the continued military pressure from the Congolese army (FARDC) are helping to reduce the threat of armed groups, substantially reducing their number over the past two years. We welcome the improved relationships between DRC, Rwanda and Uganda and the strengthened co-operation this signifies. We will continue to engage with these countries to encourage greater co-ordination on regional security issues. We, alongside international partners, are working to ensure that the DRC's mineral wealth is brought under legitimate control, as a source of revenue for the state and the local population, and to restrict financial support to armed groups. Further information about our work on conflict minerals is available online at ww.fco.gov.uk/conflictminerals. Drugs: Pyridostigmine Bromide Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what legal advice they have taken in regard to their legal responsibility in having funded the use of pyridostigmine bromide prescribed to NHS patients and any illnesses this has caused. Earl Howe: The Government have not taken legal advice on the prescribing of pyridostigmine bromide to National Health Service patients. Pyridostigmine bromide is licensed, in the community, for the treatment of myasthenia gravis, paralytic ileus and post-operative urinary retention, and, as for all licensed medicines, its safety in clinical use is monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (a process known as pharmacovigilance). Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what breaches there have been of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulations concerning the number of children who may be fathered by one man; whether a sperm donor has fathered 17 families; and what measures are being taken by the HFEA to ensure that the law is upheld. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that the answers to the noble Lord's questions are contained in the authority's paper Family Limit:Implementation, presented on 14 September 2011, which is published on the HFEA's website at: www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/Authority_papers_for_publication_without_ research_report.pdf. The minutes of the meeting will be considered for approval at the authority's next meeting on the 19 December 2011 and then published on the website. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 3 October (WA 105), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority can confirm that research licence R0122 did not involve any human embryos. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has confirmed that research licence R0122 permitted the use of human embryos for research purposes. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 3 October (WA 105), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority would always notify patients of the possibility that their eggs or embryos had been used in research without their consent if there was good reason to believe that this might have been the case; and, if not, how might patients discover this for themselves. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that were it to be made aware of human embryos being used for research purposes without the gamete providers' consent, it would take steps to ensure that the gamete providers were informed of this. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 3 October (WA 106), in what ways the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority considers somatic cell nuclear transfer to be an IVF-based technique. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that "IVF-based technique" is not terminology used by the authority in exercise of its licensing powers. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 3 October (WA 106), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority now considers research licences R0152 and R0153 to be the same licence; and, if so, why they are still listed separately on the authority's website. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that research licence R0153 expired on the 31 August 2011. Research licence R0152 continues to be active and now encompasses R0153's activities. The HFEA has also advised that the pages referred to by the noble Lord are expected to be refreshed in the near future. Employment: Agency Workers Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 3 October (WA 106), what are the various qualifying periods they understand are proposed or in effect in other European Union countries under Article 5(4) of the European Union agency workers directive before which equal treatment does not apply on an assignment. Baroness Wilcox: The Government understand that day 1 rights apply in the majority of member states. However the Netherlands has a qualification period of 26 weeks for workers that are subject to certain collective agreements and Ireland has yet to transpose the directive. Employment: Work Programme Lord Christopher: To ask Her Majesty's Government what data they require from private sector providers to the Work Programme for the purpose of establishing (a) the nature and incidence of problems encountered, and (b) successful and unsuccessful approaches to these problems. Lord Freud: The performance of all Work Programme providers, including those from the private sector, is monitored through formal performance management information (MI) and performance information is reported to Ministers and performance managers and also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. This information identifies whether providers are achieving their contractual job outcomes and enables improvement action to be taken. In addition, a range of issues such as performance levels, attachment of participants, minimum service standards and complaints and other feedback to support effective delivery of provision are discussed at monthly contract performance reviews. issues are generally resolved at a local level as we have strong relationships between providers, Jobcentre Plus and DWP performance managers; andapproaches to resolve these issues are as follows: Robust protection for subcontractors has been established through the Merlin Standard which all Work Programme providers must attain (and maintain). The Merlin Standard aims to encourage excellent supply chain management and fair treatment of sub-contractors by prime providers. Primes are required to be Merlin-accredited within 12 months, and to maintain accreditation through biannual reassessment with penalties for non compliance. The intention is for the Merlin process to be transparent with assessment reports published on the Merlin web portal. Energy: Efficiency Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total Barnett consequential for Wales of the funding allocated for the enterprise zones already announced for England. Baroness Hanham: At Budget 2011 the Welsh Assembly Government received Barnett consequentials of £6 million over the spending review period as a result of increased provision in England on enterprise zones. Energy: Gas Safety Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will ensure that gas engineers on the gas safety register use flue gas analysers. Lord Freud: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Regulation 26(9), include a requirement that gas engineers comply with manufacturers' instructions. This will include carrying out a combustion gas analysis using a flue gas analyser if specified by the manufacturer. Following an industry initiative, aimed at improving the testing of combustion performance during the commissioning of appliances, the Gas Safe Register (the statutory registration scheme for gas engineers) has introduced a new requirement, the CPA1 qualification. This will assess the competency of engineers in the analysis of combustion performance, including the use of an electronic combustion gas analyser. From April 2012, possession of the CPA1 qualification will be mandatory for all engineers before they can register as competent to install central heating systems and gas fires. Energy: Wind Turbines Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many accidents have been associated with the construction and operation of wind turbines in the United Kingdom in each of the past 10 years; how many of these were fatal; how many related to terrestrial wind farms and how many to maritime wind farms; and in each case how many were to persons employed or otherwise involved in the wind power industry and how many were to other persons. Lord Freud: HSE does not record data in the form requested for wind farm accidents. However, we can confirm from records of HSE investigations that there have been four fatal accidents since 2001 within the wind energy sector (two in 2007-08, one in 2009-10 and one in 2010-11). All four fatalities were on shore and involved people at work (ie employees and self-employed working at wind farms). Finance: Credit Easing Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether proposals to introduce credit easing will require state aid clearance from the European Union. To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the criteria they will use to identify businesses they will support through credit easing, and where responsibility will rest for assessing, pricing and managing commercial risks. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether credit easing will have to be conducted on commercial terms if it is to comply with European Union restrictions on state aid; and, if this is the case, why the funding needs of small and medium-sized enterprise are not already being met by the commercial banking and financial sectors. Lord Sassoon: HM Treasury is currently considering a range of options for credit easing, as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 3 October 2011 The Chancellor will provide more details regarding credit easing at the autumn statement on 29 November. Finance: Exchange Traded Funds Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have investigated the management of gold bullion exchange traded funds, and in particular whether such funds are managed in a way that ensures redemptions can be met in a timely and proper manner without risk to the stability of the financial system. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to take action to establish governance requirements for exchange traded funds to address the risks for investors of abuse of conflicts of interests. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to examine if banks are using exchange traded funds under their management as a funding mechanism by pledging collateral that is not subject to independent scrutiny. Lord Sassoon: The Government are aware of the recent developments in the exchange traded funds industry. We are working closely with the Financial Services Authority and Bank of England to analyse the risks associated with these products and consider what regulatory responses may be necessary. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 19 July (WA 266) and 14 September (WA 64), whether they now intend to commission an organisation without significant links to the dental profession to prepare and publish periodic systematic reviews updating the worldwide evidence on water fluoridation following the York review in 2000, rather than to monitor and evaluate specific effects of fluoridation or conduct government-commissioned research projects. Earl Howe: We are aware that the Australian Government's National Health and Medical Research Council published a further systematic review in 2007. The department constantly reviews what work it will commission. The department's National Institute for Health Research welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including water fluoridation. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government why vaccination, which confers a degree of immunity on adults other than those vaccinated, requires individual informed consent, whereas fluoridation, which confers no such benefit beyond the individual, does not. Earl Howe: Vaccination is a medical treatment using a medicinal product, while drinking fluoridated water is not a medical treatment involving a medicinal product. Fuel Prices Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much extra revenue they have estimated they will receive each year from fuel duty raised by the extra fuel consumed through raising the motorway speed limit from 70 miles per hour to 80 miles per hour. Lord Sassoon: Forecasts of fuel duty revenue are published by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The forecasts take into account a range of factors, including economic conditions, pump prices and the efficiency of vehicles, as well as the impact of policies. Should the policy to increase motorway speed limits be confirmed following public consultation, the OBR would take a view as to whether and how the impact should be reflected in fuel duty forecasts. Gaza Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the aid they have committed to help rebuild homes and public buildings in Gaza, including schools and hospitals, which have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli military forces, cannot be used because of the restrictions on the importation of building materials to Gaza imposed by Israel's blockade. Baroness Verma: DfID does not provide aid directly for reconstruction in Gaza. We do, however, provide funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) including for the reconstruction of homes and public buildings. We are therefore concerned that only 28 per cent of UNRWA's programme of work for Gaza has been approved by Israel and that difficulties in securing materials for reconstruction projects continues to delay progress. Gulf War Illnesses Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations the Secretary of State for Defence has received from Mr Shaun Rusling, of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, on the illnesses of veterans of the 1991 Gulf War; and what reply has been sent. Lord Astor of Hever: It would not be appropriate to disclose the nature of correspondence without the permission of the individual to do so. Housing Lord Christopher: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to bring forward a Bill once the consultations on the national planning framework are concluded; and, if not, what means of implementation will be used. Baroness Hanham: The draft national planning policy framework brings together in a single concise document a broad range of national planning policy currently set out in planning policy guidance and statements. The framework sets out national planning policy and, in line with previous procedures for issuing new or amended national planning guidance, does not require legislation to implement it. Given the importance of national planning policy, the Government have secured time to debate the content of the draft framework in both Houses. Immigration: Deportation Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that UK Border Agency staff travelling to Kenya accompanying deportees do not inflict pain on them, including through using different forms of lock restraints. To ask Her Majesty's Government what disciplinary action they have taken against any UK Border Agency staff who have inflicted inappropriate levels of pain on deportees on journeys from the United Kingdom to Kenya. Lord Henley: The UK Border Agency expects the highest standards from its staff and contractors and will take appropriate robust action against those who fail to adhere to them. The UK Border Agency has a team of eight contract monitors who monitor and report on the performance of the escorting service provider. Members of the Independent Monitoring Board regularly report to the contract monitors and the chief inspector of prisons also carries out announced and unannounced inspections. The UK Border Agency operates a comprehensive complaints system as part of its monitoring arrangements. All detainees are told how to complain on arrival at a removal centre and upon escort, and forms are widely available in a range of different languages. Complaints about the use of force are referred to the UK Border Agency's Professional Standards Unit for investigation and are also referred automatically to the police for their own parallel investigation. The Professional Standards Unit uses a team of dedicated investigators who are all professionally trained to police standards. The contract monitor will consider whether an allegation is such that it is appropriate to suspend the accreditation of any officers involved in that incident. The management of the escorting service will also commission an internal investigation. Any investigation substantiated by the UK Border Agency will lead to some form of disciplinary action. This could ultimately include the revocation of an individual's accreditation to work for the agency. The individual may also face criminal charges if the police decide that an offence has been committed. Where detainees are not satisfied with the outcome of their complaints, they may refer the matter to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and are told at the time how to do so. Immigration: Rayat London College Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Rayat London College remains a UK Border Agency highly trusted sponsor; and which education oversight body last inspected, audited and approved the college, and when. Lord Henley: Rayat London College does not hold highly trusted sponsor (HTS) status. The college's website shows that it is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). The inspection regime is the responsibility of BAC. Insurance: Fraud Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports they have received about the estimated costs to insurers of false claims. Lord Sassoon: The National Fraud Authority estimates that insurance fraud costs £2.1 billion every year. The Association of British Insurers has said that 133,000 false general insurance claims were detected in 2010, worth £919 million. They estimate that, overall, general insurance claims fraud adds £44 to the premiums paid by the average policyholder. The Government continue to work with the insurance industry to tackle fraud. The industry has agreed to fund a specialist insurance fraud police unit which will focus on enforcement and prevention strategies to tackle current fraud issues. The Government are also working with the industry with a view to allowing them access to the driver details held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. This will help prevent fraud by allowing insurers to check the motoring convictions (disqualifications/penalty points) provided by those applying for motor insurance. Justice: Criminal Records Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to implement any further recommendations from Sunita Mason's report A Balanced Approach-Safeguarding the Public through the Fair and Proportionate Use of Accurate Criminal Record Information. Lord Henley: Work is continuing on the implementation of a number of the recommendations from A Balanced Approach. The recommended arrangements for auditing non-police organisations' use of the police national computer are under development. Work is under way to consider the merits and practicalities of filtering out old and minor records from Criminal Records Bureau disclosures. Mrs Mason chairs a panel of experts which provides advice on this issue. The Government are continuing to reconsider the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as part of its broader review of sentencing. Provision for guidance on the disclosure of soft intelligence to employers is contained in the Protection of Freedoms Bill, as is provision for bringing functions of the Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority together to form the Disclosure and Barring Service. Guidance for employers and individuals on the disclosure process and the broader handling of criminal records continues to be developed and improved. Justice: Sentencing Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the verdicts and details of those convicted of crimes in the United Kingdom on a regular basis. Lord McNally: Sentencing outcomes are a matter of public record and local criminal justice partners are able to publicise outcomes in cases of public interest, subject to legal considerations and reporting restrictions. Revised guidance on publicising sentencing outcomes was published to this effect in June. The Ministry of Justice publishes routinely statistical information on the operation of the courts, including sentencing practices. Kosovo Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to propose that Kosovo be given observer status at the Council of Europe and be represented in the Council's Parliamentary Assembly. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government are a long-standing supporter of Kosovo's continued integration into the international community, including through membership of international organisations. In the context of the Council of Europe, an application for observer status must be sent to the Secretary-General by the Government of Kosovo. The Kosovo Government have yet to make such a request. The Government will continue to support the Kosovo Government as they seek to guarantee the fundamental values of the Council of Europe: human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Mahmoud Abu Rideh Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 3 October (WA 178-79), whether they will instruct a civil servant in the course of his official duty to release publicly details of the social security benefits paid to the late Mahmoud Abu Rideh. Lord Freud: While for the purposes of Section 123 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 a disclosure made by a civil servant in the course of his official duties is made with "lawful authority", the department's policy on the disclosure of personal data is as described in my previous answer. I do not intend to instruct officials to make a disclosure which is contrary to this policy. Marriage: Same-sex Civil Marriage Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to legislate for gay marriage; and, if so, when. Baroness Verma: On 17 September the Government announced their intention to publish a formal consultation on equal civil marriage in March 2012. This would allow us to make any legislative changes before the end of this Parliament. Middle East Peace Process Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current assessment of the progress of the Middle East peace process. Lord Howell of Guildford: We continue to believe that the best way to achieve a lasting solution is through negotiations. Our focus is on doing all we can to achieve this-putting pressure on both sides. We welcome the statement issued by the quartet on 23 September. Getting the parties back to genuine negotiations is our primary objective. The statement refers to the parameters set out by President Obama in May, with which we agree. It also sets a clear timetable for talks. Both parties stated their willingness to talk in their speeches to the UN General Assembly-we are urging both parties to respond positively to the quartet's invitation. Palestinian President Abbas has lodged an application for full Palestinian membership of the UN. We do not anticipate an imminent vote in the UN Security Council on this request. Whether the membership committee returns the issue to the Security Council, or whether President Abbas decides to turn to the General Assembly, the UK will use its vote in a way that increases the likelihood of a return to meaningful negotiations. Migrant Workers: Bulgarians and Romanians Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 20 June (WA 254-55) and by Baroness Browning on 14 July (WA 211), what is the explanation for the difference between the 135,740 national insurance numbers issued to Bulgarian and Romanian adult nationals entering the United Kingdom since 1 January 2007 and the 240,840 work permits of various types issued to such nationals in that time. Lord Henley: We would in general expect the number of national insurance numbers issued to be less than the number of work permits issued. An individual worker will be issued with only one national insurance number, but some EU2 nationals will receive more than one work permit, as they are required to hold a new work permit in respect of each job they undertake. Some other EU2 workers will receive a work permit but not, in the end, take up employment in this country. The difference in volumes of work permits and national insurance numbers issued is increased in this instance because the data compared are drawn from different time periods: January 2007 to December 2010 for the national insurance numbers; January 2007 to 30 June 2011 for the work permits. Mobile Communications Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will bring forward the auction of the fourth generation long-term evolution mobile spectrum, and take action to promote competition in the auction. Baroness Rawlings: The design and timing of the auction is a matter for Ofcom, following a direction from the Government in December 2010. In the light of the detailed responses to an earlier consultation dealing with the design of the combined auction and competition issues in the mobile sector, Ofcom is planning to consult again based on a revised analysis with, as before, a range of options dealing with auction design and competition. The consultation will be issued towards the end of this year with the auction expected to take place in the last quarter of 2012. It is important to note that the bands would not be available for new use until 2013 in any case as they are still being cleared of existing users so this delay is unlikely to have an impact on the availability of new services to the consumer. NHS: Quality Standards Lord Evans of Watford: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the development of quality standards and patient care are being delayed; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the delay on the quality of care the National Health Service can provide. Earl Howe: We are not aware of any such delay. Providers of healthcare are required to register with the Care Quality Commission and to comply with 16 registration requirements that set essential levels of safety and quality. Authoritative guidance is also available on many important aspects of health care quality in the form of guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE has already published 12 quality standards and a further 34 topics have been referred to it for development. The Health and Social Care Bill creates a role for the re-established NICE to develop quality standards that will contribute towards improved outcomes for patients. The intention remains to develop a comprehensive library of quality standards, prepared by NICE, to support improvements in key areas of care. Pensions Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have revised their estimates for the number of eligible workers who will exercise their right to opt out of personal pension accounts in the light of the increase in the rate of termination of existing pension plans. Lord Freud: The department estimates that between 2 million to 4 million workers eligible for automatic enrolment will exercise their right to opt out of pension saving. This estimate was last updated in January 2011 in response to a nationally representative survey commissioned by the department in 2009, to measure the intended response to the reforms of individuals eligible for automatic-enrolment. The results from the survey on expected opt-out are presented below: Participation Proportion (%) Definitely stay in 31 Probably stay in 34 Probably choose to opt out 12 Definitely choose to opt out 9 It depends 15 Police: Operational Policing Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what decisions were taken by Ministers in relation to operational policing during the recent riots. Lord Henley: The Home Secretary set out her clear expectations to chief officers on the police response to the disorder, and offered her support to ensure that they had the necessary resources and powers to deal with the disorder. Operational policing decisions were taken by the chief officers of police. Population Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what they estimate the population of the United Kingdom will be in 2050. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Laird, dated October 2011. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question to Her Majesty's Government regarding estimation of the population of the United Kingdom for 2050. The most recent national population projections, based on the resident population in mid-2008, were published by the Office for National Statistics on 21 October 2009 The projected total population for the UK in 2050 is 76.8 million people. The next set of national population projections, based on the mid-2010 population estimates, are due for publication by the Office for National Statistics on 26 October 2011. The assumptions underlying national population projections are demographic trend-based. They are not forecasts and do not attempt to predict the impact that factors such as future government policies or changing economic circumstances might have on the population. The projections also become increasingly uncertain the further they are carried forward in time Public Bodies Bill Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the circumstances in which consultation responses on the Public Bodies Bill were lost by the Ministry of Justice. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the consultation on the Public Bodies Bill has been extended as a result of the loss of consultation responses. Lord McNally: Ministry of Justice officials became aware in mid-September of a technical fault with the inbox that was set up to receive e-mailed responses to the consultation on reforms proposed in the Public Bodies Bill. The fault meant that some e-mails may not have been received before 20 September, when the fault was fixed. E-mail was not the only available method of submitting responses to the consultation and the fault did not affect the receipt of hard copy responses or the use of the questionnaire that could be completed on the Ministry of Justice website. The consultation closed on 11 October and has not been extended. A message was sent to some 7,000 stakeholders on 23 September advising them of the fault and requesting that any responses submitted via e-mail were re-sent. A similar message was placed on the consultation page on the Ministry of Justice website. The department has received approximately 2,750 responses to its consultation and these will inform Ministers' final decisions in respect of those bodies that are subject to the Public Bodies Bill. The department intends to publish its response to the consultation by the end of this year. Details of the consultation can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/reform-public-bodies.htm. Public Bodies Bill The Earl of Listowel: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish in full the responses they have received to their consultation on the Public Bodies Bill regarding the Youth Justice Board immediately after the consultation closes, and in time for the Report stage on that Bill in the House of Commons. To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the names of those who responded to their consultation on the Public Bodies Bill regarding the Youth Justice Board. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) individual members of the public, (b) charities, (c) public bodies, and (d) other bodies, responded to their consultation on the Public Bodies Bill regarding the Youth Justice Board. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many responses to their consultation on the Public Bodies Bill were (a) in favour of, and (b) against, the abolition of the Youth Justice Board. Lord McNally: The Ministry of Justice consultation on reforms proposed in the Public Bodies Bill closed on 11 October. Approximately 2,750 responses were received in total. Seventy responses have been received concerning the Youth Justice Board. The department intends to publish its response to the consultation by the end of this year. As required by the Government's Code of Practice on Consultation, the consultation response will provide a summary of who responded to the consultation exercise, the number of responses that were in favour of against the Government's proposals, and a summary of the views expressed in response to each question. In addition, clause 11 of the Public Bodies Bill requires a summary of representations received in the consultation to be contained within the explanatory document that must accompany each Order laid by Ministers when using the powers provided by the Bill. Details of the consultation can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/reform-public-bodies.htm. Public Toilets Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will improve the availability and standard of public toilets. Baroness Hanham: The Government believe that decentralisation is the way to ensure that public services and amenities better reflect local needs. Public toilets are provided by a range of organisations including local councils, transport operators and the private sector. In addition, many local authorities are taking positive steps to enhance public access to toilets in their area through approaches like community toilet schemes, where local shops and businesses receive a small fee for allowing free access to their toilets. Sri Lanka Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Tamils they have returned from the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka since 5 May 2010; and what assurances as to their safety have been received from the Sri Lankan authorities. Lord Henley: The UK Border Agency does not record specific data regarding an individual's ethnicity. The information can only be provided at disproportionate cost as it would require a manual search of individual case files. The UK Border Agency can identify that since 5 May 2010 1,175 individuals have been returned to Sri Lanka. There is no evidence that those previously removed to Sri Lanka have been mistreated by the Sri Lankan authorities. The UK Border Agency does not routinely monitor the treatment of individual failed asylum seekers who return to their home country. We believe that the best way to avoid ill-treatment is to make sure that we do not return those who are at risk. We do this by ensuring that trained caseworkers make the right decisions based on the circumstances of each individual case, and by providing a right of appeal to the independent courts. State Recognition Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 3 October (WA 190) concerning the recognition of a country, how they define a "clearly defined territory with a population". Lord Howell of Guildford: This is a question of fact that will be determined after considering all the circumstances in each case. Sudan Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any pressure is being put by the United Kingdom on the negotiating teams from Sudan and South Sudan to agree a transparent and independently verified new oil export arrangement. Lord Howell of Guildford: We continue to urge both Sudan and South Sudan to come to an agreement on oil, and regularly stress the need for accountability, inclusivity and transparency in our contacts with both Governments. We welcome the meeting between President Bashir and President Kiir in Khartoum on 8 and 9 October, and urge them to continue to work together on this and other issues, drawing where needed on the mediation work of President Mbeki and the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan in negotiating a settlement. Syria Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the crackdowns on dissidents in Syria. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows closely developments in the situation in Syria. We are deeply concerned at the continuing violent repression of civilians by the Syrian regime. The United Nation's latest estimate is that more than 2,900 people have been killed in Syria since March 2011. The UK is at the forefront of international action to put pressure on President Assad and his regime to immediately end the violence, release all prisoners of conscience and allow free, unhindered and immediate access to the UN for an independent assessment of the situation on the ground. Syria Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to take further measures against the Government of Syria. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK has been very active in increasing international pressure on President Assad and his regime to stop its violent repression of civilians. This has included EU sanctions including an oil embargo. We continue to work with EU partners to consider what further sanctions are appropriate. We seek to avoid as far as possible any negative impact on the civilian population. We will continue to use these principles to guide our assessment on further EU sanctions. Taxation Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of respondents to their recent consultation on HM Revenue and Customs real-time information PAYE considered that the proposed timetable for being ready for universal credit was realistic. Lord Sassoon: HM Revenue and Customs' consultation on real-time information (RTI) ran between December 2010 and February 2011 and received 187 formal responses. Of those who expressed a view on the original timetable for the introduction of RTI, as set out in that consultation, 25 per cent thought it was achievable. In response to that consultation, HMRC announced a new timetable in May 2011. Visas Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many confirmations of acceptance for studies for foreign students under tier 4 of the points-based system were filed with the UK Border Agency in 2010 by (a) privately funded institutions, and (b) publicly funded institutions; and how many of each were accepted. Lord Henley: The number of confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) assigned and used by privately and publicly funded institutions in 2010 is as follows: Institutions Assigned Used Privately funded 200,230 173,795 Public funded 241,245 196,070 Not stated 3,720 3,065 Total 445,190 372,925 An application for a tier 4 licence asks for the number of CAS required by the sponsor for a 12 month period. The total number of CAS applied for by all tier 4 sponsors in 2010 is not centrally held and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. To note: figures are rounded to the nearest five; the rounding of figures may not add up to the totals shown; this information is based on how sponsors clarify themselves when submitting an application to become a sponsor; and not stated means that the sponsor has not indicated that they are publicly or privately funded. Visas Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Browning on 6 July (WA 86) and 20 July (WA 355-6), whether, for the purposes of Appendix A Section 75 of the Immigration Rules for tier 2 (Intra company transfer) visas, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) use the same legal definition of business expenses as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC); and whether the UKBA counts as business expenses payments which a sponsor states are to cover the cost of living in the United Kingdom but which the sponsor also informs HMRC are for the purpose of reimbursing business expenses incurred by employees in performing their duties. Lord Henley: The UK Border Agency does not use the same definition of business expenses as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The agency assesses salary packages in order to compare a migrant worker's pay with what would be paid to a resident worker doing the same job. For this purpose, the agency considers payments to cover the cost of living in the UK to be remuneration and not business expenses, irrespective of whether they are treated as business expenses by HMRC. Visas Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many immigrants from other European Union (EU) countries, who were nationals of non-EU countries and had been granted passports or other visas and travel documents by those countries, came to the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; what are the United Kingdom entry requirements for third country nationals resident in other EU countries; and what estimate they have made of the number of Dutch Somalis entering the United Kingdom for residence purposes. Lord Henley: The UK Border Agency can not provide statistics on the number of immigrants from other EU countries who were nationals of non-EU countries and had been granted passports or other visas and travel documents by those countries and who have since come to the United Kingdom in each of the past five years. Directive 2004/38, known as the free movement directive, establishes a right of entry and residence in the United Kingdom for EEA nationals. An initial right of residence of up to three months can be extended if the EEA national is, or becomes, a qualified person under the directive as implemented by the United Kingdom by the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. Permanent residence can be acquired after five years of residence in a qualified capacity. Third country nationals resident in other EU countries who are not EEA nationals are subject in the same way as all other third country nationals to the Immigration Rules unless they are able to acquire a right to enter or reside in the United Kingdom under the directive as the family member of an EEA national. The UK Border Agency cannot estimate the number of Dutch Somalis entering the United Kingdom for residence purposes. However, Dutch nationals clearly enjoy the same free movement rights as all other European nationals.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2011-10-19a

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many looked-after children abscond or disappear from their placements every year; what proportion of them are found again within six months; and what preventative action they are taking. Lord Rooker: Last year, following extended public consultation on a review of the existing sentencing framework, the Government announced proposals for a radical change to the structure of sentencing in Northern Ireland. I refer the noble Lord to the Written Statement made on 5 December 2006 (WS 117), which outlines these proposals. Lord Davies of Oldham: The current role attracts £68,390 per annum for a commitment of 144 days per year. In considering the appropriate time commitment for the future chair we reviewed the needs of the body and the role in conjunction with English Heritage, including the commissioners, and have agreed that90 days a year is appropriate. This does not represent a downgrading of the role but reflects the fact that English Heritage's modernisation programme has been completed and a greater time commitment will no longer be necessary. The remuneration level for the new chair has been set at £45,000 per annum, representing a small pro-rata increase. We recognise the importance of the role of the chairman of English Heritage and we are making every effort to identify a suitable successor to build on the excellent work of Sir Neil Cossons. Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician, to Lord Mason of Barnsley, dated 22 March 2007. As Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what is the purpose of the General Register Office's digitisation of vital events (DoVE) project; whether it is intended to change the current service of CD-ROM and fiche provision; and, if so, what assessment has been made of the likely impact on customers of libraries and small archives. (HL2642) The DoVE project involves the scanning of259 million civil registration records held by the General Register Office (GRO) and the data-capture of those records in order to create an electronic index of the scanned images. The records date from 1837 and cover all births, deaths, marriages and still births registered in England and Wales since that time. A separate project, Registration Online (RON) is implementing a system enabling much more rapid capture centrally of new registrations. From April 2007 it is therefore intended to withdraw the sale of new CD-ROM and microfiche copies of the GRO index, and the RON index data for new registrations will be made available free of charge at the Family Records Centre in London from July 2007. The DoVE index date will start to be made available online, from early 2008, greatly increasing the number of people who have access to this information. It is expected that the DoVE project will be completedby 2009. Existing customers with CD-ROMs and fiches will continue to be able to use these resources. However, the GRO expects that most libraries and similar organisations will provide the public with access to the new electronic indexes though internet-connected PCs. Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician, to Lord Morris dated 22 March 2007. As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Question about the rate of economic growth in Manchester and other regional cities of the UK since 2003. (HL2635) Estimates of regional economic growth, as measured by gross value added (GVA), are only produced at current prices and do not allow for changes in prices over time (inflation) or differences in regional price levels (purchasing power). They do not, therefore, show growth in real or volume terms. The Office for National Statistics publishes regional gross value added using official statistical geographies known as nomenclature of units for territorial statistics (NUTS)1. The NUTS classification corresponds to administrative boundaries of some, but not all, cities of the UK. Table 1 shows annual growth for 2003 and 2004 in GVA per capita for each NUTS2 area of the UK. Table 2 shows annual percentage changes in GVA per capita for each NUTS3 area. The latest available estimates are for 2004. The full range of published regional GVA estimates is available on the ONS website: www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=14650. 1. The Nomenclature of units for territorial statistics (NUTS) provides a single uniform breakdown for the production of regional statistics for the European Union. There are three levels of NUTS in the UK. These are: NUTS1: Government office regions and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. NUTS2: 37 areas—individual and groups of counties and unitary authorities. NUTS3: 133 areas—generally groups of unitary authorities or districts, also known as local areas. Table 1 NUTS2 gross value added1 per capita percentage change GVA per-capita percentage change 2003 2004 Tees Valley and Durham 4.8% 5.9% Northumberland and Tyne and Wear 6.1% 5.9% Cumbria 6.1% 5.5% Cheshire 3.7% 4.5% Greater Manchester 5.4% 5.8% Lancashire 4.6% 5.2% Merseyside 5.8% 5.5% East Riding and North Lincolnshire 5.5% 5.0% North Yorkshire 6.0% 5.2% South Yorkshire 6.1% 5.6% West Yorkshire 5.2% 4.9% Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire 6.1% 6.0% Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire 6.7% 6.4% Lincolnshire 6.4% 4.8% Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire 4.4% 4.9% Shropshire and Staffordshire 5.7% 5.8% West Midlands 4.9% 5.2% East Anglia 6.2% 5.8% Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 5.1% 5.8% Essex 7.4% 6.6% Inner London 6.7% 5.8% Outer London 4.9% 5.3% Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire 5.8% 5.8% Surrey, East and West Sussex 4.6% 4.4% Hampshire and Isle of Wight 5.4% 5.3% Kent 5.4% 5.0% Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and North Somerset 6.6% 6.1% Dorset and Somerset 4.7% 5.3% Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 6.8% 5.9% Devon 5.5% 4.7% West Wales and the Valleys 5.3% 5.4% East Wales 5.6% 5.4% North Eastern Scotland 3.6% 4.6% Eastern Scotland 6.4% 5.4% South Western Scotland 6.1% 5.8% Highlands and Islands 7.1% 5.6% Northern Ireland 5.7% 5.6% 1 GVA at current basic prices. Table 2 NUTS 3 gross value added1 per capita annual percentage change GVA per head annual percentage change 2003 2004 Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees 4.3% 6.2% South Teesside 7.2% 8.4% Darlington 5.0% 4.8% Durham CC 3.7% 4.6% Northumberland 6.1% 6.0% Tyneside 6.3% 5.8% Sunderland 5.4% 5.9% West Cumbria 4.4% 4.5% East Cumbria 7.4% 6.2% Halton and Warrington 5.5% 7.6% Cheshire CC 2.8% 2.9% Greater Manchester South 5.9% 6.0% Greater Manchester North 4.5% 5.4% Blackburn with Darwen 4.6% 5.9% Blackpool 4.2% 4.7% Lancashire CC 4.7% 5.1% East Merseyside 5.5% 5.5% Liverpool : 6.5% 5.7% Sefton 6.1% 5.6% Wirral 4.3% 4.7% Kingston upon Hull, City of 6.1% 5.9% East Riding of Yorkshire 5.6% 4.4% North and North East Lincolnshire 4.9% 5.0% York 5.3% 5.3% North Yorkshire CC 6.3% 5.1% Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham 6.3% 6.1% Sheffield 6.0% 4.9% Bradford 3.1% 3.7% Leeds 6.2% 5.2% Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield 5.2% 5.0% Derby 3.3% 4.6% East Derbyshire 6.3% 5.5% South and West Derbyshire 6.3% 6.2% Nottingham 7.6% 7.5% North Nottinghamshire 5.9% 5.7% South Nottinghamshire 6.3% 5.9% Leicester 6.8% 6.7% Leicestershire CC and Rutland 7.2% 6.4% Northamptonshire 6.3% 6.3% Lincolnshire 6.4% 4.8% Herefordshire, County of 4.9% 5.1% Worcestershire 5.9% 6.3% Warwickshire 3.0% 3.5% Telford and Wrekin 5.0% 5.3% Shropshire CC 7.0% 6.2% Stoke-on-Trent 5.6% 5.6% Staffordshire CC 5.5% 5.8% Birmingham 4.4% 4.8% Solihull 7.3 % 6.3% Coventry 4.0% 5.1% Dudley and Sandwell 4 3 % 4.9% Walsall and Wolverhampton 4.7% 5.5% Peterborough 7.9% 7.7% Cambridgeshire CC 6.3% 5.6% Norfolk' 6.2% 5.9% Suffolk 5.3% 5.3% Luton 5.0% 5.9% Bedfordshire CC 5 2% 5.6% Hertfordshire 5.2% 5.9% Southend-on-Sea 6.6% 7.1% Thurrock 6.5% 7.3% Essex CC 7 6% 6.5% Inner London—West 4.3% 3.4% Inner London—East 9.4% 7.7% Outer London—East and North East 5 0% 5.7% Outer London—South 6.2% 5.9% Outer London—West and North West 4.4% 4.8% Berkshire 5.3% 5.3% Milton Keynes 7.5% 6.9% Buckinghamshire CC 5.7% 6.1% Oxfordshire 6.2% 5.8% Brighton and Hove 5.2% 4.7% East Sussex CC 4.9% 5.1% Surrey 4.9% 4.6% West Sussex 3.9% 3.6% Portsmouth 5.4% 5.2% Southampton 6.7% 6.1% Hampshire CC 5.3% 5.4% Isle of Wight 3.4% 3.0% Medway 4.3% 4.8% Kent CC 5.6% 5.0% Bristol, City of 5.6% 5.4% North and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire 7.6% 6.8% Gloucestershire 8.1% 6.7% Swindon 5.3% 6.1% Wiltshire CC 5.3% 5.2% Bournemouth and Poole 5.2% 5.6% Dorset CC 4.5% 5.4% Somerset 4.7% 5.1% Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 6.8% 5.9% Plymouth 5.0% 4.4% Torbay 3.1% 4.5% Devon CC 6.0% 4.9% Isle of Anglesey 5.3% 4.4% Gwynedd 8.5% 5.9% Conwy and Denbighshire 6.3% 5.6% South West Wales 4.4% 4.5% Central Valleys 5.4% 5.5% Gwent Valleys 3.9% 5.4% Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot 4.2% 5.0% Swansea 6.4% 6.5% Monmouthshire and Newport 5.6% 5.6% Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan 7.1% 6.3% Flintshire and Wrexham 2.3% 3.7% Powys 6.3% 4.5% Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and North East Moray 3.6% 4.6% Angus and Dundee City 7.4% 6.3% Clackmannanshire and Fife 5.3% 5.1% East Lothian and Midlothian 7.9% 6.5% Scottish Borders 5.0% 3.7% Edinburgh, City of 7.1% 5.2% Falkirk 5.3% 5.2% Perth & Kinross and Stirling 6.2% 5.4% West Lothian 4.3% 5.3% East and West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh & Lomond 5.5% 6.5% Dumfries and Galloway 4.0% 3.0% East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire Mainland 4.9% 5.2% Glasgow City 7.1% 6.1% Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire 5.8% 6.7% North Lanarkshire 7.7% 6.2% South Ayrshire 4.2% 5.0% South Lanarkshire 4.3% 4.4% Caithness & Sutherland and Ross & Cromarty 7.5% 5.9% Inverness & Nairn and Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey 9.5% 6.5% Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh and Argyll and the Islands 3 3% 3.5% Eilean Siar (Western Isles) 9.4% 7.2% Orkney Islands 6.6% 5.5% Shetland Islands 6.3% 5.4% Belfast 7.2% 7.3% Outer Belfast 4.8% 4.9% East of Northern Ireland 4.9% 4.9% North of Northern Ireland 5.3% 5.0% West and South of Northern Ireland 6.6% 6.1% 1 GVA at current basic prices Lord McKenzie of Luton: Under our proposed pension reforms, more people will receive a more generous state pension, providing a solid foundation for private saving. The proportion of pensioners entitled to housing benefit is, therefore, expected to be reduced over time. Housing benefit will continue to provide important targeted support for those who would otherwise struggle to be in decent accommodation. This would be true of any pension system. Under a flat-rate universal pension, set at the level of the guarantee credit and uprated by earnings, around 12 per cent of elderly benefit units would still be entitled to housing benefit in 2050. Entitlement projections are shown in the table below. Long-term projections of entitlement to housing benefit such as these are subject to inevitable uncertainty, including future patterns of owner occupation, household formation and private saving. In particular, the assumptions behind the projections do not include potential increases in private saving due to the proposed policy of auto-enrolment into occupational pensions or personal accounts. Housing benefit entitlement: proportion of elderly benefit units Entitlement 2005-06 21 per cent to 22 per cent 2012-13 18 per cent to 20 per cent 2020-21 16 per cent to 17 per cent 2030-31 14 per cent to 15 per cent 2040-41 14 per cent to 15 per cent 2050-51 15 per cent to 16 per cent The projections are estimated by a different method from that used to obtain pension credit entitlement figures. The latter are taken from the DWP's dynamic microsimulation model Pensim2, which is particularly well suited to long-term projections of entitlement to income-related benefits. However, Pensim2 cannot currently be used to forecast entitlement to housing benefit. Entitlement to housing benefit has been derived using the policy simulation model, a robust but less complex model. Care should therefore be taken when interpreting these projections alongside those for pension credit. Notes: 1. These projections assume that housing benefit policies as they stand at 2007-08, the end of the current planning period, continue indefinitely. 2. The projections also take into account the reforms to the state pension system proposed in the Pensions Bill, which will affect pensioner housing benefit entitlement: continued earnings uprating of the standard guarantee credit; the savings credit maximum uprated by earnings from 2008 and then by prices from 2015; earnings uprating of the basic state pension from 2012; and measures to improve coverage of state pensions described in the Pensions Bill introduced from 2010. 3. Estimates do not take into account the potential increases in private saving due to auto-enrolment or personal accounts. 4. Entitlement to housing benefit is as a result of being in rented accommodation and either having qualifying income below the relevant threshold or being "passported" as a result of entitlement to another benefit. In the case of pensioners, the guarantee element of pension credit offers automatic entitlement to housing benefit. Currently, around 84 per cent to 87 per cent of the elderly housing benefit-entitled population are also entitled to some element of pension credit. 5. Elderly cases are defined as single people over female state-pension age or couples where at least one partner is over female state-pension age. 6. Estimates cover all elderly cases in the private household population in Great Britain. The data source is the Family Resources Survey. 7. Entitlement figures are calibrated against caseloads in 2004-05 using the National Statistics publication Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take-Up in 2004-2005. 8. Estimates of the numbers entitled are given as ranges in order to account for possible biases in estimates from data that is less than perfect. They also take account of the effects of sampling variation. It is assumed that the size of this range remains constant in future years relative to the changing proportion of eligible elderly households. Lord Rooker: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has agreed in principle that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) should join with Fáilte Ireland in part-sponsorship funding for the 2007 Rally Ireland event. The final amount will be subject to the approval of a fully costed business case. The route of the rally has not been finalised therefore the part of the event that will take place in County Fermanagh has not yet been determined. Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the statement by the Rwandan Foreign Minister, Charles Murigande, that Rwanda will withdraw its troops from the African Union mission in Darfur because of inadequate equipment and lack of resources to fund their soldiers. Lord Triesman: The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) mission to Sudan issued a damning report on 12 March, confirming what we already knew about the grave human rights situation in Darfur. The Organisation of Islamic Conference, and some Asian states, said that the council should not discuss the report on procedural grounds because the mission had not gone to Sudan. In statements to the Council, my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Ian McCartney, and the UK Permanent Representative to the HRC have called on it to take effective action on Darfur and not become mired in procedural debates. We do not accept that the mission report is not valid, as the mission failed to go to Sudan. The Government of Sudan reneged on their commitment to co-operate with the mission and refused to grant visas to all members of the mission, so, rightly, none of the members went. The report is based on the assessments of UN humanitarian agencies, the African Union in Addis Ababa and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in eastern Chad. All of these organisations, which have large numbers of staff operating in Darfur and eastern Chad, continue to report an appalling human rights and humanitarian situation there. We will continue to press the HRC-to take forward the recommendations in the report.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2007-03-22a

Leader of the House of Lords House of Lords: Coronavirus baroness bennett of manor castle: To ask the Leader of the House what steps she is taking to ensure that parliamentary business can continue in the event of movement restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. baroness evans of bowes park: The Government has undertaken detailed work on COVID-19 with four strands: contain, delay, research and mitigate. Should there be a need to implement restrictions on movement then the Government, in consultation with the Usual Channels, will update the House on the next steps in relation to parliamentary business if there is a need to do so. While COVID-19 has the potential to spread extensively there is no reason to change parliamentary business at this stage. The Government is monitoring the situation closely and providing regular updates to parliament and the general public. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy British Business Bank lord myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the value of new loans extended by the British Business Bank sourced through peer-to-peer lending platforms has (1) increased, or (2) decreased, over the last three completed financial years; and what percentage of such loans were to borrowers who had already received funding from the British Business Bank. lord callanan: The British Business Bank’s participation in peer-to-peer lending platforms has been primarily through the Bank’s commercial subsidiary British Business Investments. Data collected across programmes and delivery partners is consolidated on a programme-by-programme basis. The value of new loans extended by the British Business Bank sourced through peer-to-peer lending platforms has increased year-on-year over the last three completed financial years. Over the three year period, of the 15,420 distinct SME customers that have received financing through the peer-to-peer delivery partners of British Business Investments, 9.36% have been to repeat peer-to-peer customers[1]. The Bank does not hold data on how many peer-to-peer customers may previously have benefitted from other British Business Bank programmes. [1] This data excludes finance through Market Invoice as a single customer could have multiple invoices funded through the platform at a time. Business: Billing lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 24 February (HL1666), what measures they have used to ensure that the 34 businesses reinstated to the Prompt Payment Code remain compliant with the Code; and (2) what assessment they have made of the impact of any such measures on suppliers. lord callanan: Payment Performance of the companies reinstated to the Prompt Payment Code will remain under review. The administration of the Code will shortly be transferred to Office of the Small Business Commissioner. Post-transfer, the Office of the Small Business Commissioner will continue to challenge signatories to the Code if their Payment Practice Reporting data suggests that their practices are not compliant with the Code. Following a suspension, signatories will only be reinstated once they have demonstrated that they have achieved compliance. Business: Billing lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 24 February (HL1666), what was the average length of time taken to pay invoices to SME suppliers by (1) the 66 businesses suspended from the Prompt Payment Code, and (2) the businesses that remainsignatories to the Code. lord callanan: The Payment Practices Reporting Duty data is used to monitor compliance with the Code, where companies are legally required to report their payment practices. The legal duty to submit data does not require differentiation in reports between payments to SMEs and payments to large companies. It requires them to report on payments of all invoices across the company. Additionally, the voluntary Code requires signatories to pay 95% of all invoices in 60 days and signatories are not required to provide information on payment terms and payment performance relating to SMEs as a separate requirement. Therefore, this data is not available. We will shortly begin engagement with current signatories on the reform and strengthening of the Code. Business: Billing lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what percentage of large businesses operating in the UK are signatories to the Prompt Payment Code; and (2) what target they have set, if any, for the percentage of such businesses to be signatories to the Code. lord callanan: The Government does not hold precise figures on the number of large businesses signed up to the Prompt Payment Code.The Government has not set Code sign-up targets, but we are fully committed to ensure as many businesses as possible sign up to the Code. We will shortly begin engagement with current signatories on the reform and strengthening of the Code. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sudan: International Criminal Court lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Omar al-Bashir, and others in Sudan against whom warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court, will be handed over to stand trial; who else they expect will be subject to prosecution; and when they anticipate that those cases will be brought to trial. baroness sugg: The UK welcomes the news that Sudan intends that Omar al-Bashir, and four others indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), will stand trial for crimes committed in Darfur. Accountability for Bashir and others is a significant step in Sudan's progress towards the goals of the revolution and a peace settlement in Darfur. We welcome this signal of the commitment of Sudan's transitional government to justice. The Sudanese authorities have not yet set out how they will cooperate with the ICC on arrest warrants, but have stated their intention for those indicted by the ICC to be tried for the crimes for which they have been charged. The modality of any trial, as well as the issuing of any further warrants of arrest or summons to appear, will also need to be agreed. The UK strongly supports the ICC, and the role it plays in holding perpetrators to account and achieving justice for victims. Sudan: South Sudan baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 29 January (HL Deb, col 1441), what are the findings of their report into the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei’s failure to protect vulnerable people in the region. baroness sugg: We welcome the commitment of the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to de-escalate tensions and jointly investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent incidents of violence in Abyei. We urge for these investigation to be conducted swiftly and transparently. We also continue to engage with the United Nations to establish further clarity concerning UN Interim Security Force in Abyei patrols and community engagement, especially during periods of heightened local tensions. Sudan: South Sudan baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the governments of Sudan and South Sudan about thecase for an urgent political settlement for the disputed region of Abyei. baroness sugg: The Minister of State for the UN and Human Rights raised the issue of intercommunal tensions in the Abyei region with the Sudanese Ambassador to London on 28 January. The UN Security Council made clear in a press statement on 29 January that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan must provide their full support to the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). In addition the Security Council called on the AU and UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa to intensify their mediation efforts with the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to achieve a political solution for the status of Abyei. The British Embassy in Khartoum continues to raise this issue with all parties, most recently with senior officials in the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 February, to urge the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the effectiveness of UNISFA's mandate in Abyei. Ultimately a political solution to the conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan must include a resolution to the status of Abyei; we therefore welcome progress in Sudan peace talks in talks in Juba and the decision to form a Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan on 22 February. Along with our Troika partners (US and Norway) our engagement in both Sudan and South Sudan continues to focus on achieving lasting peace. Sudan: South Sudan baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure an official referendum is held to allow the people of the disputed region of Abyei to determine whether they want to be part of Sudan or South Sudan. baroness sugg: A political solution to the conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan must include a resolution to the status of Abyei, and this should include the views of the communities involved. The UK will continue to engage with all parties to secure a lasting political solution in Abyei, including with the governments of Sudan and South Sudan and in multilateral fora such as the United Nations and African Union. Gibraltar: Schengen Agreement lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 19 February (HL1487), whether they intend to prohibit Gibraltar from applying to join the EU Schengen open border area. baroness sugg: As Lord Ahmad stated in his response to question HL1487, the United Kingdom will be negotiating the future relationship with the EU on behalf of the whole United Kingdom family, including Gibraltar. The United Kingdom, including Gibraltar, is not part of the borderless Schengen zone. Libya: Peace Negotiations the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the adoption of Resolution 2510 (2020) by the UN Security Councilon 12 February, what practical next steps they are taking to implement the resolution; and in particular "the need for a lasting ceasefire in Libya at the earliest opportunity,without pre-conditions". lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK is clear that lasting peace and stability in Libya will come only through an inclusive political settlement. On 16 February the Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa represented the UK at the first meeting of the International Follow Up Committee to the Berlin Conference, briefing fellow participants on UNSCR 2510. The resolution demands full compliance with the UN arms embargo and an end to foreign military interference in Libya, and makes clear that individuals or entities who breach the arms embargo or an eventual ceasefire may be sanctioned with travel bans and asset freezes. The UK has also continued to urge both the Libyan parties and the key international players to engage fully with the efforts of the former UN Envoy Ghassan Salamé, including the 5+5 military dialogue which has convened in Geneva and is working towards a lasting ceasefire. British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to establish the continuation of existing rights for British citizens who are currently resident in EU countries under EU freedom of movement rules; and whether any such negotiations and agreements will take place with (1) the EU, or (2) individual countries. baroness sugg: The Withdrawal Agreement that the UK concluded with the European Union (EU) provides certainty for UK nationals living in the EU about their citizens' rights going forward.Under the agreement, UK nationals who are already lawfully resident in an EU Member State by the end of the transition period, on 31 December 2020, will be able to remain in their Member State of residence and can continue to live and work broadly as they do now for as long as they remain in scope of the agreement.The Government has set out its approach to the negotiations in 'The Future Relationship with the EU: The UK's Approach to Negotiations'. The Government wishes to see a future relationship with the EU based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals for the benefit of all our peoples. Burkina Faso: Terrorism baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Burkina Faso following the escalation of terrorist violence in that country since 2015. baroness sugg: The UK is deeply concerned by the scale of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso. We are committed to working with the G5 Sahel countries, including the Burkinabe government, to help address instability in the region. The UK is currently supporting Burkina Faso by providing emergency life-saving assistance to those affected by the conflict crisis. The UK is also providing non-combat assistance to the French-led counter terror mission Operation BARKHANE in the form of three CH47 chinook helicopters; this includes support to operations in Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso: Christianity baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that over 191 Christians have been killed in Burkina Faso since April 2019. baroness sugg: The UK condemns recent attacks against Christians including, last month, the attack on a church in Burkina Faso that killed 24 people. Nobody should live in fear because of their identity or beliefs. Religion-based and intercommunal violence is part of a broader trend of security deterioration in Burkina Faso that has tragically taken the lives of many civilians. We are committed to working with all partners, including G5 Sahel countries, to protect freedom of religion or belief for all.The UK is deeply concerned by the scale of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso. We are committed to working with the G5 Sahel countries, including the Burkinabe government, to help address instability in the region. Last week, James Duddridge (Minister for Africa) attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and G5 Leaders' Summit, where he reaffirmed the UK's commitment to improved security and increased development in the Sahel. The UK is currently supporting Burkina Faso by providing emergency life-saving assistance to those affected by the conflict crisis. The UK is also providing non-combat assistance to the French-led counter terror mission Operation BARKHANE in the form of three CH47 chinook helicopters; this includes support to operations in Burkina Faso.As the UK increases its work to tackle poverty and instability in the Sahel, we will continue being a vocal champion for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. Department of Health and Social Care In Vitro Fertilisation lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 April 2019 (241389), what explanation the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority provided for why no more than five patients at risk of producing a child with mitochondrial pathologies had undergone treatment by 20 January 2020, given 14 applications had been approved; and for the application that was not approved (1) what were the reasons for that refusal, and (2) what was the subsequent fate of that application. lord bethell: It is the responsibility of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to decide on individual applications for mitochondrial donation that meet the statutory test laid out in the relevant regulations. Decisions on when to begin treatment are a clinical decision and not a matter for the HFEA.As of 25 February 2020, there have been 17 applications considered by the HFEA all of which have now been approved. In Vitro Fertilisation lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 20 January (HL277), how many spontaneous miscarriages have been recorded pursuant to clinical application in the UK of (1) pronuclear transfer, and (2) spindle-chromosomal complex transfer; and what role the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has played in (a) the follow-up of patients, and (b) the review of such licensed activity. lord bethell: There have been no miscarriages recorded pursuant to clinical application in the United Kingdom of pronuclear transfer and spindle-chromosomal complex transfer.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has no role in the follow-up of patients. The HFEA inspects clinics periodically and reviews licensed activity in accordance with the relevant legislation and its Code of Practice. Disability: Human Rights lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report to the United Nations Human Rights Council by the special rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, published on 17 December 2019; and what steps they intend to take in response to that report. lord bethell: We are aware of the report and note the recommendations. Social Services: Appeals baroness greengross: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards the introduction of a statutory appeals process for adult social care as provided for by section 72 of the Care Act 2014; and whether such a process will be in place by April 2020. lord bethell: Putting social care on a sustainable footing, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, is one of the biggest challenges we face as a society. The Government will bring forward a plan for social care this year. There are complex questions to address, which is why we will seek to build cross-party consensus. We will consider all options available to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and offered the security they deserve, and that nobody needing care is forced to sell their home to pay for it. Social Services lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the (1) number, and (2) pay, of care workers. lord bethell: Through our continued funding of Skills for Care, the Government provides a range of resources and practical toolkits for social care providers to help them attract, train and retain staff. This includes distributing £12 million annually through the Workforce Development Fund, which employers can bid to for financial support towards the training and development of their staff. Over the past two years we have also run a national recruitment campaign, designed to reduce the turnover and vacancy rate in the sector by raising the profile of adult social care, encouraging potential applicants to apply for job vacancies, and highlighting opportunities for career development and progression.Levels of pay for social care jobs are generally a matter for individual employers. However, local authorities, as commissioners of adult social care also have market shaping duties by virtue of the Care Act 2014. They must work with care providers to determine a fair rate of pay for fair work based on local market conditions. Suicide: Gambling the lord bishop of st albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 13 February (HL1452), what assessment they have made of the potential benefit resulting from the (1) collection, and (2) publication, of data on the number of people who commit suicide for reasons connected with gambling-related harm. lord bethell: We presently have no such plans. There is currently no reliable estimate of the number of suicides linked to problem gambling in the United Kingdom, and there would be significant challenges in attempting to record this. Expecting coroners to routinely assess the motivation for individual suicides in all cases would take the coroner role fundamentally beyond its legal parameters. The coroner’s role, and in particular what they are required to ascertain and determine, is a matter of both statute and case law, and cannot be extended administratively. Any legislative change would have to be considered very carefully. Social Services: Recruitment lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the recruitment of social care workers. lord bethell: The Government recognises that adult social care employers can struggle to recruit and retain the right number of staff with the right values and skills and that vacancy and turnover rates across the sector are high. We are committed to working alongside employers and stakeholders in adult social care to grow and develop the workforce, with the values and skills to deliver high quality, compassionate care.The Department has invested £7 million over the past two years in a national recruitment campaign designed to raise the profile of adult social care, encourage potential applicants to apply for job vacancies, and highlight opportunities for career development and progression. Through our continued funding of Skills for Care, we have also provided a range of practical support and resources for providers to help attract, retain and develop staff. NHS: Computer Software baroness thornton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) financial, (2) operational, and (3) security, implications of missing the January 2020 deadline to migrate all computers used by the National Health Service to Windows 10. lord bethell: The whole of the National Health Service estate is covered by extended support for Windows 7 until January 2021. This means that the NHS will continue to receive security patches for the next year. This was included at no additional cost within the NHS Windows 10 Agreement.Government is supporting the roll out of Windows 10 across the NHS estate. This process is on track and all NHS organisations have agreed to migrate to Windows 10 by no later than December 2020.NHS trusts additionally benefit from access to Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), which provides real time detection and protection against potential threats by identifying suspicious behaviour on devices indicative of a cyber-attack. ATP can be deployed on Windows 7 and Windows 10 machines and gives NHS Digital and local organisations enhanced capability to respond to threats in real time. Through ATP, NHS Digital can also see where every organisation is in relation to the deployment of Windows 10. Podiatry the lord bishop of carlisle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) train, (2) recruit, and (3) retain, sufficient numbers of podiatrists to meet (a) current, and (b) future, needs. lord bethell: The NHS People Plan, which will be published by the National Health Service in early 2020, will set out a clear framework for growing and sustaining a well-skilled workforce across the whole NHS.In December 2019, the Government announced additional maintenance grant funding, which will be available from September 2020 for new and continuing students of £5,000. In addition, students with child dependants will benefit from an extra £1,000 and new students studying a specialist subject including podiatry will be able to access a further £1,000. These grants are on top of student loan allowances and do not need to be re-paid.NHS Improvement has developed a shared learning resource to improve staff retention, including case studies to highlight the great work taking place across the service. Social Services: Pay lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure that social care workers doing equivalent jobs to NHS workers are paid equivalent rates. lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs of aligning the pay of NHS and social care workers. lord bethell: The majority of social care in England is delivered by private companies. It is a matter for those employers to determine the rate of pay for their staff, including social care workers. The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum employers must pay their workers. In addition, local authorities, as commissioners of adult social care were given market shaping duties by the Care Act 2014 and must work with care providers to determine a fair rate of pay for fair work based on local market conditions.The relative levels of pay in the National Health Service and social care are kept under frequent review. Social Services lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the level of unmet and partially-met need within adult social care, and (2) the cost of addressing that need in 2024–25. lord bethell: The Department has made no assessment of unmet and partially met need within adult social care. Therefore, it has made no assessment of cost of any unmet or partially met need for 2024-25.This Government has enshrined in legislation, through the Care Act 2014, councils’ statutory responsibility to meet eligible needs. This eliminates the postcode lottery of eligibility across England. Social Services lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the stability of the adult social care provider market. lord bethell: We are pleased that 84% of adult social care providers are rated as good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (February 2020).However, we know the social care sector is under pressure due to growing need for care. We are providing councils with a £1 billion grant for adults and children’s social care on top of maintaining £2.5 billion of existing social care grants for 2020/21.Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the care needs of their populations, and to develop and build local market capacity. This funding will support local authorities to meet rising demand and continue to stabilise the social care system. Care Homes: Finance lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer byBaroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 28 January (HL489), how many places in care or nursing homes the NHS funded in the last financial year for which figures are available; what was the total expenditure incurred; and how many homes were involved. lord bethell: The Adult Social Care Activity and Finance Report for 2018/19 shows that, in that year, from the potential clients who applied for adult social care packages, 14,030 received a package that was 100% funded by the National Health Service. There are likely to be other packages that are funded in part by the NHS, but this information is not held centrally.Information on the overall expenditure of the NHS on care home placements and the homes concerned is not held centrally. Health Professions: Migrant Workers lord willis of knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many registered (1)nurses, and (2) midwives, whose initial registration was in another EU country left the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register in (a) 2016–17, (b) 2017–18, and (c) 2018–19. lord bethell: The following table shows the number of registered nurses, registered nursing associates, and registered midwives with a European Economic Area (EEA) or non-EEA country of initial registration who left the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Register in 2016-17: Role TypeLeaversMidwife164Nurse2,868Nurse and Midwife (dual registration)49 3,081 The following table shows the number of registered nurses, registered nursing associates, and registered midwives with a EEA or non-EEA country of initial registration who left the NMC Register in 2017-18: Role TypeLeaversMidwife188Nurse3,728Nurse and Midwife (dual registration)46 3,962The following table shows the number of registered nurses, registered nursing associates, and registered midwives with a EEA or non-EEA country of initial registration who left the NMC Register in 2018-19: Role TypeLeaversMidwife156Nurse3,126Nurse and Midwife (dual registration)51 3,333 Attorney General National Fund lord de mauley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take, if any, in regard to the National Fund. lord keen of elie: The National Fund was created in 1928 with the purpose of paying off the entire national debt. At present the fund cannot be used unless it completely clears the national debt, due to the terms of the fund’s charitable trust. On 22 May 2018 my predecessor made an application to the High Court to vary the terms of the charitable trust so that the National Fund can be used to help pay down the national debt. It is now for the High Court to decide whether the terms of the charitable trust should be varied. If the application is successful the money in the fund will be paid over to the National Debt Commissioners towards the reduction of the national debt. A hearing of the claim is due to take place in October. Ministry of Justice Prisoners' Release: Housing baroness corston: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to begin recording statistics on (1) the resettlement of offenders leaving prisons, and (2) prisoners who are released with no fixed abode. lord keen of elie: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 20 January 2020.The correct answer should have been: The accommodation status for all offenders released from custody, including those under National Probation Service (NPS), Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) supervision, and offenders on community sentences, has been published since July 2018. The latest publication can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-performance-quarterly-update-to-march-2019. The relevant table of data from this publication is attached for reference. It is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe and secure to live, as a platform to access the services and support needed to make a fresh start. We have invested an additional £22 million per annum over the remaining life of the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) contracts to deliver an enhanced “Through-the-Gate” resettlement service to offenders leaving prison, to prepare them for release. Through the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy, we are also investing up to £6.4m in a pilot scheme to support individuals released from three prisons: Bristol, Leeds and Pentonville. Services have now commenced in all three areas, with the first individuals now being supported into accommodation following release. Subject to evaluation, we will use the lessons from the pilot to inform future provision of accommodation for all ex-offenders. Additionally, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service is working in collaboration with other Government Departments and interested parties to help to meet the accommodation needs for prisoners on their release. Table (Word Document, 23.15 KB) Table for HL111 (Word Document, 23.59 KB) lord keen of elie: The accommodation status for all offenders released from custody, including those under National Probation Service (NPS), Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) supervision, and offenders on community sentences, has been published since July 2018. The latest publication can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-performance-quarterly-update-to-march-2019. The relevant table of data from this publication is attached for reference. It is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe and secure to live, as a platform to access the services and support needed to make a fresh start. We have invested an additional £22 million per annum over the remaining life of the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) contracts to deliver an enhanced “Through-the-Gate” resettlement service to offenders leaving prison, to prepare them for release. Through the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy, we are also investing up to £6.4m in a pilot scheme to support individuals released from three prisons: Bristol, Leeds and Pentonville. Services have now commenced in all three areas, with the first individuals now being supported into accommodation following release. Subject to evaluation, we will use the lessons from the pilot to inform future provision of accommodation for all ex-offenders. Additionally, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service is working in collaboration with other Government Departments and interested parties to help to meet the accommodation needs for prisoners on their release. Table (Word Document, 23.15 KB) Table for HL111 (Word Document, 23.59 KB) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nature Conservation the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports of an increase in the number of thefts of endangered plant species, whether they have any plans to stregthen the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. lord goldsmith of richmond park: The Government takes all crime seriously and there are strong penalties in place for those found guilty of offences committed against wild plants and animals. Wild plants are protected under section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with additional protection afforded to wild plants listed on Schedule 8. Where there is evidence to suggest that illegal activity is occurring, we encourage all relevant authorities to ensure that sufficiently robust action is taken. Enforcement of all offences, however, including those against wild plants, is an operational matter for the police. Those found guilty of offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 already face strong sanctions, including an unlimited fine and imprisonment. We have no plans to alter these sanctions. Decisions on sentencing in individual cases are taken independently of Government. There are currently no plans to review the relevant provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Food: Waste Disposal lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the total annual cost of regular collections of food waste from (1) domestic households, (2) businesses, and (3) other organisations; and how such collectionis funded in each case. lord goldsmith of richmond park: In 2019 the Government published an impact assessment to support its consultation on greater consistency in household and business recycling. In that impact assessment Government estimated that an investment in the range of £180 million - £260 million would be needed to roll out weekly separate food waste collection across households in England. These costs assume that all local authorities make no other change to collection systems and are estimated over a 7 year transition period from 2023 to 2029. This was based on what would be needed to cover additional bins, vehicles and transportation of food waste to AD sites. Given the additional costs involved in separate food waste collection the Government has stated that it will ensure that local authorities are resourced to meet new costs arising from separate food waste collections including upfront transition costs and ongoing operational costs. For businesses and other organisations the total annual costs for separate food waste collections were estimated to be £189 million. This estimate is based on all businesses participating in the scheme. The costs of business food waste collections would be funded by businesses. In the impact assessment published in 2019 our preferred option of having all businesses collect dry recyclable materials (with glass separated) and separate food waste collection showed that business could make greater savings overall and we would expect estimated savings of £1,206 million from the measures proposed to increase recycling in the non-household municipal sector. For very small or micro firms our impact assessment indicated that these might see greater costs from measures to increase recycling and Government is considering options to reduce costs for this sector including possible exemptions from requirements to separately collect food waste. High Speed 2 Railway Line: Colne Valley baroness jones of moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty's Government what reasons the Environment Agency gave for allowing HS2 Ltd to drill at the Harvil Road site in the Colne Valley. lord goldsmith of richmond park: The Environment Agency (EA) has given permission to High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd to carry out drilling activities at the Harvil Road site under Schedule 33 of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act 2017. The EA reviewed the risks to groundwater quality and quantity by the HS2 Ltd construction activities at the Harvil Road site in the Colne Valley and did not identify any reasons to prohibit drilling activities at the site. Beef lord jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether beef from hormone-implanted cattle can be identified if there are higher levels of such hormones present in bull beef than beef from hormone-implanted steers. lord gardiner of kimble: There are prototype analytical methods that give a good indication of whether a substance is naturally occurring. However, these need further refinement before they can be considered suitably robust and reliable for regulatory use. Furthermore, the UK has transposed EU Council Directive 96/22/EC (as amended) into national law ‘Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) (England and Scotland) Regulations 2015', with similar legislation for Wales and Northern Ireland. This legislation prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones in both domestic production and imported products as well as provides for the monitoring of residues of substances. This protection will continue now we have left the EU. Beef lord jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether new evidence has appeared since theEuropean Economic Community imposed a ban on sales of hormone-implanted beef in1989 about the safety of such beef; and if so, (1) whether that evidence has changed the UK's view that the practice of hormone implantation is safe, and (2) what is the nature of that evidence. lord gardiner of kimble: No new evidence in relation to the use of hormones as growth promotors has been reviewed by the UK Government’s independent Veterinary Products Committee since 2007. The UK has transposed EU Council Directive 96/22/EC (as amended) into national law ‘Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) (England and Scotland) Regulations 2015', with similar legislation for Wales and Northern Ireland. This legislation prohibits the use of artificial growth hormones in both domestic production and imported products as well as provides for the monitoring of residues of substances. This protection will continue now we have left the EU. Tree Planting lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byViscount Younger of Leckie on 28 January (HL530), what are the actual numbers involved in their policy of "encouraging new tree planting on a massive scale"; and what is the period over which this will be achieved. lord goldsmith of richmond park: We have set out an ambition to increase tree planting across the UK in this parliament to 30,000 hectares a year by 2025. In England we will increase planting with support from our new Nature for Climate Fund and are developing a programme for this. This will include support for domestic nurseries, grants to plant private land and support for a range of public, private and community organisations. Trees: Conservation baroness redfern: To ask Her Majesty's Government what scrutiny they are undertaking of planning applications affecting ancient woodland and veteran trees. lord goldsmith of richmond park: In 2018 the Government strengthened the protection for ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which states that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists (para 175c). This wording was retained in the 2019 NPPF update. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/15-conserving-and-enhancing-the-natural-environment Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) determine planning applications affecting ancient woodland and veteran trees. Natural England (NE) are statutory consultees where an application might affect ancient woodland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or where development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment. 23% of ancient woodlands are SSSIs. The Forestry Commission (FC) are non-statutory consultees on planning applications affecting ancient woodland, responding if asked to by the LPA. NE and the FC have prepared joint Standing Advice to assist local planning authorities making decisions on planning applications that may impact on ancient woodland, ancient and veteran trees. This advice is available on GOV.UK. There is no requirement for NE or the FC to be consulted on planning applications involving ancient and veteran trees, unless they are designated as a SSSI. Ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees may also be impacted by Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, for which NE and FC are statutory consultees. NE and the FC are also providing advice to HS2 Ltd on avoiding, mitigating and partially compensating for the impact of HS2 on ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees. Northern Ireland Office Migrant Workers: Northern Ireland baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed points-based immigration system on the operation of (1) warehouses, (2) logistics, (3) food processing, and (4) retail businesses, in Northern Ireland; and what measures they are planning to take to ensure that vacancies in those industries are filled by domestic workers. viscount younger of leckie: Under the new immigration system the UK will attract and keep the best talent from around the world, welcoming people to Northern Ireland and the whole UK based on how they can help grow the economy. We have engaged with all sectors of the Northern Ireland economy and will continue to do so. A programme of engagement will begin in March 2020 to raise awareness of the new system. Labour market data will be kept under very careful scrutiny to monitor any pressures in key sectors. We recognise that businesses will need to adjust, investing in the skills of resident workers, in staff retention and in technology and automation where relevant. Initiatives have already been introduced for the agricultural sector, which will provide businesses with additional flexibility in the shorter term. Treasury Overseas Loans: Republic of Ireland lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the status of the loan made by the UK to the Republic of Ireland following the financial crisis of 2008/09; what is the repayment schedule; and what are the servicing costs. lord agnew of oulton: I refer the noble Lord to the most recent statutory report on the UK’s bilateral Loan to Ireland, which the Treasury provided to Parliament as required by Section 2 of the Loans to Ireland Act 2010. The most recent version of the report was laid in Parliament on 7 February 2020 and is available in the Printed Paper Office.[1] The report shows that the first repayment on the loan took place in April 2019. To date, four repayments have been made according to the agreed schedule. £1,613,480,000 on the principal remains outstanding. The final repayment will take place in March 2021. The Government continues to expect the loan to be repaid on time and in full. As stipulated under the loan’s Credit Facility Agreement, Ireland pays a service fee equal to 0.18% of the remaining tranches of the loan per annum. This fee is payable on 15 December and 15 June concurrently with interest payments on the remaining tranches of the loan. [1]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/864414/PU2193_Ireland_loan_statutory_report_2020.pdf stautory report (PDF Document, 187.1 KB) Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Football: Racial Discrimination lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement byLord Ashton of Hyde on 11 April 2019 (HL Deb, col 585), what "clear, tangible actions" have been delivered to address racist abuse in football, in relation to each of the six areas they identified as needing to be examined further. baroness barran: Racism or any form of discrimination has no place in football or society, and we must confront this vile behaviour. In July last year, the football authorities wrote to the government setting out their actions to further tackle discrimination: A review of how professional clubs sanction and educate offenders to provide more clarity and consistency.A review of FA sanctions for discrimination in the professional and grassroots game.Improved steward training, including new modules on recognising and responding to discriminatory behaviour.Improved reporting methods to enable fans to quickly and simply make clubs and the authorities aware of concerns or incidents of discrimination.Enhance and grow programmes to provide more opportunities for BAME people in coaching, refereeing, management and administrative positions in the sport.Further developing schools and community programmes, particularly in promoting inclusion through projects delivered by Premier League and EFL clubs. There is still more to do: the previous Minister for Sport recently met with the FA and EFL to discuss their progress, and the current Minister for Sport will be calling in all the footballing authorities for a further update about their work on this important issue.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2020-03-05

Department for Transport Driving under Influence Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect that data relating to the reduction in the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration levels for drivers in Scotland will be sufficient to inform a decision in respect of legal limits for drivers in England and Wales. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has no plans to change the legal blood alcohol limit for driving in England and Wales. If and when an evaluation about the impact of the changed limit in Scotland is conducted we would of course consider it, however we believe that rigorous enforcement and serious penalties for drink drivers are a more effective deterrent than changing the drink driving limit. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 13 June (HL424), whether another country’s failure to recognise dual citizenship impedes the UK from offering consular assistance to an individual whose fundamental rights are being violated. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Dual citizenship is allowed in the UK and we respect the rights of Britons who choose to have dual nationality in the UK or overseas. However we acknowledge that many countries do not accept dual nationality, or allow it in the same way as the UK.The consular assistance we offer to dual British nationals overseas depends on where they are and their circumstances.We do not normally offer support to dual nationals who are in the country of their other nationality, however we consider each case on the circumstances and we may make exceptions if there are special humanitarian reasons to do so.In countries where dual nationality is not recognised we offer assistance and lobby for consular access, but the other country has the right to refuse to grant such access. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Soil: Science Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many undergraduate courses leading to a formal qualification are provided in (1) soil biology, (2) soil chemistry, and (3) combined soil biology and chemistry, and how many students were enrolled in each course at the beginning of the 2015–16 academic year. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: Information on enrolments at UK Higher Education Institutions is collected and published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), and the latest academic year for which data are available is 2014/15.The Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) is the classification of subjects used by HESA. Soil biology and Soil chemistry are not separate subject classifications in the JACS system; the closest classification is Soil science.The latest data for 2014/15, suggest there were fewer than 10 full-person equivalent undergraduate students studying Soil science at a single UK Higher Education Institution - the University of Aberdeen.Soil science has a Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) code of F770. This is a detailed level code and some universities may occasionally allocate students to more general codes. Department for International Development St Helena: Airports Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government who was responsible for the delay in opening the St Helena airport for commercial air services. Baroness Verma: The commencement of commercial air services into St Helena Airport has been delayed due to wind shear and turbulence identified on the northern approach. Wind shear is an unpredictable phenomenon experienced at a number of airports around the world. St Helena: Airports Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to consider compensation claims from those who can prove they have incurred losses due to the delay in the St Helena airport becoming operational. Baroness Verma: This is a matter for the St Helena Government and to our knowledge no claims for compensation have been received. St Helena: Airports Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect regular commercial air services to operate from St Helena airport. Baroness Verma: A number of options are being explored. The aim is to establish scheduled services once an operator is identified and regulatory conditions are met. RMS St Helena Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they propose to reinstate RMS St Helena for passenger services, and if so, when and for how long. Baroness Verma: In order to retain access for the people of St Helena, the St Helena Government has extended the services of the RMS St Helena for a further period beyond its previously planned service end date of July 2016. This is until September 2016 in the first instance but will be kept under review. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the investment case prepared by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ahead of its replenishment conference taking place in Montreal on 16 September. Baroness Verma: The investment case projects that a successful replenishment will enable the Global Fund to save 8 million lives and avert up to 300 million new infections over the replenishment period 2017-2019.The UK wishes to see a successful replenishment; the final decision on a UK contribution is yet to be made and will depend on a multitude of factors, including the outcome of DFID’s Multilateral Aid Review to be published later in the summer and discussions between the Chancellor and Secretary of State. Department for Education Grammar Schools: Admissions Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take to ensure that 11-plus examinations for entry to existing and proposed grammar schools are free from any bias that would adversely impact on children from Pakistani or Caribbean backgrounds. Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to take steps to suspend 11-plus examinations for entry to grammar schools in Buckinghamshire until there is clarity about the reasons for the findings by Local, Equal, Excellent that children of Pakistani and Caribbean origins are being disproportionately excluded from grammar schools in that area. Lord Nash: The School Admissions Code requires school admission arrangements to be ‘fair, clear and objective’. It further requires that ‘admission authorities must ensure that their arrangements will not disadvantage unfairly, either directly or indirectly, a child from a particular social or racial group’.Those who consider an admission policy, including a selection test, breaches the School Admissions Code can submit an objection to the independent Schools Adjudicator. If the Adjudicator agrees that the policy is unfair or otherwise breaches the Code she can require schools to amend their admission arrangements. Education Lord Smith of Clifton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) 14-year-olds, and (2) 15-year-olds, are enrolled full-time at (a) general further education colleges, and (b) university technology colleges, for the latest year for which figures are available. Lord Nash: Based on an analysis of the 2015/16 Individualised Learner Record returns made by colleges, there were 631 14-year-old and 511 15-year-old full time students on approved 14-16 direct enrolment programmes studying high-quality vocational qualifications alongside general qualifications including English and mathematics within the Key Stage 4 curriculum.In addition, there were 154 14-year-old and 613 15-year-old full time students predominantly studying Level 3 qualifications in further education colleges.According to data from the January 2015 school census, there were 1,994 14-year-old and 1,319 15-year-old full time students enrolled at university technical colleges in England. School Leaving Lord Smith of Clifton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the latest estimate of how many 17-year-olds in England are failing to meet the duty to participate in education and training. Lord Nash: The latest National Statistics relating to participation in education and training by 16–18 year olds relate to the end of 2014, before the point at which the duty to participate in education or training was extended to 17 year olds (in June 2015). We therefore do not currently hold National Statistics which estimate how many 17 year olds in England are failing to meet the duty to participate in education and training. Figures for the end of 2015, which will include an approximation for those failing to meet the duty, will be published on 30 June 2016.Local authorities collect their own data on young people’s participation, including data on those that meet the duty to participate. Figures relating to December 2015 for young people aged 16 or 17 are published on GOV.UK and are attached.However, due to incomplete coverage of young people outside the state funded school system and differing approaches in local authorities, this does not provide an accurate national estimate. Proportion in education and training: December16 (Excel SpreadSheet, 352 KB) Social Services: Birmingham Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 9 June (HL350), what discussions they have had with Birmingham City Council about the consequences if it decides not to create a Trust to deliver its children's social care functions, in particular regarding whether the Secretary of State plans to issue a Statutory Direction requiring the Council to do so. Lord Nash: The Department for Education is currently in discussions with Birmingham City Council about the development of a Trust model. The Council is planning to implement this model voluntarily. The Council is aware of the Department’s publically-stated policy that children’s social care services will be removed from the control of councils in cases of persistent or systemic failure, including through the use of a statutory direction where necessary. The Prime Minister made clear, in December, that poorly performing children’s services must improve or they will be taken over by experts. Therefore if the Council is judged to be inadequate by Ofsted again in the future, and does not continue to co-operate in voluntarily transferring its children’s social care services into a Trust, the Government will take action to enforce a Trust if required. Social Services: Children Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 9 June (HL351), what consideration they are giving to (1) the issuing of guidance on the establishment of children's social care trusts so that lessons can be learned from earlier experiences of doing so; and (2) the regulatory implications for such bodies if more local authorities establish them given the regulatory arrangements in place for the outsourcing of adult social care. Lord Nash: The evaluations of Doncaster and Slough Children’s Services Trusts are underway and will provide learning from the experiences of establishing those organisations. There are no new regulatory implications for trusts. Where a trust is created to carry out children’s social care services on behalf of an authority, the statutory responsibility for those services remains with that authority. Ofsted will continue to inspect children’s social care services whether they are delivered by a local authority or by a trust. Social Services: Birmingham Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 9 June (HL353), whether Birmingham City Council could continue with an updated Improvement Plan after 2017 if a new Ofsted inspection reveals satisfactory improvements since the last inspection in March 2014. Lord Nash: If Ofsted find that Birmingham City Council have improved to the point where their children’s social care services are no longer inadequate, they will be removed from Department for Education intervention. At this point, the Department will continue to provide supervision and support to ensure that improvements remain on track. Social Services: Children Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 9 June (HL354), how long it took to set up the Trusts in Kingston-upon-Thames and Slough; what were the costs of setting up those Trusts; and who bore those costs. Lord Nash: Slough Borough Council was issued with a Statutory Direction in October 2014, which required the Council to cooperate in setting up a Trust. The Trust became operational in October 2015. The Department for Education met the costs of setting up the trust, which came to £3.3m.Achieving for Children is a community interest company owned and established by the councils of Kingston-Upon-Thames and Richmond. The Department does not hold information about the total costs of setting up this company but Achieving for Children received grant funding of £500,000 from the Department of Communities and Local Government and £105,605 of professional advice and support from the Cabinet Office Mutuals Support Programme. Social Services: Birmingham Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the current Commissioner for Birmingham City Council's children's social care services started work; how long his appointment is for; what progress reports he has provided to the Secretary of State; and whether those reports are in the public domain. Lord Nash: Andrew Christie was appointed Commissioner for children’s social care services in Birmingham in December 2015. The statutory Direction that appointed him lasts until September 2016. He reports regularly to the Secretary of State. These reports are not in the public domain. Ministry of Defence Unmanned Air Vehicles Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the Watchkeeper Programme to achieve Initial Operating Capability 2, previously expected to be achieved by April, and when they now expect Equipment Support Systems to be released to service. Earl Howe: It is expected that the Watchkeeper programme will declare Initial Operating Capability 2 standard by July 2016. An initial set of release to service recommendations for the Watchkeeper system at Equipment Standard 2 should be provided by March 2017. This will provide sufficient clearance for the Army to fly the Watchkeeper system in that configuration and support delivery of Full Operating Capability by the target date of April 2017. Home Office Female Genital Mutilation Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether female genital mutilation campaigns are reaching communities outside London. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a crime and it is child abuse. We will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls.We will not stop FGM until we have changed attitudes within communities. The Government works closely with a range of community organisations, faith groups and survivors through the Government’s FGM Unit. The FGM Unit carries out an ongoing programme of outreach with local community groups and professionals across England and Wales.In 2014 we funded 29 community engagement projects across England and Wales, including a network of community champions, who are reaching thousands of women and girls who may be affected by FGM, and, importantly, their families.In addition, the Department of Health’s £4m prevention programme is carrying out a range of work to improve the NHS response across England, and the Department for Education is providing up to £2m through its Innovation fund for work by the National FGM Centre to improve the social care response throughout England. Syria: Refugees Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the EU–Turkey deal on the safety and security of Syrian refugees. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to the successful implementation of the EU/ Turkey migration deal. The numbers of migrants arriving at Greek islands has significantly reduced since this deal came into effect and it is making genuine difference to managing the flows of migration; preventing people from dying in attempting the crossing or putting themselves in the hands of smugglers. Turkey is already hosting over 2.7 million Syrian refugees all of whom are provided with access to healthcare, education and the labour market.We are also pleased to note that the recent agreements Turkey has reached with the European Commission and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in providing them with access to the Düziçi Camp and Kirklareli Removal Centre. The UK continues to work with Turkey to deliver further improvements to their immigration and asylum services.In addition, the UK is contributing £250 million towards the 3 billion Euros Turkey Refugee Facility agreed by all EU Member States to help Turkey address the consequences of the Syria conflict. Our support will fund schools, hospitals and housing to meet the needs of refugees. Asylum Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of asylum applications were accepted over the past 12 months. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In the year ending March 2016, there were 33,713 initial decisions on asylum applications from main applicants and dependants. Of these decisions, 37% (12,410) were grants of asylum or an alternative form of protection.The Home Office publishes quarterly figures on asylum applications and initial decisions within the Immigration Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics January to March 2016, is available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2016. HM Treasury Taxation: Charities Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what regulatory impact assessment they have conducted in relation to the implementation of the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters via the OECD Common Reporting Standard, and what were the conclusions of that assessment with regard to its effect on charities and their grant recipients. Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the costs of compliance for charities in implementing the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters via the OECD Common Reporting Standard compared with the intended benefits for the taxpayer. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: A full impact assessment for the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) was published at Budget 2015 in a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN). HMRC has estimated that between 500 and 8,000 of the more than 165,000 charities in the UK could be affected by the CRS. Precise estimates of the overall cost are difficult to make given the upfront costs to charities is still uncertain. There has been no assessment of the impact on grant recipients. Including charities is vital to create true transparency in the international tax system, which ultimately benefits taxpayers through reduced tax evasion and avoidance. In the UK the charity sector is well regulated, but this is not the case elsewhere around the world. If another jurisdiction excluded charities this would allow a simple method for evaders to escape reporting –significantly impacting the UK's inbound data and hence the predicted yield from the CRS. As signatories to this global standard, the UK has agreed to the definitions that will include charities where they have predominantly investment income. To make the CRS an effective tool in tackling evasion, and show the benefits to the UK taxpayer, the UK must adhere to the global standard – including on charities - in order that we can expect our international partners to do likewise. Automatic exchange agreements are expected to raise over £0.5 billion over the five-year scorecard period. This amount has been updated from the original TIIN after a review by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Department of Health Stem Cells Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 31 March 2011 (WA 298–9) and by Lord Prior of Brampton on 24 March (HL7011), whether it is a condition of any licence granted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority that a sample of the stem cell lines derived must be deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank either prior to or pursuant to publication; if not, why not; and if so, when each of the five human embryonic stem cell lines derived from blastocysts following pronuclear transfer as described in Nature (doi:10.1038/nature18303) were accordingly deposited. Lord Prior of Brampton: It is a condition of all research licences granted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that a sample of any stem cell line derived under that research project is deposited in the UK Stem Cell Bank. The HFEA has advised that it is not, therefore, necessary for a licence to additionally specify that any sample be deposited either prior to or pursuant to any publication about the derivation of stem cells under that project. It is a requirement of the UK Stem Cell Bank that applicants provide copies of any published scientific papers related to the derivation and/or characterisation of the stem cell line. The process for depositing cell lines in the UK Stem Cell Bank is a matter for the Bank itself to determine. Kidney Cancer Baroness Cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of how England compares with other European countries in (1) one, (2) five, and (3) 10-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer. Lord Prior of Brampton: No formal assessment has been made. Although cancer survival rates are at a record high and continue to improve, we know that we have to strive to be better. The independent Cancer Taskforce report, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: A strategy for England 2015-2020, published in July last year, recommends improvements across the cancer patient pathway. A copy of the report is attached. NHS England is currently working with partners across the health system to deliver the Cancer Taskforce’s recommendations. An implementation plan, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: Taking the strategy forward, was published on 12 May 2016 and we hope to see great progress as it is delivered. A copy of the implementation plan is attached. A strategy for England (PDF Document, 4.91 MB) Taking the strategy forward (PDF Document, 577.11 KB) Hepatitis: Drugs Lord Mancroft: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether procurement exercises have taken place to reduce the prices paid by the NHS for new hepatitis C medicines. Lord Mancroft: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether savings realised through the procurement exercises for hepatitis C medicines were taken into account by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in its cost modelling in technology appraisals 363, 364 and 365. Lord Mancroft: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the procurement exercises for hepatitis C medicines have resulted in lower costs to the NHS of hepatitis C medicines than those costs which informed the guidance set out in technology appraisals 363, 364 and 365 published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Lord Prior of Brampton: The Department’s Commercial Medicines Unit manages, on behalf of English National Health Service secondary care, a tender strategy which establishes framework agreements for hepatitis C medicines under which prices are set. This programme commenced in August 2015 and has resulted in ongoing price reductions. In developing its recommendations on the use of daclatasvir (TA364) and ombitasvir–paritaprevir–ritonavir with or without dasabuvir (TA365) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) took into account the prices that had been agreed by the Commercial Medicines Unit at the time NICE’s guidance was being developed as the companies provided this information as part their evidence submissions to NICE. For the appraisal of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir for chronic hepatitis C (TA363), the company did not submit the equivalent information as evidence for consideration in the appraisal and NICE’s recommendations are based on the published list price for the drug. As a result of subsequent procurement exercises, these drugs may be available to the NHS at lower prices than when NICE developed its technology appraisal guidance.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-06-28

Department for Transport Great Western Railway Line Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what analysis they have conducted of the impact of having diesel and electric engines fitted to the new Hitachi Great Western Mainline trains on journey times (1) between Paddington and Cardiff, and (2) between Cardiff and Swansea. Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Department for Transport is analysing the impact of Great Western electrification delays on the configuration of the Intercity Express Programme fleet. The analysis is looking at the timetable implications including journey times and capacity. The analysis will be informed by the recommendations made by Sir Peter Hendy. No final decisions have been made. Driving under Influence Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 19 March (HL5704), whether they plan to review the Coalition Government’s policy and to seek funding from the drinks industry to fund the Department for Transport’s drink driving campaigns. Viscount Younger of Leckie: Sources of funding for campaign spend are kept under review but we currently have no plans to introduce a levy on the drinks industry to fund the drink drive campaign.Instead our aim is to develop partnerships with brands who can provide incentives to help drivers avoid alcohol if they are driving, or to help those people who are drinking get home safely without driving. To date we have secured the following partnerships so far for our 2015 campaign:- Coca Cola, who will be running their designated driver campaign, rewarding designated drivers with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on coke drinks in thousands of venues during the festive season.- Budweiser who also promote and celebrate the important role of designated driver.- Johnnie Walker, who ask drivers to take a pledge to never drink and drive, in return for discounted safe journeys home.These initiatives are all completely funded by the partner and add significant value to the campaign.We will continue to seek further partnerships with commercial brands who can extend the reach and impact of our campaigns. Home Office Emergency Services: Scotland Lord Paddick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the emergency services in Scotland about ensuring that the new communications network being procured under the emergency services mobile communications programme meets the coverage requirements of rural and island communities. Lord Bates: The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme has had on-going discussions and workshops with the emergency services, including those in Scotland, about all aspects of the new network including coverage requirements in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Emergency Services: Telecommunications Lord Paddick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Airwave Solutions about the transition of emergency services communications as part of the emergency services mobile communications programme. Lord Bates: The Home Office meets senior managers from Airwave Solutions Ltd regularly to discuss the service that ASL provides. The Home Office’s plans for transition from the existing Airwave service to the future ESN service is regularly discussed at these meetings. Employment Baroness Suttie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what role in the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, as set out in the Immigration Bill, will play in setting the operational priorities of and in allocating resources to (1) the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, (2) the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, and (3) HM Revenue and Customs National Minimum Wage enforcement teams. Lord Bates: The consultation we have recently published on tackling labour exploitation sets out the role envisaged for the Director of Labour Market Enforcement. The measures we have introduced in the Immigration Bill require the Director to set the priorities for the three enforcement bodies: the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, National Minimum Wage enforcement function of HMRC and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. These will be set out in an annual strategic plan, subject to the approval of the Secretaries of State at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Home Office. This will set out the clear priorities for tackling serious exploitation and the role of the agencies in delivering them. Employment Baroness Suttie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to introduce labour-market wide licensing and enforcement in order to support commitments made in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Lord Bates: Following a commitment made in section 55 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 the Government has now launched a consultation on tackling exploitation in the labour market. This consultation is seeking views on proposals to appoint a new Director of Labour Market Enforcement and create additional powers for the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to take enforcement action against labour exploitation across the labour market. The consultation proposes a power to vary the sectors subject to licensing following an evidence-based analysis by the new Director. Slavery Baroness Suttie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with business on how labour inspection and enforcement could support implementation of section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, relating to transparency in the supply chains of commercial organisations. Lord Bates: Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 focuses on encouraging businesses to take action to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains. The state seeks to prevent this type of abuse through labour inspection and enforcement. We want these two areas of activity to complement each other to prevent labour exploitation in the UK. We have recently launched a consultation on the Government’s approach to tackling exploitation in the labour market. We will use the outcomes of this consultation to ensure that our final proposals complement section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act as effectively as possible. Foreign and Commonwealth Office El Salvador: Miscarriage Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of El Salvador concerning women who miscarry and find themselves imprisoned. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We remain concerned by reports that women in El Salvador have been imprisoned under anti-abortion laws after suffering a miscarriage. Officials have raised concerns about the restrictive and sometimes punitive approach to sexual and reproductive healthcare at both a bilateral and multilateral level with the Salvadoran government. During El Salvador’s most recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in October 2014, the UK encouraged El Salvador to review its strict anti-abortion laws and urged the Salvadoran government to improve the treatment of women who have had abortions or suffered miscarriages. Mexico: Torture Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Mexico following the publication in December 2014 of the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We remain concerned by reports of the use of torture in Mexico. Ministers have raised human rights with their Mexican counterparts on several occasions, including at the highest level during the President’s State Visit in March 2015. Officials at our Embassy in Mexico City also regularly raise our concerns in meetings with the Mexican government. In support of this ongoing dialogue, this year, the UK is working with the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute to train judges to deal with torture and enforced disappearance cases. King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support, financial or otherwise, they have provided to the King Adbdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government has not provided support, financial or otherwise, to the King Adbdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna. North Korea: Capital Punishment Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to raise the case of any of the public executions in North Korea between 2010 and 2014 detailed in the latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in that country. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We remain strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances.The UK, working with the EU and Japan, has ensured that annual UN resolutions consistently call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to end its use of the death penalty. We also use our diplomatic relations to raise concerns directly with North Korean officials.British diplomats raised specific concerns with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pyongyang following the execution of Jang Song Thaek in December 2013.In October, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), met the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid, to discuss a coordinated approach to addressing human rights concerns across the globe, including the DPRK. North Korea: Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Kingdom Embassy in Pyongyang and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are utilising their resources to gather evidence that can be used in any possible future International Criminal Court trials of Kim Jong-un or other senior officials of North Korea; and, if so, how. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our Embassy in Pyongyang produces diplomatic reporting and analysis to inform policy on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This includes human rights. However, neither our Embassy nor the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are trained nor tasked to gather evidence. Information gathering on reported human rights violations within the DPRK is now being undertaken by the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul which opened in June. North Korea: Television Channels Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the publication of the latest report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea, what assessment they have made of how many television channels in North Korea may be accessed by the North Korean population. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of three television channels which operate within the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Korean Central Television (KCTV) which broadcasts news, sport, dramas and films; Mansudae which focuses on culture; and Ryongnamsan which covers education. KCTV broadcasts nationwide while Mansudae and Ryongnamsan broadcast in Pyongyang only. We also understand there are reports that some North Korean citizens, including those living in Pyongyang, are able to access foreign television services. However, we have been unable to verify if these reports are accurate. India: Radicalism Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of India about the number of attacks on minorities by extremist groups in that country, in particular black ink attacks carried out by Shiv Sena. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of reports of attacks by Hindu extremists on minority groups in India. The UK raises human rights matters with India, including attacks on minority groups, both bilaterally and through the EU-India human rights dialogue. As part of an EU delegation, our High Commission in New Delhi met the Indian National Commission for Minorities in early October to discuss a range of current issues. Our High Commission also maintains regular contact with civil society organisations and senior faith leaders working on religious freedom across India. Phyoe Phyoe Aung Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made on behalf of Phyoe Phyoe Aung who is currently detained in Burma. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have raised with the Burmese authorities our concerns at the violence which occurred during the student protests at Letpadan Monastery in March, when Phyoe Phyoe Aung and others were arrested. We have called for the Government of Burma to investigate the incident and for all remaining student demonstrators to be released from prison and charges to be dropped. Our Embassy in Rangoon is closely monitoring the cases of the 56 who have been charged, 48 of whom remain in detention, and have attended the most recent trial hearing in Thuyawaddy on 13 October. Burma: Religious Freedom Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they offer to youth-led civil society initiatives countering hate speech and promoting religious tolerance in Burma. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We remain deeply concerned about the rise in Burma of hate speech and religious intolerance. We have raised this with the Burmese authorities and will continue to do so, both publicly and in private. We have supported inter-faith dialogue in Burma in recent years through a number of projects to help build relationships and understanding. These have included projects to develop relationships between Burmese youth and different religious communities, and to forge exchanges between activists on religious freedom in Burma and Indonesia. Central African Republic: Armed Conflict Baroness Berridge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the Central African Republic should be included in the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Work in the Central African Republic (CAR) has been an important part of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative in recognition of the large role that sexual violence has played in the conflict in CAR which has included the sexual abuse of women and children, sexual slavery and rape. This work has, to date, been primarily carried out through our work with the African Union (AU). Since the launch of the initiative, the UK has provided £1.3 million to support the AU’s Gender Peace and Security Programme. This includes the deployment of sexual violence experts that were deployed to the CAR in 2014. These experts provided support to victims in the districts of Paoua, Kaga-Bandoro and Bambar. This Programme also supported the AU’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Madame Bineta Diop. We are working with the AU to build on this deployment and increase AU capacity to carry out similar deployments in the future. Refugees: Middle East and North Africa Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what practical support they have offered to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro as transit and recipient states of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: On September 23, the Prime Minister, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), pledged £3.1 million of aid to Western Balkans countries affected by the migration crisis, to cover both humanitarian and border management assistance. The funds form part of a wider UK pledge of nearly £115 million, most of which is being put towards lifesaving aid in Syria and its neighbouring countries. The funds will go through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to support projects in transit countries most affected, chiefly Serbia and Macedonia, and to support the UN agency’s regional office in Sarajevo. The £3.1 million will also support activities of the International Organisation of Migration in both Western Balkans transit countries, to further strengthen the response of host governments to the migration crisis. In addition, on 13 October, the UK despatched blankets, sleeping bags, and roll mats to Serbia for up to 11,000 vulnerable people as winter approaches. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the success of the Dayton Peace accords, and of the current political and security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Dayton Peace Agreement ended a brutal war and remains the basis for the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), its constitution and our engagement. We are disappointed that twenty years on BiH has not made greater progress on its Euro-Atlantic path and we remain concerned about the political and security situation on the ground. Last year, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and his German counterpart launched an initiative (now endorsed by the EU) to inject momentum into BiH’s EU accession path and to prioritise reforms that will build prosperity and security for all. We continue to press the BiH governments to implement those reforms and to refrain from divisive, nationalist politicking that undermines progress. Middle East Quartet Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Middle East Quartet Representative on the prospects for peace between Israel and Palestine; what the identified successes and failures are; and what was the cost to the public purse of supporting the office of the Representative in each of the last eight financial years. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government supports the aims and objectives of the Quartet, which has an important role in the Middle East Peace Process through its mandate to mobilise international assistance to the Palestinians and develop plans to promote Palestinian economic development.Since its inception in 2007, the Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR) has been funded by donations from Quartet members, including the European Commission, EU Member States and the US. Donations are pooled in a trust fund which is managed and administered by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).In November 2007 the then Secretary for State for International Development approved a one-off payment of £400,000 from the UK to UNDP to help with the costs of setting up the OQR. Other countries also contributed to the set up costs: Norway gave $1 million; the European Commission $2 million; and the US provided IT equipment.The UK does not currently provide financial support to cover the costs of the OQR. The Department for International Development has seconded staff to the OQR since 2007. Their costs are as follows 2007: £62,850; 2008: £165,313; 2009: £204,830; 2010: £214,440; 2011: £247,213; 2012: £183,462; 2013: £266,088; 2014: £115,738; and 2015: £26,875. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also seconded two full-time members of staff to the OQR from 2007 until 2013. We do not hold a record of the costs of these secondments. Middle East Quartet Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans there are for the appointment of a new Middle East Quartet Representative; and what the timeline is for any such appointment. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There are no current plans to appoint a new Middle East Quartet Representative. The Office of the Quartet Representative has been renamed the Office of the Quartet. It is now being led by a Head of Mission, supported by a Deputy Head of Mission. The Quartet Principals (EU, US, UN and Russia) are responsible for taking decisions about the structure of the Quartet, including its staffing. Human Rights Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the promotion of human rights is part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office mission statement, and what are their top five priorities in that area. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Annual Report and Accounts set out the FCO’s purpose for 2014–15. This listed eight separate commitments, two of which mentioned promoting human rights explicitly:- Strengthen the Commonwealth as a focus for promoting democratic values, human rights, climate resilient development, conflict prevention and trade.- Use soft power as a tool of UK foreign policy; promote British values and respect for human rights; build capacity to tackle terrorism in line with UK security requirements; and contribute to the welfare of developing countries and their citizens.In addition, human rights are an integral part of the FCO’s work, linked with many aspects of our national interest including the stability and prosperity of our international partners. We set out in the 2014 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report the actions we have taken to mainstream human rights across the FCO network, including ramping up our internal communications and training.We are currently reconfiguring our work on human rights around three pillars to reflect the Government’s manifesto commitments, play to our strengths, boost our impact, and increase our ability to respond to international developments. These pillars are:i) Democratic values and the rule of law;ii) The rules-based international system and,iii) Human rights for a stable world Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the level of collective punishment being imposed on Palestinians by both Jewish settlers and the Israeli Defence Forces, and in particular about the use of live fire in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We regularly raise with the Government of Israel the implementation of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as the occupying power, including the point that any use of force must be proportionate. Our Ambassador to Tel Aviv most recently raised our concerns on 26 October about the use of force, including live fire, with the Israeli Commander of Government Activities in the Territories, General Mordechai. Israel, like all countries, has a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend its citizens from attack. But in doing so it is vital that all actions are in line with International Humanitarian Law. Israel: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the bulldozing of agricultural land owned by Palestinian farmers near the city of Nablus in the West Bank to open new roads to connect Jewish outposts and settlements south of the city. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While we have not made any representations on this specific issue, our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised the issue of demolitions with the Israeli Ministry of Defence Director of Political-Military Affairs on 21 October. The British Government has repeatedly condemned Israeli settlement activity. The UK position is clear:- settlements are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and take us further away from a two state solution. Saudi Arabia: UN Human Rights Council Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to oppose the UN decision to put Saudi Arabia in charge of a human rights panel, and, if so, what action they will take. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government has no locus to oppose the appointment of the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia as Chair of the UN Consultative Group. Saudi Arabia was nominated by the Asian Group. The Council is made up of five ambassadors, serving in their personal capacity, from each of the five regional groups in the UN. The Ambassador has served on the Consultative Group since 1 January 2015. It is standard procedure for the chairmanship of the Group to rotate during the course of the year. Burma: Politics and Government Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been their response to the report by Amnesty International in June that the government of Burma has created a climate of fear by pursuing policies of surveillance, harassment and intimidation. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are increasingly concerned by limits to freedom of expression and assembly in Burma, and a tightening of the democratic space as the November elections approach. These issues have been well documented by Amnesty International and others. We have expressed our concerns to the Burmese authorities a number of times, including during the visit to Burma in July by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), and most recently, when Mr Swire met the Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in New York in September. Iran: Capital Punishment Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran about the use of capital punishment, in particular regarding the case of Fatemeh Salbehi, and what assessment they have made of the report by Amnesty International that over 700 executions have occurred in Iran this year. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. There has been no real improvement in the human rights situation in Iran, and in some cases, such as use of the death penalty, the situation appears to have worsened. We have made our position clear to Iran both publicly and privately, and continue to urge Iran to abide by its international commitments to ensure all Iranians enjoy the rights and freedoms they are entitled to. Israel: Palestinians Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of (1) Israelis, and (2) Palestinians, killed and wounded in sectarian violence in the last year; and whether they are making representations to the parties concerned. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government has not made any estimates of the number of people who have been killed and wounded.As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), said in a press statement on 9 October, “We condemn all acts of violence, including attacks by Palestinians and by Israeli settlers. We urge all sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the tensions and avoid actions that threaten to exacerbate the situation”. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website, from 1 January 2014 to 19 October 2015 there were 2373 Palestinian fatalities and 23,442 injured. In that same period of time there were 98 Israeli fatalities. Israel: Palestinians Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether (1) medical personnel, (2) ambulance crews, and (3) journalists, have been unlawfully attacked in the last year in Israel and Palestine, and how many of each group have been injured in that period. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While we have not made an assessment specifically on this matter, we are clear that both medical staff and journalists should have the protection that allows them to do their jobs in safety. Freedom of the media is an important human rights principle. We are aware of several concerning incidents involving journalists and ambulance crews in the West Bank and Gaza over the past year. We regularly raise our concerns with both the Palestinian Authority and Israeli government, and have urged all sides to de-escalate the current tensions. Shaker Aamer Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Shaker Aamer has yet been released from detention at Guantanamo Bay to rejoin his family in England; if not, why not; and what representations they are making to the government of the United States on his behalf. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We can confirm that Shaker Aamer was released from Guantanamo Bay and returned to the UK on 30 October.It has been a longstanding British Government policy to secure Mr Aamer’s return to the UK. We welcome his release and continue to support President Obama’s commitment to closing the detention facility at Guantanamo. Syria: Peace Negotiations Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the proposals for peace in Syria made by former President Jimmy Carter in the International New York Times on 27 October. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Proposals for achieving peace in Syria will need to be agreed by the key international players and, importantly, the Syrian people. The UK is working closely with international partners to bring about a negotiated end to the crisis in Syria, including through Ministerial participation in high-level international meetings. The ultimate solution to the crisis must be a political transition, which brings legitimate and inclusive governance to Syria. We are flexible about how the process of transition would work but are clear that Assad cannot be part of the future of Syria. UK Membership of EU Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, if their objectives of European Union re-negotiation are not met, they plan to recommend leaving that organisation. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), is confident that with good will and understanding, he can and will succeed in negotiating reform in the EU and Britain’s relationship within it. As he has said, if he succeeds he will campaign to keep the UK in a reformed EU but if he does not achieve these changes he rules nothing out. Libya: Compensation Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or are having, with the government of Libya about compensation for people killed or wounded by explosives and guns supplied to the IRA by that country, in a manner similar to compensation for the victims of the Lockerbie bombing, and when those discussions will be completed. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The last significant discussion with the Libyan government on the resolution of legacy issues was in June 2014, when the then National Security Adviser, Sir Kim Darroch, visited Libya.The subsequent violence and political instability in Libya, which resulted in the closure of our Embassy in Tripoli in August 2014, effectively stalled further discussions with the authorities. Under the current circumstances we need to be realistic about what the Libyan authorities can deliver, but we remain determined to make progress. Once stability returns, and our Embassy re-opens, we will again encourage the Libyan authorities to engage with UK victims and their legal representatives seeking redress, including those seeking compensation. Northern Ireland Office IRA Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any agreement with the provisional IRA in recent years, and if so, what was covered by that agreement. Lord Dunlop: The Government has not made any agreement with the provisional IRA, or any other paramilitary organisation. Biometrics: Databases Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) whether United Kingdom law complies with the judgment concerning the retention of fingerprints and DNA samples in S and Marper v United Kingdom [2008] ECHR 1581; and (2) whether the proposed retention of biometric data in Northern Ireland in the form of a "snapshot" to be used by the expected Historical Investigation Unit will be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and that judgment. Lord Dunlop: Following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of S v Marper v United Kingdom [2008] ECHR 1581, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 was passed to introduce a new legislative framework for the retention and destruction of biometric data (including fingerprints and DNA samples) taken under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) legislation in England and Wales and for material taken under UK wide terrorism powers. The Government believes that the new framework strikes the right balance between the rights of individuals under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the public interest in the prevention, investigation and detection of crime. In Northern Ireland, broadly similar provisions have been taken forward by the devolved administration in the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2013. The relevant PACE (Northern Ireland) provisions, when brought into force, will ensure that the appropriate balance is also struck in respect of Northern Ireland.The Historical Investigations Unit, when established, must have access to historic evidence to support the investigation of past crimes, including relevant fingerprint and DNA evidence. The Government is satisfied that the proposal for the Historical Investigations Unit to access relevant biometric data is proportionate and, pursuant to the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Stormont House Agreement) Bill, sufficient restrictions on the retention of, access to and use of the data will be put in place to ensure compatibility with Article 8 of the European Convention. Department for International Development Yemen: Humanitarian Aid Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of freedom of access to Yemen by the UNHCR and non-governmental organisations looking after the most vulnerable in that country. Baroness Verma: Intense fighting on the ground is making it increasingly hard for UNHCR and other non-governmental organisations to reach those in need within Yemen. This is compounded by restrictions on imports of commercial and humanitarian supplies into the country, including fuel. This in turn is hampering the distribution of humanitarian supplies within country, including essential food and medicines.Of the 2.3 million internally displaced people in Yemen, to date UNHCR has provided emergency relief items to 147,386 of them since the end of March.The UK continues to call on all parties to facilitate rapid, safe and unhindered access to all people in need in Yemen. The UK is one of the largest donors to the crisis and has announced £75m to respond to the crisis in Yemen. UK aid is providing vital medical supplies, water, food and emergency shelter, working with trusted and impartial actors who have a strong track record in delivering assistance in difficult and dangerous places. We also support a UN-led process on access negotiations and the establishment of the Access Working Group where partners report cases of obstruction and accessible routes. Israel: Gaza Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following the September UN OCHA Bulletin report that Israel has added additional restrictions on the entry of wood into Gaza, and that those restrictions have impeded the Catholic Relief Services' installation of prefabricated wooden housing units to serve as transitional shelter solutions for the winter. Baroness Verma: DFID is aware of the issue of restrictions on the import of wood into Gaza and senior DFID officials have raised it with the Government of Israel at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting in September this year. We support calls to ease the number of items on the dual use list whilst recognising Israel’s legitimate security concerns about the use of materials for the manufacture of weapons. We urge Israel to make the process of listing materials as dual use more transparent and in line with internationally recognised dual use items. In the interim, DFID funding to the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism is helping to ensure that construction materials reach Gaza. Israel: West Bank Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following the September UN OCHA Bulletin report that Israel had demolished a two-storey building in Area A of the West Bank during a search and arrest operation in Jenin refugee camp and damaged an adjacent home, displacing four people. Baroness Verma: The UK raises concerns about demolitions and displacement with the Government of Israel on a regular basis and at the highest levels. We assess that demolition of Palestinian structures in the Occupied Palestinian Territories by Israel is harmful to the peace process. As of 14 September, in 2015, 393 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished in Area C and a further 56 in East Jerusalem. Demolitions cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and in all but the most limited circumstances are contrary to international humanitarian law. South Sudan: Overseas Aid Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to support the people of South Sudan who face starvation. Baroness Verma: In 2014, the UK was one of the largest donors to the UN Humanitarian appeal which helped to avert famine and ensure that 3.5 million South Sudanese were reached with life-saving assistance. The 2015 appeal is ongoing, and 3.1 million people have been reached so far this year.Overall, the UK is the second largest bilateral donor to the humanitarian response in South Sudan, having contributed £172 million since the start of the conflict in December 2013 and a further £88.9 million for South Sudanese refugees in the region. Limited access for humanitarian workers in the Greater Upper Nile states, particularly in Unity State, has increased the risk of famine; as noted in the recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The UK consistently lobbies for all parties to allow unrestricted humanitarian access.In addition, through DFID, the UK continues to deliver food security programmes in South Sudan, prioritising support to the most vulnerable people. Syria: Refugees Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been their response to the study by the UNHCR showing that 70 per cent of Syrian refugees in Lebanon are living below the poverty line; and of their response to the World Food Programme no longer being able to provide food vouchers to 229,000 refugees in Jordan due to funding cuts. Baroness Verma: The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to the Syria crisis response having allocated over £1.1 billion since 2012.As of September 23rd, DFID has allocated £304 million of funding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon since the start of the Syria crisis. As the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) study highlights, refugees in Lebanon are increasingly exhausting their savings and falling into debt. In response, in 2015/16 the UK allocated £94 million to meet the immediate needs of refugees and to support host communities in Lebanon, of which £25 million will support UNHCR directly.As of September 23rd DFID has allocated £193m of funding to Jordan since the start of the Syria crises and we continue to support both the international humanitarian response and the Government of Jordan to meet the needs of Syrian refugees and Jordanians, which have been exacerbated by the protracted nature of the refugee situation.In August 2015, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced cuts to food support in Jordan from September onwards. DFID has provided additional support in response to the difficulties refugees have in accessing daily essentials, including food. This financial year DFID has allocated £19m to a UNHCR programme in Jordan which provides a monthly cash grant to very vulnerable refugees. Cash gives the recipients the choice to buy food, or spend it on other household priorities such as healthcare or rent. WFP reinstated food support in October to 229,000 Syrian refugees living in the urban community. This group of refugees will receive the equivalent of £9.20 per person per month, those more vulnerable (211,000 refugees) will now receive the equivalent of £13.80 per person per month, and those in the camps will receive the equivalent of £18.40. WFP will be able to maintain this level of assistance until January 2016. Burma: Rohingya Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion they have had with the government of Burma to ensure that Rohingya are given full humanitarian access to camps, and the protection which enables them to return home or be given safe voluntary resettlement. Baroness Verma: British Government Ministers take every appropriate opportunity to raise the plight of the Rohingya community with their Burmese counterparts. Most recently, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), did so with the Burmese Foreign Minister in New York on 29 September. During his visit to Burma in July, Mr Swire travelled to Rakhine State to see the situation there at first hand, and raised the situation of the Rohingya at a senior level both in Rakhine and with Burmese central government ministers. The UK’s Deputy Head of Mission, accompanied by DFID officials, visited northern Rakhine State on 5-8 October and discussed freedom of movement for those in internally displaced person camps with Rakhine State Chief Minister, U Mya Aung.DFID is one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors in Rakhine, and has provided over £18 million since 2012. Department for Education Regional Schools Commissioners: Finance Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the costs set initially for the regional schools commissioners, and what are the budgeted running costs. Lord Nash: The first financial year set up and running costs of the Regional Schools Commissioners (RSC) and their offices were approximately £4.5 million. This includes the election of head teacher boards and their expenses. This was not new additional funding, but was met from within the Department for Education’s existing budget envelope.The budgeted running costs for 2015-16 are approximately £6 million. These costs have been provided from the department’s allocated funding, following a robust business planning exercise. Schools: Performance Standards Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many schools were placed in special measures in (1) 2013–14, and (2) 2014–15. Lord Nash: This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw. I have asked him to write to you and a copy of his reply will be placed in the libraries of the House of Commons. Ministry of Justice Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the mandatory criminal courts charge on the number of guilty pleas. Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of individuals who are innocent of crimes but have pleaded guilty in order to reduce their liability for the mandatory criminal courts charge since April 2015. Lord Faulks: Section 55 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 places a duty on the Lord Chancellor to carry out a review of the Criminal Courts Charge three years after implementation of the charge. No such assessment has been made to date. Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges Lord Falconer of Thoroton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the total value of criminal courts charges (1) issued by the courts, and (2) collected to date; and what estimate they have made of the total cost of enforcement to date. Lord Faulks: Information on the enforcement of financial impositions is contained within an annex to Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly statistical bulletin published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice.Data relating to the criminal courts charge for the period April to September 2015 will be published on 17 December 2015. This will separately identify the monetary values of the criminal courts charge imposed and collected since 13 April 2015.The cost of enforcing the criminal courts charge cannot be separated from the total cost of enforcing all types of court ordered financial impositions. Enforcement action is taken against the total amount an offender owes and offenders are often ordered to pay more than one type of financial imposition. Courts: Fines Lord Falconer of Thoroton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total value of fines (1) issued by the courts, and (2) collected, in 2014–15. Lord Faulks: The total value of fines issued and collected in 2014/15 was:Fines imposed 2014/15Value of Fines imposed in 2014/15 collected in same year of impositionTotal fines collected in 2014/15 (regardless of date of imposition)£250,740,040£84,688,512£161,930,070The ‘total fines collected’ figure includes the £84.7m collected in the same year of imposition. These figures relate to fines only and not any other financial imposition types. Department for Culture, Media and Sport Small Businesses: Internet Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect small companies in the light of reports that Google’s recent update to its search algorithm reduced visitor numbers to websites owned by small United Kingdom firms. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Through the Government-funded Digital Business Academy, small businesses are provided with a free online learning tool with modules on digital marketing and search optimisation. The Government welcomes the Go On UK scheme, which works in with partnership with large businesses to help small businesses to do more online. This includes guidance on building a website and search optimisation. We encourage all businesses to keep pace with any change in the market, including search optimisation. Ministry of Defence Army Reserve: Croydon Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 22 October (HL2256), why 150 Recovery Company, part of 103 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, relocated from the Army Reserve Centre at Redhill to the one at Croydon, in the light of the fact that the related infrastructure developments had not progressed past the initial assessment phase. Earl Howe: The relocation of 150 Company from Redhill to Croydon was part of the redesign of the Army Reserve as part of Future Reserves 2020 and Army 2020. In this case the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers were realigned to better integrate the Reserve component with their Regular Army partners. It also sought to maximise the potential for future recruitment, which in some cases necessitated the relocation of smaller units and sub-units.While it was recognised that the infrastructure of the Croydon Army Reserve Centre required some improvement, it was deemed no worse than that at Redhill Army Reserve Centre. Therefore, an early move was agreed to realise the wider benefit of an increased recruiting footprint, thus ensuring that 103 Battalion REME could grow in strength and maintain the critical mass necessary for effective training and therefore operational capability Department for Communities and Local Government Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many housing association tenants they estimate will be able to afford to buy their own home under right to buy in the first year of the scheme; and how many they expect will buy their home in each year to 2020. Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have undertaken or commissioned on the take-up of the extension of the right to buy to housing association tenants in all parliamentary constituencies and housing authority areas in England. Baroness Williams of Trafford: I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I gave her on 28 October, PQ HL2737 Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they had with council leaders about their proposals to fund the extension of right to buy to housing association tenants through the sale of council assets. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Ministers and senior officials have engaged widely with local authorities and other key stakeholders regarding the planned sale of high value vacant council housing, and this engagement is continuing. Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations Lord Adebowale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 12 October (HL Deb, cols 36–40) on the right to buy, whether (1) there will be a timeframe within which housing associations are expected to build extra homes, and (2) there will be a minimum guarantee of rented accommodation built to support individuals suffering from ongoing health issues. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The National Housing Federation voluntary agreement states that housing associations and the Government share a mutual objective to ensure that replacement homes are delivered as quickly as possible.Whilst aiming for replacement within two years, the default position is that housing associations will have flexibility to replace homes within a three year period. The Housing and Planning Bill will also seek to introduce clauses that will speed up the planning system so that new homes can be delivered quicker.Under the agreement, housing associations may exercise discretion not to sell properties provided through supported housing as defined by Part V of the Housing Act 1985. Housing Benefit Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect on the cost of housing benefit to the public purse of requiring local authorities to sell their housing stock. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Everyone needs to live within their means. People on benefits should have to make the same decisions and choices about where they can afford to live as people who are not on benefits, and should not expect to be housed in properties that most working households are unable to afford.The Housing and Planning Bill will require local authorities to make a payment to Government based on the estimated value of their high value housing that is expected to become vacant.This policy is about councils making best use of their housing stock – selling vacant high value housing to fund the building of new homes which reflect housing need and increase overall housing supply, and to increase home ownership, as set out in the Government’s manifesto.At the heart of this legislation is the building of more homes. A portion of receipts generated from sales of vacant high value local authority housing will be used to build homes that better meet housing need and increase overall housing supply. In addition to this, housing associations will retain the sales receipt from each home sold through Right to Buy to enable them to re-invest in the delivery of new homes. Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Leasehold Advisory Service about future demands on its services for free legal advice from leaseholders, landlords, professional advisers, managers and others as a result of expanding the right-to-buy scheme to Housing Association tenants. Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are working collaboratively with the sector in implementing the Right to Buy extension; Ministers and senior officials continue to engage with partners. Urban Areas: Awards Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 21 October (HL2528), why it was possible to vote daily in the Great British High Street of the Year competition for up to 30 days, and from multiple email addresses; who decided that voting should be allowed to take place in that way; and what assessment they have made of the impact of that decision on the outcome of the competition. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Great British High Street Competition was an initiative launched by the Future High Street Forum, a group bringing together retailers and sector experts to lead work to support high streets. The Great British High Street Competition, now in its second year, is overseen by a sub-group of the Forum.The results of the Great British High Street Competition will be decided on by the combination of two scoring mechanisms. The first element will be based on scoring from a visit from our independent panel of judges which includes expert senior representatives from Boots, Costa, Google and the Post Office.The second part of the scoring is based on the outcome of a public vote which allows people to vote every day but from a single email address. The decision was based on advice from analysts and social media experts, which included Facebook, LinkedIn and Yahoo, and was introduced in order to allow the finalists to build local campaigns which generate interest across the course of the campaign and not just on one day. It was also designed to allow towns with varying populations to compete. Ministers had no role in this decision.I would like to take this opportunity to wish the team in Colne and their competitors, every luck. We received 230 entries of an excellent standard so to reach the final is a huge achievement. The competition is shining a light on all the wonderful, hard work going on around the country and, once the competition is over, we look forward to continuing to work with all of the finalists to share and publicise their great work. Electric Vehicles Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to ensure that, when planning permissions are granted for new residential developments that do not provide on-site parking spaces, those developments provide adequate power supplies and public charging points to enable residents to use electric cars. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government supports the use of ultra-low emission or plug-in vehicles and would encourage local authorities, wherever possible, to make provision for them. The provision of power supplies and public charging points in connection with the granting of planning permission is a matter for local planning authorities to consider. HM Treasury Taxation: Treaties Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government with which developing countries they are currently negotiating taxation treaties, and what is the timetable for each negotiation. Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what terms they seek in taxation treaties with developing countries, and how they agree those terms before opening negotiations. Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation they undertake prior to, or during, negotiations with a developing country on a taxation treaty. Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent they take into account development goals when negotiating taxation treaties with developing countries, and what role the Department for International Development has in those negotiations. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have responsibility for negotiating the UK’s double taxation agreements, subject to oversight by HM Treasury. HMRC run an annual consultation exercise to establish the negotiating priorities for the coming year, which are then approved by ministers. As part of this exercise they consider representations made by UK businesses, NGOs and government departments, including the Department for International Development, as well as the UK’s diplomatic missions throughout the world. When the programme is published it also invites representations about our forward programme.HMRC’s programme for 2015/16 covers the following countries: Colombia, Fiji*, Ghana, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Jersey, Kazakhstan*, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho*, Malawi*, Portugal*, Russia, Thailand*, Turkmenistan*, UAE*, US, Uruguay*.The UK’s starting point in negotiations is based closely on the OECD Model Double Taxation Convention, which is also the basis for most other countries’ tax treaties. Some developing countries prefer to follow the UN Model, the provisions of which differ in some areas to the OECD Model, and the UK has agreed to adopt these provisions in its treaties. The object of the negotiations is to produce a text acceptable to both countries, balancing their preferences. There is no timetable for how long negotiations should take. It is quite normal for negotiations to take two to three rounds to complete.Consultation during the negotiations would be rare.*Negotiations largely completed. Councillors: Legal Costs Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the personal taxation requirements when a local authority pays the legal costs of an industrial tribunal or court case for an individual councillor. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The payment of a councillor’s legal costs by a local authority are subject to the same tax rules as the payment of such fees by any employer for an employee or office-holder. The tax treatment that applies will depend on the particular facts of the case. Schools: Uniforms Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what circumstances value added tax can be applied to school uniforms. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Children’s clothing, including a school uniform, is VAT zero-rated if it is designed for young children and is of a size that would fit the average child aged under 14 years. Larger sizes of clothing are standard rated irrespective of the age of the wearer. Department for Energy and Climate Change Renewable Energy Lord Steel of Aikwood: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was their annual expenditure on financial grants, in the last year for which figures are available, for the installation of (1) wind turbines, (2) solar panels, and (3) hydro power generators; and what is their estimate of the total output of installations of each type. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The majority of renewable electricity generation is supported by two government schemes; the Renewables Obligation (RO) and (for smaller schemes) the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT).Based on the number of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) awarded and the buy-out price for each ROC, the table below shows the amount of support provided by the RO for the years 2013/14 and 2014/15:Payments made under the Renewables Obligation£ (million)2013/142014/15Wind turbines1,791.91,866.5Solar photovoltaics37.4136.6Hydro power generators107.9110.5This information is available from the Ofgem website.The number of ROCs issued can be found in table 6.3 of the following link (copy attached):https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-section-6-renewablesPayments made under the FiT scheme are not available by technology, but the majority of deployment is solar photovoltaic. In 2013/14, the total payments for the scheme were £691 million [1]. This is available from the Feed-in-Tariff annual report:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2014/12/feed-in_tariff_fit_annual_report_2013_2014.pdfAnnual generation statistics, irrespective of support mechanism are published in The Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES). The table below summarises the generation figures for wind, hydro, and solar photovoltaic on a calendar year basis:Generation (GWh)20132014Wind turbines28,42132,016Solar photovoltaics1,9894,050Hydro power generators4,7025,885Copies of DUKES are available from the House Libraries.[1] The annual report for 2014/15 will be published in December 2015. Number of ROCs issued (Excel SpreadSheet, 1023.5 KB) FITs Annual Report 2013-14 (PDF Document, 1.54 MB) Cabinet Office Police and Crime Commissioners: Election Addresses Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to make available free postal delivery to every elector of every candidate's election communication in the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Lord Bridges of Headley: As set out in legislation, each candidate at an ordinary Police and Crime Commissioner election is entitled to have an election address published on a website dedicated to promoting the candidates for these polls, and an elector can request a printed version of the election addresses for the police area where they are entitled to vote to be sent to them. Department of Health Accident and Emergency Departments Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many patients waited at least 12 hours in Accident and Emergency in 2014–5, and in each year since 2005. Lord Prior of Brampton: The information is not collected in the format requested. Information on the number of patients waiting more than 12 hours from decision to admit to admission in accident and emergency (A&E) departments in 2011-12 to 2014-15 is shown in the table below. The first full year for which data is available is 2011-12 as data was not collected prior to August 2010.YearNumber of patients spending more than 12 hours from decision to admit to admission in A&E departments2011-121232012-131702013-142402014-151,239Source: Annual A&E Activity and Emergency Admissions statistics, NHS and independent sector organisations in England

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2015-11-04

Legislation: ECHR Compatibility Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 22 January (WA 169), whether the Explanatory Notes to government Bills, in so far as they relate to statements made under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and to significant convention issues arising from the provisions of the Bill, will be reviewed and amended at each stage of a Bill's passage, in order to take account of any significant amendments. Lord Irvine of Lairg: A Minister in charge of a Bill should be ready to explain his thinking about ECHR compatibility throughout a Bill's passage. It would not be practicable to require Explanatory Notes to be updated on ECHR or other points between introduction and completion of the Bill's passage through a House. The Explanatory Notes are of course updated when a Bill is brought from one House to the other and again before the resulting Act is published. Legislation: ECHR Compatibility Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 22 January (WA 169), whether the Explanatory Notes to government Bills, in so far as they relate to statements made under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and to significant convention issues arising from the provisions of the Bill, will be amended on the completion of the Bill's passage, in order to take account of any amendments to the Bill or any significant human rights issues raised in debate. Lord Irvine of Lairg: Yes. The Explanatory Notes to each government Bill are updated at the end of its passage and published with the Act. It is not of course for departments to give advice on interpretation of an Act. That is a matter for the courts. Public Guardianship Office Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government: What key performance measures and targets the Lord Chancellor has set for the Public Guardianship Office Executive Agency for 2002-03. Lord Irvine of Lairg: I have set the following key performance measures (KPMs) and targets for the Public Guardianship Office for 2002–03. KPM 1: To develop an effective system for identifying client needs. Target: To carry out an annual customer satisfaction survey of panel and lay receivers to provide quantitative feed back data on PGO services as perceived by receivers by 31 December 2002; To run four receiver and client focus groups in different parts of the country by 31 March 2003 to provide qualitative data to inform the needs assessment project of receiver needs; To have completed the design and development phases of the needs assessment project and to have commenced the implementation phase by 15 January 2003. KPM2: To increase the proportion of effective visits. Target: To maintain the current level of visits (6,000 per annum plus a visit to all new receivership clients); To achieve 75 per cent effective visits over the year. KPM3: To increase the percentage of accounts collected on time and reviewed on time as a basis for effective action to meet clients' needs. Target: To complete the review of 100 per cent of accounts received or have requested further information within five weeks (25 working days) of receipt (to apply to both receivership and protection clients); To collect 60 per cent of accounts within two calendar months of the accounting end date, 80 per cent within four calendar months of the accounting end date, and 100 per cent within six calendar months of the accounting end date, referring cases to the Court of Protection where necessary or taking other steps to ensure proper accounts are produced on behalf of clients (applies to protection clients only); To review and set appropriate targets for 2003–04 by 31 March 2003. KPM4: To improve investment performance. Target: To ensure that annually 85 per cent and on a three-year rolling basis 80 per cent of measured funds perform in line with a model performance based upon the Association of Private Client Investment Managers' and Stockbrokers' (APCIMS) capital indices; or an acceptable performance is achieved, taking into account clients' overall circumstances, including the income generated; To establish benchmark appropriate to new investment strategies by the date those strategies are implemented. KPM5: To secure an improved service in: responding to correspondence; payment out; getting information to receivers once appointed to enable them to support our clients; closing cases; registering enduring power of attorneys (EPAs). Target: Responding to Correspondence: Respond to 95 per cent of letters, faxes and e-mails within 15 working days of receipt. Payment Out: For 95 per cent of requests, pay out or dispatch direction to external receiver allowing access to funds to use for benefit of client within 15 working days of receipt. Information to Receivers: Dispatch court orders and directions to applicants, receivers or their representatives in 95 per cent of cases within 25 working days of their being made. Closing Cases: For 95 per cent of complete applications for final directions, transfer all of clients' assets to personal representatives within 25 working days. Registering EPAs: Registering and returning 95 per cent of correctly lodged EPAs where there are no objections within five working days of the end of the statutory waiting period. KPM6: To establish protocols for working with our receivers and our partners setting out the outcomes we intend to achieve jointly for clients. Target: To review the protocols established with key partner organisations in 2001–02 to ensure they are working properly by 31 October 2002; consider the usefulness of protocols with agencies identified in phase 2 of the partner protocol work stream by 31 October 2002; develop agreed written protocols setting out the outcomes we intend to achieve jointly for clients and memorandums of understanding setting out the ways we will work together to achieve those outcomes by 31 March 2003; draft agreed plans by 31 March 2003 for the development of each protocol over the next two to three years. KPM7: To demonstrate our capability through a range of measures: percentage of staff having required skills and competencies; percentage receiving training; an effective research programme which underpins planning to meet clients' needs; stage reached in developing an automated case management system—the MERIS project. Target: Staff Skills and Competencies:At least 90 per cent of permanent staff to have a current personal development plan which identifies their learning and development needs and makes specific plans to develop their skills and competencies to defined standards. Staff Training:At least 75 per cent of permanent staff to receive at least three days' training in line with their personal development plan. Research:To commission two research studies, one by 30 September 2002 and one by 31 March 2003 and to progress these to timetable in line with PGO's published programme of research. Stage reached in developing an automated case management system—the MERIS project: By 31 March 2003: system design to be reviewed and approved (against agreed contract); confirm specification for first phase implementation; first phase of implementation to be accepted, following user acceptance testing; Gateway 4 Review to be undertaken and provide approval to proceed; data to be migrated in accordance with phased implementation plan, client service staff trained in accordance with first phase plan and first phase to be fully implemented. KPM8: To demonstrate improvements in efficiency by achieving a unit cost per case target set by the Lord Chancellor. Target: To achieve a unit cost per case of not more than £480. Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service Lord Dormand of Easington: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to publish HM Magistrates' Courts Inspectorate's report of its programme of visits to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service during 2001. Lord Irvine of Lairg: HM Magistrates' Courts Inspectorate (MCSI) has published its report Setting Up: Report of Programme of Visits to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service today. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Further copies may be obtained from the inspectorate. Data Protection The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they intend to ensure that data intercepted under the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 can be accessed by data subjects under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998. Lord Rooker: Data intercepted under the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. An individual's entitlement to access will be considered by the Data Controller in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act, including whether the application of exemptions to be found in Section 28 and Section 29 of the Data Protection Act are likely to apply. Firearms Consultative Committee Report The Earl of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to publish the 11th Annual Report of the Firearms Consultative Committee. Lord Rooker: We have today placed a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee in the Library. Lynne Policing White Paper Firearms Consultative Committee Report Lord Williams of Elvel: asked Her Majesty's Government: What responses they have received to the White Paper Policing a New Century. Lord Rooker: We have today placed in the Library a copy of a report which summarises the responses to the White Paper. Copies of the responses from organisations had already been placed in the Library in time for the Committee stage of the Police Reform Bill. Pension Funds: Changes to Corporation Tax Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much income pension funds in the United Kingdom have lost through the abolition of dividend tax credits on their holdings of ordinary and preference shares in each of the financial years 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01; and What has been the outturn of the estimated year-by-year revenue effects of the July 1997 Budget tax measures to abolish payable tax credits for pension schemes and United Kingdom companies from Budget day and changes for everyone else from 6 April 1999, as set out in Table 2:2 on page 40 of HC 85 (1997–98). Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government's package of corporation tax reforms included measures to boost corporate investment by removing tax distortions. The withdrawal of payable tax credits on dividends was just one part of these measures. Pension funds and others will share in the long-term benefits from these changes to corporation tax. The overall effects of these changes on pension funds will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of scheme paying the pension; the take-up of private pensions; the level of future pension contributions; pension schemes' asset allocation and investment policies; and investment returns generally. Defined Benefit Pension Schemes Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: Under what circumstances they consider it acceptable for companies to stop their employees contributing to defined benefit pension schemes of which they are members. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Employers provide occupational pensions, including defined benefit pension schemes, on a voluntary basis and are therefore free to decide whether to continue to provide such pensions to their employees in the future. There is legislation in place to ensure that the pension rights that individuals have already built up in schemes are protected. We have commissioned reviews of the regulatory system and the retail savings market which are due to report this summer. lynne Angola: UK Business Representatives The Earl of Listowel: asked Her Majesty's Government: What support they are providing to those United Kingdom businessmen operating in Angola which provide services not associated with the oil industry. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: UK business representatives operating in Angola are entitled, as are all UK companies, to take advantage of the range of services offered by Trade Partners UK, in this case via the commercial team at the British Embassy, Luanda. Details of the services can be found at Trade Partners UK's website: www.tradepartners.gov.uk. Trade Partners UK has recently agreed to increase the size of the commercial team at our Embassy in Luanda, doubling the current commercial staff complement to four. The additional staff will focus on sectors other than the oil and gas industry. This is a significant resource investment in Angola by Trade Partners UK and represents the commitment to UK business involved in non-oil and gas related sectors. The new team will be available to assist UK companies wishing to do business with Angola and also help Angolan companies looking for sources of goods and services from the UK. GATS: Exhaustion of Natural Resources Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ask that the exhaustion of natural resources is placed on the list of exceptions that can apply in placing a limitation on trade under the General Agreement in Trade and Services (GATS). Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government have no such intention. The exhaustion of natural resources is one of the exceptions in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, as natural resources are by definition goods. During the Uruguay Round, negotiators concluded that a similar exception would not be relevant in the GATS. Gas Supplies Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government: Following the publication of the energy review of the Performance Surveillance Unit, whether they will detail their proposed contingency plans and gas supply obligations in the event of a gas supply emergency when the United Kingdom becomes a significant gas importer, in order to cover the obligations which should be placed on market players so that they can maintain minimum level of supply and capacity in the event of a security incident; and where the costs associated with such obligations should be borne. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We are looking at all these issues. We have set up the Gas Industry Emergency Committee. Its aim is to ensure that in the event of a gas supply emergency in the UK, plans are in place for a rapid and safe restoration of supplies to consumers. The plans, which will be reviewed and tested regularly, are developed to address emergencies whether they are caused by supply shortages or through infrastructual faults on the UK network. We will publish these plans in April. Future patterns of gas demand and supply, including import forecasts, are being examined by DTI and Ofgem through a joint working group on security of energy supply. This was set up in July last year. The group will make its first report to Ministers and the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority shortly. Its remit is to monitor security of supply issues and assess any risks to supplies in the future. The PIU Energy Review and the recent report of the Trade and Industry Committee on security of energy supply raise specific points about whether obligations should be placed on players in the gas market. The Government will address these questions in responding to these reports. Green Claims Panel Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: lynne Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 4 December 2001 (WA 131), whether they have decided to establish a green claims panel, particularly in light of the conclusion of the Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment at its meeting on 12 September 2001. Lord Whitty: The Government expect to consult further on proposals for a green claims panel with business and consumer stakeholders, as indicated in the reply on 4 December 2001. In doing so, they will take into account the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment, which is due to publish its second report shortly. Food Poisoning The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many cases of food poisoning, using the definition: "any disease of an infectious or toxic nature caused by or thought to be caused by consumption of food or water", have been confirmed by laboratory tests for each of the last 10 years, excluding cases of campylobacter. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This information is not available in the form requested. There is no link between the notifications of food poisoning by medical practitioners to local public health officials and laboratory reports based on samples tested for gastrointestinal infections by public health laboratories and National Health Service laboratories. Both food poisoning notifications and laboratory confirmed infections underestimate the number of cases of illness that can be attributed to food. There is no definitive figure for the number of cases of food poisoning. However, in setting a target to reduce food poisoning by 20 per cent by 2006, the Food Standards Agency has taken as the baseline for its target the collated laboratory reports in 2000 for five key food poisoning organisms (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli 0157 and Clostridium perfringens). The following table sets out the number of laboratory confirmed cases of these organisms from 1992 until 2001, both including and excluding Campylobacter. United Kingdom laboratory confirmed cases (1) of Salmonella, E coli O157, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter from 1992 until 2001. Totals are shown both including and excluding Campylobacter. Organism 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Salmonella (excl. S. typhi and S. paratyphi) 34,569 33,745 33,654 33,108 32,825 36,375 26,341 20,082 16,989 18,402* E Coli O157 586 506 656 1,046 1,180 1,535 1,130 1,429 1,147 1,049* Clostridium perfringens Data not available Data not avaialble Data not available Data not available Data not available Data not available Data not available Data not available 181 160* Listeria monocytogenes 127 114 129 105 131 134 127 114 113 153 Totals 35,282 34,365 34,439 34,259 34,136 38,044 27,598 21,625 18,430 19,764* Campylobacter 43,886 43,776 49,000 48,642 49,670 57,100 63,837 62,550 63,370 62,747* Totals including Campylobacter 79,168 78,141 83,439 82,901 83,806 95,144 91,435 84,175 81,800 84,511* (1)Also includes cases thought to have been acquired abroad. These are excluded from the baseline for the Food Standards Agency target. Sources: England and Wales—Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). Scotland—the Information and Statistics Division (ISD) and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) divisions of the Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland. Northern Ireland—Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Northern Ireland (DHSSPS). Data for 2000 updated February 2002. *Provisional data for 2001. Northamptonshire CHCs Lord Freeman: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the two community health councils for Northamptonshire now have to be line managed and employed by the West Sussex and Surrey Health Authority Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In order to maintain a level of continuity for community health councils (CHCs) affected by the changes in National Health Service region boundaries, it was agreed nationally that they would remain, for pay and other personnel matters, within their current groups. In the case of the Northamptonshire CHCs, from 1 April this will be the South Region. Personnel and paymaster services would continue to be provided by the health authority incorporating the current service level agreement provider. On 1 April that responsibility moves to the new Surrey and Sussex Health Authority for all CHCs included in the South Region. In recognition of the fact that, from April, Northamptonshire CHCs will cover activities within the Midlands Region, both CHCs will be establishing links within the new Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Health Authority area in respect of their role in monitoring the NHS. Sickle Cell Disease The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many people in Lambeth, other London boroughs and elsewhere in the United Kingdom suffer from sickle cell disease; what budget has been set aside for them; and how many health and social workers are trained to cope with the resulting demand. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Information on the number of people in the United Kingdom who suffer from sickle cell disease is not held centrally. It is for local health authorities to assess the need for services for patients suffering from sickle cell disease. Information is available for health authorities in England of the number of hospital consultant episodes for sickle cell disease for 2000–01: Hospital Episode Statistics: Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs*) where the primary diagnosis is ICD10 code D57 Sickle Cell Disorders by health authority of residence NHS hospitals in England, 2000–01 Number Hillingdon HA 24 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 223 Enfield and Haringey HA 828 Redbridge and Waltham Forest HA 353 Bedfordshire HA 58 Berkshire HA 30 Buckinghamshire HA 47 Bexley and Greenwich HA 97 Bromley HA 38 Croydon HA 209 East Kent HA 5 West Kent HA 22 Kingston and Richmond HA 11 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 2,377 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA 442 East Surrey HA 15 West Surrey HA 4 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove HA 11 West Sussex HA 7 Barking and Havering HA 90 Barnet HA 151 Brent and Harrow HA 197 Camden and Islington HA 636 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 369 East London and The City HA 1,172 North Essex HA 44 South Essex HA 32 South Lancashire HA 2 Liverpool HA 1 Manchester HA 163 Morecambe Bay HA 2 St Helens and Knowsley HA 1 Salford and Trafford HA 64 Stockport HA 4 Northamptonshire HA 83 Oxfordshire HA 32 Suffolk HA 41 North Derbyshire HA 1 Southern Derbyshire HA 15 Doncaster HA 1 Leicestershire HA 81 Lincolnshire HA 8 North Nottinghamshire HA 5 Nottingham HA 41 Rotherham HA 1 Sheffield HA 38 Bury and Rochdale HA 14 North Cheshire HA 1 East Lancashire HA 83 North West Lancashire HA 1 North and Mid Hampshire HA 7 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 7 Southampton and South West Hampshire 8 South and West Devon HA 16 Wiltshire HA 6 Avon HA 1,325 Birmingham HA 408 Wigan and Bolton HA 12 Wirral HA 2 Bradford HA 25 County Durham HA 2 East Riding HA 5 Gateshead and South Tyneside HA 2 Leeds HA 6 Newcastle and North Tyneside HA 4 South Humber HA 2 Sunderland HA 5 Tees HA 6 Wakefield HA 3 Calderdale and Kirklees HA 41 Gloucestershire HA 38 Coventry HA 40 Dudley HA 10 Sandwell HA 42 Shropshire HA 6 North Staffordshire HA 3 South Staffordshire HA 8 Walsall HA 26 Warwickshire HA 3 Wolverhampton HA 76 Worcestershire HA 2 East and North Hertfordshire HA 29 West Hertfordshire HA 38 Cambridge HA 42 Norfolk HA 1 Total 10,431 *A finished consultant episode is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health authority. The figures do not represent the number of patients as one person may have several episodes within the year. The primary diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) Department of Health. Future Healthcare Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the recent publication of the Wanless Interim Report, its recommendations for future healthcare and the medicine reclassification initiatives will impact upon plans for the future training of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: HM Treasury commissioned a report by Derek Wanless, Securing our Future Health: Taking a Long-Term View, to review the technological, demographic and medical trends over the next two decades that will affect the National Health Service. An interim report has been issued for consultation. A final report is expected later this year. The Government are committed to making more medicines more widely available where it is safe to do so and the training and information needs of healthcare professionals and patients is an integral part in this process. NHS Cord Blood Banks Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many national cord blood banks there are in the United Kingdom. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are four National Health Service cord blood banks in the United Kingdom. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the average number of human embryos destroyed as a result of the use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to select a genetic match for ultimate use as an organ, bone marrow, cells or tissue donor upon the subsequent live birth of the designed baby. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: In the course of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment it is likely that more embryos will be created than the maximum of two which are allowed to be transferred to a woman at any one time. With the specific consent of the people who provided the gametes, embryos that are not initally transferred may be stored for future use by the patient, donated to another couple, donated for research or allowed to perish. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos may be used in conjuction with IVF. The use of the PGD technique in itself should not involve the destruction of any embryos. However, it is possible that as a result of PGD fewer embryos will be found to be suitable for transfer. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has decided in principle to allow PGD for serious genetic disease to be used in conjunction with tissue typing, considering each case on an individual basis. To date only one licence has been granted. Breast Cancer Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 16 January (WA 159), what are the assumptions made in Patrick Carroll's study entitled Abortion And Other Pregnancy-Related Risk Factors In Female Breast Cancer. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The key assumption is that pregnancy-related factors are the main causes of the increasing incidence of breast cancer and these are the only variables considered in the analysis. While reproductive history is important, it is not the only influence; for example, genetic predisposition, the development of the breast screening programme and obesity will also affect incidence. The main analysis in the report compared cumulative abortion rates and incidence of breast cancer and found a close correlation. However, correlation does not prove causation and the hypothesis linking abortion and breast cancer is still only a theory. Other factors that have increased over the same time period such as divorce rate could also show a correlation that would turn out to be spurious. Bill Hypoglycaemic Reaction in Pupils Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: What studies have been made of the impact of hypoglycaemia on the peformance and behaviour of school children and university students. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A considerable amount of research has been carried out into the control of diabetes in children and young people, including the avoidance of hypoglycaemia. This has informed the Diabetes National Service Framework standards for children and young people. We published the standards in December 2001. The guidance on Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs, issued jointly by the then Department of Education and Employment and the Department of Health, includes advice on the recognition of hypoglycaemic reaction in pupils and the appropriate steps for teachers and school staff to take. Mixed Sex Wards Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to reply to the letter concerning mixed sex wards sent by Lord Stoddart of Swindon to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health on 12 December 2001. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A reply was sent on 11 March. OECD Documents Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked the Chairman of Committees: What reason has been given by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's sole agent for the distribution of OECD documents in the United Kingdom, Turpin's Book Distributors, for its requirement that it should be paid, in effect "cash with order", before it will dispatch an OECD document, even when the order comes from The Stationery Office which is a supplier to the House of Lords; and whether he regards the consequential two-week delay in meeting a request as acceptable. Lord Tordoff: I have been informed by the Director of the Public Affairs and Communications Directorate of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that Turpin Distribution Services Ltd, which handles the stock management and physical distribution of OECD publications, merely applies credit limits set by the OECD itself. It appears that The Stationery Office, which is one of two commercial distributors of OECD publications in the United Kingdom, reached this credit limit, and that Turpin therefore had to set TSO's account temporarily to "cash with order". I understand that the noble Lord requested an OECD publication from the Printed Paper Office on 24 January. As a result of these difficulties between the OECD, Turpin and TSO, it was not received by the PPO until 7 February. This is an unacceptable delay and I have asked the PPO to ensure that it is not repeated. New arrangements are being put in place, by means of which the PPO should from now on normally be able to obtain OECD papers within three working days.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2002-03-19a

Academies Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria will be used to assess proposals by academy chains planning to outsource all non-teaching posts to profit-making providers. Lord Nash: The criteria that all academy trusts must adhere to in conducting their financial affairs are set out in the Academies Financial Handbook, which can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-financial-handbook Paragraph 1.5.21 of the handbook explains that the accounting officer of a trust must ensure that the trust’s financial conduct is regular, proper and represents good value for money. In addition, paragraph 3.3.1 of the handbook explains that all novel and/or contentious transactions must be referred to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) for prior authorisation. In the case of a novel and/or contentious transaction, the EFA would always seek strong assurance from the trust that its proposal represented excellent value for money and that there was no risk of irregularity or impropriety. If there were any doubt about a trust’s ability to provide this assurance, authorisation would not be granted. Class Sizes Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average size of primary school classes in (1) the United Kingdom, (2) the South West of England, and (3) Bristol, in every month since May 2010. Lord Nash: The average size of state-funded primary school classes in England in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was 26.6, 26.8, 26.8 and 26.9 respectively. These figures are published in table 6c of the Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2014 statistical first release.[1] The Department for Education only holds this information for schools in England. The average size of primary school classes in the South West in 2014 was 26.5. The figure for Bristol was 26.8. These figures were derived from underlying data in the statistical release referred to above. Monthly figures are not available as the Department collects this data annually each January. Overall, primary school figures for Bristol or the South West are only available for 2014, as it would incur disproportionate cost to derive these figures for previous years. However, the 2011 figure is available in table 14a of the 2011 statistical first release. [2] www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/335177/SFR15_2014_national_tables_v101.xlsx www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/219066/sfr12-2011latv2.xls Coastal Areas: Regeneration Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they assess the success of their 2010 “Strategy for seaside success”; and whether they have further proposals in this field. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Strategy was issued by the last Government and called on third parties to do something about the challenges facing coastal towns. In contrast to this top-down strategy which relied on distant and unaccountable regional government to facilitate ideas, we have focused on empowering local communities. This Government recognises the economic and social challenges faced by coastal and seaside communities and is committed to making them better places to live, work and visit. That is why we set up the Coastal Communities Fund. This has provided £62 million in grants to 114 projects across UK, levering in £96 million of other funding and delivering over 8,600 jobs, 3,300 training places and over 400 new business start-ups. We have given communities the means to take control and act in the best interests of their local area through a wide toolkit of powers, options and incentives to help drive growth and jobs. As part of the Growth Deals announced in July we have committed over £500 million to projects put forward by Local Enterprise Partnerships to improve economic competitiveness in coastal areas and, also in July, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Penny Mordaunt) was appointed Minister for Coastal Communities, to help them realise their potential and build a sustainable future for themselves. Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the advice they have received in response to the requirement set by Article 15 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions which states that each party shall ensure that its domestic laws enable it criminally to sanction manipulation of sports competitions when it involves either coercive, corrupt or fraudulent practices, as defined by its domestic law; and whether they intend to introduce legislation to that effect. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions was adopted on 9 July 2014. The Government will be considering whether the UK should sign up to the Convention in due course. As part of this process the Government will be considering the extent to which the Articles in the Convention, including Article 15, will require the introduction of any legislation. Council Tax Baroness King of Bow: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what factors caused the reduced collection rate of Council Tax in England in 2013–14. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the average Council Tax arrears per dwelling in England in each year since 2010. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years. Average collection rate in England % 2004-05 96.6 2005-06 96.8 2006-07 96.9 2007-08 97.1 2008-09 97.0 2009-10 97.1 2010-11 97.3 2011-12 97.3 2012-13 97.4 2013-14 97.0 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. 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. 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. 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. Council Tax Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment has been made of the impact of the levying of council tax on low income households, both on local authorities in collecting such charges and on households unable to pay. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates have been made of the amount of money local authorities would need to find to retain discounts for those low income households which have failed to date to pay the council tax demanded of them. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration has been given to supporting low income households facing debt, repossession or bankruptcy over unpaid council tax following reductions in council tax benefit. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The provision of support for low-income council taxpayers, as well as decisions on collection and enforcement, are matters for local authorities. It is for them to ensure that the effect of local schemes on specific groups of council taxpayers is proportionate and fair. We issued guidance to councils last year to provide more protection for people against aggressive bailiffs and other unreasonable practices. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax. Electoral Commission Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 8 July (HL745) and 28 July (HL1102), and in the light of representations made about the names and descriptions of political parties appearing on ballot papers and allegations of electoral malpractice, whether they will review the powers and governance of the Electoral Commission. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Electoral Commission has a statutory role in registering party descriptions, and already has the power to not register certain types of descriptions, including those which are either offensive or misleading to the voter. These duties are set out in legislation and it is important that the Electoral Commission fulfils these efficiently and effectively. Following an incident earlier in the year when the Electoral Commission mistakenly registered an extremely offensive party description, an independent review made some recommendations about future practice which the Electoral Commission accepted. The Government has no plans to review the powers and governance of the Electoral Commission. The 11th report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Review of the Electoral Commission, recommended that the role of the Electoral Commission should be streamlined and re-focused into two core roles as a regulator of (a) political party funding and (b) of electoral administration. This recommendation was accepted by Government and the Electoral Commission. EU Countries Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British nationals they estimate to live in each member state of the European Union. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The most recent figures we have are taken from a 2010 report prepared by the Institute of Public Policy Research which was commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Consular Directorate. These figures are estimates of the number of UK citizens living abroad (including for part of a year). EU Member State UK Citizens living in Member State (estimate - including for part of the year) Austria 7,000 Belgium 31,000 Bulgaria 18,000 Croatia Not a Member State at the time the report was commissioned Cyprus 65,000 Czech Republic 7,000 Denmark 12,000 Estonia 700 Finland 4,000 France 330,000 Germany 107,000 Greece 45,000 Hungary 5,000 Ireland 329,000 Italy 37,000 Latvia 400 Lithuania 300 Luxembourg 8,000 Malta 11,000 Netherlands 48,000 Poland 6,000 Portugal 39,000 Romania 7,000 Slovakia 1,000 Slovenia 4,000 Spain 1,050,000 Sweden 29,000 TOTAL 2,197,800 Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb MP, on 26 June (HC Deb, 278W), what progress has been made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s evaluation committee in the evaluation of eculizumab to treat atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Earl Howe: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published draft highly specialised technologies guidance on eculizumab for the treatment of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome on 4 September. Stakeholders had until 25 September to comment on NICE’s draft recommendations and I understand that it currently expects to issue final guidance to the NHS in January 2015. Islamic State The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have on the external funding of ISIL; and what discussions have been held with the governments of (1) Saudi Arabia, and (2) Qatar, on the external funding of ISIL. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)’s main sources of revenue come from oil sales and extortion. Other sources have included foreign donors, kidnap ransom payments, and money stolen during its advances in recent months. As part of our strategy to combat ISIL the UK led work on UN Security Council Resolution 2170 which was adopted unanimously on 15 August. It condemns ISIL, the al-Nusra front and other terrorist groups listed under Al-Qaida sanctions. The resolution urges members to take measures to choke ISIL’s sources of finance. We are working with countries in the Middle East to counter the threat from terrorists and extremists across the region. Combating ISIL and degrading its financial support is a priority and we continue to discuss these issues with our partners, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We are working closely with all our international partners to intensify efforts to stem ISIL’s funding flows. Islamic State The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they first became aware of the development and growth of ISIL in Syria before its incursion into Iraq. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) grew out of Al Qaida in Iraq [AQ-I] which has been operating there since 2003. Press reporting from 2012 stated that AQ-I fighters were travelling over the border into Syria as the country emerged as the primary “jihadi theatre.” But ISIL’s presence in Syria was publicly announced by a declaration from Al Qaida in Iraq (AQ-I) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of its merger with Al Nusrah Front (ANF) in April 2013. The merger was subsequently rejected by the ANF. Japanese Knotweed: Swansea Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about Japanese knotweed and other invasive weeds in old industrial areas near Swansea; whether they have received representations about spraying by contractors for the local authority; and if so, whether they will provide guidance on how to control Japanese knotweed. Lord De Mauley: The environment is a devolved matter in Wales. Mesothelioma: Compensation Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims for compensation have so far been generated under the terms of the Mesothelioma Act 2014; how that number compares with predicted numbers of claims; what, if any, underspend against budget has resulted; and whether they intend to allocate any underspend for research into finding cures for mesothelioma. Lord Freud: The Scheme began taking applications in April 2014, and began making payments on 1 July 2014. As of 30 September 2014 the Scheme had received 173 applications. During the first year of operation we had forecasted around 900 applications to the Scheme. The DMPS is funded by a levy on the insurance industry. The levy is intended to cover the cost of the Scheme in any one year, and we are not expecting to generate any under spend. Any under spend would be returned to HM Treasury. Military Aircraft Lord Moonie: 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. Lord Astor of Hever: 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. 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 C-17 Planned 7,800 8,300 8,800 9,580 10,140 Actual 8,320 8,790 8,370 8,230 8,660 C-130 Planned 28,720 28,060 26,080 24,440 22,150 Actual 20,650 17,970 16,920 16,110 13,850 Tristar Planned 11,560 9,830 6,000 6,000 6,000 Actual 6,550 5,470 5,820 5,510 4,270 VC-10 Planned 6,480 6,480 4,480 4,480 670 Actual 7,370 6,110 5,360 2,430 550 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 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). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will review its programme for evaluating highly specialised technologies. Earl Howe: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently following an interim methods guide for its highly specialised technologies programme. We understand that NICE expects to commence a review of its methods guide later this year. As part of this review, NICE plans to undertake a public consultation in 2015. Offences against Children Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the rising numbers of child abuse allegations. Lord Nash: The Government is clear that protection from abuse and neglect is a fundamental right for all children. The Department for Education is committed to reforming the current child protection system to make sure that children at risk of abuse or neglect are identified early, have an assessment which is based on their individual needs and are able to access services which promote their welfare and protect them from harm. The Department is improving social worker training and developing further the skills of existing social workers so they can make the right decisions for children. Since 2010, we have invested more than £400million in bursaries and training programmes to attract the very best candidates into the profession. We have also worked closely with Ofsted to introduce a new, tougher inspection framework for children’s services. From April 2015 this framework will be extended to identify weak interagency working between local authorities, the police and other local agencies. Where child protection services are judged to be not good enough by Ofsted, we are stepping in to make sure that they improve immediately, including by establishing new delivery models to help turn these services around where necessary. Palestinians Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the International Court of Justice has ruled on the claim by Turkey that Israel’s partial blockade of Gaza constitutes illegal collective punishment; and if so, in what terms. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The International Court of Justice has not ruled on the legality of Israel’s restrictions around Gaza. The British Government continues to stress to the Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions are doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians in Gaza, and that supporting legal trade for Gazans is firmly in Israel’s long-term interests. We have also encouraged the Egyptian authorities to ease the movement of bona fide travellers through Rafah, and to consider expanding Rafah to goods transit in the medium term, which will help to ease humanitarian pressures. Easing Israeli and Egyptian restrictions would also go some way to alleviate the shortage of medicines and medical supplies, which are much needed. Palestinians Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the prison sentence given to Riyadh Mahmoud al-Raddad, a member of the Palestinian parliament. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv are aware of this case. While we have not raised this specific case with the Israel authorities, we regularly raise our concerns over the treatment of Palestinian detainees in general with the Israeli authorities, including at Foreign Minister, Attorney General and National Security Adviser levels. Regional Schools Commissioners Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the formal relationship between Regional School Commissioners and Ofsted; and how information will be shared between the two. Lord Nash: Ofsted forms a key part of the overall accountability system for schools and is responsible for judging the quality of education in all maintained schools and academies. The eight Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) are responsible for taking decisions regarding academies (including free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools) on behalf of the Secretary of State in their regions. This includes: encouraging and approving new academy sponsors to operate in their regions; taking decisions on the creation of new academies; a phased role on free school applications; decisions about changes to open academies; and, monitoring performance and intervening to secure improvement in underperforming academies, free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools. The Department for Education has regular contact with Ofsted. At a regional level, each RSC will have an operational working relationship with the Ofsted Regional Director to ensure that information is shared and the necessary action is taken in academies where there are concerns. Sahel The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the threat posed by Islamists across the Sahel. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and surrounding regions continue to pose a threat to British nationals and interests in the region. Active groups include Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Murabitun. They aspire to establish Islamic law in the region and to attack Western interests. A group linked to Al Murabitun claimed responsibility for an attack on the UN peacekeeping Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on 3 October in which nine peacekeepers were killed. On 7 October another peacekeeper was killed in a rocket attack on a MINUSMA base. We are committed to working with our partners to strengthen the capacity of MINUSMA and the affected nations to counter this threat. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice gives our most accurate assessment of the threat from terrorism to British nationals in the countries across the Sahel. Travel Advice on the Sahel is included in the page for each country in the region and is available on our website at: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We encourage all individuals and organisations to take that advice into account when travelling. School Leaving Lord Quirk: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the notice and information given to schools, academies, and sixth-form and further education colleges on the need to introduce new programmes of study to enable students to benefit from the extra time available from raising the school leaving age in September 2013. Lord Nash: We believe schools and colleges were given enough notice and information. The Department for Education introduced 16-19 Study Programme requirements in August 2013 following public consultation in 2011 and a series of publications and dissemination activities in 2012. “Study Programmes for 16-19 year olds – Government response to consultation and plans for implementation” was published in June 2012. This set out the curriculum changes required. The publication in December 2012 of “16-19 Funding Formula 2013/14 – Funding full participation and study programmes for young people” included further details of the funding conditions associated with these changes. In autumn 2012, the Department sponsored nine Regional Conferences about 16-19 study programmes. Schools and colleges were further notified of curriculum and funding changes in the termly emails sent by the Department to all head teachers and chairs of governors. The EFA also include details in their fortnightly post-16 bulletins. Information provided to schools and colleges including articles, case studies, technical guidance and lists of approved vocational qualifications are available on GOV.UK and provider websites. The most recent update is published online at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/343147/16_to_19_study_programmes_departmental_advice.pdf School Leaving Lord Quirk: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Ofsted survey Transforming 16 to 19 Education and Training (September 2014), in particular its statement on the absence of “evidence of the transformational ‘step change’ intended with the introduction of the 16 to 19 programmes” and its observation that “many of the school and academy leaders....were unaware of the full extent of the requirements of the study programmes”. Lord Nash: The Ofsted Report “Transforming 16-19 education and training” evaluates progress in the implementation of 16-19 study programmes immediately following their introduction in September 2013. Inevitably, it will take time for such far-reaching changes to take effect. The Department for Education introduced changes to the 16-19 curriculum to ensure that all students had clear education and employment goals and that the subjects they studied, and other activity, contributed towards these. Students who had not already achieved a GCSE in maths and English were also required to continue to study these subjects. Ofsted’s report reveals that most schools and colleges had made changes, particularly in relation to English and maths. Schools and colleges were notified of the 16-19 Study Programme requirements in the termly Departmental emails sent to all head teachers and chairs of governors. Further communications will emphasise how these changes will affect Ofsted inspection grades. Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government for how long the information technology system used by the Department for Work and Pensions to calculate welfare benefits will be able to process claims from residents in Northern Ireland if different criteria continue to be used in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what costs they estimate will be incurred by the Northern Ireland Executive were the Department for Work and Pensions information technology system to be unable to process claims from Northern Ireland residents. Lord Freud: Northern Ireland is responsible for its own social security, pensions and child support systems. The Northern Ireland and Great Britain systems have traditionally operated in tandem in what is effectively a United Kingdom wide system. Should Northern Ireland decide not to mirror the welfare reform measures in Great Britain, it would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine and fund the IT systems needed as a result of their decision. Sports: Betting Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have undertaken the review recommended in the Parry Report of the Sports Betting Integrity Panel concerning the definition of cheating in the Gambling Act 2005; and whether they consider that the current legislative framework is capable fully to combat the threat to sport from betting-related corruption. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government reviewed Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 in the context of negotiations on the Council of Europe’s draft convention to combat the manipulation of sports competitions. The Government concluded that Section 42 as currently drafted, together with other fraud and corruption offences already on the statute book, gives prosecutors the tools required to deal with the circumstances that might constitute match fixing. Teachers: Pay Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to give headteachers and schools greater autonomy over teachers' pay and to allow them to reward, recruit, and retain the best teachers. Lord Nash: This Government has recently reformed the statutory framework for teachers’ pay to give maintained schools greater autonomy. New statutory arrangements came into effect in September 2013 that give schools more freedom to decide how much they pay a teacher and how quickly pay progresses. This increased flexibility, which academies already enjoyed, supports headteachers in attracting and recruiting the teachers that they need to deliver outstanding education. Teachers: Training Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to boost teacher training applications, particularly in subjects with known shortages, in the light of a shortfall in applications in the last three years. Lord Nash: The Government is committed to supporting recruitment to initial teacher training (ITT) and we are continuing our focus to recruit the best graduates, particularly in subjects where they are most needed. UCAS data from 15 September shows that 138,610 applications had been made for just 34,890 ITT places in 2014/15, indicating that teaching is a popular choice. However, some subjects fell below published targets in 2013/14 following strong recruitment between 2010/11 and 2012/13, and others such as physics represent a consistent challenge. The Department for Education will not know the final figures for ITT 2014/15 until the ITT census is published in November 2014. We recognise that, as the economy recovers, the labour market is becoming increasingly competitive, which is why we announced increases to ITT bursaries and scholarships for 2015/16. The Department has again increased tax-free bursaries for mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing and languages trainee teachers, which are now worth up to £25,000 for 2015/16. In addition, the Department continues to work jointly with the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics and BCS, and the Chartered Institute for IT, to offer scholarship awards of £25,000 in order to attract the most talented graduates into ITT. We have extended our School Direct (salaried) training programme to encourage more experienced graduates to enter teacher training. School Direct (salaried) is an employment-based route for high-quality, experienced graduates who earn a salary whilst training. For those training in 2015/16 in maths, physics and computing, we have made additional funding available to schools so they can offer salaries of £21,000 nationally and £25,000 in London. We are also continuing to fund subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses for those who need to build up or refresh their subject knowledge in order to teach. To support ITT in 2015/16, SKE is available in maths, physics, chemistry, computing, languages and design and technology. In September 2014, the Department launched a new marketing campaign ‘Your Future | Their Future’ which promotes teaching and persuades top graduates and career changers to enter teacher training. Specific support is also provided for individuals interested in teaching shortage subjects through targeted marketing, personal advisors and help securing school experience.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2014-10-22a

Golden Jubilee: Grant of Lord Mayoralty Baroness Hayman: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 25 October 2001 (WA 137), when they intend to publish a list of the applicants for the grant of a Lord Mayoralty or Lord Provostship to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Lord Irvine of Lairg: Further to the Answer that I gave on 25 October 2001 (Official Report, col. WA 137), applications for the grant of a Lord Mayoralty have been received from the following cities: Bath Cambridge Carlisle Chichester Derby Exeter Gloucester Lancaster Lincoln St Albans St David's Salford Southampton Sunderland Truro Wolverhampton Worcester. All the applications for the grant of Lord Mayoralty and for the grants of city status in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee are receiving consideration. I will announce the results as soon as possible. Gulf Veterans: Mortality Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the latest figures for deaths to Gulf veterans, and among the control group. Lord Bach: Peer reviewed scientific data comparing the mortality rates of UK Gulf veterans to an era group of service personnel who did not deploy to the Gulf was published for the first time in the Lancet on 1 July 2000. Updates to these figures were provided by the Ministry of Defence to the House on 20 July 2000, 22 January 2001 and 19 July 2001. The MoD has undertaken to continue to monitor the mortality of both Gulf veterans and the era group and will publish updated figures on a regular basis. The figures as at 31 December 2001 are shown in the table. Overall, in the period 1 April 1991 to 31 December 2001, the mortality of UK Gulf veterans was no different than that of the control group. Slightly fewer Gulf veterans have died from disease-related causes than have those in the control group, whereas the number of Gulf veterans dying of external causes is a little higher than for the control group. These differences are similar to those shown by the figures published in July 2001. Deaths to UK Gulf veterans (Note 1) 1 April 1991–31 December 2001 -- Causes (coded to ICD-9) (Note 2) ICD Chapter Cause of death Gulf Era Mortality Rate Ratio(1) All deaths 524 520 1.00 All cause coded deaths 514 510 1.00 I–XVI Disease-related causes 198 240 0.82 I Infectious and parasitic diseases 3 2 1.49 II Cancers 84 94 0.89 III Endocrine and immune disorders 1 4 0.25 V Mental disorders 11 12 0.91 VI Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs 7 6 1.16 VII Diseases of the circulatory system 68 90 0.75 VIII Diseases of the respiratory system 10 5 1.99 IX Diseases of the digestive system 11 16 0.68 IV, X–XV1 All other disease-related causes 3 11 0.27 EXVII External causes of injury and poisoning 316 270 1.17 Railway accidents 4 1 3.98 Motor vehicle accidents 110 92 1.19 Water transport accidents 4 1 3.98 Air and space accidents 25 17 1.46 Other vehicle accidents 0 1 0.00 Accidental poisoning 10 14 0.71 Accidental falls 8 6 1.33 Accidents due to fire/flames 0 2 0.00 Accidents due to natural environmental factors 2 2 1.00 Accidents due to submersion/ suffocation/foreign bodies 17 7 2.42 Other accidents 31 27 1.14 Late effects of accident/injury 0 2 0.00 Suicide and injury undetermined whether accidental 97 90 1.07 Homicide 5 4 1.24 Injury resulting from the operations of war 3 4 0.75 Other deaths for which coded cause data are not yet available 7 7 Overseas deaths for which cause data are not available 3 3 (1) Mortality rate ratios differ marginally from the crude deaths ratio owing to some small differences between the Gulf and Era cohorts. Notes: 1. Service and Ex-Service personnel only. 2. World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1997. Community Energy Programme Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen: asked Her Majesty's Government: When bids will be invited under their new community energy programme. Lord Whitty: The opening pathfinder bidding round for the £50 million community energy programme is being launched today. We expect to allocate around £5 million under this initial round for schemes that will provide carbon savings; help to alleviate fuel poverty among householders; and reduce fuel costs for hospitals, universities and other community buildings. I am placing copies of the programme documentation in the House Library. Seat Belts Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government: What percentage of deaths among front seat occupants in cars they estimate would have been avoided by the use of seat belts by passengers in the rear of cars. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: An estimate is not currently available but information is being obtained to enable such an estimate to be made. Recent research in Japan suggested the risk of deaths and serious injuries among front seat occupants was higher when a rear seat passenger was unbelted than when the passenger used a belt. Park and Ride Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are taking to encourage local authorities to introduce or extend park and ride and pay and display schemes. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The local transport plan (LTP) guidance issued to local authorities by my department included park and ride as one of a range of measures authorities could consider. Our revised planning policy guidance note PPG13 on transport, published in March 2001, gave further guidance on planning aspects of park and ride proposals, and Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/01 was also issued on the subject in April 2001. It is for local authorities to decide what is appropriate for their area and many have included new or extended park and ride schemes in their LTPs. The detailed arrangements for paying for parking in such schemes or elsewhere, whether using pay and display or other means, are also for authorities to decide in the light of specific local circumstances. Planning Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the consultation document on the use classes order that was promised in the planning Green Paper. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We are today publishing a consultation document entitled Consultation on possible changes to the Use Classes Order and temporary uses provisions. This completes the series of consultation papers that together are designed to deliver a radical reform of the planning system. Planning permission is required for a material change of use. However certain uses are so similar, for example in terms of noise, traffic, appearance and parking, that there is no obvious reason why planning permission for change of use from one to the other should be required. The use classes order (UCO) excludes from planning control any change of use where both the existing and proposed use fall within the same class. The general permitted development order (GPDO) provides further flexibility by classifying certain moves between the use classes as permitted development, so that a developer does not need to apply for planning permission. It is important that the use classes order should be up to date and relevant and reflect current policy priorities. In our view, the order and related GPDO provisions should be constructed in a way which allows the maximum possible freedom from planning control consistent with delivering planning policy and wider objectives, including protecting amenity. The consultation document sets out a range of options for changes to the use class provisions and temporary use provisions. We will consider responses carefully before deciding on the most appropriate way forward. Copies of the consultation document will be placed in the Library of the House. East Midlands: Regional Planning Guidance Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the regional planning guidance for the East Midlands will be published. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The regional planning guidance for the East Midlands (RPG8) is being published today. The RPG sets out the spatial development strategy that encompasses proposals for the development of the region's economy, infrastructure, housing and other land uses. The guiding principle is that the main urban areas and previously developed land should be the preferred locations for most development. RPG also sets out proposals for the conservation, management and enhancement of the region's natural and cultural environment. I am pleased that much of the format and content of RPG8, including the vision, objectives and core strategy, carries forward much of what was proposed in the original draft RPG prepared by the East Midlands Regional Local Government Association (EMRLGA). RPG8 reflects very effective working between EMRLGA, local authorities and other stakeholders, all of whom have made valuable contributions to refine and enhance the original draft strategy. It builds on the new inclusive process for preparing RPG that the Government have put in place. The RPG was prepared before our planning Green Paper proposals were announced in December. I look to the regional planning body to take the strategy forward and to monitor and review it in line with the regional planning principles set out in the Green Paper. Children of Asylum Seekers: Education Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many asylum seekers and refugee children are currently without a school place; the local education authority areas in which they are located; the average time they are likely to wait to be provided with formal education; and the implications of any delay for compliance with human rights and race relations legislation. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The education of children of asylum seekers and refugees is the responsibility of local education authorities (LEAs) and the process of admitting them to school is no different from that which applies to any other child. It is not possible to specify either the number of these children who are without a school place or the LEAs in which they are located. To collect such data would be a very complex exercise and a considerable burden on schools. LEAs allocate school places to children of asylum seekers and refugees as quickly as possible. However, we recognise that as the majority of these children arrive during the school year it will often happen that school's places will already have been allocated before they arrive in an LEAs area. Where this happens, an LEA is still required to make arrangements for them to receive suitable education until a school place can be found. Children of asylum seekers and refugees have the same right as any other child to access the education system in the United Kingdom. The right to education, however, does not give rise to the right to be admitted to any particular school. Provided that the proper steps to remedy any shortfall in school places have been taken and that suitable education is provided until a school place can be found, we believe that LEAs will have complied with their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. LEAs must also comply with the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976. They must ensure, therefore, that the children of asylum seekers and refugees awaiting a school place are not treated any less favourably than any other child on racial grounds. Chiropodists Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the minimum qualification required for: (a) state registered chiropodists; and (b) unregistered chiropodists. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Currently, courses of study in chiropody (podiatry) offered in the United Kingdom that lead to eligibility for state registration include degree or honours degree level. The minimum qualification required for state registration is one approved by the chiropodists board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine as conferring sufficient knowledge and skill to practise the profession. There is no minimum requirement for other non-state registered practitioners. Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the average length of time taken during 2001 by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to respond to correspondence; and whether they consider the time taken to be acceptable. Lord Williams of Mostyn: I am advised that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission aims to respond to all correspondence as quickly as is practicable, by acknowledgement initially if a substantive response requires more time. I understand that the commission's normal turn around for correspondence is within a week of receipt, although in some instances it can take longer. The Northern Ireland Office target for answering correspondence is ten working days. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's stated normal response time therefore appears to me to be within acceptable limits. Parliamentary Written Answers Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which government departments are now prepared to send to Peers who so request it copies of Answers to Written Questions by e-mail. Lord Williams of Mostyn: In principle there is no reason why a Peer who has requested it could not be sent a copy of a Written Answer on request. In practice, no formal arrangements have been put in place by the House to enable Peers to make such requests but this should not prevent departments sending a copy of an Answer by e-mail if the Peer lets them know he would like it. If the House would like to formalise this, the Cabinet Office would be happy to liaise on behalf of departments on how this should be done.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2002-01-24a

Agriculture: Incineration Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Farming and the Environment, Jane Kennedy, on 24 November 2008 (Official Report, House of Commons, cols. 847—48W), whether the methodology used by the Environment Agency for determining large-scale incineration projects is different from that used by applicants; if so, how; and why. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Applications for permits to operate large-scale waste incinerators under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 are determined by the Environment Agency's National Permitting Service. These are determined in accordance with the guidance contained in the Environmental Permitting Core Guidance and Environmental Permitting Guidance: The Directive on the Incineration of Waste. These documents are available on Defra's website and applicants will use this guidance when preparing their applications. Airports: Heathrow Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of suggestions that the planned Heathrow third runway and sixth terminal will infringe local residents' human rights in respect of noise pollution and stress. Lord Adonis: The Government's recent decision to support a third runway at Heathrow has sought to balance environmental, economic and social considerations. It is now for the airport operator to decide how to progress a planning application. Under the new arrangements provided for in the Planning Act 2008, planning applications for nationally significant infrastructure will be considered by the independent Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). In deciding an application, the IPC must be satisfied that its decision would not be in breach of any domestic legislation or the UK's international obligations, which would include relevant human rights legislation. Armed Forces: Aircraft Lord Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government where in Europe the A400M heavy lift aircraft will be assembled. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The A400M will be assembled at the airbus military final assembly line facility in Seville. Armed Forces: Aircraft Lord Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government which nation will make the A400M heavy lift aircraft wings; and in which locations. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The wings for the A400M are constructed from component parts made in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the UK. The wings are assembled in the UK at Filton. Armed Forces: Helicopters Lord Lee of Trafford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans there are to update the Chinook fleet to a common standard; over what timescale; and at what cost. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The Ministry of Defence manages Chinook upgrades via a through-life management plan leading to progressive capability developments. We are currently undertaking a number of system upgrades to meet current and future operational requirements including enhancements to communications, night vision, defensive aids and engines which will be completed across the fleet by 2016. We are also planning to fit the whole Chinook fleet of 48 aircraft with a common cockpit in order to deliver maximum flexibility and capability. This will be subject to the Department's investment approvals process later this year, during which cost and time estimates will be approved. Beyond this, we are developing plans to ensure that the Chinook fleet can continue to provide an effective capability until 2040. Investment decisions are not expected until early next decade. Atomic Weapons Establishment Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they retain full ownership and control of all the assets of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, notwithstanding the appointment of a consortium company to manage the establishment; and, if so, (a) in whom that ownership and control is vested; and (b) in what documents their working arrangements with that management company are set out. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) operates under Government-owned contractor operated arrangements. AWE has been contractorised since 1993. The UK Government have retained full ownership and control of all AWE assets, vested in the Secretary of State for Defence. The management and operation of AWE have been contracted to AWE Management Limited (AWEML) since 1 April 2000. Day-to-day operations are undertaken by a separate company, AWE plc, which is owned by AWEML and has its own board of directors with no AWEML parent company affiliations. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) holds a special share in AWE plc, which would allow intervention in the management of AWE or the transfer of responsibility to another contractor if that became necessary. The AWE contract is managed by the Directorate Strategic Weapons (DSW) in the Defence Equipment and Support area of the MoD. DSW works with a wide range of stakeholders in the MoD and other government departments. The primary document that defines the relationship between the MoD and AWEML is the contract between the parties. This requires the MoD to be consulted in respect of any changes to the composition of AWEML. Such consultation took place in respect of the recent changes in ownership of AWEML, which has no bearing on the ownership and control of AWE assets. Strategic requirements and the UK deterrent programme are set by the UK Government. UK nuclear forces will remain fully operationally independent; decision-making and the use of the system remains entirely sovereign to the UK. Bailiffs Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what safeguards they have put in place to control bailiffs' use of force when entering homes to recover outstanding personal debt. Lord Bach: At present the law relating to enforcement by the seizure and sale of goods is complex and is contained in numerous statutes, secondary legislation and common law that does not provide for a single cohesive process. The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 prescribes or enables regulations to prescribe the entire process to be followed by enforcement agents and includes provisions on the powers of entry. Under the current contracts between Her Majesty's Courts Service, and the private bailiffs companies which undertake work on behalf of magistrates' courts, there are specific instructions to the bailiff companies requiring them to adhere to instructions and processes issued by HMCS on the use of forced entry. These processes must be agreed by Her Majesty's Courts Service Regional Management before there can be any use of forced entry by private bailiffs. Bailiffs Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have to monitor use of force by bailiffs when enforcing debt recovery against moveable goods on private property. Lord Bach: At present the law relating to enforcement by the seizure and sale of goods is complex and is contained in numerous statutes, secondary legislation and common law that does not provide for a single cohesive process. The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 prescribes or enables regulations to prescribe the entire process to be followed by enforcement agents and includes provisions on the powers of entry. Under the current contracts between Her Majesty's Courts Service and private bailiff companies there are specific requirements for the companies to report on the use of forced entry. These reporting procedures include the details of any complaints received by the bailiff companies on the actions taken when enforcing debt recovery. Any such complaints must be investigated thoroughly by the company itself. In addition, Her Majesty's Courts Service Regional Management will investigate the complaint to determine that the correct action was taken by the bailiff or if the situation requires further investigation. Bailiffs Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what new powers they propose to make available to bailiffs when enforcing debts against moveable goods on private property. Lord Bach: The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 clarifies and unifies, where possible, the law governing the activities of enforcement agents when taking control of and selling goods. The Act introduces a single piece of law which brings together in one place a legal structure for all warrant enforcement, written in terms that are easily understandable and which clearly outline the rights and responsibilities of creditors, debtors, the police and enforcement agents. The reforms are part of a package of measures that will address concerns and will govern amongst other things: when and how enforcement agents can enter somebody's premises;what goods they can and cannot seize and sell; andwhat fees they can charge. Bailiffs Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult on any extension of powers available to bailiffs. Lord Bach: It is intended that a major consultation exercise will be undertaken that will include a consultation paper setting out the draft regulations for enforcement by taking control of goods and the table of fees. Bailiffs Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to set up a regulator to oversee the use of powers of recovery by bailiffs. Lord Bach: A consultative partial regulatory impact assessment was issued on 30 January 2007 exploring the costs and impact of a regulatory body. The paper set out the options for the future of regulation of enforcement agents who are not Crown employees. Regulation by the Security Industry Authority is the preferred option. The Security Industry Authority has been commissioned to deliver a business case which will be reviewed and final decisions will be made in February 2009. Bailiffs Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of guidelines issued to bailiffs when enforcing debts against private property. Lord Bach: A copy of HMCS's Search and Entry Powers (Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004) Guidance to Civilian Enforcement Officers and Approved Enforcement Agents has been placed in the Library of the House. The guidance contains a number of redactions for reasons of public interest and on health and safety grounds. Benefits: Incapacity Benefit Lord Steinberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government with reference to a report in the Sunday Times on 7 December 2008, why the areas of (a) Breckfield in Liverpool, (b) Castle Swansea and (c) Central and Falinge in Rochdale have higher than average incapacity benefit rates; and what steps they are taking to investigate this. Lord McKenzie of Luton: Estimates of the proportion of the working age population on incapacity benefits for lower super output areas, which are the basis for the article in the Sunday Times referred to in the Question, were calculated using Department for Work and Pensions incapacity benefits caseload figures and experimental working age population estimates from the Office for National Statistics. Estimates of the proportion of the working age population on incapacity benefits at this level of geography are not published or monitored by the Department for Work and Pensions and should be treated with caution. This is because benefit data are rounded to multiples of five so the percentages are approximate and only represent a snapshot at a point in time which may or may not be representative of the area; a more complete analysis would consider a longer trend. There is known geographical variation in the percentage of the working age population that claims incapacity benefits: from 11 per cent in Wales to 5 per cent in the south-east. The percentage tends to be high in areas where heavy industry and mining used to be the major employer, but have since declined. However, Department for Work and Pensions employment programmes, including the successful Pathways to Work programme, are primarily focused on individuals, so areas with high levels of benefit claimants will generally receive higher levels of government support. China: Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last raised the case of the imprisoned blind human rights lawyer, Chen Guangcheng, with the government of China; what is known about his present condition; what response they received from earlier representations; and whether they intend to raise his case during the next official United Kingdom—Chinese dialogue on human rights. Lord Malloch-Brown: We raised the case of Chen Guangcheng at the latest round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 12 January 2009, together with the cases of other human rights defenders. The Chinese side failed to provide a satisfactory response. We had also raised this case at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in January 2008, and had previously raised a number of concerns about his treatment in prison with the Chinese Government. We continue to monitor his situation. Countryside and Rights of Way Act Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many appeals were lodged against proposals in provisional maps as part of the mapping of access land under Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; how many of those appeals were withdrawn; and, of the remainder, how many were dealt with by (a) written representations, (b) public hearings, and (c) public inquiries. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Following the publication of the provisional map under Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, 3,556 appeals were lodged, 385 of which were withdrawn or rejected. Some 2,467 were dealt with by written representations, 676 by public hearing and 28 by public inquiry. Countryside and Rights of Way Act Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of appeals against proposals in provisional maps as part of the mapping of access land under Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 were (a) upheld, (b) partly upheld, and (c) dismissed; and what were the proportions in each case for appeals that were dealt with by (a) written representations, (b) public hearings, and (c) public inquiries. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Of the 3,171 appeals heard following the publication of the provisional map under Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, 1,864 were upheld, 482 were partly upheld and 825 were dismissed. Of those upheld, 1,486 were dealt with by written representations, 369 by public hearing and nine by public inquiry. Where the appeal was allowed in part, 335 were dealt with by written representations, 138 by public hearing and nine by public inquiry. Of those dismissed, 646 were dealt with by written representations, 169 by public hearing and 10 by public inquiry. Energy: Reserves Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the President of the European Commission will have the legal authority to take over European Union energy reserves following the commencement of the Lisbon treaty. Lord Malloch-Brown: The Lisbon treaty will not give the President of the European Commission any legal authority to take over energy reserves. The Lisbon treaty makes it clear that national Governments determine the conditions for exploiting their energy resources, their choices between different energy resources and the general structure of their energy supply. This is clearly set out in Article 194 of the consolidated treaties (Cm 7310). Fishing: Accidents Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fishermen died in accidents between 1992 and 2006; and how the rate compares with the general workforce ashore. Lord Adonis: There were 256 recorded deaths of commercial fishermen on UK-registered fishing vessels during the period 1992 to 2006 (ref: Marine Accident Investigation Branch report—Analysis of UK Fishing Vessel Safety 1992 to 2006, published November 2008) Directly comparable statistics for the same time period are not available, but the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Research Project 578—Update of Mortality for Workers in the UK Merchant Shipping and Fishing Sectors, published in July 2007, showed the fatal accident rate for UK fishermen for the period 1996 to 2005 to be 115 times than that of the general workforce in Great Britain. Football: Ticket Sales Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assurances on ticket prices were given by the present owners of Manchester United Football Club, at their meetings with ministers in May 2005; and whether they have been honoured since then. Lord Carter of Barnes: During the informal meeting that my right honourable friend, the former Sports Minister, Richard Caborn, had with the Glazers in 2005, about their purchase of Manchester United, they reassured him that they had the best interests of the club in mind. I also understand they indicated that ticket prices would not automatically rise, and that they were looking to expand that club by raising its profile around the world. The issue of ticket prices is one for each individual club and the football authorities. Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Government of Israel has responded to the European Union presidency statement of 14 November on Gaza; and, if so, in what terms. Lord Malloch-Brown: The Israeli Government have not officially responded to the EU presidency statement of 14 November. Gaza Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the European Union presidency will take to ensure that the civilian population of Gaza does not suffer collective punishment, contrary to international law and to the European Union—Israel trade agreement. To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the response of the Government of Israel to the recent request by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office that humanitarian supplies be allowed into Gaza; and whether they will take any further action. Lord Malloch-Brown: We, along with the EU presidency, are concerned with the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza and consider the restrictions of Gaza's borders to the passage of relief supplies a disproportionate and inappropriate response to the security threat. Although there is no permanent physical Israeli presence in Gaza, given the significant control that Israel has over Gaza's borders, airspace and territorial waters, Israel retains obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as an occupying power. The Fourth Geneva Convention is clear than an occupying power must co-operate in allowing the passage and distribution of relief consignments. We will continue to urge the Israeli Government to ease the restrictions on the Gaza border and permit the flow of essential supplies. Gulf War: NAPS Tablets Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many personal medical records of British troops deployed to the 1990—91 Gulf conflict have details of the use and administering of nerve agent pre-treatment sets (NAPS) tablets. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: This information is not held centrally. We would need the permission of 1990-91 Gulf veterans before reviewing individual medical records to collate the necessary information (if available) and this could only be provided at disproportionate cost. In October 2001, MoD published the paper Medical Records in the Gulf. This paper describes the arrangements for medical record-keeping during the 1990-91 Gulf conflict and discusses a number of reasons why records that were kept may not have been complete. A copy of this paper is available in the Library of the House. The MoD's Vaccines Interactions Research Programme addressed the possible adverse health effects of the combination of vaccines and tablets (NAPS) given to troops to protect them against the threat of biological and chemical warfare. This showed that there would not have been adverse effects on 19 October 2006 (Official Report, col. WS 87). House of Lords: Tips Lord Hoyle: To ask the Chairman of Committees what is the House of Lords' policy in relation to tips and how they are distributed. Lord Brabazon of Tara: Tips in House of Lords catering outlets are distributed among Refreshment Department staff in addition to their salary. Salary scales for House of Lords staff are published online at www.parliament.uk/about_ lords/lordshro/2008_09_staffpayrange_hoc.cfm. House of Lords: Weighing Scales Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask the Chairman of Committees whether he will arrange to have the weighing scales in the Peers' lavatories on the Bishops' corridor, and in other locations in the House of Lords, display stones and pounds as well as kilograms. Lord Brabazon of Tara: It would not be cost-effective to replace the existing weighing scales. However, I have arranged for a conversion chart (kilograms to stones and pounds) to be placed next to the scales to assist Members. Houses of Parliament: Warrants The Earl of Northesk: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any warrant was executed on or behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in October, November or December 2008 authorising the interception of communications within the Palace of Westminster in relation to investigations into leaks transmitted to a member of either House of Parliament; and, if so, whether such a warrant was issued in the case of Mr Damian Green MP. To ask Her Majesty's Government under what warrant under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 the Metropolitan Police intercepted parliamentary electronic communications in October, November or December 2008. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Metropolitan Police approached the Home Office, the Cabinet Office or the Law Officers of the Crown seeking advice on whether a warrant was required to be executed on or behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in October or November 2008 authorising the interception of communications within the Palace of Westminster; if so, what reply was given; and at what level it was given. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is necessary for the police to obtain a warrant under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 to intercept the electronic communications of a member of either House of Parliament. Lord West of Spithead: Any interception—the monitoring or interference with a communication during the course of its transmission so as to make it available to a third party, whether police or other agencies—requires a lawful authority. Such conduct has lawful authority only if it takes place in accordance with a warrant authorised by the Secretary of State. RIPA places an obligation to keep secret all matters relating to any warrant, including the application, issue and the execution of it. Accordingly it has been the policy of successive Governments neither to confirm nor to deny whether a warrant has been sought or issued. The Home Secretary confirmed on 4 December 2008 that the Wilson doctrine as outlined by the Prime Minister has not been abrogated. (col. 143). Human Rights Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have not complied with the decision on interim measures of the European Court of Human Rights that Faisal Attiyah Nassar Al-Saadoon and Khalaf Hussain Mufdhi should not be transferred to the Iraqi authorities until further notice, having regard to the obligation imposed on the United Kingdom by Article 34 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: Her Majesty's Government take their responsibility to comply with requests from the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg very seriously. However, after 31 December 2008 the UK had no legal power to detain any individuals in Iraq and there was therefore no lawful option other than to transfer Mr Al-Saadoon and Mr Mufdhi to the Iraqi authorities. The Government therefore took the view that, exceptionally, they could not comply with the measure indicated by the court. Israel and Palestine: Detained Parliamentarians Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made towards releasing detained Palestinian parliamentarians, following their recent representations to the Government of Israel. Lord Malloch-Brown: We welcome the announcement by the Israeli Government, made during my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories, on the planned release of over 200 Palestinian prisoners. However, while we welcomed Israel's release of two Hamas Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members in June, we continue to call for all elected PLC members detained by Israel to be either released or subject to due legal process. Legal Aid: Northern Ireland Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what circumstances within the legal aid system in Northern Ireland led to the withdrawal or suspension of services to some who had qualified to receive legal aid; and what the latest position is. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many lawyers in Northern Ireland have withdrawn or suspended their defence services due to a dispute over the timeliness of payments under the legal aid system. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many court cases in Northern Ireland have been affected by problems involving legal aid payments; what effect this is having on the courts' timetables; what has been the estimated cost of such delays; and when the matter will be resolved. Lord Bach: The Bar Council of Northern Ireland recently resolved that "No counsel at the Bar of Northern Ireland shall be required to accept or retain any brief... in any matter, criminal or otherwise, if he or she reasonably forms the view that fair remuneration will not be forthcoming within a reasonable time". In reliance on this, counsel have declined to act in a number of cases in the Crown Court and in the County Court Family Care Centre pending resolution of difficulties regarding the payment of legal aid fees for such cases. In the Crown Court six cases have been deferred and in the Family Care Centre 16 cases have been affected. No separate identifiable cost will result from the rescheduling of these cases. Arrangements have been made to expedite legal aid payments in very high cost criminal cases in the Crown Court. The Lord Chancellor has also approved an interim payment scheme for cases where fees have not been paid after six months in such cases. Discussions are well advanced to resolve the outstanding difficulty in relation to legal aid fees for Family Care Centre cases. Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL] Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government which access authorities in England include coastal land that will be subject to Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The following access authorities in England will be covered by the coastal access provisions in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill: Blackpool; Bournemouth; Brighton and Hove; Bristol; The Broads Authority; Cheshire; Cornwall; Cumbria; Devon; Dorset; Durham; East Riding of Yorkshire; East Sussex; Essex; Exmoor National Park; Gloucestershire; Hampshire; Hartlepool; Kent; Kingston-upon-Hull; Lake District National Park; Lancashire; Lincolnshire; Liverpool; Medway; Middlesbrough; New Forest National Park; Norfolk; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Somerset; North Tyneside; North York Moors National Park; North Yorkshire; Northumberland; Plymouth; Poole; Portsmouth; Redcar and Cleveland; Sefton; Somerset; South Gloucestershire South Tyneside; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Suffolk; Sunderland; Thurrock; Torbay; West Sussex; and Wirral. The final decision on the alignment of the coastal access route and margin will be taken by the Secretary of State following consideration of Natural England's coastal access report and any representations made on the report in accordance with regulations made under Section 292 55E of the Bill. Modernising Scientific Careers Earl Howe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what technical difficulties have led to the consultation document The future of the healthcare science workforce. Modernising scientific careers, the next steps: a consultation being replaced on the Department of Health's website twice following its publication on 26 November; and what alterations have been made to the document since then. Lord Darzi of Denham: The first version of the document published on the department's website on 25 November contained two printing errors. This version was therefore withdrawn on 28 November and replaced on the website with a second version on 5 December. A further printing error was then corrected and a third correct final version was published on 10 December and has since been produced in hard copy. During the period between 28 November and 5 December we took the opportunity to review the document and made some plain English and grammatical changes. A copy of that document has already been placed in the Library. Tables detailing all of the changes made from the first version to the final version have also been placed in the Library. In view of the delay in publishing the final version of the document, the consultation period has been extended from 27 February—as shown in the final version of the document—to 6 March 2009. National Probation Service: Discrimination Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 12 January (WA 114—15), whether any disciplinary action has been taken by the National Offender Management Service in cases when its staff have been alleged to have perpetrated discriminatory actions. Lord Bach: Behaviour constituting discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated in the National Offender Management Service and, depending on the individual circumstances of the case, could fall under the category of gross misconduct which would invariably lead to dismissal. The National Offender Management Service has taken formal disciplinary action against its directly employed staff in cases where their actions have been proven to be discriminatory in nature. In respect of probation boards and trusts they are bodies corporate and responsible for the employment of their staff. Allegations of discriminatory behaviour are investigated thoroughly and dealt with in accordance with the local disciplinary regulations. National Security The Earl of Northesk: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Cabinet Office or the Home Office supplied the Metropolitan Police with a list of the instances of considerable damage that had been caused to national security referred to in the letter from Mr C Wright. Lord West of Spithead: There is an ongoing investigation and it is not possible to comment. NHS: Staff Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the proportion of male to female nurses working in the National Health Service. To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the proportion of male and female doctors working in National Health Service hospitals. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many men and how many women are working as general practitioners in the National Health Service. Lord Darzi of Denham: A breakdown by gender of people working in the National Health Service as of 30 September 2007 is given in the table below. Total Male Female Unknown General Practitioners (Excluding GP Registrars and GP Retainers) 33,364 19,018 (58%)1 14,346 (42%)1 N/A Medical and Dental Staff (All Specialities and Grades) 94,638 57,365 (61%)1 37,273 (39%)1 N/A All Qualified Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Staff 376,737 37,039 (10.9%)2 303,820 (89.1%)2 35,878 Notes: 1 Percentage of total number of staff 2 Percentage of number of respondents Northern Ireland Assembly: Policing and Justice Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether responsibility for historic enquiries involving the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC and the Police Service for Northern Ireland will come within the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly at the same time as the devolution of policing and justice; if so, what will be the manpower and financial implications for policing; and how it is planned to provide the necessary resources. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Both the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Historical Enquiries Team (HET) and the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland carry out reviews/investigations of historic incidents. Both are expected to come within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly as part of the devolution of policing and justice. The resourcing of the HET is additional to the core PSNI budget and the resourcing of the police ombudsman historical enquiries is additional to the ombudsman's core budget. Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 10 December 2008 (WA 5) concerning the payment of bonuses to certain officials of the Northern Ireland Office, where the relevant trade unions were consulted and whether their approval was sought or obtained. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Relevant trade unions were consulted about the policies which determine the bonus schemes. Trade unions have no role in the approval process for the payment of bonuses to individual officials. Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House the criteria to determine which staff of the Northern Ireland Office are awarded a bonus in D2 to A grades. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland office has produced a code of practice and a guidance document in relation to the award of non-consolidated bonuses for staff at grades D2 to A. The operation of the special bonus scheme mirrors that of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) and details are to be found in chapter 25 of the NICS staff handbook. I have arranged for copies of these documents to be placed in the Library of the House. Northern Ireland Parades Commission Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 17 December 2008 (WA 54) concerning payments to the Northern Ireland Parades Commission, why the chairman's salary increased by £5,066 from 2000 to 2008 and the board members' salary reduced by £6,116 during the same period. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: In accordance with Schedule 1 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (as amended), the Secretary of State may pay to the chairman and other members of the commission such remuneration and allowances as he may determine. To ensure propriety the Secretary of State has regularly reviewed the remuneration packages of the chairman and members since the establishment of the commission in 1997. The reduction in remuneration of the commission members and the increase in the chairman's remuneration brought the members in line with other similar bodies. Olympic Games 2012 Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the tender specifications for hosting the 2012 Olympic shooting and equestrian events. Lord Davies of Oldham: The venues for the 2012 Games were selected by the bid committee in 2004 taking into account the technical requirements of each international federation and the guidelines for bidding cities provided by the IOC. There were no tenders. KPMG was commissioned by the ODA last year to test and challenge the plans for a number of 2012 temporary venues, including the shooting and equestrian events. In December, the Olympic Board published the findings of the KPMG report. It endorsed the recommendation that the equestrian events should be at Greenwich and agreed that further work to assess the venue for shooting should be carried out by the ODA and LOCOG. This work is on going. The London Organising Committee's tender process for the temporary installations and overlay to support the delivery and operation of these venues is scheduled to begin later this year. Olympic Games 2012: Safety and Security Baroness Neville-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government which department and Minister have responsibility for the design phase of the Olympic safety and security programme. To ask Her Majesty's Government what work will follow the design phase of the Olympic safety and security programme; and which departments and Ministers will have responsibility for that work. Lord West of Spithead: The Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Home Office have overall responsibility for the Olympic safety and security programme. Day-to-day responsibility for the design phase of the programme rests with Admiral the Lord West of Spithead. Following the design phase of the Olympic safety and security programme the programme will transition to an implementation phase which will take forward the security activities and planning necessary to deliver a safe and secure 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In broad terms this work will involve protecting Olympic venues, events and supporting infrastructure; preparing for any disruptive challenges; identifying and disrupting security threats; planning and resourcing security for the Games; and engaging with domestic and international security partners. Departmental and Ministerial responsibilities during the implementation phase will be unchanged. Olympic Games 2012: Safety and Security Baroness Neville-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the timetable for the Olympic safety and security programme. Lord West of Spithead: The Olympic safety and security programme is already under way with planning and design work in progress and significant activity taking place at the Olympic Park in Stratford. The Olympic safety and security strategy will be presented to the Cabinet sub-committee on National Security, International Relations and Development (Protective Security and Resilience) in February 2009 and following this the programme will transition into an implementation phase. This will last until the summer of 2012 when the operation to secure the Games will take place. The programme is scheduled for completion on 31 March 2013 to allow time after the end of the Games to undertake the International Olympic Committee's lessons learned process and implement the changes necessary to reduce security to the levels required in a legacy environment. Olympic Games 2012: Safety and Security Baroness Neville-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a costed security plan for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been delivered to Ministers. Lord West of Spithead: A draft costed security plan was delivered to Home Office Ministers in November 2008. Police: Groups Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 12 January (WA 119), what are the annual grants paid to (a) the British Association of Women in Policing; and (b) the National Association of Muslim Police. Lord West of Spithead: Grant in aid approval for the financial year 2008-09 is £100,000 for the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) and £45,000 for the National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP). Police: Menezes Inquest Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government following the verdict on 12 December in the de Menezes inquest, what assessment they have made of the responsibility of senior members of the Metropolitan Police for the case. Lord West of Spithead: The case was a complex one raising important issues about the way in which operational policing is carried out. Those are primarily matters for the police service, with assistance from the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), to ensure that the lessons are learnt and applied across all forces. The Home Office is also considering those issues carefully with the police service and the health and safety executive. The police service, together with our security services, remains in the forefront of the fight against terrorism and retains the Home Office's full confidence. Police: Northern Ireland Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the decision of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to announce publicly that the Omagh bomb murders, the McCartney murder and Northern Bank theft were no longer to be investigated was related to the devolution of policing and justice; if so, what assessment they have made of the effect on public opinion; and why that procedure is being introduced now. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: This is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply to the noble Lord directly, and I will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House. Police: Northern Ireland Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the decision of the Police Service of Northern Ireland not to pursue their investigation of the Omagh bomb murders, the McCartney murder and the Northern Bank theft was affected by the level of confidence between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: This is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply to the noble Lord directly, and I will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House. Railways: International Passenger Trains Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the definition of an international passenger service to which the draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 will apply. Lord Adonis: The definition of an international passenger service used in Directive 2007/58/EC will apply to the draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009: "international passenger service" shall mean a passenger service where the train crosses at least one border of a member state and where the principal purpose of the service is to carry passengers between stations located in different member states; the train may be joined and/or split, and the different sections may have different origins and destinations, provided that all carriages cross at least one border". Railways: International Passenger Trains Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government in respect of the draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, under what circumstances international passenger trains will be able to carry passengers within the United Kingdom between Ashford International, Stratford, London St Pancras, stations north of London, on the west coast main line, Midland main line and east coast main line. Lord Adonis: Under draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, any railway undertaking may request access to infrastructure to operate an international passenger service from 1 January 2010. This will include the right to pick up and set down passengers at any station located on the international route within Great Britain. However, the Office of Rail Regulation may limit the access rights if the proposed international service would compromise the economic equilibrium of a relevant public service contract. Railways: International Passenger Trains Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government in respect of the draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, whether they intend to implement the legislation allowing them to levy an additional charge on such trains offering domestic journeys. Lord Adonis: The Government do not propose implementing a provision within Directive 2007/58/EC allowing the authorities responsible for rail passenger transport to impose a levy on railway undertakings providing passenger services, as it would place an unnecessary burden on train operating companies. Railways: International Passenger Trains Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government in respect of the draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, whether they will refuse rights to operate within the United Kingdom to operators from member states which do not permit United Kingdom operators to operate there. Lord Adonis: The objective of Directive 2007/58/EC on the liberalisation of international passenger rail services is to open up the international passenger rail market in Europe. From 1 January 2010, member states will no longer be able to refuse potential operators of international passenger services access to their infrastructure. Railways: International Passenger Trains Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government in respect of the draft Railways Infrastructure (Access and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, who will fix and approve access charges for international passenger services operating in the United Kingdom on High Speed 1 and on lines regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation; and in what circumstances those charges will vary from those paid by domestic passenger operators. Lord Adonis: Charges for the use of HS1 will be fixed by HS1 Limited in its role as infrastructure manager and will be published in a network statement. Those charges must be in accordance with a charging framework that will be established by the Secretary of State. It is proposed that the Office of Rail Regulation shall have the statutory responsibility for ensuring that the charges imposed by HS1 Limited are in compliance with the relevant regulations. In addition it is proposed that the Office of Rail Regulation will from time to time review the efficiency of the charges and act as the appeal body in the event of any complaint. Provided HS1 Limited's charges are efficient and otherwise compliant with the relevant regulations they need not be the same for both international and domestic passenger services. Charges imposed on any international passenger operators on the national network will be fixed by Network Rail in accordance with the charging framework established by the Office of Rail Regulation. Recycling Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much material collected by local authorities for recycling is being stored owing to the present market conditions. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Defra does not hold the specific information requested. The best available information indicates that markets for recycled materials have stabilised though at lower prices than formerly. Most materials are continuing to flow, but there is additional storage of some types of steel and paper. Recycling continues to be an economically viable and environmentally beneficial part of the UK's waste strategy, and householders should continue to put out waste for recycling in order to help the environment. Residential Care Lord Lipsey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what amount was paid in grants under Section 55 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (which allows a local authority to take a charge on a person's home rather than a contribution towards the cost of residential accommodation) for each of the years 2001—02 to 2007—08 inclusive. Lord Darzi of Denham: The deferred payments grant, made under Section 55 of the 2001 Act, ran for three years from 2001-02 to 2003-04. It was felt this was long enough to allow the funding from earlier deferred payments agreements to be recycled by councils. The amount allocated to councils was £15 million in 2001-02, £30 million in 2002-03 and £40 million in 2003-04. Smoking Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Action for Smoking on Health Group (ASH) or other anti-smoking organisations have received Government funding in 2006, 2007 and 2008; and, if so, how much in each year. Lord Darzi of Denham: The department's grants to Action on Smoking Health (ASH) are set out in the following table. Financial year Grants (£) 2005-06 180,000 2006-07 185,400 2007-08 191,000 The department's grants to the No Smoking Day (NSD) organisation are set out in the following table. Financial year Grants (£) 2005-06 250,000 2006-07 250,000 2007-08 250,000 The department in 2007-08 contracted the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre to support the implementation of smoke-free legislation in residential mental health units. This contract was valued at £50,000. The department also provides funding directly to the National Health Service for tobacco control and smoking cessation activities. Sudan: Darfur Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the report Abductions, Sexual Slavery and Forced Labour in Darfur, published on 17 December by the Darfur Consortium. Lord Malloch-Brown: We welcome the report of the Darfur Coalition and join its authors in condemning all instances of abduction and trafficking and other forms of contemporary slavery. We agree with many of the report's recommendations, including the need for full deployment of the UN/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), a comprehensive ceasefire and inclusive peace process. The UK works closely with UN, African Union (AU) and international partners to help UNAMID to improve security in Darfur, and supports the AU/UN-led political process led by the chief mediator, Djibril Bassole, as the only way to achieve sustainable peace and security in Darfur. The UK has contributed £40 million to the Common Humanitarian Fund. This fund has supported women's rights projects in Sudan, including action on sexual and gender-based violence in Darfur and Southern Sudan. Telecommunications: Security Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they have in place to prevent the compromise, by covert surveillance by criminal and hostile agents, of critical telecommunications infrastructure provided by private companies and their subcontractors. Lord West of Spithead: The Government provide advice on protective security measures through the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) for organisations and businesses across the national infrastructure. This includes businesses and organisations in the communications sector that own or operate critical national infrastructure. CPNI provides and shares information regularly by means of information exchanges, face-to-face consultancy, briefings, seminars, advice publications and through its website. CPNI has also provided input into the development of minimum standards for public communications networks and services, as a means of reducing vulnerability. Terrorism Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the judgment of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities of 4 December in Case 284/08, representatives of member states in the Council of Ministers can vote individually on the names of organisations listed in the Annex to Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001 and successor decisions on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism by maintaining or amending the original list. Lord Malloch-Brown: The council is considering the implications of the Court of First Instance's judgment of 4 December in Case T—284/08 OMPI-v-Council including its impact on the procedures for how the names of entities and individuals are placed on the EU Terrorism Sanctions list. The UK is fully engaged in these discussions, and as I said in the House on 13 January (Official Report, col. 1007) the UK believes that EU member states must observe and respect the court's judgement in the current review of the EU list of terrorist organisations. Terrorism Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) children and (b) adults in each police authority in England and Wales have been stopped and searched by police officers in each of the past five years using powers under section 44(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000. Lord West of Spithead: The information requested is not available. Information on the age of persons stopped and searched under Section 44(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000 cannot be separately identified from the data on the total number of stops and searches under the Act reported to the Home Office. Data on the total number of searches can be found in table P3 of the publication Arrests for Recorded Crime (Notifiable Offences) and the Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE. Copies of the publication covering 2000-01 to 2006-07 (latest available) are in the Library of the house. Turkey: Leyla Zana Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the European Union Enlargement Commissioner about the compatibility of the conviction and 10-year prison sentence imposed on Leyla Zana with Turkey's compliance with the Copenhagen principles. Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government have not yet discussed the conviction of Leyla Zana with the European Commission. We would expect the European Commission, following the appeal procedure and final judgment, to investigate the details of the case as part of its ongoing assessment of Turkey's reforms to meet the specified EU standards on the judiciary and fundamental rights and on compliance with the Copenhagen criteria.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2009-01-26a

Bailiffs Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to implement the pledge in The Coalition: Our Programme for Government to "provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs and unreasonable charging orders, ensure that courts have the power to insist that repossession is always a last resort, and ban orders for sale on unsecured debts of less than £25,000." Lord McNally: The Government are currently considering the public comments received on The Coalition: Our Programme for Government and will announce their plans in due course. Abortion Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many women aged (a) 12, (b) 13, (c) 14, (d) 15, (e) 16, (f) 17 and (g) 18 years old in each strategic health authority area who had (1) one, (2) two, (3) three, (4) four, (5) five, (6) six, (7) seven, (8) eight, (9) nine and (10) ten or more previous abortions had an abortion in (i) 2008, and (ii) 2009. Earl Howe: The information we can provide for 2008 and 2009 is shown in the following tables. The department has withheld data where there are totals of less than 10 (between zero and nine) cases as we believe the disclosure of this information could breach an individual's confidentiality. This is in accordance with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) guidance on the disclosure of abortion statistics (2005). Previous abortions by age under 19 and Strategic Health Authority of residence, 2008. Age Strategic Health Authority Previous abortions under 18 18 Total under age 19 East of England 0 1,431 891 2,322 1+ 106 173 279 Total 1,537 1,064 2,601 East Midlands 0 1,342 697 2,039 1+ 84 98 182 Total 1,426 795 2,221 London 0 2,756 1,601 4,357 1+ 372 464 836 Total 3,128 2,065 5,193 North East 0 946 424 1,370 1+ 56 55 111 Total 1,002 479 1,481 North West 0 2,674 1,385 4,059 1+ 206 218 424 Total 2,880 1,603 4,483 South Central 0 1,052 547 1,599 1+ 83 105 188 Total 1,135 652 1,787 South East 0 1,259 692 1,951 1+ 105 124 229 Total 1,364 816 2,180 South West 0 1,509 756 2,265 1+ 114 111 225 Total 1,623 867 2,490 Yorkshire and Humber 0 1,858 933 2,791 1+ 127 144 271 Total 1,985 1,077 3,062 West Midlands 0 2,046 1,001 3,047 1+ 213 241 454 Total 2,259 1,242 3,501 Wales 0 976 533 1,509 1+ 72 74 146 Total 1,048 607 1,655 England and Wales 0 17,849 9,460 27,309 1+ 1,538 1,807 3,345 Total 19,387 11,267 30,654 Notes: Ages and number of previous abortions are grouped where totals are less than 10 (between 0 and 9) or where a presented total would reveal a suppressed value from previously published data. Previous abortions by age under 19 and Strategic Health Authority of residence, 2009 Age Strategic Health Authority Number of previous abortions under 18 18 Total under age 19 East of England 0 1,445 752 2,197 1+ 104 133 237 Total 1,549 885 2,434 East Midlands 0 1,189 661 1,850 1+ 60 91 151 Total 1,249 752 2,001 London 0 2,460 1,401 3,861 1+ 393 419 812 Total 2,853 1,820 4,673 North East 0 864 401 1,265 1+ 47 60 107 Total 911 461 1,372 North West 0 2,527 1,341 3,868 1+ 194 239 433 Total 2,721 1,580 4,301 South Central 0 933 541 1,474 1+ 73 96 169 Total 1,006 637 1,643 South East 0 1,166 625 1,791 1+ 109 110 219 Total 1,275 735 2,010 South West 0 1,364 747 2,111 1+ 92 110 202 Total 1,456 857 2,313 Yorkshire and Humber 0 1,937 1,013 2,950 1+ 185 204 389 Total 2,122 1,217 3,339 West Midlands 0 1,661 899 2,560 1+ 117 149 266 Total 1,778 1,048 2,826 Wales 0 940 450 1,390 1+ 56 79 135 Total 996 529 1,525 England and Wales 0 16,486 8,831 25,317 1+ 1,430 1,690 3,120 Total 17,916 10,521 28,437 Notes: Ages and number of previous abortions are grouped where totals are less than 10 (between 0 and 9) or where a presented total would reveal a suppressed value from previously published data. Abortion Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many women in England and Wales who had (a) one, (b), two, (c) three, (d) four, (e) five, (f) six, (g) seven, (h) eight, (i) nine and (j) ten or more previous abortions had an abortion in (i) 2008, and (ii) 2009. Earl Howe: The information we can provide for 2008 and 2009 is shown in the following tables. The department has withheld data where there are totals of less than 10 (between zero and nine) cases as we believe the disclosure of this information could breach an individual's confidentiality. This is in accordance with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) guidance on the disclosure of abortion statistics (2005). Number of previous abortions by Strategic Health Authority of residence, 2008 Number of previous abortions Strategic Health Authority 0 1 2 3 4 5 or more Total East of England 11,114 4067 968 237 53 21 16,460 East Midlands 8,891 2755 594 120 .. .. 12,409 London 28,821 14275 4050 1086 305 142 48,679 North East 5,457 1583 341 65 .. .. 7,482 North West 17,631 5830 1203 285 50 20 25,019 South Central 8,191 2964 596 126 43 14 11,934 South East 8,718 3531 759 165 56 19 13,248 South West 9,826 3207 590 140 37 12 13,812 West Midlands 13,536 5409 1149 296 63 23 20,476 Yorkshire and Humber 11,857 3843 759 190 39 11 16,699 Wales 6,539 2096 345 70 .. .. 9,078 England and Wales 130,581 49,560 11,354 2,780 739 282 195,296 Notes: Number of previous abortions are grouped where totals are less than 10 (between 0 and 9) or where a presented total would reveal a suppressed value from previously published data. .. Suppressed value less than 10 Number of previous abortions by Strategic Health Authority of residence, 2009 Number of previous abortions Strategic Health Authority 0 1 2 3 4 5 or more Total East of England 10,892 3,988 1,002 230 69 30 16,211 East Midlands 8,564 2,597 558 127 40 17 11,903 London 27,104 13,827 3,917 1,049 313 150 46,360 North East 5,261 1,533 331 67 .. .. 7,220 North West 17,408 5,893 1,240 244 70 19 24,874 South Central 7,549 2,723 646 125 31 17 11,091 South East 8,418 3,448 878 167 60 25 12,996 South West 9,292 2,991 577 117 43 15 13,035 West Midlands 13,471 5,159 1,229 240 63 19 20,181 Yorkshire and Humber 11,384 3,910 833 191 44 26 16,388 Wales 6,367 1,971 391 80 .. .. 8,841 England and Wales 125,710 48,040 11,602 2,637 779 332 189,100 Notes: Number of previous abortions are grouped where totals are less than 10 (between 0 and 9) or where a presented total would reveal a suppressed value from previously published data. .. Suppressed value less than 10 Afghanistan Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report by International Christian Concern that Abdul Sattar Khawasi, Deputy Secretary of the Afghan Lower House of Parliament, has called for the public execution of Christians recently captured in Afghanistan; and whether they will make representations about the matter to the Government of Afghanistan. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of reports of the Deputy Secretary of the Afghan Lower House of Parliament's remarks regarding the execution of Christian converts from Islam. We understand that the remarks were made during a debate over a recent series of television reports, which showed video footage of Afghans converting to Christianity. As a result, two international non-government organisations have been accused of proselytising and are currently under investigation by Afghan authorities. Under Afghan law, proselytising is illegal and conversion from Islam is a capital offence. We are following the investigation closely, but cannot pre-empt the findings at this stage. The Government are opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances and continue to strive for the global abolition of capital punishment. The Government also strongly support the right to freedom of religion or belief, including full implementation of those norms laid out in Article 2 of the Afghan constitution, which provides for freedom of religion. As an EU member, the UK adopted a set of EU council conclusions on freedom of religion or belief. These conclusions reaffirm the EU's commitment to promote and protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, including the right to adopt, change or abandon one's religion or belief of one's own free will. The Government are working to support all individuals who face discrimination and persecution on the basis of religion, including Christians, wherever they are in the world. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will raise this case with the Afghan Government as necessary. Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any link between the rise in infectious diseases of trees and the application of glyphosate used for under-story weed control. Lord Henley: The Government have not commissioned any such research; however, the Forestry Commission does not consider that there is any reason to associate the rise in the number or severity of tree diseases with the use of chemical weed control agents. Benefits: Non-British Citizens Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what publications are available to European Union citizens informing them of the availability of welfare benefits; and in what languages they are published. Lord Freud: The Department for Work and Pensions produces three leaflets for customers whose first language is not English. These leaflets provide basic information on the benefits and services available to customers from: Jobcentre Plus;Pension Service; andDisability and Carer Service. The leaflets tell customers how they can contact these organisations to find out more information and to claim the benefits they are entitled to. Each leaflet contains information in two European languages (English and Polish) and six other languages, representing the eight most popular languages used in the UK. The total list of languages is: English;Polish;Arabic;Urdu;Punjabi;Gujarati;Mandarin; andBengali. Cayman Islands Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government why there has been a delay in the privatisation of the water company in the Cayman Islands. Lord Howell of Guildford: The privatisation of the water company is the responsibility of the Cayman Islands Government. During the budget address on 15 June, the Premier of the Cayman Islands announced the privatisation of the water authority. Privatisation can only occur once local legislation has been amended to allow for the sale, and following a number of steps to ensure adherence with proper procedures and due diligence. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received representations from Congolese politicians proposing an independent commission of inquiry into the death of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and, if so, what was their response. Lord Howell of Guildford: We have not received any representations from Congolese politicians proposing an independent commission of inquiry into the death of Floribert Chebeya. My honourable friend Henry Bellingham's Statement of 3 June 2010 called for a full, proper, and transparent investigation into the death of Mr Chebeya. President Kabila has ordered a full investigation into the death of Mr Chebeya which we fully support. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the protection of human rights activists and those working for the strengthening of civil society in that country in light of the alleged murders of activists and journalists. Lord Howell of Guildford: We are deeply concerned at the increasing intimidation and violence faced by human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We follow cases of concern closely and press the Government of DRC bilaterally and with our EU partners to meet their responsibility for protecting human rights defenders, journalists and civil society. Most recently our ambassador to the DRC raised our concerns at the death of human rights defender Floribert Chebeya with government officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are also providing practical support to ensure that human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society are able to carry out their work. Our embassy in Kinshasa is implementing EU guidelines on human rights defenders. With our EU partners in the DRC we met eight non-government organisations (NGOs) representing human rights defenders who gave their feedback on the EU human rights strategy. We have appointed a liaison officer and made their contact details available to local NGOs and civil society. The UN Organization Mission in DRC (MONUC) Protection Unit also provides protection services to those in danger including relocation and advice on personal security. We also support a media fund jointly administered with France and Sweden to support professionalisation, regulation, and the economic viability of the media in the DRC. Funding goes to local media organisations and NGOs including Journalists in Danger, which campaigns for freedom of the press. Disabled People: Work Capability Assessments Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the first independent review of the employment and support allowance and the work capability assessment will begin; how they will appoint its members; and whether it will be open to groups representing people undergoing assessments. Lord Freud: The Government have a statutory commitment to an independent review of the operation of the work capability assessment annually for the first five years. We are in the process of commissioning this review and aim for it to report before the end of the year. Economic Crime Agency Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost of abolishing the Serious Fraud Office. To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated administrative cost of establishing a single economic crime agency; and what are its estimated annual running costs. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people are employed in each of the agencies which will be abolished or merged into the proposed single economic crime agency; and how many will be employed by the new body. Lord Sassoon: In accordance with the coalition programme for government, the Government are examining options for the creation of an economic crime agency and will announce decisions in due course. As yet, no decisions have been taken on the agency's structure. Elections: Northern Ireland Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps have been taken in Northern Ireland to ensure that the same voter registration requirements, including a requirement for a photograph, is used for elections to local authorities, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Parliament. Lord Shutt of Greetland: The Representation of the People Act 1983 makes provision for the registration of electors, and the requirements for voter registration in Northern Ireland are the same in respect of parliamentary, Assembly, local and European elections. There is no requirement to submit any form of photographic identification for the purpose of registering to vote in Northern Ireland. Elections: Northern Ireland Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of alleged electoral malpractice in Northern Ireland during the general election on 6 May; how many persons allegedly attempting to vote illegally were arrested; whether a police officer with power to arrest was present in each polling station; and, if not, how persons could be arrested. Lord Shutt of Greetland: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) does not hold information regarding arrests made at the general election or numbers and locations of police officers. These are matters for the PSNI and the noble Lord may wish to write to the chief constable directly to obtain such information. The Government will make an overall assessment of the extent of electoral malpractice in Northern Ireland when the Electoral Commission formally reports on this issue later this year. Elections: Northern Ireland Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prosecutions for alleged electoral malpractice in Northern Ireland during the general election on 6 May (a) have been dealt with by the courts, and (b) are awaiting trial. Lord Shutt of Greetland: Although the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is responsible for maintaining the legal framework in respect of Northern Ireland elections, the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland is responsible for prosecutions in Northern Ireland and would be best placed to provide accurate information on any prosecutions for alleged electoral malpractice and their progress. The noble Lord may wish to write to the Director of Public Prosecutions directly. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has permitted embryos or gametes provided by patients for a particular research project to be used in separate research, where the latter was a concurrent project with different stated aims from those described in the patient information literature on the original research project; and at which licensed research centres. To ask Her Majesty's Government which research licences have been required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to cover oocyte karyotyping and studies of cell cycle proteins in human eggs; for which of those licences the corresponding patient information did not make reference to the creation of embryos within the same study; and what were the dates of duration of all such research licences. To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Chief Executive indicated on 8 November 2009 that 681 human eggs (including 17 fresh eggs) had been used under research licence R0122 between August 2004 and March 2005; and how that related to the information on the study that was concurrently provided to patients which indicated that the only cells to be used for such research would be embryos considered unsuitable for freezing. To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 2 November 2009 (WA 7-8) and 10 February 2010 (WA 135), what was the source of the information described in the internal background note to Question HL5792, which stated that 66 eggs were donated for research at the Newcastle Centre for Life in 2008 and 52 eggs from six treatment cycles were similarly donated between 1 April 2009 and 31 August 2009; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the original documents from which those data were derived. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that on no occasion has it permitted embryos or gametes provided by patients for a particular research project to be used in separate research, in the circumstances set out in the noble Lord's Question. Additionally, no research licences have been required to cover oocyte karyotyping and studies of cell cycle proteins in human eggs in the circumstances described by the noble Lord. In respect of the use of human eggs under research licence R0122, the HFEA has advised that this information was provided to the noble Lord, in response to his request to the HFEA for this information, by the authority's chief executive. The HFEA has also advised that it does not know how the number of eggs used in research projects relates to information provided to patients participating in that research because the use of human eggs for research purposes does not require a research licence from the authority. The HFEA has advised that the source of the information contained in the background note to Question HL5792 was the authority's register of patients, donors and treatment cycles. The HFEA has also advised that the information quoted by the noble Lord was submitted by Newcastle Centre for Life via an electronic database interface; therefore, there are no copies of original documents to place in the Library. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 10 February (WA 136-37), what was the average duration of a site visit by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority inspectors since 2004 (a) for licensed centres generally, and (b) for centres 0017, 0157 and 0206. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it would need to examine all inspection reports produced since 2004 in order to establish the average duration of an inspection site visit. For that reason, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government which individuals employed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) used the pseudonym "Reeta Ngo" prior to 2006 or prompted others to do so for acquiring personal information from other public bodies under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; what were the reasons for doing so; and whether any of the information thus obtained directly concerned clinics licensed by the HFEA. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that this pseudonym was used by one of its employees prior to 2006. I am advised that the HFEA have now initiated an internal investigation into this matter. In the mean time, the HFEA has advised that it cannot identify the employee, as disclosure may be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1990. The information that was obtained did not relate to clinics licensed by the HFEA. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many eggs from non-human species have been used in attempts to create cybrid embryos according to records held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA); how the number of eggs used from each species compares with the number expected to be used; and what information about the expected outcomes of such research was provided to participants who donated human nuclei at each of the HFEA licensed centres. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it is not required in law to collect and hold information about the use of eggs, human or non-human, in research. The information it holds is, therefore, incomplete and limited. However, the information the HFEA does hold shows that the number of non-human eggs that have been used in attempts to create human admixed embryos is 222. The HFEA does not hold any further information about this matter. Employment: Work Programme Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect severely disabled clients in the new welfare to work programme. Lord Freud: The Government have committed to introducing the work programme by summer 2011. The work programme will be designed to meet the needs of a wide range of customer groups, including people with a disability or health condition. We recognise there will be some for whom the work programme is not appropriate. We are committed to supporting severely disabled people and are currently reviewing the best way of doing this. Energy: Carbon Emissions Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reducing the United Kingdom's carbon emissions on its competitive position. Lord Marland: The Government will implement a full programme of measures to fulfil their ambitions for a low-carbon, eco-friendly and fairer economy. Ensuring that the UK reduces its carbon emissions in a manner that maintains the UK's competitive position is important to drive economic growth and innovation. We continue to push for global action to reduce carbon emissions, thereby creating an international level playing field for UK businesses. We believe that the risk of carbon leakage is limited to a small number of sectors (which are energy intensive). However, there are measures in the EU ETS directive which would allow this risk to be managed. Because these sectors are important to the UK economy, we are currently working together with other EU member states on the application of these measures. Taking action on climate change also offers opportunities to UK business. Greater energy efficiency can help to save money, and the development of low-carbon technologies offers new markets for UK-based businesses. We continue to monitor the impact of the UK's carbon reduction policies on UK competitiveness, including the impact of rising gas and electricity prices on business. Energy: Wind Turbines Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of upgrading the national grid from Scotland to London to take the surplus load from wind turbines due to be installed in Scotland as part of any undertaking to meet European Union carbon reduction targets. Lord Marland: The Electricity Networks Strategy Group (an industry group jointly chaired by DECC and Ofgem) report Our Electricity Transmission Network: A Vision for 2020, published in March 2009, set out the network companies' view of the potential transmission investments that would be needed to accommodate the growth of renewable and other low-carbon generation to 2020. These transmission reinforcements will support expected new generation, including in Scotland, where scenarios suggested between 6.6 and 11.4 gigawatts of renewable generation to 2020 are expected. The report estimated the capital cost of these reinforcements as around £4.7 billion, with around £2.7 billion of that specifically in Scotland or to convey electricity from Scotland to other areas of demand. However, transmission investments in England and Wales will be also significantly influenced by the flows of power from Scotland. The report is available on the ENSG website: http://www.ensg.gov.uk/ index.php?article=126. In addition there will need to be further investment by transmission owner companies in the existing system through Ofgem's ongoing price control mechanism to accommodate changing flows of power across the system to meet the 2020 targets. As submissions from these companies are made during this process, these funding requirements will become clearer. Energy: Wind Turbines Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the cost of transmitting electricity from Scotland to London was taken into account when the economic viability of wind turbines in Scotland was assessed. Lord Marland: The Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) published in July 2009 considered the scenario for delivering about 30 per cent of the UK's electricity from renewable sources, the majority of which is expected to come from wind power. The RES included impact assessments that included an assessment of the costs and benefits of the proposed policies, including for renewable electricity. These assessments took account of cost estimates for connection to the grid (onshore and offshore), and for additional grid reinforcements as outlined in the March 2009 Electricity Networks Strategy Group report Our Electricity Transmission Network: A Vision for 2020, including those from Scotland to England. Transmission charges and grid connection costs were included in the technology cost assumptions for onshore and offshore wind. In respect of transmission charges, no differentiation was made between generation in different parts of the UK. A copy of the RES and accompanying impact assessments are available at: http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/res/res.aspx. A copy of the Electricity Networks Strategy Group 2020 report is available on the ENSG website at: http://www.ensg.gov.uk/index.php?article=126. Energy: Wind Turbines Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated additional cost to households in England of upgrading the national grid to take the surplus load from wind turbines due to be installed in Scotland. Lord Marland: Transmission-related costs currently account for around 3 to 4 per cent of consumers' electricity bills. The Electricity Networks Strategy Group (an industry group jointly chaired by DECC and Ofgem) report Our Electricity Transmission Network: A Vision for 2020 set out network companies' view of the potential transmission investments needed to accommodate the growth of renewable and other low-carbon generation to 2020. National Grid's estimate is that the level of investment envisaged in the report of up to £4.7 billion could result in around a 1 to 1.5 per cent increase in consumer electricity bills. Of the total £4.7 billion investment, around £2.7 billion would be specifically in Scotland or to convey electricity from Scotland to other areas of demand. However, the transmission investments in England and Wales, estimated at around £2 billion, would also be influenced by the flows of power from Scotland. No specific estimates have been made in relation to Scotland-related expenditure. The ENSG report is available on the ENSG website at http://www.ensg.gov.uk/index.php?article=126. European Commission: Fines Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fines have been levied by the European Commission on (a) the United Kingdom, and (b) other European Union countries, since 1992; for what offences; of what amounts; how many remain unpaid; and by which countries. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Commission has power to fine member states under Articles 126(11) and 260 of the treaty for the functioning of the EU. No such fines have been imposed on the UK since 1992. The UK does not have information on other member states. Flexible New Deal Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the legal costs of cancelling last year's phase 1 contracts with employment providers to deliver phase 1 of the Flexible New Deal. Lord Freud: We have embarked on some very productive meetings with FND1 providers on how between us we best manage the transition from Flexible New Deal to the new work programme. It is too early to provide an estimate of the likely costs of making this transition and indeed some of this will depend on whether existing FND1 providers are successful in bidding for the work programme. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 23 February (WA 282-83) and 6 April (WA 398), whether it is normal scientific practice to cite as evidence studies which have not yet been published, and letters which report the results of those studies, without making clear the status of such documents. Earl Howe: We agree that the studies have not been peer reviewed. The department's intention was to provide all the relevant information that was currently available centrally. The report on the analysis of osteosarcoma trends in the West Midlands was placed in the Library with the agreement of its authors at the West Midland Cancer Intelligence Unit. The unit accepts that case control studies would offer the best means by which the causes of osteosarcoma could be assessed but, with such low incidence, it would take a long time for significant results to appear. The study by the Bone Cancer Research Trust is near to completion and we understand the results will be peer reviewed. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 May 2009 (WA 323-24) and Baroness Thornton on 6 April 2010 (WA 399), to what extent the wording of the "York" report concerning water fluoridation and bone fracture in sections 8, 8.3.1 and 8.5, reporting "suggesting no association", "no clear association", and the need to interpret results with "extreme caution" because of the low quality and heterogeneity of the studies, was taken into account in their summative conclusion that it "found no association". Earl Howe: I understand that the comments made in the "York" report about the quality of the research were taken into account in these replies, but agree that an accurate summation of the report's findings would be to state that no clear association was found between water fluoridation and bone cancer. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 6 April (WA 399), why European and American authorities are cited for upper safe limits of fluoride consumption and not UK guidelines as given in Report on Health and Human Subjects No. 41. Earl Howe: The Report on Health and Human Subjects No. 41 was published in 1991, before the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority published in 2006 and those of the American Food and Nutrition Board published in 1997. I am advised that these more recent recommendations better reflect the current expert view on the effects of fluoride. G20 Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise at the G20 meeting on 26 and 27 June the imprisonment of Palestinian and Turkish parliamentarians. Lord Howell of Guildford: This will not be raised at the G20 which is a forum to discuss global economic stability. Human rights issues are raised in other settings. G20 Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise at the G20 meeting on 26 and 27 June the imprisonment in Turkey of 2,000 children for alleged terrorist offences. Lord Howell of Guildford: This will not be raised at the G20 which is a forum to discuss global economic stability. Human rights issues are raised in other settings. Government Regional Offices Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what process they will follow in considering the case for abolishing the regional government offices outside London, as set out in The Coalition: Our Programme for Government. Baroness Hanham: The future of the regional government offices outside of London will be considered as part of the spending review. Government Regional Offices Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as part of their review of regional government offices and regional development agencies, they are reviewing the regional leaders' boards; and what advice they have given to the regional leaders' boards on their operation in the meantime. Baroness Hanham: The Secretary of State has announced that government funding for regional local authority leaders' boards-which took over most of the functions and staff of the old regional assemblies-has been ended because we are abolishing their core function of drafting the regional strategy. This will produce an annual saving of £16 million. The dismantling of these boards will see local authorities put firmly back in control of planning in their areas and will ensure local people can hold their leaders to account. Homelessness Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to promote a co-operative approach to homelessness and rough sleeping in London. Baroness Hanham: The Government have set up a new ministerial taskforce to tackle head-on the problem of homelessness and rough sleeping. Ministers from eight different departments across Whitehall are represented and its first meeting was on 16 June. In addition, the Government actively support the mayor's London Delivery Board, which provides a cross-authority and cross-sector partnership to end rough sleeping in the capital. The board comprises homeless charities, the police, NHS London, DWP, MoJ, London Development Agency, Job Centre Plus, National Offender Management Service, local authorities and has a number of working groups including one for local authorities that is designed to promote and support cross-boundary working. Homelessness: Helpline Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce a national telephone helpline for homeless and other people in difficulty in the United Kingdom. Baroness Hanham: The Communities and Local Government department spends £2.7 million on the National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS), which is a partnership between Shelter and Citizens Advice providing high-quality advice on homelessness prevention through the network of participating citizens advice bureaux and other voluntary agencies across England. NHAS has recently expanded its housing consultancy line and training service to all local authorities in England, which means housing options and homelessness staff now have access to a local call-rate charged housing advice line. The line is staffed by dedicated NHAS advisers who can help local authority workers to handle a wide range of housing advice queries across all housing tenures including advice on homelessness prevention. Housing Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) are in force; in which authorities; what assessment they have made of the role of EDMOs in reducing the number of empty homes; and whether they will review their operation and effectiveness. Baroness Hanham: Data on the number of Empty Dwelling Management Orders in force are not collected. To date, 29 interim Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) have been approved by the Residential Property Tribunal Service. An interim EDMO lasts for an initial period of no more than 12 months. Local authorities do not need any further approval to make final Empty Dwelling Management Orders. We are looking closely at the issue of empty homes and the full range of measures that might be taken to bring them back into use. We are examining the effectiveness of current enforcement powers available to local authorities, including Empty Dwelling Management Orders, and reviewing the civil liberty implications of Empty Dwelling Management Orders. Local authority No. of Interim EDMOs Approved Bolton Borough Council 1 Carlisle District Council 2 London Borough of Bromley 1 London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham 1 London Borough of Hounslow 1 London Borough of Lewisham 5 New Forest District Council 1 Norwich City Council 6 Peterborough City Council 2 South Gloucestershire Council 1 South Norfolk District Council 1 Southend-On-Sea Borough Council 2 South Oxfordshire District Council 1 South Tyneside Borough Council 1 Staffordshire Moorlands District Council 1 Swale Borough Council 1 Wychavon District Council 1 Total 29 Human Rights Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of human rights activists in Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi; and what steps they are taking to encourage the protection of human rights activists in those countries. Lord Howell of Guildford: In Rwanda our high commission in Kigali, which also has non-resident responsibility for Burundi, follows closely all aspects of human rights in those countries. This includes the treatment of human rights activists, and we regularly discuss these issues with both Rwanda and Burundi. In recent months, the local representatives for Human Rights Watch in both Rwanda and Burundi have been expelled, and we have raised these cases with the host Governments, both bilaterally and with our EU partners. In Uganda our high commission in Kampala closely follows all aspects of the human rights situation, including gay and lesbian rights and the treatment of human rights activists, and regularly discusses these issues with the Ugandan Government. Human rights activists continue to face intimidation, arbitrary arrest and violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We follow cases of concern closely and press the Government of the DRC bilaterally and with our EU partners to meet its responsibilities for protecting human rights activists. Our embassy in Kinshasa is implementing the EU guidelines on human rights defenders. With our EU partners in the DRC we met eight NGOs representing human rights defenders who have given their feedback on the EU human rights strategy. We have appointed a liaison officer and made their contact details available to local non-government organisations and civil society. The UN Organization Mission in DRC (MONUC) Protection Unit also provides protection services to those in danger including relocation and advice on personal security. Internet: Broadband Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of all evidence that was collected in preparing the report of the Communications Consumer Panel Local initiatives on next generation access in the UK. Baroness Wilcox: The Communications Consumer Panel's report brought together the information that was then available about the local broadband schemes that had been announced or were in operation. It was the result of conversations with stakeholders and a web-based review of publicly available information. There is therefore no material or evidence beyond that cited in the report and, where possible, linked in the report to the relevant web source. The Communications Consumer Panel produced two versions of this report; the second was simply an updated version of the original. The Communications Consumer Panel does not have further updates in its workplan. Marie Stopes International Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any funds provided by them to Marie Stopes International (MSI) will be used to establish MSI abortion clinics in China; and what recent discussions they have had with MSI about that issue. Earl Howe: Marie Stopes International (MSI) does not use government funds to support its work on sexual and reproductive healthcare services in China. Departmental officials have regular discussions with MSI on a range of sexual health issues. Marie Stopes International Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any funds provided by them to Marie Stopes International (MSI) were used by MSI to welcome Ms Lin Bin, Minister of China's National Population and Family Planning Commission, to its London headquarters. Earl Howe: The Government do not fund Marie Stopes International's work with the Chinese National Population and Family Planning Commission. Mental Health Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many non-British citizens are detained under the Mental Health Acts in psychiatric hospitals in the United Kingdom; and of those, how many are citizens of other European Union countries. Earl Howe: There is no comprehensive data collection undertaken by the department with regard to the ethnicity or nationality of people detained under the Mental Health Act. Details for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the respective devolved Administrations. Mental Health Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government in what circumstances non-British citizens detained under the Mental Health Acts in United Kingdom psychiatric hospitals can be repatriated to their countries; and how many have been repatriated in each of the past three years. Earl Howe: Section 86 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (the 1983 Act) empowers the Secretary of State to authorise the repatriation of certain in-patients detained in England or Wales who are neither British citizens nor Commonwealth citizens having the right of abode in the United Kingdom. Before doing so the Secretary of State must be satisfied that proper arrangements have been made for the patient's removal and for their care and treatment in the receiving country. The Secretary of State must also obtain the approval of the appropriate tribunal. In Wales, this function is transferred to the Welsh Ministers, except in relation to certain patients detained under Part 3 of the 1983 Act subject to special restrictions ("restricted patients"). Part 3 of the 1983 Act deals primarily with mentally disordered offenders. Two patients were repatriated by the Secretary of State under Section 86 in 2007, and one in 2009. All three were restricted patients. In addition to Section 86, some patients detained under Part 3 of the 1983 Act in England and Wales can be repatriated under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 (the 1984 Act), as a condition of a conditional discharge or by deportation. Nine restricted patients were deported in 2007, 11 in 2008 and 12 in 2009. To date, two have been deported in 2010. In 2008, one restricted patient was repatriated by means of conditional discharge. No patients have been repatriated under the 1984 Act in the past three years. Details of other detained patients who have returned to their countries of origin voluntarily are not collected centrally. Mental health legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is matter for the relevant devolved Administration. Mental Health Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons detained under the Mental Health Acts are being treated in (a) the National Health Service, and (b) private hospitals; and what is the average weekly cost of treating such patients. Earl Howe: At 31 March 2009 there were 16,073 patients detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in England, 12,339 in National Health Service facilities and 3,734 in independent hospitals. Information on the average weekly cost of treating such patients is not held centrally. Mental Health Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether long-stay in-patients in psychiatric hospitals are entitled to the same social security benefits as persons not in hospital. Lord Freud: Psychiatric patients who, were it not for their illness, would be serving a term of imprisonment, cannot receive Department for Work and Pensions benefits. For other psychiatric in-patients the rules are as follows: Income Support Premiums paid in respect of disability may be withdrawn from in-patients if another benefit which qualified them for the premium ends or the income support claimant has been an in-patient for a continuous period of more than 52 weeks. Employment and Support Allowance People who have been in hospital for more than 52 weeks lose their entitlement to the work-related activity or support component. As with income support, most premiums stop after 52 weeks but may be withdrawn earlier if another benefit which qualifies the claimant for the premium ends. Incapacity Benefit Where a person is in hospital for more than 52 weeks any increase paid for adult or child dependants will be withdrawn unless the Secretary of State approves payment to another person. Disability Living Allowance Payment of disability living allowance is withdrawn after 28 days for hospital in-patients aged 16 years or over and 84 days for in-patients under 16 years of age. Attendance Allowance Hospital in-patients who receive attendance allowance are paid for the first 28 days. Carer's Allowance When payment of attendance allowance or disability living allowance care component (middle or highest rate) is withdrawn from the hospitalised person, payment of carer's allowance to that person's carer is withdrawn at the same time. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Housing benefit and council tax benefit can be paid for up to 52 weeks to people who are in hospital and expect to be discharged home within that period. State Pension Weekly state pension is not affected by being in hospital, even if a stay in hospital is for longer than 52 weeks. Extra state pension or a lump-sum payment can still be earned during a stay in hospital while a claim for state pension is being put off. However, if an increase is paid with state pension for a husband, wife or someone who looks after a recipient's children, the recipient needs to tell the department when they, or the other person in respect of whom the increase is payable, goes into and comes out of hospital, as the increase payable to the recipient can be dependent on them actually residing with the other person. Pension Credit On admission to hospital the amount of pension credit payable to a single person will stay the same unless their appropriate amount includes an extra amount for severe disability or carers. The extra amount for severe disability will stop (or may reduce in the case of couples) when attendance allowance or disability living allowance stops. The additional amount for carers stops eight weeks after carers allowance (or underlying entitlement to it) stops. Housing costs will continue to be allowed as long as they are treated as responsible for the costs. This will normally be for a maximum of 52 weeks. Couples, where one or both people are in hospital and are not expected to return home on discharge, will be treated as single people and will both claim pension credit in their own right. Where one partner is in hospital and is expected to be discharged home, their pension credit will normally stay the same for the first 52 weeks unless they have an additional amount for severe disability or carers. After 52 weeks both partners are usually treated as single people for pension credit purposes. Winter Fuel Payments A person who has reached the qualifying age for a winter fuel payment will not receive a payment if, at the qualifying week, they are in hospital getting free in-patient treatment and have been getting such treatment for more than 52 weeks. NHS: Procurement Baroness Thornton: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the new national guidance for ethical procurement in the National Health Service following the consultation on it. To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will communicate the cost savings and efficiency benefits associated with implementing ethical procurement practices in the National Health Service. To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to support NHS organisations in implementing new national guidance for ethical procurement. To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to monitor and report on the implementation of the new national guidance for ethical procurement by NHS organisations. Earl Howe: The department is currently considering its approach to guidance for the National Health Service on ethical procurement and a decision will be made in due course. Peru Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the President of Peru, Alan Garcia, about promulgating the law on consultation, as approved by Peru's congress, before 18 June, so that the rights of indigenous people which it assures are ratified. Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK welcomes any consultation process designed to head off disputes and to protect and respect the rights of the indigenous groups. Our ambassador to Peru has made this known to Ministers at regular intervals, most recently with Environment Minister Brack on 10 June. We understand that President Garcia has until 25 June to consider promulgation of the new consultative law. Philippines Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are discussing with the Government of the Philippines the issue of human trafficking, including for sexual exploitation, and the level of prosecutions for child sexual offences. Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government signed a mutual legal assistance treaty and an extradition treaty with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in October 2009 which, once ratified, will help bring human traffickers and those responsible for sexual offences against children to justice. Our embassy in the Philippines has discussed these issues with the Government of the Philippines as well as representatives of civil society organisations. We will take forward dialogue on these issues once President-elect Aquino has been inaugurated on 30 June and his Administration have been formed. Prisons: Northern Ireland Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice the Northern Ireland Office has given to the Northern Ireland Prison Service about potential unrest. Lord Shutt of Greetland: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) does not advise the Northern Ireland Prison Service on potential unrest in Northern Ireland. The chief constable advises both the Secretary of State, and the Minister of Justice responsible for the Northern Ireland Prison Service, in respect of such matters. Refugee and Migrant Justice Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 14 June (WA 93-94), whether officials will meet Refugee and Migrant Justice to agree means by which that organisation's case load can continue to be serviced. Lord McNally: The most important issue now that Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) has decided to enter into administration is the arrangements for its clients. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is working closely with the administrator and others to ensure that urgent arrangements are made so that clients continue to receive a good-quality service. The LSC has experience of handling the transfer of work when a provider leaves the market and is satisfied that there is adequate capacity to absorb the extra workload. Though some initial disruption is unfortunately inevitable, every effort will be made to minimise this. The LSC is making urgent arrangements for other providers to take on RMJ cases that require prompt advice-for example, clients held in detention. Regional Strategies Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they are giving to regional development agencies and leaders' boards about existing work and the commissioning of new work on the production of regional strategies under Part 5 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. Baroness Hanham: The Secretary of State has announced the Government's intention to abolish regional strategies and that funding for leaders' boards will be cut. In the light of these announcements regional development agencies and leaders' boards should not be doing any nugatory work. Regional Strategies Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they are giving to local planning authorities about existing work and the commissioning of new work on local development frameworks pending new legislation to enact proposals in The Coalition: Our Programme for Government. Baroness Hanham: The Government believe it is important for local authorities to have local plans in place to direct sustainable development and provide certainty to investors and communities and that they should carry on preparing them. The Secretary of State has written to all local authorities confirming the coalition Government's intension to abolish regional strategies and housing targets and that he expects authorities to have regard to his letter as a material consideration in planning decisions. That includes decisions on the preparation of local development frameworks. Shipping: General Lighthouse Authorities Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were employed in each of the communications and marketing departments of the three General Lighthouse Authorities in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, and (e) 2009; and how many are now employed. Earl Attlee: The number of people employed is as follows: Trinity House Northern Lighthouse Board Commissioners of Irish Lights 2005 4 2 0 2006 4 2 0 2007 4 2 0 2008 4 2 0 2009 4 2 0 2010 4 2 0 Shipping: General Lighthouse Authorities Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in reducing the General Lighthouse Authorities' operating budget for the next three years. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the General Lighthouse Authorities are still planning on an 18 per cent increase in their operating budget over the next three years. Earl Attlee: The operating costs and budgets for the General Lighthouse Authorities for the next three years have not yet been agreed and will be discussed during the forthcoming corporate planning rounds later in the year. Sustainable Communities Act 2007 Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking on the pledge in The Coalition: Our Programme for Government to "implement the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, so that citizens know how taxpayers' money is spent in their area and have a greater say over how it is spent". Baroness Hanham: This Government are committed to increasing transparency across the public sector, to allow citizens to hold government and public services to account. A Public Sector Transparency Board is being set up to drive that work. As a start, councils will be required to publish contracts, tenders and payments over £500 from January 2011, and we will be consulting about how to expand the scope of that requirement. A consultation on the future shape of local spending reports is ongoing to 16 July 2010, and Ministers will consider options after that. Sustainable Communities Act 2007 Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will make decisions on the first round of proposals from local authorities made under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and short-listed by the Local Government Association prior to submission to the Secretary of State in December 2009. Baroness Hanham: In The Coalition: Our Programme for Government we stated that this Government will promote decentralisation and democratic engagement, and end the era of top-down government by giving new powers to local councils, communities, neighbourhoods and individuals. The Government are looking carefully at the ideas proposed by local authorities under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 about how we can do just that. We will inform the House when we intend to make decisions about which proposals should be implemented. Sustainable Communities Act 2007 Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to make regulations under Section 5B of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007; and whether they intend to make an order under Section 5C of that Act. Baroness Hanham: The Government are considering how to implement the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, with a view to giving notice, no later than 1 January 2011, of when the Secretary of State intends to invite local authorities to make proposals which they consider would contribute to promoting the sustainability of local communities. The Government intend to consult on the arrangements surrounding this invitation before making a final decision. Transport: Roads Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 15 June (HL146) concerning requirements for the development of a dual carriageway, what is the formula used to justify an increase in carriageway standard; and how the consultants who carry out the assessment are appointed. Earl Attlee: No single formula is used to justify an increase in carriageway standard. The assessment for each case requires an iterative process that takes into account the interactions between forecast traffic flows, scheme cost, operational impact, safety, environmental impact, and the anticipated scheme economic benefits. Current guidance, contained in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) volume 5, section 1, part 3 TA46/97, provides suggested starting points for this iterative process but does not dictate what the outcome should be. The Department for Transport's policy is to award orders and contracts on the basis of the "most economically advantageous tender". Where possible, the department uses framework agreements to procure design consultancy services. The evaluation criteria used for awarding orders and contracts are in accordance with the criteria set out in the parent framework agreement. UK: Acreage Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the acreage of (a) England, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales. Baroness Hanham: Information provided by Ordnance Survey for Great Britain and by Land and Property Services, an agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland, indicates that the acreages of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (including all offshore islands) are estimated at: Country Area in Acres England 32,227,108 Northern Ireland 3,359,148 Scotland 19,473,841 Wales 5,135,449 Areas quoted include all offshore islands and land areas above mean high water (mean high water springs in Scotland). The precise area of each country will vary from time to time due to natural and gradual changes to the coastline due to coastal erosion and silt deposition. UK: Coastline Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the length of the United Kingdom coastline in miles at (a) low, and (b) high, tide; and what are the lengths of the coastlines of (a) England, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Scotland, and (d) Wales. Baroness Hanham: Information provided by Ordnance Survey for Great Britain and by Land and Property Services, an agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland, indicates that the lengths of the coastlines at mean high water (MHW) and mean low water (MLW), (mean high water springs [ordinary spring tides] and mean low water springs in Scotland) are: Country Length of Coastline at Mean Low Water (MLW) [Miles] Length of Coastline at Mean High Water (MHW) [Miles] England 8,417 9,462 Northern Ireland 620 542 Scotland 14,675 13,186 Wales 2,323 1,999 United Kingdom 26,035 25,189 These coastal lengths include all offshore islands, and land areas which are above MLW. The precise length of coastlines will vary from time to time due to natural and gradual changes arising from coastal erosion and silt deposition.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2010-06-23a

Lord Drayson: The announcement made on 31 March this year referred to the integration of the force protection activities undertaken by the Royal Air Force Police and the Royal Air Force Regiment, rather than to the structural integration of the two organisations. This integration will not impact on the ability of the Royal Air Force Police to undertake special investigations. Baroness Andrews: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed in May 2002. Figures on management consultants cannot be disaggregated from those for external consultants, and the figures in the table below show all external consultants' costs and relate to ODPM central and its agencies. 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 ODPM central £76,000,000 £47,000,000 £79,831,087 £52,609,857 Planning Inspectorate £3,222,478 £2,892,751 £2,824,751 £2,799,330 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre £11,016 £68,861 £79,635 £123,946 Fire Service College £43,306 £152,279 £320,484 £345,580 The office has responded to the need to develop sustainable homes and communities, and consultants have been engaged to support the development of system processes. The skills required for these programmes were not available from civil servants. In addition, consultants have been engaged by ODPM to support the delivery of projects to enhance the ability of the fire and rescue service to respond to major incidents. The work undertaken by consultants includes providing radio engineering expertise for the fire and rescue service's new radio systems, and logistical support and design for responding to a chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear incident and search and rescue incidents. Some 60 per cent. of expenditure has been in support of these projects. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The most recent information shows that 15.23 per cent. of disabled people of working age who want to work are not in employment and are claiming state benefits, compared to 3.96 per cent. of the non-disabled working-age population. Note: These data are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) winter 2005 dataset. As the LFS is a self-reporting survey, it often underestimates the magnitude of benefit claims. Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are reviewing the announced allocations for the pooled drug treatment in (a) 2006–07, and (b) 2007–08. Lord Adebowale: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the percentage increase in the pooled drug treatment for (a) 2006–07, and (b) 2007–08. Lord Drayson: Since 1997 the Royal Air Force has provided a regular air service to the Falkland Islands, via Ascension Island. Since April 2003 this has been predominantly through the use of charter civilian aircraft. During this period 244 flights were made, of which records exist for 209. Based on these records, approximately 72 per cent. of flights departed on schedule and a further 18 per cent. were within six hours of the estimated time of departure. Approximately 6 per cent. of flights were delayed in excess of 24 hours. In cases where civilian aircraft were unable to support the service, outside the terms of the contract, appropriate military aircraft were substituted. This performance is considered acceptable, given the challenging nature of the route. Comparable records are not held for the period prior to April 2003. The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any plans to upgrade the aircraft currently operating the schedule, although this is principally a matter for the commercial operator.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2006-05-18a

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many primary care trusts have adopted Payment by Results in 2006-07; how many primary care trusts they expect to (a) continue adopting Payment by Results, and (b) begin to adopt Payment by Results in 2007-08; and what monitoring they will conduct to ensure that the objectives of Payment by Results are achieved. Northern Ireland: Organised Crime Lord Rooker: Departmental performance against government sustainable operations targets, including water consumption, has been published in annual sustainable development in government reports (STiG). The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), the independent watchdog, published its latest SDiG report in December 2005. It covered the reporting period April 2004 to March 2005 and is available at: www.sd-commission.org.uk/watchdog. According to the SDC's report, seven government departments met the 2004 water consumption target. These departments were: the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Department for Constitutional Affairs; the Department of Health; the Inland Revenue; Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; the Department for International Development; and the Office for National Statistics. On 12 June 2006, the Prime Minister launched a set of intentionally challenging sustainable operational targets for the government estate. They set an example to the rest of the public sector, businesses and consumers and will catalyse efforts to improve the way the Government manage their land and buildings sustainably. The new targets relevant to water consumption are as follows. Departments are to: reduce water consumption by 25 per cent on the office and the non-office estate by 2020, relative to 2004-05 levels; and reduce water consumption to an average of 3m3 per person per year for all new office builds or major office refurbishments. Lord Rooker: In addition to the Scouts Association and the National Federation of Women's Institutes, a total of 51 other organisations have been allocated funding for the next two financial years from the Climate Change Fund as announced by the Government in June 2006. These are as follows. 2006-07 (£) 2007-08 (£) Total (£) IVCA Ltd 66,140.00 72,250.00 138,390 Cambridge Carbon Footprint 5,160.00 0.00 5,160 National Trust 103,700.00 10,000.00 113,700 Forkbeard Fantasy 25,100.00 52,598.00 77,698 The National Energy Foundation (NEF) 142,000.00 153,500.00 295,500 School Councils UK 80,700.00 14,700.00 95,400 Global Action Plan 49,230.00 — 49,230 British Association for the Advancement of Science 30,000.00 — 30,000 WMnet: West Midlands Regional Broadband Consortium 75,000.00 85,000.00 160,000 Forum for the Future 123,566.00 47,940.00 171,506 New Economics Foundation 103,834.00 145,311.00 249,145 Royal Geographical Society 29,000.00 69,750.00 98,750 Yigal Allon Educational Trust 49,480.00 — 49,480 Cambridge Carbon Footprint 16,284.00 17,750.00 34,034 Ipswich Borough Council 44,098.00 — 44,098 University of East Anglia 16,245.00 — 16,245 Bolsover Drama Group — 6,850.00 6,850 The Wellingborough Partnership 6,700.00 — 6,700 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Local Authorities' Energy Partnership 207,500.00 171,500.00 379,000 The Friends of Finsbury Park (FoFP) 14,434.00 — 14,434 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 18,450.00 3,550.00 22,000 Greater London Authority 229,500.00 187,500.00 417,000 London Borough of Bromley 30,000.00 31,000.00 61,000 London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) 40,856.00 98,277.00 139,133 London Borough of Sutton 73,000.00 75,750.00 148,750 Langdon Beck YHA 18,300.00 — 18,300 Sunderland City Council 20,500.00 15,000.00 35,500 Helix Arts 40,941.00 51,931.00 92,872 Sustainability Northwest 22,061.00 17,810.00 39,871 Rite2no-young people's climate change project/Parklands High School 7,396.00 32,414.00 39,810 Liverpool World Centre 29,210.00 38,671.00 67,881 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford 78,000.00 122,000.00 200,000 The National Energy Foundation (NEF) 98,750.00 86,000.00 184,750 Thames Valley Energy Centre 13,590.00 0.00 13,590 Dartmoor National Park Authority 7,500.00 0.00 7,500 Westden 12,700.00 16,150.00 28,850 Devon Development Education 35,750.00 39,917.00 75,667 Centre for Sustainable Energy 139,928.00 73,303.00 213,231 Community Energy Plus 28,990.00 56,330.00 85,320 Stoke on Trent City Council 50,771.00 47,949.00 98,720 WMnet: West Midlands Regional Broadband Consortium 95,000.00 95,000.00 190,000 Castle Vale Community Housing Association 16,100.00 0.00 16,100 The Rural Media Company 40,700.00 1,300.00 42,000 Winterbourne Botanic Garden 10,150.00 0.00 10,150 Tide-Teachers in Development Education 27,000.00 21,250.00 48,250 Big Brum Theatre in Education Company 13,355.00 — 13,355 Stockholm Environment Institute 26,115.00 33,642.00 59,757 Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust 57,000.00 40,000.00 97,000 Calderdale Sustainability Forum Ltd. 53,266.00 44,375.00 97,641 Kingston Upon Hull City Council 42,689.00 68,728.00 111,417 Taleem Youth Forum 9,390.00 — 9,390 Including the two organisations previously referred to, a total of £4.8 million will be awarded in the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: My department has received four letters from justices of the peace summoned for jury service about the combined commitment of being a JP and a juror. All four were received within the first year of JPs and others being eligible to serve. This does not include applications for excusal or deferral from JPs summoned for jury service. Any such applications, made to either the Jury Central Summoning Bureau or Crown Court, would be dealt with on their individual merits. In the case of a self employed magistrate, the effect of jury service on both their work and their ability to sit as a magistrate would be taken into account in coming to a decision. A circular was sent to advisory committees and sub-committees on justices of the peace on 21 March 2006 clarifying a number of points about magistrates summoned for jury service. It followed a similar circular in 2004. Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps the Department for Trade and Industry has taken to notify employment agencies that if they place anyone within the agriculture and food processing industries that agency must have a gangmasters' licence. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Two members of staff are primarily employed to provide support of a non-political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Government Departments: Special Advisers Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether special advisers are required to declare to the Permanent Secretary within the relevant department any other outside employment or work, paid or unpaid, that they may undertake in addition to their main duties; whether such information is published; and what plans they have for creating a register of interests for special advisers; and Whether, in accordance with Section 17 of the Model Contract for Special Advisers, those special advisers employed by the Prime Minister have notified their head of department of any other external employment they have undertaken in the past year; and, if so, what was the nature of any such external employment. Lord Bassam of Brighton: The rules for civil servants, including special advisers, who wish to take up other employment in addition to their Civil Service duties are set out in Section 4.3 of the Civil Service Management Code. Such information is not normally made public. There are no plans to create a public register of interests for special advisers. Government Departments: Special Advisers Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; and what is the nature of their services. Lord Davies of Oldham: Special advisers have one member of staff who provides support of a non political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Lord Drayson: In the Ministry of Defence letter of 5 June to the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, the fourth paragraph states: "As you are aware, the Ministry of Defence welcomed the decision by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in the case brought by Mr Martin. The Tribunal's decision accepted the use of the umbrella term Gulf War Syndrome for accepted conditions which are causally linked to service in the 1990-91-Gulf War. The Secretary of State recognised that some veterans were concerned that the link between their ill-health and their service in the Gulf had not been sufficiently acknowledged. The Tribunal's decision in Martin gave a formal means of providing such recognition and it was for that reason, not least, that the Ministry of Defence welcomed it". The then veterans' Minister, in his Written Statement of 24 November 2005 (Official Report, Commons, col. 129WS), hoped that this formal recognition would help to provide an element of closure for those who have sought this acknowledgement of their ill-health. The extract from the 5 June letter was made in the context of the earlier Ministerial Statement. Moreover, in the spirit of helping to provide closure and acting in good faith, the Veterans' Agency in its notification letters to Mr McGreevy went further than required by including previously accepted conditions, which were linked to his Gulf service, under the umbrella term of Gulf War syndrome. While the 5 June letter accepts that this was done in error, it nevertheless indicates the Ministry of Defence's willingness to assist in the closure process. Baroness Amos: Our best information is that the food containers have been moved from Ashdod and are now awaiting delivery at Karni Crossing. The crossing has been open for humanitarian imports since 13 July, but had been closed for six days before that. In the past fortnight, the my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken to Israeli Foreign Minister Livini and Palestinian President Abbas to try to help find a way to end the current humanitarian crisis. Our missions are working closely with both parties and the G8. The EU and the UK have issued statements in response to the crisis. Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans there are to increase the Kosovo Peacekeeping Force presence in Kosovo to boost security during the final status talks process. Lord Davies of Oldham: The sponsorship of the Museum of London, the Horniman Museum and Gardens and the Geffrye Museum was the subject of a similar consultation exercise in 1998, when the Greater London Authority (GLA) was in the process of being established. The result of the consultation was that it was decided not to transfer responsibility for these museums to the GLA. However, it was left open to review the matter at a later date when the GLA had been given time to develop its role and functions. Following the Mayor of London's recent request to take on the Government's sponsorship responsibilities for the Museum of London, it was decided that there were sufficient grounds to consult again on the general principle of the GLA also taking on responsibility the Horniman and Geffrye Museums. Any proposed changes that may emerge as a result of the consultation will be discussed with the museums in full. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The low carbon buildings programme provides advice to potential users of microgeneration systems through the Energy Saving Trust and the Building Research Establishment and, for large projects, through the Carbon Trust. The Carbon Trust also provides information to potential microgeneration users. The Government have also recently established a biomass energy centre as part of a response to the biomass task force. The Government have also funded a number of regionally/locally based organisations to provide such information, such as renewable energy advice centres, energy efficiency advice centres and community renewables initiative local support teams. There have also been organisations set up to provide advice by regional development agencies, including Renewables East and Regen SouthWest. The Government maintain an overview of the information needs, and quality, in this area as part of its microgeneration strategy. As part of its strategy, the DTI will undertake a review of existing activity to assess effectiveness and identify gaps. We will then assess the feasibility of a communications/information campaign. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There are a range of issues surrounding metering, connection to the distribution network, and balancing and settlement arrangements that could be preventing widespread take-up of electricity generating technologies. Changes to the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2003, and subsequent amendment of the related Distribution Code of Engineering Recommendation G83/1, have allowed a more straightforward process for network connection for electricity producing microgeneration technologies below a certain size (16A per phase). The DTI continues to work with Ofgem, the distribution network operators, energy suppliers and the microgeneration industry to resolve difficulties—particularly through the Electricity Networks Strategy Group. Lord Drayson: QinetiQ does not pay rent on the South Arm explosion testing facility at Rosyth. The vast majority (approximately 95 per cent) of work conducted by QinetiQ at this site is, in either direct or indirect (through prime contractors), support to Ministry of Defence programmes. As all the costs of operating this site are passed back to MoD under these contracts there is no point in charging a rent as this would in effect become "circular money". Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the business case for (a) Rally Ireland; (b) The Ulster-Scots Academy; and (c) "On Eagle's Wing" musical were first requested; when they were received in final form; and when they were accepted. Lord Rooker: The business cases were reviewed as follows: The Northern Ireland Events Company commissioned a business case for Rally Ireland in May 2005. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) received the final version of the business case on 4 January 2006 and it was accepted by DCAL and the Department of Finance and Personnel on 20 January 2006. DCAL requested consultants to produce a business case for giving effect to the joint declaration commitment to encourage support to be made available for an Ulster-Scots academy on 22 September 2003. The final version of the business case was received by DCAL on 5 March 2004 and it received ministerial approval on 8 August 2004. The Ulster-Scots Agency was informed of the need for a business case, including an economic appraisal, to support any public funding for the "On Eagle's Wing" project on the 29 January 2003. The final version was submitted to DCAL economists on 27 October 2003 The business case did not demonstrate that there was a need for deficit funding, but that On Eagle's Wing Ltd required funding to avert an upfront cash-flow problem. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not have the specific statutory powers to make what would have effectively been a loan from voted funds. As a result the business case was not accepted. Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Statement by the Secretary of State for Defence, Des Brown, (Official Report, col. 1140) that they "will do what any Government can to ensure that when Parliament is in recess information on a wide range of issues" will be "communicated appropriately to those who need to know", on what principles Members of the House of Lords will be selected and identified as needing to know; and what methods of communication will be used. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The White Paper, Security in Retirement: Towards a new pensions system, set out a package of reforms aimed at increasing the number of people entitled to a state pension and the amount to which they would be entitled. A key element in the package is to reduce the number of qualifying years for a full basic state pension to 30 for both men and women (from 44 for men and 39 for women now) reaching state pension age from 2010. The reduction in qualifying years to 30 will mean around 125,000, or around 70 per cent of women reaching state pension age in 2010 are expected to achieve full entitlement—compared to around 50 per cent in 2010 without reform (Government Actuary Department's retirement pension model). The majority of those remaining are expected to achieve between about 61 to 99 per cent of a full basic state pension, with others getting up to 60 per cent full entitlement based on their own records, whereas without reform they may have got nothing. The information requested is in the tables below. The estimates are approximate and reflect the inevitable uncertainty associated with any future projection. Table 1: Number and percentage of men and women who are estimated to qualify for full basic state pension if the number of qualifying years required for full basic state pension were reduced to 25 and costs Men of pensionable age Women of pensionable age Men reaching state pension age Women reaching state pension age Gross £m Net £m 2010 3,900,000 (85 per cent to 90 per cent) 3,600,000 (around 50 per cent) 305,000 (over 95 per cent) 140,000 (around 80 per cent) 50 40 2020 5,200,000 (90 per cent to 95 per cent) 4,300,000 (around 65 per cent) 310,000 (over 95 per cent) 320,000 (around 90 per cent) 670 520 2030 6,400,000 (around 95 per cent) 6,800,000 (around 85 per cent) 385,000 (around 95 per cent) 405,000 (around 95 per cent) 1,590 1,,240 Table 2: Number and percentage of men and women who are estimated to qualify for full basic state pension if the number of qualifying years required for full basic state pension were reduced to 20 and costs Men of pensionable age Women of pensionable age Men reaching state pension age Women reaching state pension age Gross £m Net £m 2010 3,900,000 (85 per cent to 90 per cent) 3,600,000 (around 50 per cent) 310,000 (over 95 per cent) 150,000 (around 85 per cent) 60 50 2020 5,200,000 (90 per cent to 95 per cent) 4,400,000 (around 65 per cent) 315,000 (over 95 per cent) 325,000 (around 95 per cent) 760 590 2030 6,500,000 (around 95 per cent) 6,900,000 (around 85 per cent) 390,000 (around 95 per cent) 410,000 (around 95 per cent) 1,760 1,370 Notes to Tables 1 and 2: 1. Source: Estimates from the Government Actuary's Department's retirement pension model 2. Estimates are based on reducing qualifying years required for full basic state pension to 25 in table 1 and 20 in table 2, for people reaching state pension age from 2010. 3. Numbers of people of pensionable age are rounded to the nearest 100,000. 4. Numbers of people reaching pension age are rounded to the nearest 5,000. 5. The number of women reaching state pension age in 2010 takes into account state pension age equalisation, which means that only half of the women who are projected to reach age 60 in 2010 actually reach state pension age in 2010. 6. Costs are presented in 2006 prices and rounded to the nearest £10 million. 7. Costs are expressed as additional expenditure over and above expenditure on the current system without any reform. 8. No other policy changes have been modelled in producing these estimates other than the reduction in qualifying years to 25 in table 1 and 20 years in table 2. 9. Net costs are net of income related benefits. They have been estimated by DWP using offsets generated by the policy simulation model. 10. Estimates are for Great Britain only. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Question the noble Lord has asked relates to operational matters for which Post Office Ltd is directly responsible. Post Office Ltd has provided the following figures relating to the number of post office closures. Details to end financial year Closures in Year Total Urban Rural March 2000-01 547 106 441 March 2001-02 262 68 194 March 2002-03 345 230 115 March 2003-04 1,278 1,129 149 March 2004-05 1,352 1,208 144 March 2005-06 233 84 149 Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they will take to promote shareholders' rights and democracy within the European Union, in particular the principle of one share, one vote; and what further steps they will take to protect non-resident shareholders who hold European equity in a member state in which they are not resident. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The European Commission has consulted on the possibility of action on shareholder democracy in its current review of its May 2003 company law and corporate governance action plan. The Government have supported the proposal for a full study into the issue of one share one vote. Lord Rooker: We are unable to give a value to the timber imports identified as illegally felled that enter the UK as timber imports are not identified as legal or illegal at ports of entry. The UK Government take the trade in illegally felled timber very seriously and are taking a range of actions to address it. The EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulation adopted last year enables member states to enter into partnership agreements with developing countries and provide them with assistance to tackle illegal logging. This assistance will include a licensing system designed to identify products as legal and license them for export to the EU. It will be reinforced by powers for HM Customs to take a range of actions relating to unlicensed products from partner countries; this will allow member states to prohibit the import of illegal timber from those countries into the EU for the first time. The UK Government recognise that government purchasing policies can also send a strong signal to the market and timber suppliers. Since 2000, the UK Government have committed central departments to seek to procure products made from timber that has been legally harvested and grown in a sustainably managed forest or plantation. At the international level, the UK is also working with other major timber consuming countries. Most recently, this has included following up G8 commitments to tackle illegal logging made at the G8 environment and development ministerial in 2005, and establishing a joint working group on forestry with China. Lord Rooker: According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (2005) statistics, global deforestation, mainly due to conversion of forests to agricultural land, continues at a rate of 13 million hectares per year. At the same time, forest planting and natural expansion of forests have reduced the net loss of forest area. The net global change in forest area in the period 2000-2005 is estimated at -7.3 million hectares per year (an area about the size of Panama or Sierra Leone), down from -8.9 million hectares per year in the period 1990-2000. Estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that tropical deforestation is currently responsible for about 20 per cent of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Only approximately one twentieth of this is offset by reforestation in temperate regions. Tropical forests act as a significant carbon sink, helping to limit the rate of rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide to less than 50 per cent of the rate of emissions. Removal of rainforests weakens this buffering and exposes us more to the effect of our emissions. An accelerated rise of carbon dioxide from both an increased source and a weakened sink implies an accelerated rate of global warming. Rainforest destruction also affects climate through changes in other greenhouse gases, organic soot particles and through processes such as water recycling, which have local and global impacts. For example, rainforest loss can increase the concentration of ozone, another greenhouse gas. Aerosols are released by burning forests and can modify temperature and local rainfall regimes. Rainforests recycle rain water back to the atmosphere, which maintains their own moist climate and also affects neighbouring regions; deforestation can modify atmospheric circulation and rainfall across the globe. Lord Blaker: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Statement by the noble Lord, Lord Triesman, on 13 July (WS 52), on what alternative livelihoods Pillar 6 in the national drugs control strategy of Afghanistan, supported by Department for International Development funding is to be focused. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government have taken the current assisted areas map (2000-06) as the baseline for developing the new map. They propose the following indicators to prioritise areas to receive assisted areas status: employment rate; adult skills at level 2 and above; incapacity benefit claimants; manufacturing share of employment. Further detail on the proposed designation of assisted areas, including the draft assisted areas map (2007-13), can be found in the DTI document Review of Assisted Areas—Stage 2—The Government's Response and Draft Assisted Areas Map and accompanying documents, available on the DTI website: www.dti.gov.uk/regional/assisted-areas/assisted-areas-review/page24618.html and the Libraries of the House. Lord Triesman: It has traditionally been our practice in consular sections overseas to accept only British nationality applications made on the relevant application form. However, the Nationality Directorate of the Home Office has informed us recently that, although they prefer applicants to use the appropriate form, there is no requirement to do so provided that the applicant has provided all the necessary information on which a decision is based. Baroness Amos: DfID's representative in Helmand is based in the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province. The PRT also contains representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the military and, arriving shortly, the British Embassy drugs team. These four representatives work together as the Helmand executive group, which is responsible for the delivery of the UK joint plan for Helmand. DfID leads in advising the civilian and military members of the Helmand PRT on the development implications of all interventions in the province. For example, the PRT supports a number of quick impact projects (QIPs) designed to demonstrate immediate progress to the people of the province and to help build a platform for longer-term activity. DfID's advice helps maximise the developmental impact of these projects and ensures that they fit with national government priorities. The Helmand executive group jointly supervises identification, selection, implementation and monitoring of QIPs, which is funded from a range of departmental budgets. In June, DfID increased the funding available for QIPs by £3 million, but the advisory role of the DfID representative remains the same. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Low Carbon Buildings Programme is providing £80 million to reduce upfront capital costs for a range of microgeneration technologies, building on the support already provided under the PV Major Demonstration Programme and the Clear Skies Initiative. Uptake of the grants offered to date indicates that the level of support has given sufficient incentive to those considering investing in microgeneration for their premises. The DTI commissioned a study from the Energy Saving Trust, published in November 2005, to predict the future uptake, costs and benefits of microgeneration technologies. The study demonstrated that some microgeneration technologies are currently cost-effective but are still not being taken up, indicating that cost is not the only factor that investors consider when installing microgeneration technologies. The Government are working, with Ofgem and with industry, through their microgeneration strategy, to create conditions under which microgeneration becomes a realistic alternative, or supplementary energy generation source for the householder, for the community and for small businesses. Rainforests Baroness Amos: We have a range of opportunities to discuss the protection of the rights and interests of people living in rainforests, with the World Bank and others. DfID supports the global partnership for rights and resources with a grant of £300,000. This is a new informal coalition of organisations dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of rainforest-dependent people. It provides a platform for engagement with Governments, other donors, local and international NGOs and research organisations. DfID is providing £24 million to support the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) programme, which will support multi-stakeholder processes that will involve rainforest-dependent people in the development and implementation of trade and governance agreements between the EU and timber-producing countries. In addition to those global initiatives, DfID supports numerous bilateral initiatives to support the rights and interests of rainforest-dependent people. Examples of DfID-funded bilateral initiatives include: the multistakeholder forestry programme in Indonesia, where DfID is working with civil society groups and the World Bank on the resource rights of forest-dependent communities. In Cameroon, DfID is working together with the World Bank, providing targeted budget support alongside the World Bank's International Development Association and the Global Environmental Facility contributions. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), DfID supports the Rainforest Foundation to pilot participatory forest mapping and zoning, aiming to secure the rights and interests of rainforest-dependent people. Rainforests Baroness Amos: Decisions taken by the World Bank which affect logging operations in rainforests have to conform to its policy on forests that was adopted in 2003. This states that the World Bank will only finance commercial harvesting in areas where strict environmental assessments or authoritative scientific surveys have demonstrated that the areas in question do not contain critical forest areas or other critical natural habitats. HMG co-operates with the World Bank on a number of country programmes aimed at improving forest governance. These include Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, and Cambodia. The expected impacts of the above programmes include the empowerment of forest-dependent communities, enhanced economic opportunities for the poor and indigenous groups, increased revenues for the state, and improved conservation of biodiversity. In Cameroon, HMG/DfID has committed £11 million for the Cameroon Forest Governance Programme. Commitments in support of the forest sector in the DRC and Cambodia are still being finalised. There is a growing consensus that the traditional concession-based industrial logging model does not generate the desired economic, social and environmental benefits. DfID, together with the World Bank and a number of civil society and research organisations, is planning to support research into improved models for forest sector development. Baroness Amos: The UK pledged £75 million for the immediate humanitarian relief effort following the tsunami. The breakdown of commitment and spend to date by country is set out in the table below. Most of DfID's support to the United Nations was for regional activities, allowing the United Nations to channel the funds to where they were most needed. The regional commitment includes up to £7.5 million for disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities. £ (millions) Regionally (inc DRR) Sri Lanka India Indonesia Somalia Maldives Committed £50.6 million £4.8 million £2.77million £16.47million £0.5million £1million Spent £40.4million £4.5million £2.6million £16.47million £0.5million £1million DfID allocated £65 million to meet reconstruction needs in the tsunami-affected countries. From this allocation, £35.1 million has been committed to the multi-donor trust fund in Indonesia, of which £6 million has so far been paid out. A further £5 million has been committed for technical assistance in Indonesia to help ensure timely, accountable and equitable provision of reconstruction assistance and rebuilding of livelihoods. Moreover, £10 million has been provided to the UN development programme to support its programme of reconstruction and restoring livelihoods, half of which has been spent, and £6 million has been allocated to strengthening governance, promoting growth and improving service delivery in some of the poorest districts of Aceh. And £3 million has been allocated to the Decentralisation Support Facility for local governance initiatives, plus a further £1 million for financial management and procurement activities in support of the Government's tendering processes. A total of £2 million has been committed to Sri Lanka to help speed up implementation of reconstruction programmes and to ensure equitable distribution of assistance, and £1.5 million of this has been allocated to the North East Provincial Council to increase its capacity to deliver services to affected communities. A total of £3 million has been committed to India to provide technical assistance aimed at ensuring effective, transparent and equitable programming of tsunami reconstruction efforts. The use of the balance will depend on evidence of where this funding can be most appropriately used. Lord Rooker: Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. It collects information on companies' financial expenditure and publishes this information annually in its report "Financial performance and expenditure of the water companies in England and Wales". The table below shows expenditure on water infrastructure from the earliest year that figures are available (inflated to 2004-05 prices). This expenditure is for the water service only. Year Capital expenditure on water infrastructure (millions of pounds) 1974-75 780 1975-76 861 1976-77 858 1977-78 766 1978-79 755 1979-80 678 1980-81 638 1981-82 577 1982-83 576 1983-84 711 1984-85 599 1985-86 632 1986-87 700 1987-88 820 1988-89 645 1989-90 1,046 1990-91 1,701 1991-92 2,176 1992-93 2,185 1993-94 2,086 1994-95 1,667 1995-96 1,609 1996-97 1,986 1997-98 2,046 1998-99 1,824 1999-2000 1,762 2000-01 1,323 2001-02 1,585 2002-03 1,792 2003-04 1,696 2004-05 1,617 Data Source: 1974/75 to 1989-90 Water Authorities Association "Waterfacts" 1989/90 to 2004/05 Ofwat reports Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information is not available in the format requested. The White Paper Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system (Cm 6841) includes proposals to ensure more carers are able to build up better state pensions. To do this we are proposing to introduce a new carer's credit for those reaching state pension age from 2010. It would be available for relevant weeks of caring within a tax year allowing a person to build entitlement to basic state pension (BSP) and state second pension (S2P) if they are caring: for 20 hours or more a week; and for one or more persons receiving the middle or highest rate of disability living allowance care component, attendance allowance, or constant attendance allowance. We have proposed to link the new carer's credit to those caring for someone in receipt of specified disability benefits. We estimate that around 70,000 people a year could gain a credit for BSP from this proposal, and over half of these will be women. The new credit should also mean around 110,000 more women and 50,000 more men will be accruing entitlement to S2P. We estimate that this may leave around 60,000 people in 2010 who report themselves to be caring for 20 hours or more who may not be accruing BSP through paid contributions or credits, including the new carer's credit. The equivalent figure for S2P is around 180,000 people. It is not possible to break down these figures further by the individual benefits received by the person being cared for. The potential costs of awarding these extra people a credit for BSP and S2P build up slowly over time. They could reach some £200 million in 2030, over and above expenditure on the current system. With existing data sources, it is difficult reliably to estimate the intensity of care that someone in receipt of a disability benefit such as incapacity benefit or the disability premium in income support, may be receiving from a particular carer. It is also unclear what care needs, if any, those in receipt of these benefits might have. For the purposes of estimating the cost of the new carer's credit in the White Paper, it was assumed that all those in receipt of the middle or higher rate care component of AA/DLA, or CAA, would have a carer providing more than 20 hours' care per week. Although this is not a precondition for the receipt of those benefits, entitlement provides a clear indication that the recipient has a significant level of care needs. As with any reform, the timing of change to the state pension system involves striking a balance: to achieve fair outcomes for tomorrow's pensioners, while ensuring that the transition from the current arrangements is affordable, avoids complexity and is delivered successfully. Backdating the carers credit to make it available on the basis of self certification for past periods of caring activity would not be feasible; to do so would be intrusive and forfeit any checks and balances in the scheme. It is not possible to make accurate estimates. However, assuming that all those eligible for the proposed carer's credit from 2010 were automatically awarded five years-worth of backdated credits, costs of the new carer's credit could reach around £200 million, over and above expenditure on the current system in 2030. Notes: 1. Source: Family Resources Survey 2003-04 and 2004-05, with DWP forecasting assumptions for population changes. Costs: DWP estimates, 2006 prices. 2. Numbers of people are rounded to the nearest 10,000. Estimated costs are rounded to the nearest £100 million. 3. Costs presented refer to the estimated additional expenditure required over and above estimated expenditure on the White Paper reform proposal. They are net of offsetting savings in expenditure on income-related benefits. 4. Costs presented are likely to be overestimates, since they assume that all people eligible for the carer's credit need to use this credit to enhance their state pension record. However for BSP, there has been an adjustment made for the reduction of qualifying years. Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they were unable to support the proposal of the Government of France at the G8 summit in St. Petersburg that Israel should agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon at the same time as Hamas and Hezbollah stop their actions. Lord Triesman: As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said during his press conference with the UN Secretary-General on 17 July in St. Petersburg: "It is obviously a very critical situation and the most immediate priority is to create the conditions in which a cessation of violence can happen. But this is a very, very serious situation indeed and it is going to be vital that we use every single effort that we possibly can to make sure over the next few days that we put in place those conditions that can actually allow us to have that cessation of violence". Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What percentage of tropical timber imported into the United Kingdom comes from legally-felled sources; what methods they use to verify this; and what is the total value of the imports. Lord Rooker: Both the percentage of legally-felled timber entering UK ports and its value are unknown because there is no verification at port of entry.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2006-07-25a

Legislation: Effects on Wales Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will insert into the Explanatory Notes accompanying each Bill a table listing all the provisions that give powers to the National Assembly for Wales, in order to assist in tracking Bills as they apply to Wales. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Amos: The guidance issued to departments already states that, where a Bill affects the National Assembly for Wales, or otherwise affects Wales in a different way from the rest of the jurisdiction covered by a Bill, the Explanatory Notes should list all the clauses and paragraphs on schedules to the Bill that affect the powers of the National Assembly. It will be suggested to departments that they present this in a tabular form where appropriate. Palace of Westminster Medal Collection Lord Marlesford: asked the Chairman of Committees: Whether he will arrange for the medal issued for the 2004 Iraq operations to be added to the Palace of Westminster medal collection. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House of Commons medal collection is a matter for the authorities of the House of Commons. I understand, however, that the Army Medal Office has supplied a specimen of the medal issued for the 2004 Iraq operations which will be added to the collection in due course. United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will consider establishing a Ministry of Peace in order to give effect to the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government are committed to strengthening international peace and stability, building upon the objectives of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace initiative. The Government have no plans to implement a separate Ministry of Peace. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development all contribute significant resources and effort to conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace support operations; both as individual departments and jointly through the Government's Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools. The pools have ministerial oversight and direction at Cabinet level. Conflict Prevention and Resolution Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the United Kingdom would benefit from a ministry in government to deal with conflict resolution. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development already contribute significant resources and effort to conflict prevention; both as individual departments and jointly through the Government's Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools. The Government have no plans to establish a separate ministry to deal with conflict resolution. The Conflict Prevention Pools are subject to ministerial oversight and direction at Cabinet level. A major external evaluation of the pools in 2004 concluded that the progress achieved through the pools' mechanisms is significant enough to justify their continuation, and that they are funding worthwhile activities that make positive contributions to effective conflict prevention. China: Human Rights Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations they have made to the Chinese Government regarding the imprisonment of house church leader Xu Shaungfu and the recent apparent killing by Chinese police of two Christians, Gu Xianggao and Jiang Zongxiu. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are aware of the reports of the detention of Xu Shaungfu and the deaths in custody of Gu Xianggao and Jiang Zongxiu. We continue to monitor these cases. We are very concerned about religious freedom and the treatment of prisoners in China. We raised these issues during the last round of the UK China Human Rights Dialogue in May. We continue to press the Chinese to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which forbids torture and permits freedom of religious belief. I discussed ICCPR ratification with Vice Minister, Zhang Yesui, during my trip to China in July. Afghanistan The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: What common methods and objectives are shared by the Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan under NATO command; what changes have been made to those methods in preparation for the elections; and whether overall numbers of troops are being increased. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Each Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is staffed and run to suit the circumstances of the area in which it operates. But all PRTs—whether run by NATO or the coalition—aim to help improve the security environment in order to extend the authority of the central government by facilitating reconstruction and security sector reform. PRTs will continue to operate as normal during the election period, providing support to Afghan security forces as necessary. Italy and Spain are each providing an extra battalion of troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to cover the election period. An extra company of US troops will support ISAF in Kabul, in addition to 1,000 extra US troops who will operate as part of the coalition. NATO will have further troops ready to respond if required. As announced by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 25 August, in addition to our existing commitments, the UK is deploying six RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft to Kandahar for an initial period of nine months, supported by some 230 personnel. The aircraft will support both coalition and ISAF operations. Afghanistan The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: To what extent adequate security outside Kabul is frustrated by the inability of central government to pay adequate salaries to soldiers and police or to maintain the planned level of demobilisation of local militia; and how this is being addressed. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is clearly essential that Afghan National Army (ANA) and Police Force (ANP) personnel are properly paid. We are aware that there have been some limited problems with payments and we have encouraged the US (which leads international support for the ANA), Germany (for the ANP) and the Afghan Government (whose ministries oversee the payments) to improve the system of payment. But this has not affected security outside Kabul. On the contrary, ANA and ANP units regularly contribute to resolving conflicts in the regions, most recently in Herat following the removal of former Governor Ismael Khan. And the ANA has also contributed effectively to coalition missions in the south and east. The process of demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of militia personnel has been slower than we would have liked. But progress is being made. On 7 September, President Karzai issued a decree adding a further 27,000 to the total number of militia to be disarmed, in addition to the 13,000 processed so far. London Diplomatic List Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they propose to change the position whereby British citizens on the London Diplomatic List may represent the interests of foreign governments; whether such persons receive full diplomatic privileges including exemptions for United Kingdom taxes; and whether they will name those persons on the current Diplomatic List who are known to hold British citizenship. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, members of the diplomatic staff of an Embassy or High Commission who are British nationals may not be appointed without the consent of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Where such cases arise, they are decided on their individual merits. In accordance with long-standing arrangements, members of a diplomatic mission of a Commonwealth country and of Ireland who are both nationals of that country and British nationals are treated, for the purposes of privileges and immunities, as if they were not British nationals. They are therefore entitled to full diplomatic privileges and immunities. Members of foreign diplomatic missions who are British nationals or permanent residents of the United Kingdom are not entitled to any privileges or immunities beyond immunity for acts performed in the course of their official functions. It is not the practice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make public details concerning individual diplomats, other than those published in the London Diplomatic List. Indonesia: Human Rights Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations they have made, directly and through the United Nations, to the Indonesian Government following recent reports that Indonesian army officers found guilty of crimes after the vote for independence in East Timor have had their sentences quashed by the High Court in Jakarta. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 24 August the presidency issued a statement on behalf of the European Union expressing concern at the overturning of convictions by the Ad Hoc Human Rights Court in Jakarta. Turkey: EU Report Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in advance of the European Union summit meeting planned for December 2004, they will report to Parliament on the results of the European Union's assessment of reforms in Turkey, and in particular whether these do full justice to national, ethnic and religious minorities. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We will submit an explanatory memorandum to Parliament on all the Commission's EU enlargement reports, including on Turkey, following their publication in October. Northern Cyprus Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government: In what ways the isolation of Turkish northern Cyprus has changed since the approval on 1 May by the majority of Turkish Cypriots of the Annan plan. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 24 April Turkish Cypriots expressed their clear desire for a future within the European Union. On 26 April the EU recognised that desire and agreed to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. This in itself was a significant development. The United Nations Secretary General gave further impetus to that goal in his report on his mission of good offices on 28 May. The European Commission has produced two draft regulations: to enable preferential direct trade between northern Cyprus and the EU, and to put in place a system to disburse 259 million euros of structural funds as agreed at the 26 April General Affairs and External Relations Council. Both regulations are still under discussion between EU member states. Agreement on both regulations is necessary to fulfil the political decision of 26 April to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. Since 1 May, Turkish Cypriots with Republic of Cyprus travel documents have had the same rights and entitlement to enjoy the benefits of EU membership as any other EU citizen. The Government are working to ensure that this entitlement can be enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. Cyprus: Travel Restrictions Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether United Kingdom citizens who fly into Larnaca airport are able to visit northern Cyprus on holiday; and, if so, whether there are any conditions or restrictions. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: UK citizens can fly into Larnaca airport and visit the northern part of Cyprus on holiday. It is possible to cross the Green Line at several crossing points. Cyprus: Non-Cypriot Population Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government: As Guarantor Power, what is the estimated number of non-Cypriots in (a) Greek Southern Cyprus; and (b) Turkish Northern Cyprus. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This is a matter for the relevant Cypriot authorities. Kazakhstan: British Embassy Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress has been made to relocate the British Embassy in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan; and whether it will be a United Kingdom representation or one shared with other European Union nations. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government have publicly committed themselves to move their embassy from Almaty to Astana. As a first step, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office opened an embassy liaison office in February 2004. A team from the UK plans to visit Kazakhstan before the end of this year to identify suitable premises for opening an Embassy in Astana. Our existing embassy in Almaty—where we plan to retain a consulate—is co-located with the French and German Embassies. Should suitable opportunities arise in Astana, we will look to co-locate with EU partners again. Middle East: Israeli Security Fence Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What they are doing bilaterally with the European Union, the United States and the Quartet to stop further construction by Israel of a barrier within occupied territory. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have made known our views on the illegality of the route of the barrier and have made clear to the Israeli Government that they must re-route the barrier away from occupied land. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary most recently raised the issue with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Olmert on 8 September. We have worked with EU partners to ensure a consistent common position on the barrier. The EU voted in favour of United Nations General Assembly resolution ES-10/15 on 20 July. This called on the Israeli Government to comply with their legal obligations relating to the route of the barrier, and on the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Government to immediately implement their obligations under the Quartet's roadmap. We shall continue to work with EU partners and other members of the Quartet to underline the importance of the issue of the barrier. The Quartet has also expressed its concern about the actual and proposed route of the barrier. EU Citizenship Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government: What record they have of the number of United Kingdom subjects who have rejected citizenship of the European Union; and what arrangements they have put in place to accommodate their rejection. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Since the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty "every citizen holding a nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall complement and not replace national citizenship." (TEC Article 17.1). Because it is a consequence of their UK citizenship individual UK citizens cannot separately renounce EU citizenship. They can however choose not to exercise the rights that EU citizenship brings, such as the rights to travel visa-free, study, work, and retire throughout the EU; to live in any EU country, and take out a mortgage, open a bank account, claim free or reduced cost emergency medical care or vote in local and European Parliament elections there; and, in a third country where there is no British Embassy, to get consular help or protection from any EU member state embassy. Sex Discrimination Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will accept the right of petition under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminaton Against Women; and, if so, when. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We announced on 22 July our intention to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. The protocol will be laid before Parliament in October. Subject to parliamentary scrutiny being passed, we hope to deposit our instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the United Nations on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2004. Sex Discrimination Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: By what empirical criteria they will evaluate the merits of the right of petition under the United Nations human rights treaties, with particular reference to the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women during the two years after the comming into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Following UK acceptance of the Optional Protocol for the Limitation of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, applications to the committee will be monitored on a case by case basis. International Traffic in Arms Regulations Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are taking to lay orders under the Export Controls Act 2002 to ensure that classified information supplied to United Kingdom businesses by the United States under an International Traffic in Arms Regulations waiver is fully protected against further disclosure. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The proposals developed with the Government of the United States for a UK exemption from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations concern transfers of unclassified items to the UK. The implementation of these proposals would not require further orders under the Export Control Act. Engineering Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will consider appointing a chief engineering adviser to represent the profession to the Government; as recently called for by the Institution of Civil Engineers. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There is no intention of appointing a chief engineering adviser to the Government, as there is already a Chief Scientific Advisor, whose remit includes engineering issues. Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme: Dr Tony Hall Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: On what date Dr Tony Hall commenced work as a physician for the medical assessment programme of the Ministry of Defence; what were his duties and designation; in how many reports on veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict he was involved; and why his employment was terminated. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: Dr Tony Hall commenced work at the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme from 14 July 1997. He was employed as a civilian consultant physician. His duties were to investigate patients' medical complaints and, so far as possible, to make a diagnosis and to recommend management, or referral to relevant medical practitioners where appropriate. He also provided reassurance where no illness was found. In the period from 14 July 1997 to 10 December 1997 (when he went on extended leave) he saw 212 patients. Employment details are confidential and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the MoD has a duty to protect personal information relating to present and former employees and does not release such information into the public domain without consent. Shipbuilding Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will publish in the Official Report details of the study of the United Kingdom's shipbuilding capacity being undertaken on behalf of the Secretary of State for defence, including the intended purpose, length and cost of the study. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence commissioned the RAND Corporation in autumn 2003 to conduct a study covering the domestic capacity for naval ship construction. The length of the study was eight months, and it cost some £300,000. This was complemented by an internal study conducted over a similar duration and met within existing departmental resources. Galileo Positioning System Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are considering the proposed European Galileo positioning system for the purposes of the intended Future Rapid Effects System; and, if so, when they expect to reach a decision on this aspect of the Future Rapid Effects System project. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: Galileo is a civilian system under civil control. The Ministry of Defence expects the GPS military code to continue to meet defence requirements for a robust, secure satellite navigation system. Accordingly, there are no plans for the use of Galileo by the MoD's Future Rapid Effects System. Merchant Shipping: Protection Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they regard the protection of merchant shipping, and particularly British merchant shipping, against the threat of terrorists and others as a Standing Overseas Commitment or a Contingent Overseas Operation in terms of the Military Tasks set out in the New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: Revised Military Tasks were detailed in the volume of Supporting Essays accompanying the 2003 Defence White Paper, Delivering Security in a Changing World (Cm 6041). The United Kingdom maintains forces to ensure the integrity of its territorial waters and, where necessary, in the surrounding seas, as a Standing Home Commitment (Military Task 2.3). This includes maritime counter-terrorism and protection against renegade shipping. Any requirements for the protection of merchant shipping outside this area are considered on a contingent basis. Merchant Shipping: Protection Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What provision is made within overall force planning for the protection of merchant shipping globally. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The threat from terrorists and piracy is kept under constant review, and the Ministry of Defence works closely with other government departments on the protection of merchant shipping. The Royal Navy's world-wide Maritime Trade Operations—known as UK MTO arrangements—enable a number of options to be offered in support of merchant shipping, graduated to the prevailing threat. These range from the provision of routine advice and guidance through to a more formal arrangement of naval supervision, which might for example, include specific routing. The appropriate level of MTO support required in a given area remains under constant assessment. For example, UK MTO arrangements in the Gulf have been enhanced since October 2001 by the establishment of a UK MTO Liaison cell in the region. If necessary, from this position, higher level Maritime Trade Operations can be implemented very quickly. Royal Military Police Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What role they consider the Royal Corps of Military Police has in expeditionary deployments; and why they are not included amongst the list of force elements shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269). Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The role of the Royal Military Police (RMP) in expeditionary deployments is primarily a supporting one, involving the provision of regulation, protection and information. They operate as key enablers but are not shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (CM 6269), which focus on the large unit elements of deployable forces. Up to two Regular Regiments of the RMP may be attributed incrementally to expeditionary deployments, depending on the scale of the deployment. Armed Forces Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the force elements comprising the garrisons of (a) the Falklands, (b) Ascension Island, (c) Gibraltar, and (d) the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus; and how are these elements and the necessary support shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269). Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The main force elements comprising these garrisons are as follows: The Falkland Islands HQ British Forces South Atlantic Islands Falkland Islands Air Wing (Tornado F3, helicopters and transport and tanker aircraft) Resident Rapier Squadron Joint Force Logistics Unit Falkland Islands Support Unit Roulemont Infantry Unit Communications Facilities One Patrol Vessel Ascension Island HQ Ascension Island Base Gibraltar HQ British Forces Gibraltar Joint Logistic Unit Communications Facilities Gibraltar Squadron (Two inshore Patrol Vessels) Royal Gibraltar Regiment Royal Naval Hospital Joint Medical and Dental Unit Joint Provost and Security Unit Cyprus Sovereign Base Area HQ British Forces Cyprus 84 Squadron RAF (Helicopters) Cyprus Service Support Unit Military Hospital Cyprus Joint Security Unit Episkopi Support Unit Communications Facilities Cyprus Joint Police Unit Two Infantry Battalions Engineer Support Squadron RN Cyprus Squadron (Two inshore Patrol Vessels). The Support Helicopter, Rapier, Air Defence, and Transport and Tanker aircraft in the Falkland Islands and the Infantry in Cyprus and the Falkland Islands are shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269), in the Standing Commitments column. Armed Forces Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What units comprise the Armed Forces as a whole in addition to the force elements shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269). Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: For clarity and simplicity the force elements shown in the tables on pages 15 to 18 of Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269) were restricted to the main Regular deployable elements of the planned force structure. Other Regular elements of the planned structure (including headquarters, non-deployable units, or those which would not deploy as formed units) include the following: Force Element/Unit Number Maritime Inshore Patrol Vessels 16 Gibraltar Patrol Vessels 2 River and Castle Class Patrol Vessels 5 Survey Vessels including Ice Patrol Ship 6 Landing Craft Utility 13 Maritime Helicopters (Merlin, Lynx Mk 3 and8,Sea Kings Mk 5 and 7) 106 Land Brigade HQs and Signal Squadrons 8 Army Air Corps—Utility and ISTARRegiments 2 Other Royal Logistic Corps Regiments 11 Engineer Squadron and Logistic SupportRegiment to 3 Commando Brigade 2 Medical Close and General Support Regiments 5 REME Support Companies to LogisticBrigades 2 Provost Regiments 2 Northern Ireland Non-Deployable Forces Brigade HQs 2 Resident Engineer Regiment 1 Resident Signal Regiment 1 Resident Logistic and Equipment SupportBattalion 1 Adjutant General Army Training Regiments 4 Air Search and Rescue Helicopters 17 C4ISR Deployable Corps, Division and Joint HQs(ARRC, 1 Armoured Division, 3 (UK) Divisionand Joint Force HQ) 4 Military Intelligence Battalions 3 Logistics and Strategic Enablers Communications Aircraft (BAE 146 and 125andJetstream) 9 Roll On-Roll Off Vessels 6 RAF Tactical Communications Wing 1 Special Forces Various In accordance with our normal policy details are withheld The above does not include Reserve units. Future Aircraft Carrier Project Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect to announce the identity of the organisation to lead the integration of participants in the future aircraft carrier project and the terms of that appointment. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: "Integration" on the future carrier project involves many aspects and at the highest level these include integration of mission systems, platform, combat aircraft and physically integrating the vessels. The identity of which companies will lead on each of these functions within the alliance remains the subject of discussion. We are currently running a competition to select the company best placed to fulfil the role of physical integrator, which will manage the ship building aspects of the carriers. We expect to announce the results of this competition by the end of the year, including the terms of the appointment. Defence Procurement Authority Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is the practice of the Defence Procurement Authority to include, in invitations to tender, a mandatory provision that a United States company responding to such an invitation must undertake to secure International Traffic in Arms Regulations waivers as necessary. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) does not include any provision within its Invitations to Tender (ITT) requiring a US company to secure an International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) waiver. A proposal for a United Kingdom waiver from certain requirements of the ITAR has been agreed with the US Administration and is under consideration by the US Congress. Until such a waiver is in place a US company responding to an ITT from the DPA must comply with the current US regulations. Where the "releasability" of US defence articles under the ITAR may be in doubt, the DPA may ask within the ITT for the US company to apply for an advisory opinion from the US Government on the proposed export that would form part of the tender response. This means that any restrictions or limitations are known before contract placement. Royal Navy Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the estimated costs of the use of HMS "Boxer" and HMS "Brave" in target practice by the Royal Navy; and what matters were taken into account in forming these estimates. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The estimated cost of using "Boxer" and "Brave" for this exercise was £1,297,000. This figure includes the costs of preparing the two ships as targets, the environmental impact assessment, the target tow preparation, the preparation of the safety case, the charter of the tugs, scientific data collection and the use of US facilities, analysis work by Dstl, video equipment and the estimated scrap value of the "Boxer" and "Brave" hulks. Some of these costs also cover the preparation of an additional hulk specifically purchased for use as a target during this exercise. Royal Navy Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the current and projected numbers of Royal Navy warships are sufficient to discharge the Standing Home Commitment of Military Task 2.3 as set out in the New Chapter to the SDR, namely to protect the integrity of British waters. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence maintains and will continue to maintain a number of capabilities at high readiness to respond to a range of contingencies, including those addressed by Military Task 2.3—the Integrity of the United Kingdom Waters. Chilean Navy: Sale of British Warships Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with the government of Chile for the sale of British warships to the Chilean Navy; which ships are involved; and at what values do they stand in the audited balance sheet of the Ministry of Defence as at 31 March. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Agency has had, and continues to have, exploratory discussions with the government of Chile relating to the possible sale of three surplus Type 23 frigates, HMS "Marlborough", HMS "Grafton" and HMS "Norfolk". The net book value of each vessel as of 31 March this year was: HMS "Marlborough" £50,954,818.74 HMS "Grafton" £74,422,503.35 HMS "Norfolk" £44,530,939.88 Foreign Nationals Serving in Armed Forces: British Citizenship Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the Ministry of Defence is unable to make representations to the Home Office on applications for British citizenship by foreign nationals serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or employed by the Ministry of Defence overseas. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bach: To be accepted for employment in the Armed Forces an applicant, at all times since birth, must have been a British or Commonwealth citizen, or a Republic of Ireland national. A waiver of these requirements may be granted, in exceptional circumstances, to applicants who are British or Commonwealth citizens, or Republic of Ireland nationals, at the time of their application. In the interest of the Service, and for the individuals' careers themselves, a small number of Royal Navy Commonwealth personnel are opting to apply for either dual or full British citizenship. The Royal Navy sponsors these applications on a case by case basis through an agreement with the Home Office. There is no other requirement for the department to make representations to the Home Office on applications for British citizenship by foreign personnel serving in the United Kingdom Armed Forces. Locally employed civilians who work for the Ministry of Defence overseas are able to apply for British citizenship by virtue of their Crown service. Applications are considered against specific published criteria and judged purely on their merits. There is no place in the process for specific representations although basic facts of employment history are cross-checked with the employing department. Foreign Nationals Serving in Armed Forces: British Citizenship Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What criteria the Home Office follows when deciding whether to grant British citizenship to Zimbabwean nationals serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or employed by the Ministry of Defence; and Whether any special consideration is given to applications for British citizenship by Zimbabwean nationals who have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or are employed by the Ministry of Defence. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Zimbabwean nationals serving (now or in the past) in Her Majesty's Armed Forces or employed by the Ministry of Defence are expected to meet the same criteria as all other applicants for naturalisation. No special consideration is given or distinctions made. The criteria include five years' residence in the UK (three years' residence if married to a British citizen), being free of immigration time restrictions, being of good character and having a sufficient knowledge of the language. If any applicant, Zimbabwean or otherwise, has difficulty meeting a requirement in full as a result of his service in the British Armed Forces the Home Secretary may exercise his discretion on the matter. Procedural Safeguards Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will delay the implementation of a convention on mutual recognition of financial penalties into United Kingdom law until a satisfactory outcome of the European Commission's proposals set out in the Green Paper on procedural safeguards for suspects and defendants in criminal proceedings. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: No. An implementation date for the framework decision on financial penalties will be agreed when it is formally adopted. All member states are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights which guarantees the right to fair hearing. The framework decision also provides adequate safeguards for the enforcement of foreign penalties. Procedural Safeguards Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether all traffic parking and toll road offences committed in another European Union member state by a United Kingdom driving licence holder will be embraced by the proposed convention on mutual recognition of financial penalties. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The framework decision on financial penalties imposed by one member state allows it to be recognised and enforced in another member state. This would comprise offences where the decision to issue a fine was made by a court in respect of a criminal offence, or by an authority of the issuing state in respect of acts that are infringements of the law provided the person concerned has had an opportunity to have the case tried by a criminal court. Procedural Safeguards Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they support the European Commission's proposal on procedural safeguards which states that a foreign national suspected or accused of a serious crime in another European Union member state should be given at the earliest opportunity a "letter of rights" in his or her own language. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are broadly supportive of the European Commission's proposal for a framework decision on procedural rights. The United Kingdom retains high standards for the protection of individual rights in all the areas of criminal proceedings covered by the framework decision. We feel that "a letter of rights" could be a useful method for ensuring that an individual is notified of their rights and would require limited changes to current procedure in the United Kingdom. We are taking the views of all relevant organisations into account, in finalising our negotiating stance. Procedural Safeguards Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the lack of progress on the European Commission's proposals on procedural safeguards means that implementation of conventions on mutual recognition of driving disqualifications and financial penalties could result in breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights, in respect of United Kingdom drivers accused of motoring offences in other member states of the European Union. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: All member states of the European Union are already signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing. As such compliance with the convention is not dependent on implementation of the European Commission proposal on procedural safeguards. Procedural Safeguards Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government: Under what circumstances a United Kingdom driving licence holder, disqualified from driving by a court in another European Union member state, may have grounds to appeal to a United Kingdom court against the disqualification being applied in the United Kingdom, under the provisions of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is a right of appeal under Section 59 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 for any United Kingdom resident aggrieved at the decision to enforce a foreign disqualification in the United Kingdom. An appeal may be made on any of the grounds laid down in the Act for recognising a disqualification. This includes determining whether a defendant was duly notified by the state of the offence of the proceedings against him and entitled to take part in them, which provides an important safeguard where a disqualification has been imposed in absentia. The appeal will not extend to the circumstances of the original offence. Rights of appeal against conviction must already have been dealt with in the state of the offence. Part 3 of the 2003 Act, which gives effect to the EU Convention on Driving Disqualifications, has not yet been commenced. Identity Cards Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: What external assessments or public debates are being used by the Home Office to inform their decisions on the nature of any proposed identity card. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government conducted a lengthy consultation exercise on different options for implementing an identity cards scheme in 2002–03 in the Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud—A Consultation Paper (Cm 5557). My right honourable friend the Home Secretary set out the Government's proposals for a national identity cards scheme on 11 November 2003 in Identity Cards: The Next Steps (Cm 6020). A further consultation on the draft legislation took place from 26 April to 20 July 2004, including pre-legislative scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee. This is being followed by a programme definition phase. The Office of Government Commerce completed a Gateway 0 Review of the Identity Cards Programme in January 2004 and assessed the programme as being able to go forward to its next phase. Before final decisions are taken on implementation, there will be an intensive phase of feasibility assessment and prototyping so that decision making is soundly based and risks in the programme are kept to a minimum. Identity Cards Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: For what purpose or purposes the introduction of identity cards is being considered. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Identity Cards: the next steps (Cm 6020) set out that a national identity cards scheme would help contain the threats from illegal migration and working, organised crime and terrorism, identity theft and fraud, and fradulent access to public services. At the same time, the identity cards scheme will provide a more reliable means of authenticating identity to help individuals establish their identity, right to access services and show that they belong here, in a simple and convenient way. National Criminal Intelligence Service Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many prosecutions have resulted from suspicious activity reports made to the National Criminal Intelligence Service. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are useful for law enforcement purposes for a variety of reasons and not simply to instigate money laundering investigations. For example, SARs may be used to enhance intelligence relating to on-going law enforcement or revenue investigations, where money may not be the main predicate offence; they may be used for providing leads for targeted cash seizure; or they may be held on relevant intelligence databases for use in future cases. Given the variety of ways in which this information is used, it is not possible to link particular SARs with particular prosecutions and convictions. But the reporting system is a key element of the United Kingdom's defences against money laundering. In their 2003 review for the Government of the SAR regime, the consultants KPMG examined a sample of SARs. Of those whose impact could be specifically identified, one-third were found to have contributed to a positive law enforcement outcome such as prosecution, confiscation of criminal proceeds or cash seizure. More recent analysis by National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) in relation to the impact of one category of SAR (those where an institution has sought consent to proceed with a transaction) suggests that during 2003 £25 million of assets have been seized, restrained or returned to the victim. Information on prosecutions for money laundering offences is set out in the table. Prosecutions brought in England and Wales for -- money laundering offencesAll offences 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total 76 52 126 129 182 256 nb: statistical data for prosecutions for money laundering offences since 2002 are not currently available. One consequence of this is that the above data does not relate to prosecutions brought under Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. National Criminal Intelligence Service Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many people are currently employed by the National Criminal Intelligence Service; and how many were employed by that service on 1 January 2003. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The table shows the latest figures available on National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) funded employees and attachments from other organisations. The figures for March 2003 are the most accurate available for that year. Date NCIS Employees Attached Staff March 2003 885 71 September 2004 1,095 66 National Criminal Intelligence Service Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many suspicious activity reports have been made to the National Criminal Intelligence Service in connection with suspected money laundering or tax evasion, broken down by months during the calendar year 2003 and to date in the year 2004. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, firms within the regulated sector are required to report knowledge or suspicion of money laundering—or where they have reasonable grounds to know or suspect that another person is engaged in money laundering—to the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS). It is important to note that the definition of money laundering not only includes those instances of transforming "dirty" money into clean proceeds through a variety of different transactions, but also may include the one-off placement of the proceeds of any crime in different types of financial products or assets. Given this definition, all reports received by NCIS relate to suspicion (or knowledge) of money laundering. The number of suspicious activity reports (SARs) made to NCIS in each month of the last two years was as follows: 2004 2003 January 8,194 6,259 February 10,702 6,321 March 12,134 7,024 April 11,461 6,437 May 11,342 6,827 June 13,386 10,461 July 9,590 August 7,873 September 8,479 October 8,565 November 8,796 December 8,076 Total 67,219 94,708 For the tax year 2003–04, 7,548 SARs were forwarded to the Inland Revenue for investigation or intelligence purposes. For the tax year 2004–05, 3,459 SARs, covering the period 5 April to 27 August, have been forwarded to the Inland Revenue. New Entrants to the UK: English Tuition Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether persons who have been given permission to enter the United Kingdom and reside with their spouses and children are encouraged by the Government to learn English; and, if so, by what means. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government encourage all new entrants who do not speak English to learn, as this is an essential requirement for full and active citizenship. Generous provision is made to meet the costs of tuition. Those given permission to enter the United Kingdom as spouses are entitled to free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses from one year after their arrival. Other legal migrants qualify for free provision after three years of residence. Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What advice has been given by the Immigration Service to the Metropolitan Police regarding those persons detained at Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre on 20 July who have since been removed from the United Kingdom or given temporary admission into this country; and what procedures are in place to enable the return of potential witnesses from abroad if this is necessary in connection with any current prosecutions arising from disturbances at Harmondsworth on 20 July. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration Service is maintaining records of all those held in Harmondsworth Removals Centre at the time of the disturbance. These records have been made available to the Metropolitan Police. The Metropolitan Police have been advised to refer to the Immigration Service any requests for the return of potential witnesses from abroad. There is a recognised procedure in place for the Police to contact the Immigration Service should they wish to request the return of a prosecution witness to attend a trial where there is reason to believe that the person will not qualify for entry. The Immigration Service will consider any such requests on the individual merits of the case, balancing the need to maintain the integrity of the immigration control against the criminal justice issues. In reaching a decision, the Immigration Service will look at all the relevant information, including the person's immigration history, criminal convictions (if any), the importance of their evidence to the court as well as reasons why they cannot give evidence from abroad by video link. Asylum Claimants and Migrants: Detention Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Following the reports of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on Dover and Haslar, what steps they are taking to ensure that asylum claimants and migrants are not detained unnecessarily or for long periods. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Detention is used sparingly and for the shortest period necessary. However, the power to detain must be retained to preserve the integrity of immigration control. Detention at Dover and Haslar, as with other immigration removal centres, is most usually appropriate in the following circumstances: initially, to establish identity and the basis of claim; where there are reasonable grounds for believing that an individual will not comply with the conditions of temporary admission or release; or to effect removal. In all cases detention is subject to regular and frequent review at successively higher levels within the Immigration Service to ensure that continued detention remains appropriate. Gurkhas Lord Holme of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the current review of policy by the Home Office on the residential and naturalisation status of former serving members of the Brigade of Gurkhas will be completed and published. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The review into current immigration policy in respect of Gurkhas has been wide ranging, and complex issues have been raised that need time to be examined carefully. We must ensure that the broader implications of any change in policy are fully understood to avoid undermining the current special arrangements that enable Gurkhas to serve in the British Army. The review is now nearing completion and an announcement should be made in the next few weeks. Zimbabwe Community UK Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether any conclusions have been reached as a result of policy investigations into the organisation Zimbabwean Community in the United Kingdom. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Lord Avebury on 14 July (WA 149). The Immigration Service is still investigating the Zimbabwe Community in the United Kingdom and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage. Trafficking Women for Sexual Exploitation Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What the implications of the growing role of Albanian criminal groups in controlling prostitution in London will be for trafficking women for sexual exploitation; and how they will respond to these developments. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Reflex, the National Crime Squad-led multi-agency taskforce, co-ordinates enforcement action on organised immigration crime which includes human trafficking. Reflex takes an intelligence led approach in establishing its priorities and responds accordingly to developing crime trends. Operation Maxim led by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) was established under Reflex in 2003 and brought together the MPS, the United Kingdom Immigration Service and the United Kingdom Passport Service in a joint approach to tackling serious and organised crime linked to illegal immigration. The MPS has established links with Albanian authorities and have had a number of successes in disrupting Albanian criminal gangs. The Clubs and Vice Unit of the MPS also has significant experience of working with victims of trafficking and works in close co-operation with Eaves Housing for Women, which provides safe accommodation and other support for victims of trafficking for prostitution in London. On 16 July the Home Office published Paying the Price, a consultation document on issues related to prostitution. The consultation exercise will form the basis for the development of a co-ordinated strategy to deal with prostitution and will include consideration of the issues surrounding trafficking for the purpose of prostitution. The consultation period runs until 26 November. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many young people under the age of 18 were held in custody for breach of an anti-social behaviour order as their primary offence since 16 June; and what proportion of these were held on remand; and How many anti-social behaviour orders imposed on young people under 18 have been breached since 30 April; and what proportion these constitute of all such orders; and How many breached anti-social behaviour orders by young people under 18 since 30 April have led to custody or holding on remand; and what proportion these constitute of all such orders. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Youth Justice Board has provided the following which relates to England and Wales: 121 young people under the age of 18 were held in custody for breaches of an ASBO as their primary offence between 16 June 2004 and 15 September 2004. 40 per cent of these were held on remand. Information on young people who have breached anti-social behaviour orders and those breaches which have resulted in custody since 30 April 2004 is not yet available. Firearms Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which police forces have now converted their firearm records to form a compatible service with the National Firearms Licensing Management System. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: User acceptance testing of National Firearms Licensing Management System began on 24 July. This testing has revealed two issues which need to be resolved before the National Firearms Licensing Management System can be rolled out to forces. Work is in hand on this and a revised roll-out schedule including conversion of records will be agreed with police forces as soon as possible. Animal Rights: Illegal Activities Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What new or additional measures they are implementing to counter illegal actions by animal rights extremists. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We announced on 30 July in our paper Animal Welfare—Human Rights: tackling animal rights extremism a number of changes to strengthen the law further on protests outside homes and harassment. We propose to: strengthen the current police power to direct protestors away from people's homes by making it an offence for a person subject to a direction to return to the vicinity of the premises within three months; introduce a new offence of protesting outside homes in such a way that causes harassment, alarm or distress to residents; amend the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 to extend it to harassment of two or more persons who are connected, for example employees of the same company. These new proposals will strengthen ongoing action by the Government, police and Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to enforce existing legislation robustly and to ensure effective co-ordination to combat the criminal activities of extremists. Animal Rights: Illegal Activities Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many arrests have been made in recent years for intimidation, making threats or actual harm and personal violence against animal researchers, university personnel and their contractors; and how many convictions have resulted. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: It is not possible from the information collected centrally by the Home Office to identify whether a victim of crime is an animal researcher, university personnel or a contractor. However we understand from the police that in the first eight months of 2004 there were 166 arrests of animal rights activists compared with 66 arrests during the same period in 2003. We are working with police and the Crown Prosecution Service to implement processes to collect arrest and conviction data which should provide more comprehensive information in the future. Anti-terrorism Legislation Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What instructions they have given to their representatives about the drafting of measures to implement Articles 1 to 3 of the Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism (2002). Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European Commission recently published a report on measures taken by member states to comply with the Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism. The report acknowledges that the United Kingdom (UK) has implemented Articles 1 and 2 of the framework decision, but raises some doubts about whether the UK is fully compliant with Article 3. The Government believe that the UK is already able to ensure that appropriate charges can be brought against a person committing any of the offences listed in Article 3, but are considering whether anything further needs to be done to fully comply with the framework decision. Anti-terrorism Legislation Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will resist European Commission proposals for the wide circulation of names and personal details of persons investigated by police or security services, and of those charged but not prosecuted or else acquitted. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European Commission has made a number of proposals aimed at improving information sharing for the purpose of combating terrorism and other forms of serious and organised crime. The Government support this aim and are in favour of improved exchange of criminal intelligence provided that it is proportionate and that proper data protection and human rights safeguards are put in place. It will also be important to ensure that any proposals are cost-effective, will facilitate the timely and secure exchange of relevant information, and will not prejudice the conduct of an investigation or trial or our national security. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with each local authority in the north-east in regard to possible local government reorganisation following the regional referendum on 4 November. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: The Government have set up a working group to discuss the implementation of any reorganisation of local government following the regional referendum on 4 November. The group, which met for the first time in March comprises of representatives from local government, including those from the north-east, and other interested parties. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether regional assembly referendums in Yorkshire and the Humber, and the north-west, could be held on the same day as the county council elections on 5 May 2005; or on a general election polling day; or both; and, if so, whether they have ruled out such an option. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: There is no statutory prohibition that would prevent the Government from holding a regional referendum on the same day as a county council or general election. No decision, however, has yet been taken about the date of a regional assembly referendum in Yorkshire and the Humber, or the north-west, or of the general election. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will provide a full breakdown of costs and expenditure incurred by the regional referendum campaigns in the north-west and the Humber prior to their announcement on 22 July. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: It is not possible to provide a full breakdown of expenditure on the "Your Say" public information campaign in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber regions without incurring disproportionate costs. However, estimates of the main components of the "Your Say" campaigns in those regions are tabled below: NW (£000) Y&H (£000) (a) Production and distribution of leaflets 98 72 (b) Posters 232 193 (c) Broadcast media 242 211 (d) Newspapers 137 158 (e) Events 49 39 (f) Other 309 278 Total 1,067 951 Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What were the dates of each ministerial visit connected with the regional referendum campaigns in (a) the north west; (b) Yorkshire and the Humber; and (c) the north east. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: Date Place Dates of Ministerial visits to the North West 4 November 2003 Warrington 1 December 2003 Liverpool 22 January 2004 Manchester 29 January 2004 Speke and Sefton 25 February 2004 Bolton 4 March 2004 Blackburn 5 April 2004 Liverpool 15 April 2004 Kendal 22 April 2004 Preston 5 May 2004 Barrow 15 June 2004 Crewe and St Helens 18 June 2004 Warrington 15 July 2004 Runcorn and Blackpool Dates of Ministerial visits to Yorkshire and the Humber 3 November 2003 York 4 December 2003 Barnsley, Leeds and Wakefield 23 January 2004 Leeds 18 March 2004 Sheffield 1 April 2004 Hull 22 April 2004 Halifax 23 April 2004 Ripon 18 May 2004 Scunthorpe 18 June 2004 York 28 June 2004 Scarborough Dates of Ministerial visits to the North East 3 November 2003 Durham 13 January 2004 Durham County Council 23 January 2004 Newcastle 4 March 2004 Berwick 25 March 2004 Newcastle 22 April 2004 Middlesbrough 18 June 2004 Durham 31 August 2004 Morpeth 9/10 September 2004 Sunderland, Newcastle, Corbridge, Middlesbrough Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What estimate they have made of the costs associated with the decision to postpone the regional referendums in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: The referendums for Yorkshire and the Humber and the north-west are being rescheduled, so preparation for them has been and still is necessary. Some of the preparations are common to all three regions. The main costs incurred by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister relate to the "Your Say" campaigns in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber, which are detailed in a further answer given to the noble Baroness (HL4119). The Boundary Committee's review of local government in those regions remain valid until June 2005. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their intention with regard to the moneys previously allocated towards the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber regional referendum campaigns; and what is the amount in question for each region. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister originally proposed a budget for the "Your Say" information campaign across all three regions of £5 million. This was allocated as follows: North-west £2.2 million Yorkshire and the Humber £1.6 million North-east £1.2 million Following the decision to postpone referendums in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, we suspended the campaign in these regions, diverting £210,000 of the spend into our Fire Safety campaign. The final breakdown across the regions is: North-west £1.07 million Yorkshire and the Humber £0.95 million North-east £1.22 million The balance of £1.55 million remains in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's budget and has yet to be reallocated. The total sum spent on the "Your Say" campaign is £3.24 million. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with the Scottish Executive in regard to the possible creation of a north-east regional assembly. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have not had any discussions with the Scottish Executive in regard to the possible creation of a north-east regional assembly. However, we have kept the Scottish Executive informed about the evolution of the Government's proposals to establish elected regional assemblies in those English regions which vote in a referendum to have one. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which printers have been contracted to provide ballot papers for the north-east regional referendum; and what is the financial value of each contract awarded. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have not been involved in negotiations with printers regarding contracts to provide ballot papers for the north-east regional referendum. This is a matter for the Chief Counting Officer. The Chief Counting Officer is Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council, who was appointed by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission is therefore better placed to answer this question. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are confident that the all-postal ballot for the north-east regional referendum will be free from the problems highlighted in the Electoral Commission's report of 27 August. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: As the Electoral Commission commented in its report of 27 August, there is extensive experience of all-postal voting in the north-east and there have been no allegations of fraud in that region. In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is confident that the Chief Counting Officer, Ged Fitzgerald, the Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council, will take all the necessary steps to ensure a successful referendum. Additional assistance and delivery points will be provided to enable electors to receive help and vote in privacy. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had, and with whom, as to the possible location for a north-east regional assembly. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: The location of the north-east regional assembly is a matter for that regional assembly to decide once it has been elected. Regional Assemblies: Referendums Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: For each ministerial visit connected with the regional referendum campaigns in (a) the north-west; (b) Yorkshire and the Humber; and (c) the north-east, which individuals or groups were met. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not keep a comprehensive list of the large numbers of individuals who attended the information campaign events, and data protection prevents us from providing those names we have. Where possible, lists of organisations/types of organisations, which were either invited to attend, or registered to attend various information campaign events, have been made available in the Library of the House. These lists should be treated only as a guide to attendance. Planning Permission Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many appeals against English local authority determinations (refusals or conditions) of planning permission have been outstanding for more than 12 months; how many for more than 18 months; and how many for more than two years since (a) the issue of the decisions; and (b) the conclusion of public inquiries. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Rooker: The information requested is in the table below. Planning Appeals Outstanding in England as at 31 August 2004 More than 12 months More than 18 months More than 2 years Since issue of Local Authority Decision 544 170 616 Since closure of public inquiry 0 0 0 The appeal process commences with the receipt of a valid appeal by the Planning Inspectorate and from this point our performance is normally measured. The table below shows the same information based upon the appeal start date rather than the date of the local authority decision. Planning Appeals Outstanding in England as at 31 August 2004 More than 12 months More than 18 months More than 2 years Since start of the appeal process 214 94 547 Pediacel Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the difference in cost between Pediacel and the vaccine currently in use. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: Pediacel costs over £5 more per dose than the vaccines previously used. Pediacel Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether Pediacel will be the only form of vaccine available for the immunisation of children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, HIB and polio, or will others be available on request. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: For infants, Pediacel will be the only vaccine supplied by the National Health Service because it provides the best protection against these serious infections. Thiomersal Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the inactivated polio vaccine, part of the new five-in-one vaccine, is incompatible with the preservative Thiomersal. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: Thiomersal is not a component of the new vaccines as it would render the inactivated polio vaccine component ineffective. Air Quality Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: What evaluation has been made of the effects on human health, particularly for the elderly and those with breathing difficulties, of current levels of nitrogen dioxide, low-level ozone, and small particles in the atmosphere. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: Estimates of numbers of deaths brought forward and respiratory hospital admissions associated with particles and nitrogen dioxide in England for 2002 are given in a table deposited in the Library. These calculations are based on the methodology published in the 1998 report by the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom updated for more recent pollution levels. Estimates for deaths brought forward and respiratory hospital admissions for ozone were given in the 1998 COMEAP report, based on ozone levels in the summer of 1995. These estimates have also been deposited in the Library. The short-term effects of particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone are thought to occur predominantly in the elderly who are already ill with breathing difficulties or heart disease. In 2005, COMEAP will be setting up a sub-group to update its views on quantifying the effects of air pollution in the UK. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the proposals in the consultation document on herbal medicine and acupuncture, published in March, will affect the provision of acupuncture within the National Health Service by doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: We published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners on 2 March 2004. The consultation period closed on 7 June. An analysis of the responses to the consultation will be published in the autumn. As my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Health (Mr John Hutton) said in the foreword to our consultation document, we anticipate that these proposals will improve the quality of care and will help to reassure patients and the public about the skills and competence of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether medical practitioners will still be able to use the title "acupuncturist" in spite of the fact that the Department of Health does not favour dual regulation; and whether medical education for acupuncture will be the responsibility of the medical communities involved. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: We published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners on 2 March. The consultation period closed on 7 June. An analysis of the responses to the consultation will be published in the autumn. The responses to the consultation will help us to develop the draft order establishing the new regulatory system for these practitioners. We are aware of the interests of medical acupuncturists and will consider their representations very carefully together with the responses made to the consultation document commenting on the implications of our proposals for education and training. Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 Baroness Billingham: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it was their intention that Section 12 of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 would have effect outside the European Union; and if not, whether they will consider amending the Act to address this. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 has effect in Great Britain and Northern Ireland only, in line with the government's intentions. Food and Health Action Plan Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the award of grants to food promoting bodies are linked to the priorities of the Food and Health Action Plan. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: The Department of Health launched Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet a consultation on priorities for a food and health action plan which ended on 30 June. The responses will inform the development of the White Paper on improving public health due to be published later this year, and a final food and health action plan. The Department of Health awards grants to voluntary organisations which are: active in providing, promoting, publicising or advising on a service similar to the health services or social services, which are the functions of National Health Service bodies or local social services authorities; promoting or publicising one of these public service functions or advising on how it can best be provided. Grants are made through Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. Fluoridation Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 7 September (WA 138), whether they will specify (a) the "epidemiological studies in populations exposed to fluoride occurring naturally" at one part per million to which they refer; and (b) those studies that have "found no relationship between fluoride naturally present in drinking water and any of the non-dental health outcomes considered". Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: A representative sample of the epidemiological studies is included in the reference lists of reviews such as those published by the World Health Organisation. http://www.who.int/water–sanitation–health/oralhealth/en/index6.html The studies in England to which I was referring are: Berry WTC (1958): Amer J Ment Defic 62 634 Berry WTC and Whittles JH (1963): Mon Bull Minist Hlth 22 50 Chilvers C and Conway D (1985) J Epid Comm Health 39 44 Cooper C, Wickham R, Lacey RF and Barker DJ (1990) J Epid Comm Health 44 17 Cooper C, Wickham CA, Barker DJ and Jacobsen SJ (1991) JAMA 266 513 Department of Health and Social Security (1985): Fluoridation of Water and cancer: a review of the epidemiological evidence. London, HMSO. 77-78 and 102-103. Ely AJ, Kemp FH, Kerley PJ and Berry WTC (1957): Lancet ii 712 Griffith GW (1963): Mon Bull Minist Hlth 22 30 Heasman MA and Martin AE (1962): Mon Bull Minist Hlth 21 150 Hillier S, Cooper C, Kellingray S, Russell G, Hughes H and Coggan D (2000): Lancet 355 265 Jackson D and Weidmann SM (1958): J Path Bact 76 451 Kinlen L (1974): Comm Health 6 69 Maheswaran R, Morris S, Falconer S, Grossinho A, Perry I, Wakefield J and Elliott P (1999): Heart 82 455 Ministry of Health, Scottish Office and Ministry of Housing and Local Government (1962): Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects 105 41 Murray MM, Ryle JA, Simpson BW and Wilson DC (1948): Memor Med Res Coun (Lond) 18 Nixon JM and Carpenter RG (1974): Lancet November 2nd 1068 Weaver R (1944): BDJ 77 185. Smallpox Vaccine Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many companies in the United Kingdom are licensed to produce smallpox vaccines; how many individual doses in total have been exported in each of the last five years, giving the numbers going to individual countries in each case. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: None. There are currently no marketing authorisations for smallpox vaccine in the United Kingdom and we are not aware of any companies manufacturing smallpox vaccine in the UK for export abroad. All the smallpox vaccine acquired recently by the Government was manufactured outside the UK and is not yet subject to a marketing authorisation. Doses of old Swiss Serum Institute vaccine have been supplied for the purposes of vaccinating a small cohort of healthcare workers and for emergency preparedness purposes to the following in the past 5 years: Isle of Man 2,002 doses Guernsey 20 doses Gibraltar 29,000 doses Smallpox Vaccine Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have sufficient evidence on which to quantify the risk of acquiring smallpox as a result of vaccination with the live smallpox vaccine. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: There is no risk of acquiring smallpox as a consequence of being vaccinated with smallpox vaccine. Smallpox vaccine contains 'live' vaccinia (Cowpox) virus which induces immunity against variola virus, the cause of smallpox. The vaccinia virus in smallpox vaccine is known to cause adverse effects in some vaccinees and there is a wealth of evidence from studies conducted during past vaccination campaigns both in the United Kingdom and the United States from which the risks of such effects are quantified. Yoghurt and Yoghurt-like Products Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress has been made towards the adoption of European standards for the composition and labelling of yoghurt and yoghurt-like products. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Warner: Preliminary technical discussions on the composition and labelling of yoghurt and yoghurt-like products have taken place at European Union level. However, no formal proposal for legislation has been adopted by the European Commission. Pre-school Playgroups and Nursery Schools Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many children attend state nursery schools in (a) Wales; and (b) England; and How many pre-school playgroups there are in (a) Wales; and (b) England. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Filkin: In January 2004 almost 38,970 children attended LEA maintained nursery schools in England. The department's best estimate of the number of pre-schools or playgroups in England as at January 2004 is 10,000. For information on Wales, I refer my noble friend to the Education Department of the Assembly of Wales. Money Laundering Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will request the Financial Services Authority to restrict its money laundering procedures to financial transactions above a specified amount. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The identification procedures required by the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 and corresponding FSA rules are in line with our obligations under the European Money Laundering Directives. To restrict money laundering procedures to financial transactions above a specified amount would not be consistent with our obligations under EC law. Money Laundering Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there are any recorded instances of money laundering occurring through a pensioner transferring pension assets from one authorised pension provider to another. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Longer-term assets such as insurance products and pensions can be used to attempt to disguise the proceeds of crime. The National Criminal Intelligence Service has received a number of reports of suspected money laundering from pension providers regarding customer activity. Where appropriate these are passed to law enforcement agencies for investigation. Money Laundering Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why it is necessary for the Financial Services Authority's money laundering regulations to require detailed personal identity verification for pensioners transferring their pension from one authorised pension provider to another, when such details have already been given to the original provider. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Money Laundering Regulations 2003 and corresponding Financial Services Authority Rules require financial services firms to verify their customers' identity. This obligation does not apply to long-term contracts of insurance in connection with pension schemes that meet certain criteria. In many situations, either there is an exemption from the obligation to identify or industry guidance provides for reliance on the identification done by the original provider. Modern Apprenticeships Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many modern apprenticeships are currently being undertaken in (a) Wales; (b) Scotland and (c) England Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated 24 September. As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about modern apprenticeships. (HL4253) The attached table shows the estimated number of people of working age in employment who are undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship, taken from the Labour Force Survey. The estimates are shown for each UK country and are for the three month period ending in May 2004. As with any sample survey, estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are subject to sampling variability. Estimated number* of people of working age 1 in employment who are undertaking Modern Apprenticeships 2 -- UK countries, three month period ending May 2004 Country Number of people (thousands) United Kingdom 89 England 70 Wales 6 Scotland 9 Northern Ireland 3 Source: ONS—Labour Force Survey *—Not seasonally adjusted 1 Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59 2 Includes Foundation and Advanced Modern Appenticeships Iraq: Cost of Military Operations Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What has been the total cost to public funds of military operations in Iraq since January 2004. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Chancellor set aside £3 billion in Budget 2003 as a Special Reserve to cover the cost of operations in Iraq. £1 billion was drawn down by the Ministry of Defence in the Spring Supplementary Estimate for 2002–03. The remaining £2 billion of this Special Reserve was carried forward to 2003–04. The Ministry of Defence drew down £1,539 million in the 2003–04 Winter and Spring Supplementary Estimates. In the PBR 2003 the Chancellor announced a further £500 million for the Special Reserve in the financial year 2003–04 and a further £300 million for 2004–05 as a prudent allowance to cover Iraq our continuing International commitment to the war on terrorism. Aerospace Industry Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many people are employed directly in the aerospace industry in (a) Wales; (b) Scotland; and (c) England. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated 27 September 2004. As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about aerospace industry jobs in Wales, Scotland and England. (HL4254) The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, show that the total number of employee jobs in the aerospace industry is 6,300 in Wales, 4,500 in Scotland and 84,600 in England. Steel Industry Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many people are employed directly in the steel industry in (a) Wales; (b) Scotland; and (c) England. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated 27 September 2004. As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about steel industry jobs in Wales and England. (HL4255) The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, show that the total number of employee jobs in the steel industry is 9,800 in Wales, and 36,800 in England. This total is obtained by combining figures for those working in the following industries, as identified by Standard Industrial Classification 2003: manufacture of basic iron and steel manufacture of steel tubes first processing of iron and steel casting of steel. Tote Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the statement by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 14 September (HL Deb, col. 1044), what is the legal authority for paying 50 per cent of the proceeds of the sale of the Tote to a party other than the Racing Trust. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill, once enacted, will enable the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to transfer the property, rights and liabilities of the Horserace Totalisator Board to a successor company and to direct the company to issue securities to her or her nominee. The Secretary of State will then be entitled, by virtue of that legal ownership, to sell some or all of those securities. It remains the Government's policy to sell all of them to the racing trust, if possible. In that event then all the proceeds of the sale will be paid into the Consolidated Fund. If for some reason a sale to the trust cannot be completed, then it remains the Government's intention to sell all the securities to a third party, with half the proceeds being paid into the Consolidated Fund and half paid, under the authority of the Appropriation Act, to a body or bodies representing the interests of British horseracing. Any sale and payment will have to comply with European Union rules on state aid. Tote Viscount Falkland: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the sale of the Tote to a racing trust will involve a percentage of the consideration being reserved for the staff of the Tote; how that amount is likely to be divided; and in what form. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: These matters are subject to discussion between the Tote and the Racing Trust as prospective purchaser, and if necessary will be taken forward as part of the overall sale negotiations between the trust and the Government. The trust has so far made no formal proposals in this respect; and the Government have reserved their position. Baronetcies Lord Smith of Clifton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is possible to deprive an individual of his Baronetcy; and, if so, what is the procedure for doing so; and Whether it is possible to abolish a Baronetcy; and, if so, what is the procedure for so doing. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Yes, but primary legislation would be required. Supreme Court Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the new wing of Somerset House will be the location of the Supreme Court; and, if so, whether a heritage assessment thereof and of the footbridge between the new and west wings, built in 1873, will be undertaken to ensure that all necessary architectural features are maintained and that any necessary restorations are made. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The new wing of Somerset House is one of the two options under consideration, along with Middlesex Guildhall, as a potential location for the Supreme Court. As part of the analysis and evaluation of both buildings, there are ongoing discussions with English Heritage and Westminster Planning Authority on possible designs. To support this process a conservation plan is being prepared for the new wing of Somerset House, including the footbridge between the new and west wings. Human Rights Act 1998: Compensation Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 15 September (WA 191), whether there is any evidence that the pattern of compensation under the Human Rights Act 1998 indicates that excessive compensation has been awarded to victims of breaches of the Act; or that the awards have tended to encourage a compensation culture. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The lack of centrally maintained data mentioned in my earlier answer makes a detailed response impossible. Damages may be awarded under Section 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 only where a person establishes that his convention rights have been or would be infringed by the act of a public authority. The statutory regime of Section 8 is more restrictive than the principles which govern the award of damages for breaches of private law obligations. Damages are only to be awarded where necessary to afford just satisfaction to the claimant and in many cases the award of damages will not be so necessary. In making this assessment Section 8(4) requires the court to take into account the principles applied by the European Court of Human Rights in awarding compensation: the European Court does not make such awards as a matter of course and the amounts awarded tend to be modest. The courts also recognise, where damages are necessary, that a balance must be struck between the interests of the claimant in being compensated and the wider interests of the public at large. The statutory regime therefore guards against both excessive awards and a compensation culture. Bovine Tuberculosis Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government: Given the increase in bovine tuberculosis in cattle, what research has been undertaken to establish whether (a) there are variations in incidence among organic, beef, dairy and suckling herds, or breeds generally; (b) incidence has been affected by the scale (compared with the past) of in-breeding of dairy stock, increased milk yield from cows, cross-breeding of beef cattle and greater stock movements; and whether combinations of such factors could have altered stamina and disease resistance. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: A research study funded by Defra which reported in 2000 suggested that beef herds were three times less likely to have a TB breakdown than mixed dairy/beef herds and five times less likely than dairy herds. It also indicated that between 1986 and 1996, annual TB incidence increased and this increase was particularly marked in dairy herds and larger herds. Defra is not carrying out any research into the effect on TB incidence of factors such as in-breeding of dairy stock, increased milk yields and cross-breeding beef cattle might have. Defra has only recently introduced a comprehensive cattle tracing database that allows the impact of cattle movements to be analysed accurately as a variable affecting the occurrence of TB. Analysis of data from the ongoing TB99 epidemiological survey has identified a number of factors which appear to put a farm at greater risk of suffering a TB breakdown and these include the movement of animals on to the farm. Further analyses of TB99 data are being undertaken, and these include the use of cattle movement data (given the early indications of cattle movement as an important factor in the spread of cattle TB, locally and nationally). The TB99 survey also attempts to identify, among other things, if organic farm status and, more generally, the herd type have any influence on TB risk. An analysis of pre-foot and mouth disease outbreak TB99 data, covering factors that have emerged as having significance for TB in herds, is expected to be published soon in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. Bovine Tuberculosis Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they have disclosed that deer and badger carcasses in the Furness Peninsula Road Traffic Accident Survey were negative for bovine tuberculosis but have not disclosed the results from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire; and whether the majority of the carcasses from those areas other than Furness tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The survey being conducted in the Furness Peninsual is not part of the road traffic accident (RTA) survey being carried out in the seven counties. The purposes of the two separate RTA surveys differ—in Furness the objective was to check if TB was in the local wildlife populations, by using road-killed carcasses as a sample resource, since this would help to inform us of the appropriate TB testing frequency to apply. As the absence of TB in any carcasses checked was informative within the broad purpose of the survey, it was logical to disclose the information to the public. The purpose of the much larger survey in the seven counties is to obtain region-specific estimates of infection prevalence in badgers. The independent scientific group has advised that before these prevalence estimates can be interpreted, the data must be compared with those from the randomised badger culling trial, matching the two datasets in time and location as far as possible. This comparison will, it is hoped, tell us how well such surveys reflect the level of TB in badgers, and whether such surveys could be used reliably to detect the spread or the increase of TB to, or within, an area and hence flag an increased risk for cattle. Release of data should await the time when they have been suitably analysed and conclusion reached. This work is in hand and results are expected to be published later this year. Squirrels Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they regard the survival of the red squirrel in the interest of biodiversity as being a priority. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Yes. The Government do regard this as a priority. As part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan process the red squirrel was identified as a priority species and has its own species action plan, a commitment of government resources to protect the red squirrel in the UK. The UK Red Squirrel Group was set up as a partnership to lead this action plan and continues to co-ordinate action for the conservation of the red squirrel in the UK. Squirrels Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their response to the recent independent survey carried out by the European squirrel initiative on views expressed about the red squirrel and controlling the grey squirrel. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Assuming that the survey sample and the opinions expressed were a true representation of the UK public then it is heartening to see that a conservation issue appears to have reached so many people, as communication and awareness raising are important objectives of the species action plan for the red squirrel in the UK. This is encouraging support for the work that is currently being planned or undertaken in priority sites for red squirrels throughout the UK. Active grey squirrel control to reduce the possibility of their incursion into red squirrel woodland is part of the recommended actions of the UK Red Squirrel Group to land owners and is being carried out by the partners of UKRSG that are land owner/managers. This targeted control is seen as an essential part of a strategy that also includes habitat management, to make these sites less attractive to grey squirrels. For this strategy to work there needs to be wide co-ordination and partnership co-operation of all the connecting woodland owners. Increased support for this method would serve to strengthen this strategy and further help to protect the red squirrels. Squirrels Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether an impact assessment, cost estimation of control and eradication and cost/benefit analysis have been carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as stated in its review of non-native species policy; and, if so, whether this includes the grey squirrel. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The department issued and consulted on the Government's response to the review of non-native species policy in December 2003. The response set out the Government's initial views in responding to the detailed review report. In preparing the response, the Government took full account of the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its recommended three-stage approach to dealing with invasive non-native species, which the review also endorsed: (i) preventing new introductions of non-native species; (ii) early detection and control of new introductions; and (iii) management of established invasive non-native species. The Government agreed with the review working group that the development of comprehensive risk assessment procedures to assess the risks posed by non-native species is a priority, as it would inform further prevention action. The department has commissioned research to develop a standardised system that would enable the risk of species becoming invasive to be routinely assessed. The research is due for completion in early 2005. The aim is to produce a standarised system to identify those species constituting the highest risks, and to provide guidance on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of options for management action. We have not yet conducted a formal cost estimation and cost/benefit analysis for controlling specific species such as the grey squirrel. Squirrels Lord Livsey of Talgarth: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their estimate of the cost of the damage caused to community forests and other planting schemes by grey squirrels. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: No specific estimate has been made of the likely cost of damage to woodland planted under the community forest programme or any other support mechanism. Squirrels Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they regard the project to reinstate red squirrels into Thetford Forest to have been a success. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The red squirrel population in Thetford Forest has shown a slow long-term decline, closely associated with the spread of the grey squirrel in the area. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to reverse this decline, using a combination of forest management, targeted grey squirrel control and some limited trial restocking with red squirrels. Although we cannot say that there has been an improvement in the situation, this work has been very helpful in gathering information to inform squirrel management elsewhere and we now know a great deal more about the effort required to control grey squirrel populations. Red squirrels are still present in the forest, though probably in very small numbers. Squirrels Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Forestry Commission has a policy to control grey squirrels; and, if so, what methods it recommends. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The Forestry Commission is currently engaged in the preparation of a policy statement on grey squirrel control in England. This is one of the commitments made in the response to the recommendations contained in the Sustaining England's Woodlands review. The Forestry Commission's policy on the public forest estate in England is that grey squirrel control is undertaken according to circumstances, through a risk-based approach. This approach has the aim of preventing damage to high-value timber crops, the prevention of damage to property and the conservation of red squirrel populations and other features of high biodiversity value. The recommended methods of control are set out in the Forestry Commission's forest practice note Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodland. The current edition of this guidance was published in April 2004. It recommends warfarin poisoning and live trapping using baited cages as the most effective methods of reducing grey squirrel populations. Squirrels Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there has been any change in policy towards controlling the grey squirrel since the reply given by the Lord Donoughue, then Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that the Government would "do all we can to promote effective means of control because grey squirrels are pests and should be got rid of" (HL Deb, 26/01/99, col. 873). Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: No. The statement made by my noble friend Lord Donoughue was in the context of the establishment of new broadleaved woodland and there has been no change in the policy that underpinned that statement. The Forestry Commission is currently engaged in the preparation of a clear modern policy towards grey squirrels. This is one of the commitments made in the response to the recommendations contained in the Sustaining England's Woodlands review. In addition the Forestry Commission advises on methods for controlling grey squirrel. Its advice is set out in the practice note Controlling Grey Squirrel Damage to Woodland and this was revised and republished in April 2004. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House. While the Forestry Commission has a significant role to play in providing advice on best practice, the prime responsibility for controlling grey squirrel damage lies with landowners. Food Industry Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: What grants Food from Britain has received in the last three years; and what proportion of the foods promoted by it are (a) processed foods; (b) high in sugar, salt and fat; and (c) contain artificial additives. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Food from Britain has received the following grants during the past three financial years: Year Defra Other 2001–02 £7,868,0001 £300,000—Countryside Agency 2002–03 £5,868,0002 £300,000—Countryside Agency 2003–04 £6,368,0003 — 1 Includes £2,500,000 for work in relation to foot and mouth recovery. 2 Includes £500,000 for work in relation to foot and mouth recovery. 3 Includes £1,260,000 for work to support the development of the quality regional food and drink sector. All UK exporters need to ensure that their individual products comply with the prevailing product ingredient and labelling requirements of the markets they wish to export to. Food From Britain's role is to maximise exports of food and drink produced or processed in the UK and to increase production and consumption of quality regional food. Its export services are available to all UK companies and consist of a range of tailored business development and information services such as market assessment reports, trade missions and support at international food and drink exhibitions. Support for the quality regional food sector consists of a programme of activities focusing on trade development, increasing competitiveness and raising consumer awareness. In both cases, FFB's support is provided to the company or producer rather than for individual products. FFB does not, therefore, keep detailed records or make assessments of the individual products promoted by the companies or producers it supports. A Department of Health consultation Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet on priorities for a food and health action plan held earlier this year listed the reduction of salt, saturated fat and sugar in diets as nutritional priorities for the population of England as a whole. The consultation invited the views of individuals, organisations and industry on the actions we need to take to improve the balance of the national diet. This will result in benefits to consumer choice whether food is consumed domestically or following export. Food Industry Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: How the Regional and Local Food Unit of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is supporting (a) farmers' markets; and (b) the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association's accreditation scheme. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: (a) Officials from Defra's Regional and Local Food Unit met representatives from the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) on 12 July 2004. The purpose of this meeting was to explore how Defra can work with FARMA on the common goals of reconnecting farmers to their markets and helping them to add value. The meeting included a discussion on FARMA's priorities and how projects to take these forward might be supported under various grant schemes—in particular the rural enterprise scheme (RES) and the agriculture development scheme (ADS). Farmers' markets at both a regional and national level have received funding under those schemes in the past. Most recently, an award of £100,256 to the National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM), now FARMA, was made in April 2003 to raise the profile of farmers' markets across England and to increase public awareness of them. The meeting also covered how FARMA could raise its profile with the regional development agencies (RDAs). As a result representatives from FARMA have been invited to give a presentation to Defra's regional food cross-cutting group, which includes representatives from the RDAs, the Countryside Agency and the Food Standards Agency, at the end of this month. (b) At the meeting on 12 July, FARMA's accreditation scheme was identified as a key priority for the new organisation. Defra has already provided £24,364 to NAFM to help it to develop the certification scheme for accrediting farmers' markets. The scheme is an important factor in preserving the integrity of and, therefore, consumers' confidence in, farmers' markets. Any further request from FARMA for funding to address this issue would be considered in the same way as any other application for grant. Food Industry Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: How the Regional and Local Food Unit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is supporting Food Links UK, the national body of Local Food Links, and their work to promote best practice in schemes that raise the consumption of fresh British produce. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Defra's Regional and Local Food Unit is working with colleagues elsewhere in the department in taking forward a number of initiatives in support of the work that Food Links UK is doing to encourage the consumption of fresh British produce. These include: Funding a range of projects through our various grant schemes which are helping producers to develop their processing facilities, find new outlets for their produce and reconnect with consumers. For example, a project in Somerset aimed at developing new markets for local produce by establishing links with local businesses in the retail, catering and tourism sectors; Our public sector food procurement initiative, which is designed to encourage public sector bodies to procure their food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and encourages more small and local farmers, producers and suppliers to compete to supply them with food. Activities include regional pilot projects on developing local supply chains; Our organic action plan which aims to increase British farmers' share of the organic market; and The programme of activities being taken forward by Food from Britain under our regional food strategy aimed at helping quality regional food producers to become more competitive and raising consumer awareness. Examples of such activities include the forthcoming best practice guide on distribution and the strengthening of links between regional food and tourism. Food Industry Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they intend to act on the recommendation in the Gershon review of "improving purchasing arrangements: centralised negotiation of bulk deals"; and, if so, how that will help to deliver the objective of the sustainable food procurement initiative to increase tenders from small and local producers. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Public procurement is based on value for money, defined as the optimum combination of whole-life cost and quality to meet the user's requirement. Strengthening sustainability considerations in public procurement provides an opportunity to drive up standards and to achieve social and environmental as well as economic objectives consistent with public procurement policy. In accordance with the recommendations in Sir Peter Gerson's report, the Government will be seeking deals at national, regional and local levels depending on which is most appropriate. In working to achieve those deals we will take account of our policies on sustainable procurement and the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public sector contracts. Defra is implementing category management as its preferred delivery mechanism for the contracting of common commodities across the Defra family. This approach to supply chain management involves extensive market analysis and consultation (including supplier conferences) to ensure that the construction of tenders is inclusive and encourages a variety of bids and innovative approaches having full regard for sustainability principles and value for money. The UK's farmers and growers have an important part to play in our sustainable development objectives. They have the potential to supply food to public sector organisations either as direct contractors or as lower-tier suppliers under a subcontract. The public sector food procurement initiative, as part of the food chain work stream helping to implement the sustainable farming and food strategy for England, is encouraging local producers to compete for more public sector business. It is important that local producers are made aware of the opportunities that arise and of the procurement process. They need to consider their capacity for meeting demand and whether they should collaborate with other producers to increase their chances of winning contracts and subcontracts. Above all, it is right and proper that local producers win public sector business following fair and open competition for contracts that are designed to be efficient and so provide best value for money. Countryside Stewardship Scheme Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many agreements have been concluded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The number of current 10-year agreements under the scheme is about 16,700. This figure does not include agreements concluded pre-1994, which have expired, or agreements which have been terminated early. Pest Control Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they propose that otters, mink and rats should be controlled if hunting with dogs becomes illegal. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: The stalking of wild mammals, including mink and otters, and flushing them out of cover is exempt hunting under the Bill if certain conditions are observed. These relate to the purpose of the hunting, the land on which it takes place, the number of dogs used, the use of dogs below ground, and the care of the hunters to despatch the quarry quickly and to maintain control of their dogs. The hunting of rats is exempt subject only to the hunter owning the land or having the owner's permission. The Government would be pleased to work with others to develop a code of practice to ensure that pests can be controlled effectively within the new regulations. Dunblane Inquiry Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will reconsider the 100-year ban on publication of parts of the evidence given to the inquiry into the circumstances which led to the murders committed at Dunblane by Thomas Hamilton. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: This is a matter for the Scottish Executive. I understand, however, that the cataloguing of the productions lodged for the purpose of the Dunblane inquiry has recently been completed by the National Archives of Scotland. Officials from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are currently reviewing this material and considering what information is suitable for release either in its entirety or in an edited format. Some of the material, however, cannot be released before the end of the 100-year closure period because it contains sensitive information. Stakeholders Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their definition of the meaning of the word "stakeholder" which is commonly used across government departments. Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Bassam of Brighton: There is no agreed government-wide definition of stakeholder because each organisation uses the term in respect of different individuals and groups. It is commonly understood though that a stakeholder is anyone affected by, or capable of influencing, government strategy or services. Typical stakeholders will be: Customers and other people who use public services Public service employers Staff Delivery partners and suppliers Trade unions and professional associations Trade associations and industry bodies Other government departments and agencies Political and campaigning organisations The voluntary and community sector Organisations representating customers Government organisations are encouraged to work with stakeholders, both in terms of policy and service delivery, on the understanding that work conducted in isolation from those on whom it will impact is unlikely to deliver any benefit.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2004-10-11a

Crime: Electronic Tagging Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 19 January (WA 27), whether, since this matter is not subject to any current judicial proceedings, the results of the investigation relating to the arrest of Mr Asil Nadir can be published and made available to Parliament. Lord McNally: Information from this investigation remains under consideration by the judiciary and it would not be appropriate to make this available, or for me to comment, while there are ongoing legal proceedings. Employment: Sickness Absence Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to respond to Health at Work-An Independent Review of Sickness Absence. Lord Freud: The Department for Work and Pensions will be leading on the Government's response to the independent review into sickness absence, with input from other government departments and the devolved Administrations. These are complex issues and we will need to take time to consider the recommendations fully; the response will be published later this year. Employment: Sickness Absence Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs of long-term absence for small businesses; and what steps they are taking to mitigate those costs. Lord Freud: The DWP estimates that sickness absence costs employers £9 billion and that 140 million working days are lost every year, which equates to 2.2 per cent of all working time, or 4.9 days for each worker. Smaller employers tend to experience lower sickness absence rates and are also less likely to offer occupational sick pay. The Government also recognise the difficulties small businesses can face when trying to access occupational health services. To help mitigate the costs the Government have instigated a programme of initiatives and support aimed at aiding better sickness absence management and promoting health and well-being in small businesses. The previous medical certificate, the "sick note", was replaced by the fit note in April 2010. The concept of the fit note was to give GPs the opportunity to provide a greater focus on what people can do rather than what they cannot. A network of health, work and well-being (HWWB) co-ordinators operate across Great Britain. Their role involves championing and leading on the HWWB agenda, helping to reduce the overall incidence of work-related ill health. The network focuses on smaller businesses, working with them to raise awareness of the many benefits of good work to good health-and vice versa. Occupational health advice services for small businesses operate in England, Scotland and Wales. They provide support to employers and line managers to help them keep employees healthy and at work, or support an employee back to work. The services were evaluated between December 2009 and March 2011, and the final report is expected to be published in March 2012. A number of case-managed multidisciplinary "fit for work" services are available to individuals in five locations in England, one location in Wales, and one covering all of Scotland. The services provide support for employees in the early stages of sickness absence who may be at risk of spending long periods away from work due to ill health. The first year of service operation has been evaluated, and this report is also expected to be published in March 2012. The Department of Health has introduced the public health responsibility deal-a mechanism to improve public health outcomes. It has five networks covering alcohol, behaviour change, food, health at work, and physical activity. The health at work network is jointly chaired by Earl Howe and Dame Carol Black, and comprises delegates from the private sector, central and local government and the third sector, and aims to reinforce the positive link between health and work among employers, employees and the general public. Employment: Sickness Absence Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment the Department for Work and Pensions has made of the benefits of providing immediate occupational health support in reducing workplace absence. Lord Freud: Dame Carol Black's review of the health of Britain's working-age population identified that small and medium-sized businesses generally have little or no access to occupational health support to help them deal with employee sickness absence or employee health issues at work (Black, C. Working for a Healthier Tomorrow: Review of the Health of Britain's Working Age Population, The Stationery Office, 2008). Dame Carol recognised that employers, healthcare professionals and Government all have a role to play in improving the health of the working-age population. A literature review, conducted as part of Dame Carol's review, found that early intervention occupational health services can play a key role in assessing how and when employees can return to appropriate work, and result in a significant reduction in time spent off work (Campbell, Professor J. Avoiding Long-Term Incapacity for Work: Developing an Early Intervention in Primary Care, Peninsula Medical School, 2007). A further independent evidence review found that more than 90 per cent of people with common health problems, for example musculoskeletal conditions, can be helped to return to work by simple healthcare and workplace management measures (Waddell, G. Burton, A.K. and Kendall, N.A.S. Vocational Rehabilitation: What Works, for Whom, and When?, The Stationery Office, 2008). The DWP currently funds a programme of action to improve the health of the working-age population, including occupational health advice services for small businesses in England, Scotland and Wales. The services provide early and easy access to support, to help employers respond to individual employee health issues, including mental health and well-being issues. Provision of the services up to March 2011 has been independently evaluated. An interim report, covering service provision up to October 2010, was published in July 2011. Early findings included: the services are being used by the target population, ie small and medium-sized businesses that are dealing with an occupational health issue involving an employee with a health condition;service users appreciated speedy access to a high-quality service, support tailored to their needs, and the reassurance provided that they were taking the right approach; andthe services have been successful in encouraging employers to take on elements of good absence management. The final report is due to be published in spring 2012. Financial Services Compensation Scheme Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they continue to stand behind the Financial Services Compensation Scheme; whether they will fund prompt payments to depositors while permitting staged payments to the Government from other banks and institutions; and whether they will provide a risk-based premium for providing this guarantee of support. Lord Sassoon: The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) provides compensation to consumers in the event that their financial services provider fails. The FSCS is funded by the financial services industry. The FSCS may borrow from certain accounts administered by HM Treasury if necessary in order to pay out promptly to consumers. The terms of the loan need to reflect the risk and the cost to the Exchequer and would need to serve the public interest. The funding model of the FSCS is currently under review by the Financial Services Authority, which expects to publish a consultation paper in the first quarter of this year. Gendercide Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 December (HL14333) stating that information on the numbers of (1) male, and (2) female, babies being aborted is not collected centrally, on what basis they assess whether government policy on gendercide is effective. Earl Howe: We are not aware of any evidence that abortion on the grounds of sex selection is being practised in Great Britain. This view is informed by the fact that clinicians are not reporting any concerns about requests for abortion based on the sex of the foetus or that this issue might be underlying requests for abortion. In addition, in 2010, 91 per cent of abortions performed on residents of England and Wales take place at 12 weeks gestation or earlier and it is currently not possible to accurately determine the sex of the foetus until around 16 weeks' gestation. Government Departments: Procurement Lord Prescott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action was taken by the Department for Communities and Local Government when it discovered that in the period 2004-06 the departmental government procurement card for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had been cloned, resulting in charges from seven transactions totalling £2,000; and when the money was recovered. Baroness Hanham: Departmental practice is for the card holder to check statements against usage and report any anomalies to the card issuing company. Under the terms of the contract with the issuing bank any financial loss arising from external fraud (such as cloned cards) was the responsibility of the card-issuing company that took forward any investigation. Consequently there would be no liability to departmental funds. This process appears to have been followed and the seven transactions totalling £2,000 were fully recovered during the same financial year. However, for the avoidance of doubt, we have no evidence that spending in this period at venues such as the Star City Casino, Doyles Seafood Restaurant in Sydney and at Sydney Aquarium, all of which were associated with the visit of the then Deputy Prime Minister (the noble Lord), were cloned transactions. Ministers in this Administration do not believe that such transactions represent value for money for the taxpayer. It is clear to Ministers, from examining government procurement card spending across the department, that there was unnecessary expenditure. This criticism was reflected in Sir Philip Green's efficiency review in October 2010, which noted: "Procurement cards do not allow Government to control or monitor spend efficiently". I believe that greater transparency on past and present transactions will help prevent the overuse and misuse of the government procurement card in the future. This is why, as I said in a Written Answer to the noble Lord on 12 January (WA107-8), my department has published detailed information on all transactions made using these corporate cards from April 2004 to October 2011, in response to a series of parliamentary questions and freedom of information requests, and has taken a series of steps to reduce unnecessary spending. Health: Anthrax Vaccine Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 10 January (HL14279) stating that anthrax is not typically transmissible person to person, why emergency workers are not routinely vaccinated against anthrax in view of the possibility of respiratory anthrax attacks by terrorists using methods such as mail packages or aerosol dispersal systems. Earl Howe: Anthrax infection is rare in the United Kingdom and is not normally transmissible from person to person. Anthrax vaccine is only offered to those whose occupation puts them at a real risk of exposure to anthrax spores, such as those handling potentially contaminated animal products in the leather and wool industries, those working in locations abroad where exposure is highly likely-such as military personnel-and certain veterinarians. For all other occupations and the general public the current risk assessment of a potential deliberate release of anthrax spores through contaminated mail or aerosol dispersal systems does not warrant routine pre-exposure vaccination. Bioterrorism threats and associated risks of a deliberate release of anthrax are kept under constant review. Health: Anthrax Vaccine Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 10 January (HL14281), what was the shortfall in the production of anthrax vaccines between October 2009 and March 2011 by (1) number of vaccines, and (2) percentage. Earl Howe: A stockpile of anthrax vaccine is maintained as part of the United Kingdom's national emergency preparedness strategy. Due to security considerations, details relating to the quantity of stock held are not shared publicly. This includes information relating to the production of any stock. Michael Brown Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Electoral Commission on whether it plans to recover money given by Michael Brown to the Liberal Democrats. Lord McNally: The Electoral Commission is the independent body responsible for the regulation of party and election finance. The Government do not make representations on individual cases-to do so would be inappropriate and risk compromising the commission's independence. Northern Ireland: Security Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on 20 December (WA 368), what was the outcome of the review by the Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office in September 2011 of the decision to close Lower Chichester Street, Belfast; what security criteria were used for the original closure decision; who made that decision; and why the roads at the side and back of the courts complex are not also closed. Lord Shutt of Greetland: The decision to close Lower Chichester Street was based on the criteria set down in Section 32(1)(b) of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007, which states that a closure can be put in place if it is necessary for the preservation of peace and the maintenance of order. The Minister of State for Northern Ireland confirmed that there is a continuing security need for the restrictions to remain in place at this time. This decision was made in the light of advice from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and threat assessment information available at the time. The closure of other roads at the side did not form part of the request by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service. Northern Ireland: Security Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the current security position in Northern Ireland. Lord Shutt of Greetland: The threat level in Northern Ireland is currently "severe", meaning that a terrorist attack is highly likely. Terrorist groups continue to carry out attacks on the security forces in Northern Ireland, especially the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Combating terrorism in all its forms remains a priority for this Government and the exceptional provision of an additional £200 million funding to the Police Service of Northern Ireland is a clear demonstration of this commitment. Planning Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as they review the proposed planning guidelines, they will include a presumption against inappropriate development in (1) areas of outstanding natural beauty, (2) special landscape areas, and (3) areas of historic landscape character. Baroness Hanham: The draft National Planning Policy Framework maintains protection for the green belt, areas of outstanding natural beauty, national parks, heritage coast, the Broads, sites of special scientific interest and other designations that protect the character of our country's landscape, stop unsustainable urban sprawl and preserve wildlife. We are considering carefully all the responses received to the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the consultation process by commenting on what is to be included in the final framework, but we intend to publish the final document before the end of March this year. UN: Year of the Co-operative 2012 Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask the Chairman of Committees whether there are plans for the House to mark the United Nations Year of the Co-operative 2012. Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House does not have any such plans. The United Nations promotes a variety of causes by designating a number of international days, weeks and years, and the House does not usually mark these formally.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2012-01-17a

Armed Forces: War Pensions Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Bolton on 5 November (WA 82) regarding the late Gulf War veteran, Mr Terry Walker, whose war pension was cut from 100 per cent to 40 per cent shortly before his death, what was the outcome of the contact made by the Ministry of Defence with the Office of Her Majesty's Coroner for Newcastle for assistance. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: Since the Defence Inquests Unit's approach to HM Coroner in early November, we have received no further request for assistance. We understand that the coroner has yet to set a date for the inquest. All questions on this inquest should be directed to HM Coroner for Newcastle. As stated previously, the department will provide HM Coroner with whatever assistance it can. Energy: Renewables Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the environmental impact of burning (a) natural gas, and (b) recovered fuel oil in plants compliant with the European Union waste incineration directive. Lord Davies of Oldham: In each case, compliance with the stringent emission limit values and other requirements set out in the waste incineration directive minimises the environmental impact that might otherwise arise from burning these materials. Food: Horse Meat Lord Higgins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the negotiations in the European Union on banning the export of live horses for slaughter. Lord Davies of Oldham: Introducing a ban on the export of horses for slaughter would be contrary to free trade rules. The Government would like to see finite journey times for all animals destined for slaughter and better enforcement of welfare in transport rules within the European Community. The Secretary of State made these points at the Agriculture Council on 7 September. Higher Education: Radicalism Baroness Neville-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 12 November (WA 215), when they plan to finalise the list of higher education institutions receiving additional Prevent funding; and whether they will place a copy of the list in the Library of the House. Lord Drayson: I expect the list of universities that will be receiving additional funding to help support their Prevent work to be finalised by the end of February 2010. A list of these institutions will be published and placed in the Library of the House and on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website. HMS "Caroline" Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 12 November (WA 216) concerning HMS "Caroline", whether there will be no decommissioning of the ship until further notice is given. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: I hope to be in a position to announce plans for HMS "Caroline" in the spring. In the mean time, the ship will remain in commission of the Royal Navy. National Heritage: Historic Environment Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the statement of their vision and priorities for the historic environment, due to be issued by summer 2009. Lord Davies of Oldham: Understanding and valuing our past is a fundamental part of Government's vision for the future. We remain committed to a vision for the historic environment that is recognised across government and by all who live and work with it. The vision statement will be published around the turn of the year. Pensions Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 28 October (WA 161-62), why the main reason for the increase in British Waterways' pension costs in 2008-09 was the increase in the interest cost. Lord Davies of Oldham: There was a 17.8 per cent increase in the interest cost in 2008-09 over 2007-08. The interest cost is calculated as the start of year discount rate multiplied by the value of the liabilities at the start of the year (and with a small adjustment to allow for new benefits earned, and benefits paid out over the year). The discount rate used to calculate the interest cost in 2008-09 was considerably higher than the discount rate used to calculate the interest cost in 2007-08 because corporate bond indices rose considerably (an effect of the current economic climate). This was reflected in the rise in the discount rate used in the accounts and directly resulted in the interest cost rising. This is all prescribed by the international accounting standard IAS19 and a direct consequence of using corporate bond yields to value pension liabilities under the accounting standard. Tax Allowances Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest calculation of the financial effect by income decile of making the personal allowance transferable between married couples and those in civil partnerships for each of the next five years. Lord Myners: Due to the complex nature of this Question, the following estimates should be treated with caution. These estimates exclude any behavioural response to the change, which could be significant given the magnitude of the change. Information on average gains by income decile of all UK households as a result of making personal allowances transferable between married couples and those in civil partnerships in 2009-10 are shown in the table below. Average gain Income decile (£ per year) Bottom 30 2nd 90 3rd 120 4th 140 5th 160 6th 200 7th 220 8th 240 9th 310 Top 380 These estimates have been calculated from HM Treasury's tax and benefit static micro-simulation model using Family Resources Survey 2007-08 data uprated to 2009-10 levels of prices and earnings. The model does not take into account behavioural changes in response to changes to the tax and benefit system or economic conditions so if the model was used to produce the financial effect for five years, it would show similar results for each year. Waste Management Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many companies have invested in plants compliant with the European Union waste incineration directive for the burning of recovered fuel oil. Lord Davies of Oldham: In England and Wales, six out of 126 plants regulated by the Environment Agency, or 5 per cent of waste incineration directive (WID) compliant plants, are permitted to receive recovered fuel oil (RFO) for use as a fuel. The plants using RFO are: four sewage sludge incinerators, one clinical waste incinerator and one hazardous waste incinerator. RFO is usually used as a support fuel to maintain furnace temperatures if waste burning does not remain self-sufficient. It would be very unusual for any of these plants to continue to burn RFO for prolonged periods.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2009-11-26a

Home Office Territorial Waters: Security Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which government department is responsible for surveillance, production of a reorganised surface picture, and security, of the UK territorial seas. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The responsibility for the security and surveillance of the UK territorial seas is shared across a number of Government departments and agencies including the Department for Transport, Border Force, and Ministry of Defence.The National Maritime Information Centre provides the platform for the cross-government understanding of maritime activity. It brings together information and intelligence provided by the various Government departments and agencies and supported by international partnerships provides the UK with unified situational awareness of maritime activity in the UK and international waters. Department for Transport A1: Nottinghamshire Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 4 February (HL5525), whether they are now able to publish the conclusions of the "lessons learned" review of the recent roadworks to the A1 road close to Gamston Airport, during which the £7.4 million target cost escalated to a forecast £13.6 million. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The report should be available by the end of July 2016. Blue Badge Scheme The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to amend Section 4:4 of The Blue Badge Scheme Local Authority Guidance (England) to exclude the first sentence that specifies certain medical conditions in order to ensure that eligibility is based on disability or ill health regardless of diagnosis. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has no current plans to amend the non-statutory guidance to local authorities about the Blue Badge scheme. As the guidance makes clear “Each application should be considered on its merits – not on a “one size fits all” basis. The final decision about whether an applicant meets the criterion is for the issuing authority to make.”. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Colombia: Overseas Aid Baroness Hooper: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they have given to the government of Colombia to help it develop its national business and human rights action plan, and whether further assistance will be given to aid its implementation. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We supported Colombia in the development of their National Action Plan (NAP) to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The NAP, which is the first of its kind outside of Europe, was launched in December. It allows Colombia to meet its existing human rights obligations and increase business awareness.The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, my noble Friend, the Lord Price of Sturminster Newton, launched a campaign for British businesses to support peace, primarily through the respect for human rights, during his visit to Colombia last month. Twenty of the largest British companies operating in Colombia subsequently agreed to align themselves to the Colombian National Action Plan for business and human rights. Crimea: Tartars Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have received about the present situation of the Tartar population of the Crimea, and in particular, how many of them have been arrested or sentenced, how many exiles have been banned from returning, and whether their mosques have been damaged or destroyed. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: In March I met Refat Chubarov, the Crimean Tatar leader, to discuss the continuing deterioration of human rights on the peninsula since Russia’s illegal annexation, and how this is impacting the Crimean Tatar community. The Crimea Tatars continue to face regular harassment including arrests, detentions, disappearances and restrictions on their rights of worship, assembly and expression. Many also face pressure to take up Russian Citizenship to re-enter Crimea.International human rights organisations such as the UN and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are currently barred from entering Crimea. The UK continues to call on Russia to use their influence with the ‘de-facto’ Crimean authorities to grant access to international organisations. Nevertheless, we are aware of reports that 18 Crimean Tatars are currently held in Russian-run prisons, while several more are under arrest. We are also aware of seven Crimean Tatars who are banned from entering Crimea. We are not aware of reports of mosques being destroyed, however there are reports that mosques and homes have been raided and those inside questioned by Russian security services. The recent banning of the Mejlis, the highest representative body for the Crimean Tatar community, by the Russian de-facto authorities is another example of the continuing erosion of civil liberties and human rights in Crimea. Laxmanananda Saraswati Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the events surrounding the murder in August 2008 of the Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and the convictions of seven men for that crime. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: India’s constitution provides for an independent judiciary. The court case and conviction are a matter for the Indian courts. Nigeria: Boko Haram Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the scale and frequency of human rights violations by Nigeria’s security forces in their actions against Boko Haram. Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Governmentwhat is their assessment of the credibility of investigations conducted in Nigeria into allegations of human rights violations committed by the Nigerian security forces. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There are credible reports that human rights violations have been committed by Nigerian security forces during its operations against Boko Haram. We welcome President Buhari’s commitment to overhaul the Nigerian armed force’s rules of engagement, to investigate credible allegations of human rights violations and to take appropriate action. We understand that there are a number of investigations currently underway. It is important that these investigations are comprehensive and credible, and we are monitoring these closely. We regularly stress to the Nigerian authorities the importance of protecting civilians in conflict and detention, and that, whilst we support their fight against terrorism, this fight should be in full compliance with human rights standards and international law. Any member of the Nigerian security forces found to have been involved in human rights violations must be held accountable. Nigeria: LGBT People Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria regarding the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities that the UK opposes any form of discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and any form of legislation that persecutes people on the basis of their sexuality. This has included opposition to Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage Bill which we believe infringes on the fundamental rights of expression and association, guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and by Nigeria’s international treaty obligations. Along with other EU Member States, opposition to this Bill has formed part of our dialogue with the Nigerian authorities. Where we have been made aware of specific arrests or harassment founded on the basis of the Same Sex Marriage Bill, we have made representations to the authorities on behalf of those who have been subject to discrimination. Nigeria: Human Rights Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the scale and frequency of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There are credible reports that human rights violations, including extra-judicial killings, have been committed by Nigerian security forces during its operations against Boko Haram. We welcome President Buhari’s commitment to overhaul the Nigerian armed force’s rules of engagement, to investigate credible allegations of human rights violations and to take appropriate action. We regularly stress to the Nigerian authorities the importance of protecting civilians in conflict and detention, and that, whilst we support their fight against terrorism, any action taken by the Nigerian Security Forces should fully comply with human rights standards and international law. Any member of the Nigerian security forces found to have been involved in human rights violations must be held accountable. Kevin Vickers Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider nominating Mr Kevin Vickers, the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, for an honour to mark his action in tackling terrorists in the Canadian Parliament and a protestor at the ceremony marking the Easter Rising of 2016. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We do not comment on honours nominations in order to maintain the integrity of the honours system and the privacy of the individuals concerned. Azerbaijan: Political Prisoners Baroness Suttie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 11 May (HL8207), what representations they have made about the conditions under which political prisoners are held in Azerbaijan, particularly in the light of the reported assault of Ilgar Mammadov by prison guards in October 2015, and the June 2016 judgment by the European Court of Human Rights that the Azerbaijani authorities failed to provide adequate medical care to Leila and Arif Yunus during their imprisonment on political grounds. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK raises concerns about the conditions under which political prisoners are held in Azerbaijan at every appropriate opportunity. Our Embassy in Baku has requested to visit a number of prisoners, but the authorities have not yet granted permission. In the Council of Europe, we regularly call for more information on Ilgar Mammadov’s condition. Nigeria: Schools Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the use of schools by its military and security forces, given that Nigeria has endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, which explicitly prohibits such use. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned by reports that the Nigerian military are using schools in north east Nigeria for military purposes. The UK fully supports UN Security Council Resolution 1998 which urges all parties involved in armed conflict to refrain from actions that impede children’s safe access to education.We regularly stress to the Nigerian authorities the importance of protecting civilians in conflict and continue to call on Nigeria to ensure that its security forces respect and act in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Diplomatic Service: Labour Turnover The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what have been the retention rates of Civil Service Fast Streamers in the Diplomatic Service since 2000. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our records before 2010 do not show whether an officer joined the Diplomatic Service as a Fast Streamer. However, we have confirmed that all but eight of the 165 Fast Streamers who have joined the Diplomatic Service since 2010, are either still working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); are on loan to another department; or are currently on special unpaid leave and are expected to return to the FCO in due course.This would be equivalent to an attrition rate of around 5 per cent over five years. Department of Health Midwives Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Clinical Commissioning Groups' midwifery workforce planning has taken into consideration the impact on the workload of midwives of an increase in the number of older mothers. Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Clinical Commissioning Groups' midwifery workforce planning has taken into consideration the impact on the workload of midwives of the rise in non-communicable diseases. Lord Prior of Brampton: At a national level, it is Health Education England’s (HEE) responsibility to ensure that there is sufficient future supply of staff, including midwives, to meet the workforce requirements of the English health system taking in to account issues such as demographic changes, for example, increases in older mothers. The Workforce Plan is built upon the needs of local employers, providers, commissioners and other stakeholders who, as members of its Local Education Training Boards (LETBs), shape the 13 local plans. The Workforce Plan is predominately an aggregate of the local LETB plans, but the final national plan is only agreed with the advice and input of its clinical advisory groups and Patients’ Advisory Forum, as well as the royal colleges and other stakeholders. At a local level, it is ultimately the responsibility of National Health Service trusts, working with their clinical commissioning groups, to ensure they have sufficient staff on their wards with the right skills to treat patients in their care and this would include taking account of changes in patient condition profile, for example, any rise in non-communicable diseases, in their workforce planning. Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Nordic Cochrane Centre complaint to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) over maladministration at the EMA dated 26 May in relation to the EMA report on the safety of human papilloma virus vaccine. Lord Prior of Brampton: Whilst the issues raised in the Nordic Cochrane Centre document are a matter for the European Medicines Agency (EMA), we are satisfied that the EMA has adequate processes in place to manage any potential conflicts of interest of its scientific experts and to uphold the integrity and impartiality of its decision-making. There was consensus agreement amongst European Union Member States on the conclusions of the recent human papilloma virus vaccine safety review, and we have confidence in the outcome of this review. Complaint to the EMA over maladministration (PDF Document, 1.08 MB) Health Services: North East Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the North East Commissioning Service has not accepted an offer from Newcastle City Council's Director of Public Health to place a contract to modify data systems to facilitate analysis at council ward level. Lord Prior of Brampton: This is an operational matter for the Commissioning Support Unit and the local Council. The North of England Commissioning Support Unit advises that it has held discussions with the Director of Public Health but is not aware of any offer to place a contract with the organisation. Care Homes and Hospitals: Migrant Workers Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many overseas citizens work in the UK in (1) hospitals, and (2) care homes. Lord Prior of Brampton: The number of overseas citizens working in the United Kingdom in hospitals and care homes is not collected centrally. The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) publishes data on the number of staff working in National Health Service hospital and community health services in England. The HSCIC also publishes data on the nationality of NHS staff, which is a self-reported field within the NHS human resources and payroll system, the electronic staff record (ESR). The nationality information entered by an individual employee onto ESR may reflect their cultural heritage rather than their country of birth. From the 1,151,138 headcount number of staff working in NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups as at September 2015, 1,056,773 have self-declared their nationality. Of these, 217,063 (21%) have declared as having nationalities other than British. Skills for Care, the partner in the Sector Skills Council for social care, collects information on the nationality of the adult social care workforce in England. Skills for Care estimates that there were on average 135,000 residential care job roles filled by non-British adult social care workers in England in 2015. NHS: Negligence Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total cost to the NHS of insurance premiums for clinical negligence; which Foundation Trust pays the highest amount as a percentage of its budget; and what percentage of its budget that cost represents. Lord Prior of Brampton: The question has been interpreted to mean contributions to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) which provides indemnity for National Health Service bodies. These are not insurance premiums. The total cost for 2014-15, which is the last available published figure, is £1,037,742,810. The information as to which NHS Foundation Trust pays the highest amount as a percentage of its budget is not held centrally. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Students: Loans Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards they have put in place to ensure that, if the student loan book is sold on, students are not faced with increased rates of interest on their student loans. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: As stated in the March 2016 Budget, the Government is continuing to prepare for the sale of the pre-2012 income contingent repayment student loan book, with a first sale expected in 2016-17.Purchasers would have no direct relationship with borrowers, and would have no power to amend the terms of repayment. Government would still finance student loans and continue to collect repayments.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-06-14

Afghanistan Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are taking to persuade the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to observe the Geneva Conventions; and whether they will ask those authorities to facilitate the International Committee of the Red Cross in its duty of protecting prisoners of war and other captives. Baroness Amos: The Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of humane behaviour by United Front forces when he met Dr Abdullah Abdullah in Tehran on 22 November and also when he spoke to him on the phone on 30 November. The British representative in Kabul has spoken in similar terms to other senior United Front representatives. The UN has also appealed to the United Front to treat surrendering forces in accordance with international humanitarian law. Security Council Resolution 1378 (2001) calls on all Afghan forces to adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law. International Committee of the Red Cross staff returned to Afghanistan in mid-November, and the United Front defence representative, Fahim Khan, has allowed the ICRC access to prisoners held by the United Front. Metropolitan Police Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government: What were the numbers of police officers (in all ranks) in the Metropolitan Police for each of the last five years, including 2001. Lord Rooker: The information requested is set out in the table below. Year as at 31 March Chief Const (2) Ast Chief Const (3) Supt Chief Insp Insp Sgt Const Total 1997 7 28 211 344 1,197 4,219 20,671 26,677 1998 8 28 211 342 1,186 4,164 20,156 26,094 1999 7 33 210 350 1,157 4,223 20,093 26,073 2000 6 31 217 371 1,218 4,171 19,471 25,485 2001 5 28 210 355 1,222 4,083 18,975 24,878 1. All figures are full time equivalents. 2. The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and assistant commissioners are counted as chief constables. 3. Deputy assistant commissioners and commanders are counted as assistant chief constables. 4. Source: Home Office Statistical Bulletins 1997–2001. Comparisons between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 are affected by boundary changes between four forces. As a result, the Metropolitan Police's area reduced to that of Greater London, with the remaining parts forming parts of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey, according to county boundaries. The effect was to reduce the population in the area policed by the metropolitan force by over half a million, while increasing Essex by 73,000, Hertfordshire by 157,000 and Surrey by 297,000 (based on 2000 mid-year population estimates from the Office of National Statistics). These changes led to the budgetary equivalent of 887 officers being made available from the metropolitan forces to the neighbouring forces. In addition, the Metropolitan Police employed 10,040 civilian support staff on 31 March 2001. Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many applications for asylum have been made by citizens of Sri Lanka since 1990; how many applications have been allowed by the Secretary of State, adjudicators and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal; and how many applications have been refused after all legal means have been exhausted. Lord Rooker: The available information is given in the table. Information on the outcome of tribunal hearings by nationality is not available prior to September 2000. Statistical information on applications which have been refused after exhausting all legal means is not collected centrally and is therefore unavailable. Applications for asylum from nationals of Sri Lanka, number granted refugee status at initial decision, by IAA adjudicators and tribunal following an initial refusal by the Home Office 1990 to Q3 2001(1,2) Year Asylum applications(3) Initial decisions(4) Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum Granted asylum or ELR under backlog criteria(5) Allowed by IAA adjudicator following initial refusal(6) Allowed by tribunal 1990 3,330 475 15 — N/A N/A 1991 3,765 765 20 — N/A N/A 1992 2,085 4,520 40 — N/A N/A 1993 1,965 2,690 10 — N/A N/A 1994 2,350 1,070 10 — 10 N/A 1995 2,070 1,335 20 — 25 N/A 1996 1,340 2,145 5 — 30 N/A 1997 1,830 1,780 55 — 95 N/A 1998 3,505 2,010 50 — 495 N/A 1999 5,130 2,630 20 620 N/A N/A 2000(p) 6,395 9,050 900 895 N/A N/A Jan–Sept 2001(p) 4,035 8,755 1,170 — 1,400 65 Total 37,800 37,225 2,315 N/A N/A N/A (1) Figures rounded to nearest 5. (2) Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same year. (3) May exclude some cases lodged at local enforcement offices between January 1999 and March 2000. (4) Decision figures for 1990 and 1991 may understate due to delays in recording. (5) Cases decided under measures aimed at reducing the pre-1996 asylum application backlog. (6) For the years 1994 to 1998, figures for appeals allowed by the IAA adjudicator were collected manually. Manual collection stopped in 1998. Hence, no information is held for 1999 and 2000. (p) Provisional. N/A = Not available. Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. Trafficking in Human Beings Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to reduce levels of trafficking in human beings, especially children. Lord Rooker: The Government are committed to putting in place effective measures to combat the trafficking of human beings and to penalise those engaged in this abhorrent practice. To this end, the United Kingdom has signed the Trafficking Protocol to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime, which requires the specific criminalisation of trafficking in human beings. The Government are also currently negotiating an European Union (EU) Framework Decision, which is a binding European Union instrument and requires criminalisation of trafficking in human beings for the purposes of exploiting their labour and services or for sexual exploitation. Under its provisions, the UK will be required to have implemented the instrument within two years of its adoption. Measuring the scope of people trafficking is problematic due to the hidden nature of the act. However, a Home Office research study Stopping Traffic (Police Research Series 125), published last year, indicated that, although there was intelligence to suggest that some women and children are trafficked into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation, there was no evidence to suggest that the problem in the UK was on the same scale as in some other EU countries. The UK is contributing to the EU STOP Programme, which was set up by a joint action of the European Council in 1996. This programme provides support to member state organisations responsible for action against the trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children. A European Council decision of 28 June 2001 established a second phase of this programme (STOP II). As part of a multi-faceted approach, people trafficking is also being addressed from the prevention end. We are developing a cross-departmental strategic approach to trafficking that will include a more joined up government lead programme on prevention and the care of potential and actual people trafficking victims. We know that children are trafficked for a number of reasons, including adoption and child labour as well as sexual exploitation. With this in mind, there are also plans to build on existing trafficking prevention projects to educate potential victims of the dangers, particularly for women and children. The Department for International Development (DfID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) already fund such projects in source countries and assist with repatriation and reintegration of people trafficked in an attempt to prevent multiple victimisation in the future. In collaboration with these countries and international organisations, DfID supports a project by the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) aimed at combating the trafficking of children in certain subregions. In addition, we set up Project Reflex last year, which is a multi-agency task force chaired by the National Crime Squad, to co-ordinate action against organised immigration crime, including people trafficking, and to develop the intelligence and strategic planning to underpin them. It is now well established and has already resulted in some major successes, involving partners overseas, in disrupting organised criminal groups involved in bringing people to the UK. Red Diesel Lord Donoughue: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 26 November about the categories of off-road vehicles which qualify for the privileged use of red diesel (WA 6): (a) why there is no requirement for the user to provide proof of qualification for this privilege; (b) why no record is taken of the categories of users as defined under the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979; and (c) during the past five years, how many users were (i) detected and (ii) prosecuted for abuse of this privilege, being not members of the categories defined in the 1979 Act. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: In the past the misuse of rebated fuels (red diesel and marked kerosene for heating) was not considered to be a significant threat to the revenue. Historically, the duty differential between rebated fuels and unrebated fuels was not as large as it is today. As a consequence, it was considered unnecessary to require distributors of rebated fuels to ask for and keep proof that these fuels were to be put to a legitimate use or to make returns to us. Such requirements would have put an undue burden on legitimate traders as well as requiring significant Customs resourcing to process and analyse this information for little gain. However, Customs has become concerned over the increasing misuse of these fuels as road fuels and is now proposing to introduce a scheme requiring distributors to be approved by Customs and to exercise a duty of care by asking certain questions to satisfy themselves that end-users are putting the fuel to a legitimate use and keeping a record of this information. In addition, they will be required to submit regular returns to Customs. This additional information will give us a better picture of the problem and allow us to better target our controls. This new scheme forms part of the Tackling Indirect Tax Fraud strategy paper, published at PBR, 27 November. The information Customs requires on returns will be of direct interest in assessing risks and targeting controls and must not place a disproportionate burden on legitimate trade. We do not anticipate requiring a breakdown of quantities of rebated fuel bought according to schedule 1 category of vehicle in which it is to be used as this would not be relevant to the scheme's aim. It would also be inaccurate as large consumers, eg local authorities, might have difficulty in providing information as to what quantities will be used in different types of vehicle. Requiring any additional information would also place extra administrative burden on both distributors and Customs. Traders will, however, be required to keep certain information on their customers which will be available to Customs officers on targeted assurance visits. We will shortly be consulting with the trade on these proposals. An alternative scheme requiring all end users to register with us and submit returns detailing the quantities used per category is not feasible. Given the large numbers of end users it would mean a huge investment of Customs resource and a significant burden on users, so would be unwieldly and disproportionate. Customs records of the number of vehicles detected do not disaggregate between the nature of the offences involved in each case. We regret, therefore, that this information is not available. Single-parent Families Lord Quirk: asked Her Majesty's Government: How the figures for children growing up in single-parent families in England and Wales compare with those in other European Union countries. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated December 2001. As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on figures for children growing up in single-parent families in this country and in other European Union countries. (HL1927) The only available comparable figures for European Union countries give the number of one-parent households; that is, households containing a lone parent with dependent children. The information has been supplied by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. The figures for this country relate to the United Kingdom; figures for Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Ireland are not available. Number of households which contain a lone parent with dependent children and percentage of these households form of all households, 2000 United Kingdom Belgium France Luxembourg Austria Germany Portugal Netherlands Italy Spain Greece European Union(7) Numbers (thousands) one parent households 1,714 208 1,078 6 116 1,301 105 184 446 228 63 5,449 all households 25,597 4,314 24,411 164 3,264 37,478 3,389 6,822 21,659 12,982 3,886 143,964 One parent households as a percentage of all households 6.7% 4.8% 4.4% 3.7% 3.6% 3.5% 3.1% 2.7% 2.1% 1.8% 1.6% 3.8% No household data available for Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Ireland. (7) available EU countries. Gross Domestic Product The Viscount of Oxfuird: asked Her Majesty's Government: What contribution each of the following sectors made to the gross domestic product of the economy in the year 2000: sport and recreation; land-based industries; audio visual industries; apparel, footwear and textiles; petrochemicals; and retailing. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. Letter from the National Statistician, Len Cook, dated December 2001. As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the contribution made by various sectors to the Gross Domestic Product of the economy in the year 2000.[HL1969] The most appropriate statistic for measuring the contribution made to the economy of individual industries is to use Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices, which is similar in concept to Gross Domestic Product. The table below shows data for 1999, using approximate definitions of the requested categories. A full industrial analysis of GVA for 2000 is not yet available. Gross value added contributions made to the economy by various sectors in 1999 Category % of total gross value added in the UK, 1999 Sport and recreation 2.7 Land-based industries(8) 3.3 Audio visual industries 0.6 Apparel, footwear and textiles 1.3 Petrochemicals 1.9 Retailing 7.5 Source: Office for National Statistics. (8) Defined as agriculture, forestry, mining and quarrying. Background Note When referring to the measurement of activity for the whole economy, we use the Gross Domestic Product concept. When estimating the contribution of particular industries and sectors to the economy, we refer to the total Gross Value Added concept. The latest available data are derived from input output supply and use tables for the United Kingdom for the year 1999. The categories used in the table above have been linked to the Input-Output Industry headings— based on the Standard Industrial Classification (1992) using the best match to the sectors requested. Definitions used (approximations using UK Input-Output industry groups) Sport and recreation Recreational, cultural and sporting activities Land-based industries Agriculture, hunting and related service activities *Forestry, logging and related service activities Mining of coal and lignite; extraction of peat Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas; service activities incidental to oil and gas extraction Mining of metal ores Other mining and quarrying Audio visual industries Electronic valves and tubes and other electronic components Television and radio transmitters and line for telephony and line telegraphy Television and radio receivers, sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus and associated goods Apparel, footwear and textiles Preparation and spinning of textile fibres Textile weaving Finishing of textiles Made-up textile articles, except apparel Carpets and rugs Other textiles Knitted and crocheted fabrics and articles Wearing apparel; dressing and dying of fur Tanning and dressing of leather Footwear Petrochemicals Industrial gases, dyes and pigments Other inorganic basic chemicals Other organic basic chemicals Fertilisers and nitrogen compounds Plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms Pesticides and other agro-chemical products Paints, varnishes and similar coatings, printing ink and mastics Pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemicals and botanical products Soap and detergents, cleaning and polishing preparations etc. Other chemical products Made-made fibres Retailing Sale, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, and motor cycles; retail sale of automotive fuel Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motor cycles; repair of personal and household goods Consolidated Fund Bill: Human Rights Act Statement Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Consolidated Fund Bill. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I have made a statement under section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 that, in my view, the provisions of the Consolidated Fund Bill are compatible with the convention rights. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House. Armed Forces Aircrew Retention Lord Merlyn-Rees: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the outcome of the comprehensive review of Armed Forces aircrew retention. Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence has conducted a comprehensive review of aircrew retention this summer. We sought to identify why we have a shortfall in this highly trained group of personnel and how that shortfall might best be addressed. A study team, including representatives from the three Services, HM Treasury and external consultancy, has reviewed aircrew requirements and looked at employment patterns, career structures, training systems and remuneration, as well as the recruitment and financial policies of the commercial sector. The working group collated the views of over 1,000 aircrew (probably the largest such survey the Armed Forces has undertaken) as well as those of managers. It examined and identified why people leave service life, as well as the attractions of the commercial sector. The main cause of the shortage of aircrew was a failure of the training system to deliver against challenging targets. That has already been addressed but it will take time to deliver. We intend, therefore, further to improve the retention of our current aircrew. The working group identified a series of issues impacting on retention. Many of the quality of life issues emerging from the review of aircrew retention were already being tackled: for example, the very significant programmes introduced to spend an additional £1 billion over the next 10 years on modernising single living accommodation and to spend £650 million by November 2005 on upgrading married quarters. We recognise that accommodation problems spread beyond housing, and action is needed to address sub-standard working and technical accommodation as well. Senior service officers have also set in hand work to address a number of key concerns raised by aircrew—for example, on operational tempo, career management, frequency of moves, and more. The impact of resolving these concerns will also be of benefit to personnel beyond the aircrew community. Some of the issues raised by aircrew are misperceptions and to address this better communication is being developed across the services. There are some remuneration aspects arising from this review and, as is usual, we have made proposals to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). The outcome will be reported to the House in due course—probably early February. We are monitoring closely developments in the commercial sector. But, even if the pull to the private sector decreases as a result of a contraction in the civil sector, we still have a responsibility to deal with the natural factors which cause personnel to leave and which are preventing us reaching aircrew manning balance. European Union Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are aware of any proposals which might lead to the European Union acquiring legal personality; and, if so, what is their response to such proposals. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Article 24 of the Treaty of the European Union (added by the Treaty of Amsterdam) gives the Council of the European Union the capacity to conclude international agreements in areas covered by the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Title V TEU) and Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters (Title VI TEU) when it is necessary to enter into such agreements to implement those titles. This is a very limited form of legal personality for the European Union to conclude international agreements for these specific purposes. It is not the overarching, explicit legal personality which some others have advocated and which the Prime Minister successfully resisted at Amsterdam. Various proposals for amending the EU treaties have been made in the current debate on the Future of Europe. More are likely in the run up to the 2004 Intergovernmental Conference. Decisions remain a matter for member states at the IGC. Tourism Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much has been paid by way of loans through the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to tourism businesses which are suffering from cash-flow problems. Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities, which is used to classify loans under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme, does not treat tourism as a separate industrial section. Tourism is spread across a number of sections, including wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants and transport. Of the new loans that have been guaranteed by the Small Business Service, where the application forms identify that the businesses are suffering from cash-flow problems resulting from foot and mouth disease, 16 loans totalling £444,000 are considered to be tourism related. Railtrack Lord Hunt of Wirral: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the statement by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 31 October (HL Deb, Col. 1486) that the appointment for a meeting between the chairman of Railtrack and the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions had been made on 5 October, whether they will make a further statement on the date on which the appointment was made. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Secretary of State had been advised that any decision he could take—whether to accede to Railtrack's proposals or not—would be market sensitive and had to be communicated to Railtrack speedily. As it was envisaged that all the evidence would be available for the Secretary of State to review on Friday 5 October, the chairman of Railtrack was contacted on Thursday 4 October and a meeting scheduled in advance for the following day. Local Authority Contracts Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they believe that it is necessary to keep Section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 in place; and, if so, why. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 sets out a number of non-commercial matters that local authorities are not permitted to take into account in contracting exercises. The order made earlier this year under the Local Government Act 1999 modified Section 17 and provided that, in respect of best value authorities, for certain workforce matters to cease to be defined as non-commercial for the purposes of Part II of the 1988 Act to the extent that they are relevant to the achievement of best value and also in circumstances where they are relevant to a TUPE transfer. The European Directives for Public Procurement, which are implemented in the UK by various procurement regulations, require contracts to be awarded on the basis of non-discrimination, transparency, freedom of movement and competitive procurement principles. Section 17 is consistent with the European legislation and makes clear the need for local authorities to avoid introducing irrelevant considerations into the contractual process. Council Tax Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is (a) the average annual percentage increase in council tax levied in England and in Wales respectively for each year since it was introduced; and (b) the annual increase in the retail prices index for each of those years. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The council tax was introduced in England on 1 April 1993. The annual average percentage increase in council tax and the annual increase in the retail prices index (RPI) since 1993–94 are given in the table below. Annual average increase in Band D Council Tax (%) Annual increase in RPI (%) 1994–95 2.1 2.6 1995–96 5.0 3.3 1996–97 6.1 2.4 1997–98 6.5 2.4 1998–99 8.6 4.0 1999–2000 6.8 1.6 2000–01 6.1 3.0 2001–02 6.4 1.8 (a) All Items Index (RPI) as at April each year. Information on council tax in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. Business Tenancies Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they intend to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission made in 1992 to amend Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, as proposed in the consultation paper of March 2001 Business Tenancies Legislation in England and Wales: the Government's Proposal for Reform. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We plan to make an announcement early in the new year about the outcome of the consultation exercise and proposals to implement the reforms by means of a regulatory reform order. Channel Tunnel: Rail Freight Facilities Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assurances were given by the promoters during the Select Committee hearings on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill that they would provide suitable alternative site(s) for rail freight facilities currently located at Temple Mills, Stratford, and on which compulsory purchase orders were served recently. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In response to concerns raised at the House of Lords Select Committee, an assurance was given about the provision of a locomotive fuelling point at Stratford. The terms of the occupation and use of land by the then Mainline Freight were to be the subject of further detailed negotiations on lease terms and other issues between the company and London & Continental Railways. London Underground Baroness Scott of Needham Market: asked Her Majesty's Government: What estimate has been made of the extent to which London Underground has failed to operate its planned services in recent months; and to what cause any reduction in services has been attributed. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is an operational matter for London Underground, which informs me that in the period 1 April to 10 November 2001 it operated some 92.2 per cent of scheduled train kilometres. London Underground's analysis of peak train cancellations in the period 1 April to 14 October this year shows that the most significant causes of cancellations were problems with assets (such as signalling systems and rolling stock) and a lack of available train operators. London Underground has been addressing the shortage of train operators through recruitment and through other measures designed to improve the reliability of its operations. Under the Tube modernisation plans, the infrastructure companies will significantly improve the quality of the Underground's assets, reducing delays caused by asset failures. London Underground Baroness Scott of Needham Market: asked Her Majesty's Government: What investment was made in the London Underground system during the year 2000; and how this compares with the amount needed to provide a modern metro. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: London Underground invested £363 million in the core Tube network in 2000–01 which enabled the continued renewal and replacement of essential assets in order to maintain them in a steady state condition pending completion of negotiations with the preferred bidders for the Tube Modernisation contracts. The Tube Modernisation plans will deliver the stable, long-term investment required to make London Underground a modern metro of which Londoners can be proud. Infrastructure Projects Lord Woolmer of Leeds: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they propose to consult on proposed parliamentary procedures for speeding up the processing of major infrastructure projects in the planning system. Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In July we announced a package of measures to streamline the handling in the planning system of major infrastructure projects such as new airports, runways, rail links and roads. The objective was to speed up the decision-making process so as to cut the delay, cost and uncertainty of the present process, while making sure that people continue to be properly involved and have the opportunity to make their views known. The package comprised: up-to-date comments of government policy before major infrastructure projects are considered in the planning system to help reduce inquiry time spent on debating the policy; an improved regional framework which will assist consideration of individual projects (eg through the revised arrangements for regional planning guidance); new procedures to give Parliament the opportunity to approve projects in principle before consideration of the details at inquiry; improved inquiry procedures for major infrastructure projects; and improved arrangements for compulsory purchase and compensation. We are today publishing a consultation paper setting out our detailed proposals for new parliamentary procedures. Copies are being laid before both Houses. The deadline for comment is 22 March 2002. It is right that Parliament should have the opportunity to consider infrastructure projects of major importance to the country and to the economy. Parliament's involvement will add weight and accountability to the process without reducing the opportunities for people to have their say. Parliament's endorsement of the principle of, need for and location of a project will speed up the decision-making process by removing the necessity for the subsequent planning inquiry to look at these issues. We propose to underpin this with new powers for planning inspectors to focus discussion at the inquiry, which will just look at the details of implementing the project on the ground. The final decision on a project will rest with the Secretary of State. Our proposals give people a clear opportunity to make their views known before Parliament debates the issues. They provide a mechanism for people to make objections or other representations about a proposed project. Parliament would have copies of all of them and a summary. In addition, the parliamentary stage would be preceded by development of a statement of government policy, on the content of which there would normally be prior public consultation, and people can express their views at a subsequent inquiry on the detailed aspects of the scheme. These opportunities for people to be involved at three key stages of the process would be over and above the consultations between developers and local people on proposed projects before an application for planning consent is submitted. We want local people to be involved as early as possible in shaping proposals affecting them and the areas in which they live. Introducing the new procedures would require primary legislation. This will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows. National Tree Week Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they intend to support the aims and objectives of National Tree Week which is being promoted by the National Tree Council. Lord Whitty: The aim of National Tree Week is to encourage good management and care of our trees and woods, and particularly this year to increase the involvement of young people in tree planting and related activities. That is why my honourable friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Commons), (Mr Elliot Morley) launched Tree Week on 21 November in Regent's Park with children from Fitz John's Primary School. The work of the Tree Council, including National Tree Week, is supported by the Environment Action Fund administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Foot and Mouth: Slaughter Policy The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in the instances where the courts did not uphold the decisions of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials to slaughter animals during the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease any of the animals concerned subsequently developed the disease. Lord Whitty: Of the two cases in which the department was denied an injunction to proceed with the slaughter of livestock, one case subsequently tested positive for the FMD virus. Foot and Mouth Restrictions Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: In which counties or parts of counties foot and mouth disease access restrictions still apply to footpaths and open countryside; and when they intend, or anticipate being able to lift them. Lord Whitty: Currently 96 per cent of all footpaths in England are open to the public. Access restrictions still apply to those footpaths crossing farms that are subject to specific veterinary restrictions (mostly farms where livestock were diagnosed as having foot and mouth disease). The counties worst hit by the disease, including Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, are most affected by this as they have the largest numbers of such farms. With the improving disease situation, the veterinary risk assessment on the use of public footpaths has been revised, and concludes that it is now safe to re-open footpaths crossing restricted premises, apart from those passing through farmyards or buildings, once final cleansing and disinfection are complete, or, if final cleansing and disinfection are not being undertaken, then three months after completion of preliminary cleansing and disinfection. The revised veterinary risk assessment was issued on 7 December, along with revised government guidance to local authorities on re-opening footpaths that encouraged them to work closely with local divisional veterinary managers to establish exactly which footpaths can be re-opened in the light of this development. Where footpaths pass through farmyards or buildings, local authorities should try to arrange temporary permissive diversions with the farmers concerned, especially where particularly popular local footpaths or national trails are concerned. However, if this does not prove possible, then those footpaths must remain closed until the veterinary restrictions are lifted. It is likely that almost all footpaths in England will be re-opened in the early part of next year. Environmental Management Systems Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government: Which Government Departments and agencies have in place an Environmental Management System as suggested in 2.13 of their publication Building a Better Quality of Life; and When they will answer the Written Question tabled by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer on 24 October (HL942). Lord Whitty: Ten Departments and executive agencies have an Enviornmental Management System (EMS) in place, certified to ISO14001. These are as follows: Government Car & Despatch Agency (Cabinet Office) Her Majesty's Customs & Excise Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions Department for Education & Skills NHS Purchasing & Supply Agency (Department of Health) Department for Work and Pensions Department of Trade & Industry Prison Service (Home Office) Inland Revenue Ministry of Defence. Five Departments and executive agencies have an EMS in place but, as yet, not certified to ISO14001. These are as follows: Department of Health (Head Quarters) Export Credit Guarantee Department Foreign & Commonwealth Office Royal Mint (Her Majesty's Treasury) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Further details can be found in The Third Annual Report on Greening Government published on 27 November 2001. Defra Logo Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they consider that the expenditure of £20,000 on designing a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs represents value for money. Lord Whitty: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has retained a strategic communications consultancy to advise on a range of corporate communications activities. This was done after a process of competitive tendering. The fee for this work is still being negotiated. The aim of the work is to develop and establish an identity for a new government department which has a key role to play in delivering important policies. This identity will be important to the staff and to the stakeholders they deal with. The identity project will include the production of new corporate materials and advice on how these would be used in all departmental communications. The new materials will be introduced as the old materials run out and there are no plans for a re-launch exercise. Defra Logo Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: On whose authority the decision to design a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was taken. Lord Whitty: On advice from Defra's Communications Directorate, staffed by specialists from the Government Information and Communication Service (GICS), my right honourable friend the Secretary of State gave the go-ahead for the project. Defra Logo Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they believe that the design of a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will have the effect of boosting the department's image. Lord Whitty: A new logo is part of the process of developing a new identity for Defra. This process is aimed at establishing a clear understanding by staff and stakeholders of the role the department has been created to perform. Defra Logo Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the decision to design a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was put out to competitive tender. Lord Whitty: A competitive tendering process was undertaken through COI Communications, the agency which specialises in communications for the public sector. Norwegian Salmon Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government: How much Norwegian salmon has been imported during each of the last five years. Lord Whitty: Overseas trade statistics show that the UK imports of salmon from Norway between 1996 and 2000 were as follows: Units 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Fresh or Chilled Tonnes 4,675 5,846 4,345 12,801 4,736 £ thousand 13,034 14,866 10,532 19,697 11,888 Frozen Tonnes 529 675 537 405 714 £ thousand 2,059 2,469 2,051 1,449 2,812 Processed Tonnes 287 91 95 142 85 £ thousand 1,203 532 470 581 353 Source: HM Customs and Excise. Refrigerators: Disposal Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many redundant refrigerators they forecast will have to be disposed of during the 12 months from 1 December; what proportion they estimate will need to be put into storage, rather than being dismantled and recycled, within each three-month period; and how many they estimate will remain in storage at the end of each three-month period. Lord Whitty: It has been estimated that up to 3 million domestic refrigeration units are disposed of in the UK each year. The number that will require storage prior to recycling is dependent on the construction of suitable facilities for the recovery of ozone depleting substances. Some of these could be operational as early as spring 2002. Countryside Stewardship Payments Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the rates of payment made under Countryside Stewardship for (a) the 2 metre arable grass margin scheme and (b) the arable reversion scheme are sufficient to recompense farmers for the losses incurred by entering these schemes.[HL Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question. Lord Whitty: Countryside Stewardship payment rates are reviewed regularly. In line with EU rules, the rates reflect any income lost in undertaking stewardship options, plus any additional costs incurred, such as specialised management or extra capital works, and a small incentive element of up to 20 per cent. Agreement holders should therefore be no worse off than their counterparts who are outside the scheme. The continuing demand for the scheme, with nearly 3,000 applications this year, indicates that the current level of payments is generally acceptable. Foot and Mouth Disease Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether there have been no recorded outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom since 1 October. Lord Whitty: There have been no outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the UK since 30 September 2001. Farming and Rural Conservation Agency Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the 2000–01 annual report for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. Lord Whitty: The 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House. Fisheries: Economic Link Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the impact of the economic link measures introduced for the fisheries sector on 1 January 1999 have been assessed for the year 2000. Lord Whitty: From 1 January 1999 all British registered fishing vessels over 10 metres in length and catching more than 2 tonnes of quota stocks have had to demonstrate an economic link with fisheries-dependent communities in the United Kingdom. This link can be demonstrated in a number of ways, for example by vessels landing at least 50 per cent by weight of their quota catch into the UK or by employing a crew of whom at least 50 per cent are normally resident in a UK coastal area. In 2000, 1,627 vessels caught more than 2 tonnes of quota stocks and in each case achieved a satisfactory economic link, primarily through landings into the UK. The economic link arrangements have maintained the increases in UK landings and expenditure achieved by foreign-owned UK-registered vessels in 1999. In addition, almost 400 tonnes of quota was made available for redistribution to the UK fleet. A full report by the fisheries departments in the United Kingdom on the operation of the economic link measures and their impact in 2000 has been placed in the Library of the House. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Group The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the psychiatrists on the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis have withdrawn; and if so, for what reason; and what will be the consequences for the report. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis independent working group has now finalised its report. We understand that the psychiatrists on the group felt unable to support it, as it does not sufficiently meet their concerns. We hope to be in a position to publish the report shortly. Haemophilia Patients: vCJD Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps have been taken to inform haemophilia patients whose NHS-prescribed treatment included blood from donors who subsequently died of vCJD; and further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 29 November (WA 71) that patients cared for by HIV-infected healthcare workers will be notified on the basis of the level of risk of exposure, whether they will take similar steps in the case of haemophilia patients who have received blood from donors who subsequently died of vCJD. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation, in consultation with the Department of Health, agreed a policy of offering all haemophilia patients a choice of whether they wish to be informed or not in the event that they or their children received blood or blood products from a donor who subsequently died of vCJD. Counselling and advice to patients were provided by haemophilia centres. In October 2001 the department's CJD Incident Panel issued a document for public consultation on how to deal with any future incidents Management of possible exposure to CJD through medical procedures. This document is available on www.doh.gov.uk/cjd/consultation and the closing date for comments is 15 January 2002. Health Expenditure and GDP Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will provide a service breakdown of health expenditure per capita and as a percentage of gross domestic product (1998) in the United Kingdom as produced on page 64 of the interim report by Derek Wanless; and a similar breakdown of the European Union average (both unweighted and weighted). Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information published on page 64 of the interim report by Mr Derek Wanless is based on data published by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. This is the most complete and up-to-date source of information on international comparisons of expenditure. Breast Cancer Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their response to the findings of Patrick Carroll of the Pension and Population Research Institute that "the main cause of the fast increase in post-menopausal breast cancer since the late 1980s can only be the increased availability of induced abortion"; and Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 7 November (WA 25), whether they regard it as satisfactory that the forthcoming Imperial Cancer Research Fund report on the link between abortion and breast cancer should be the first such study undertaken in the United Kingdom, whereas in the United States there have been 15 studies on breast cancer and reproductive history since 1982. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: here are many factors that could increase the numbers of woman diagnosed with breast cancer, for example, developments in breast screening, women living longer, more women being obese, along with women having fewer children and later on in life. The study by Patrick Carroll does not provide evidence of a causal link between abortion and breast cancer, and the Royal College of Obstetricians' view, published in its evidence-based guideline on induced abortion, is that the potential link is unproven. The evidence on the possible link between abortion and breast cancer is conflicting and at least some of the studies carried out are methodologically flawed. The Imperial Cancer Research Fund's work will evaluate the international evidence and its report should clarify the situation. Podiatry Services Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the contribution of podiatrists in the non-state registered sector towards (a) the early identification of diabetes, (b) the early identification of rheumatoid arthritis, and (c) the care of older people. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Non-state registered chiropodists/podiatrists are not allowed to practise in the National Health Service and information is not collected from the private sector. The Government are proposing to modernise the regulation of professional healthcare staff to address the need for consistency of standards within professions using the same title. From April 2002, a new health professions council will be established and all those wishing to be able to practise as a chiropodist or podiatrist will be able to seek registration. The council will require all practitioners to meet accepted standards of safe practice and apply consistent, fair and appropriate measures to deal with practitioners whose practice falls short of those standards. Podiatry Services Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made (a) of the likely impact of the draft Health Professions Order on the future availability of podiatry services in the independent sector, and (b) of the likely impact on National Health Service podiatry services of any drop in the number of independent practitioners. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has been and continues to be in discussion with both the regulated and unregulated chiropody/podiatry sector. We are fully aware of the issues surrounding the regulation of this group of staff. We would hope that all members of the unregulated sector would take the opportunity to become regulated. Nurses from Abroad: UKCC Registration Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why there is such a long delay for qualified nurses coming from abroad gaining their United Kingdom registration from the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The number of applications for registration with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) from overseas has trebled in the last two years. The UKCC has taken on additional staff and introduced operational standards to ensure that those aspects of the process that are within the UKCC's control are handled effectively. While the UKCC endeavours to keep the length of the process to a minimum, some delays do occur when information from or on behalf of an applicant is received late or is incomplete. Embryonic Stem Cell Research Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to prevent commercial exploitation of human embryos by companies seeking to derive stem cell lines from them; and what consulation has taken place with the parents of these embryos before commercial exploitation and subsequent destruction occurs. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, an individual licence must be issued for each research project undertaken using fertilised embryos. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) must be satisfied before issuing the licence that the conditions in the 1990 Act are fully complied with. Additionally, the HFEA may impose conditions on any research licence relating to the use of embryos in that research and it must be satisfied that these will also be met. The Chief Medical Officer's expert group report, Stem Cells: Medical Progress with Responsibility, recommended that individuals whose eggs or sperm are used to create embryos to be used in research should give specific consent, indicating whether the resulting embryos could be used in a research project to derive stem cells. The Government accepted the report's recommendations and have asked the HFEA to incorporate such a provision as a condition in relevant research licences. Embryonic Stem Cell Research Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether any research applications have been received by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for embryonic stem research since the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001 were passed in January 2001 and whether any licences have been issued. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Since January 2001 the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) has received five applications for human embryo research related to stem cells under the original research purposes in the 1990 Act and licences have been issued for four of these. Two applications for research under the HFE (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001 have been received which are both at present under consideration. Up to 15 November, no applications for research using human embryos created by cell nuclear replacement had been received by the HFEA. Embryonic Stem Cell Research Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the increased personnel and budgetary implications for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority following the passage of the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is not responsible for the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001. To date the authority has received only two research applications under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. The authority is able to handle these within existing resources. The authority's budget is subject to annual review and agreement with the Department of Health on the basis of all the authority's functions. Staffing arrangements are a matter for the authority. Golden Jubilee Medal Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: On how many celebratory occasions a Jubilee medal has been awarded to members of the police force. When they will announce the result of their review of their decision that the Queen's Jubilee medal should not be awarded to members of the police force. Baroness Blackstone: A special medal was issued to members of the police force to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 and Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Members of the police force also received a jubilee medal for King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935 and the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced on 4 December, having considered representations from the police and others, the Government have decided that eligibility for the Golden Jubilee medal should be extended to include members of the emergency services: the police, fire and ambulance services, the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the Mountain Rescue service. As is the case for the Armed Forces and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the medal will be issued to serving members who have completed a minimum of five years' reckonable service on 6 February 2002. A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Sports Tourism Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the value of sports tourism to the economy of the United Kingdom; and on what research they base their estimate of that value. Baroness Blackstone: A recent study by the Sports Tourism Unit at the University of Luton has found sports tourism to be worth some £2.5 billion annually. This year, for the first time, the ONS is researching sports tourism to provide a clearer picture of its value to the economy of the United Kingdom. BBC3 Television Service Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What were their reasons for refusing to approve the BBC3 television service for 16 to 34 year-olds; and what deadline they have given to the BBC for the re-submission of their proposals. Baroness Blackstone: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced her decision on the BBC's proposed new digital services on 13 September. She did not approve BBC3 because it was not clear that the proposals were truly distinctive in an already crowded market. The BBC was invited to put forward fresh proposals; no deadline was given, but the BBC submitted a new proposal on 4 December. Hospitality Industry: Work/Life Balance Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to give advice to those who work in the hospitality industry on how to deal with the problems of achieving a satisfactory work/life balance. Baroness Blackstone: The Government have produced guidance on work/life balance specifically tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry. The guide, Creating a Work-Life Balance—a good practice guide for the hospitality industry, published in October this year, is aimed at employers and individuals within the industry and was developed through a partnership between the Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and the DTI. Copies of the guide are available from DTI Publications, tel. 0870 1502 500, or on the DTI website (www.dti.gov.uk/publications email:dtipubs @eclogistics.co.uk). Tourism: Impact of Terrorist Attacks Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their estimate of the impact of the terrorist attacks of 11 September on the tourism industry of the United Kingdom; how this estimate compares with the impact on tourism in other European Union countries; and, if there is a disparity in the figures, what is their explanation for the disparity. Baroness Blackstone: It is too early for comprehensive analysis, but clearly there have been adverse effects on British tourism. The BTA has predicted that tourist numbers from Britain's key long-haul markets will fall by 15 to 25 per cent. Those businesses most dependent on higher spending long-haul visitors have been hardest hit. Other parts of the industry are doing rather better. A recent survey showed a 17.2 per cent fall in occupancy in London hotels but only 1.7 per cent in regional hotels, and an ETC survey found that since 11 September nearly 1 million people in Britain have changed their plans from holidaying abroad to taking a trip at home. The European Commission compiled a report [(13976/01) COM(2001) 668 final] which found a mixed picture across the EU, with those markets more heavily reliant on higher spending long-haul visitors, such as the UK, most affected. Lottery Funds: Isle of Gigha The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have a system for monitoring the use of National Lottery funds; and, if so, whether they have been advised how much of the £3.5 million contributed by the Scottish Land Fund towards the purchase of the Isle of Gigha came from the lottery. Baroness Blackstone: The Government's financial directions require lottery distributors to monitor and evaluate lottery resources to ensure that the projects and schemes they support represent value for money. Statutory policy directions set by the Government determine the type of activities the New Opportunities Fund can support under its programmes. Under its directions for the Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities programme, the New Opportunities Fund has committed £10.78 million of lottery funding to the formation of the Scottish Land Fund. The New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund Committee approved a request for funding of £3.5 million to support the acquisition of the Isle of Gigha. DCMS: Freedom of Information Act Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they have taken to ensure that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has made adequate and appropriate preparations for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and whether the non-departmental public bodies which are accountable to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have completed such preparations. Baroness Blackstone: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is fully aware of its responsibilities under the forthcoming legislation, not only on its own account but also in respect of its sponsored bodies, and will ensure that all appropriate action is taken to prepare both the department and its NDPBs for implementation. We wrote to our NDPBs in June 2001 to ensure they were aware of the then timetable and of the implications for them of the Act's provisions. We will continue to keep them informed to help them meet their obligations. Osborne House Lord Luke: asked Her Majesty's Government: Given that the statutory requirement under the Osborne Estate Act 1902 to devote part of Osborne House for the benefit of members of the Armed Forces and the Civil Service is not at present being fulfilled, and has not been for over a year, what they are proposing to do to redress the situation; and When they anticipate that the repair and refurbishment of the accommodation at Osborne House, formerly used as the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers, will be completed; and What representations they have received on the future use of rooms at Osborne House which were formerly occupied by the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers. Baroness Blackstone: The extent and, therefore, the cost of repairs to the former convalescent home area at Osborne House have been greater than anticipated and will not now be completed until December 2003. Some rooms will be available for new uses after the initial phase of work is completed in early 2002. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will be considering the options and the associated costs for using these rooms to meet her obligations under the 1902 Act. English Heritage, which is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Osborne Estate, has made proposals to open to the public a substantial part of the former convalescent home accommodation and the gardens previously restricted to convalescent home use. No other representations have been received concerning the future use of the accommodation. Individual Learning Accounts Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answers by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 13 November (WA 74) and 15 November (WA 101-102), given that the first information about irregular applications for individual learning accounts was received on 11 June this year, what was the nature of the 2,019 complaints received between September 2000 and 31 May 2001. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: From March 2001, complaints received by the ILA Centre were categorised by type and covered a wide range of issues such as the learning eligible for discounts, requests for ILA membership to be backdated, service provision and providers. Prior to March 2001, the ILA Centre had not been required to categorise complaints in its records. Recorded complaints received between these dates in respect of non-compliance with the rules of the programme included aggressive marketing, improper use of the ILA and DfES logos and offers of free training to which individuals were not required to contribute. Individual Learning Accounts Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have any information that terrorists either individually or as part of an organisation have been involved with illicit applications either as providers for, or as recipients of, individual learning accounts; and, if so, when it was brought to their notice. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: We have no evidence that ILA funds have been used for terrorist activity. Investors in People Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will enlarge the remit of the Investors in People Award Scheme to include consideration of the policy and practice of each business in relation to (a) family friendly employment practices such as job sharing, parental leave and flexible working; and (b) equality of opportunity for mothers and fathers in the context of balancing work and family responsibilities. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Investors in People UK is developing a voluntary model on work/life balance for Investors in People recognised organisations. Development of the model will begin in January 2002. DfES: Education Initiatives Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: What are all the education initiatives, together with their cost, which are funded by the Department for Education and Skills from the overall education budget. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Details of the education programmes funded by the Department for Education and Skills are set out in Table 4.2 of the Department for Education and Employment Annual Report (Cm 5102). The programmes listed in that table under the heading Objective Three: Helping People without a job into work and two of the programmes under Objective Two: Lifelong Learning (entitled "European Social Fund" and "European Regional Development Fund") are now the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions. Since that report was published, we have announced an additional £197 million for education and skills projects funded under the Capital Modernisation Fund: £40 million for new investment in schools, workforce skills and measures to raise productivity; and £50 million to fund Curriculum online. DfES: Staffing Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many staff are currently employed directly, and how many are funded indirectly, by the Department for Education and Skills. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) employs directly 4,299 staff (4,103 permanent and 196 temporary). Details of the number of staff funded indirectly by DfES could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Education Budget Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: What percentage of the overall education budget is spent on (a) schools; (b) Department for Education and Skills running costs and centrally funded initiatives; and (c) local government administrative costs. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Approximately 67 per cent of the total education and skills budget for England in 2001–02, made up of this department's departmental expenditure limit plus the education standard spending assessment, is being spent on schools. My department's departmental expenditure limit, which provides funding for schools as well as further and higher education and lifelong learning, represents around 46 per cent of the total budget for England. The department's central running costs constitute some 0.5 per cent of the total. Local Education Authority administration costs make up around 1 per cent of the total. Citizenship, Parenting and Relationship Education Lord Quirk: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are taking to ensure (a) that there is an adequate supply of teachers for citizenship, parenting, sex and relationship education and (b) that both the specialist and general teaching staff are suitably trained to deliver these elements in the National Curriculum and to respond to children's questions. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: In order to be awarded qualified teacher status, all trainee teachers most demonstrate that they plan opportunities to contribute to pupils' personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Also, in this academic year to date, 143 people have begun specialist postgraduate certificate in education courses in citizenship at institutions in England. On 7 December, my honourable friend the Minister of State for School Standards announced that 200 places for initial teacher training in citizenship would be available in the 2002–03 academic year and indicated his intention to make a similar number available in each of 2003–04 and 2004–05. Standards fund grants of £15 million in the current financial year are supporting schools' implementation of personal, social and health education and of citizenship education, including the provision of continuing professional development in these subjects for serving teachers. In addition, my department has organised a series of regional training events attended by over 1,000 teachers and launched a website which includes a training needs identification tool for teachers, examples of good practice and a database of resources. Equality of Treatment: Election Candidates Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28 November (WA 56), what are their reasons for considering that being a Member of Parliament is not an occupation that falls within the scope of the Equal Treatment Directive even though it falls within the scope of the employment provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28 November (WA 56), whether they consider that the control of access to employment and occupation falls within the scope of the Equal Treatment Directive; and if not, why not; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28 November (WA 56), whether they consider that a political party falls within the scope of the Equal Treatment Directive when controlling access to employment and occupation; and, if not, why not; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28 November (WA 56), whether they consider that the control of access to occupations and vocations (whether involving public office otherwise) falls within the scope of the Equal Treatment Directive; and, if not, why not; and Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28 November (WA 56), what are their reasons for considering that political parties are not public authorities, within the meaning of Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, when exercising the functions of selecting candidates for election to the House of Commons. Lord Williams of Mostyn: Whether or not a provision falls within a particular part or section of an Act in domestic law is not decisive of how it will be regarded for EU law purposes. The Government's view is that being a Member of Parliament is not an occupation within the scope of the directive: an MP can more properly be characterised as someone holding political office. Occupations are within the scope of the directive only where an employment-type relationship arises. Being a Member of Parliament does not, in the Government's view, give rise to such a relationship. Apart from the issue of whether being a Member of Parliament is an occupation under the directive, the Government are of the view that the directive does not apply to the electoral process because it is not comparable to selection for employment. The Government accept that the equal treatment principle applies to the control of access to employment and occupations covered by the directive. By accepting this, however, the Government do not accept that the selection by a political party of a candidate for election is control of access to employment and occupation. Holding political office would not, in our view, cause an employment-type relationship to arise, whether between the Member and their political party or otherwise. Standing as a candidate for election or standing for selection to be a candidate is not the same as having access to employment or occupation. It is accepted that the directive covers access to vocational guidance, vocational training, advanced vocational training and retraining. It may also cover access to occupations and vocations, but only so long as the occupation or vocation concerned involves an employment-type relationship. For the reasons advanced above, however, this does not mean, that the directive applies to selection of candidates as MPs. As to whether political parties are public authorities for the purposes of Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, a body will only be a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Act if it has a public function, that is, a function which is governmental or quasi-governmental in nature and which seeks to achieve some collective benefit for the public. The Government's view is that the selection of a candidate to stand for election is internal to the party and its members, and is more a private act that furthers the party's own ends than a public function. As stated in my Answer on 28 November (WA 56), however, it is not for the Government to give assurances as to how the law will be construed. The Government reach their view after due deliberation, but that it is binding in any way ultimately it is for the courts to decide.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2001-12-17a

Department for Transport Transport: Coronavirus lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what actionthey are taking to advise potential recipients of state aid in the transport sector of recipients' obligations to ensure (1) compliance with (a) EU, and (b) UK, legislation on state aid; (2) compliance (a) within a transport mode, and (b) between modes; and (3) repayment ofany aid found to be in contravention of those rules. baroness vere of norbiton: The Department has designed any support for the transport sector to be compliant with all relevant legislation and international obligations, which place requirements on authorities rather than recipients. Relevant obligations will be imposed on recipients as condition of support where necessary. Officials also work closely with recipients of aid to make them aware of their contractual responsibilities, which are designed to ensure that the UK is compliant with its obligations. High Speed 2 Railway Line: Coronavirus lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government which projects HS2 are continuing construction work on during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what assessment they have made of the impact of suchcontinuationon theconstruction workers on those sites. baroness vere of norbiton: The Government’s current policy is that construction activity should continue where it can be undertaken in accordance with the Public Health England guidance and industry best practice. The Department has asked HS2 Ltd to work closely with their construction partners to ensure compliance with these guidelines in order to protect their workforce and local communities. Sites will not operate where this cannot be achieved. Around 25 sites are now closed where the guidance cannot be met. Work at the remaining sites is either paused, whilst contractors review whether operations can continue, or is proceeding where sites can continue to operate in accordance with the guidance. High Speed 2 Railway Line: Finance lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to Conclusion 21 of the Oakervee Review of HS2, published on 11 February, whether a revised funding envelope has been set for Phase 1 of HS2 before issuing the Notice to Proceed; whether that envelope adheres to the Conclusion’s recommendation that it should have “appropriate levels of contingency, to be held by the Department for Transport and the Treasury, and which is realistic”; and if not, when the revised funding envelope will be set. baroness vere of norbiton: A revised funding envelope has been set for HS2 Phase 1 in line with the Prime Minister’s statement in February and as set out in the Full Business Case that has been recently published alongside the Notice to Proceed decision. This includes provision for schedule and cost contingency. High Speed 2 Railway Line: Euston Station lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 9 March (HL 1714 and 1715) and 11 March (HL1912) on the HS2 plans for Euston, whether any work on the proposed HS2 tunnels between Old Oak Common and Euston will be commenced before a complete review of the Euston proposals, including the tunnelling plans in the Euston area, has been undertaken and the findings published. baroness vere of norbiton: In relation to the proposed HS2 tunnels between Old Oak Common (OOC) and Euston, in order to avoid further delays to implementation of the HS2 project, HS2 Ltd and its contractors will continue with the current programme of works, where such works will be required regardless of design changes that may arise in response to the outcomes of the Oakervee Review. The Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that will tunnel most of the OOC to Euston tunnels, will start from OOC, where space and facilities are available to build the TBM launch site and manage efficiently the disposal of materials excavated from construction of the tunnels. Tunnel construction work will commence shortly, including building the subsurface TBM launch pits and commissioning the TBMs, which will then tunnel to Euston. These works will take a number of years to complete, which will allow time to complete the review of the HS2 scheme at Euston recommended in the Oakervee Review. Driving: Licensing earl attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to relax the requirement for eyesight and medical testing of those applying to renew heavy goods vehicle and public service vehicle licences during the COVID-19 pandemic. baroness vere of norbiton: To keep bus and lorry drivers on the road, the Government has made temporary provisions to remove the requirement to submit a medical report, which includes questions about eyesight, when applying to renew a bus or lorry driving licence, until further notice. Provided they have no notifiable medical conditions, drivers will be issued a licence that is valid for one year instead of the usual five. This only applies if the licence expired after 1 January 2020 or is due to expire.As is always the case, drivers must ensure they are medically fit to drive and they are legally obliged to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of the onset or worsening of any medical condition. Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Coronavirus earl attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the availability of heavy goods vehicle drivers. baroness vere of norbiton: The Department for Transport is in regular contact with representatives of the road haulage industry to understand the issues the industry is experiencing as a result of COVID-19. Estimates suggest that there is not currently a lack of HGV driver availability. The Government has taken action to allow drivers whose Driver CPC expires between 1 March and 30 September 2020 to either take the training remotely or complete it after 30 September 2020. In addition, drivers whose licences have expired since 1 January 2020 or will expire in 2020 will be able to receive a temporary 1-year licence, providing they do not have any medical conditions that affect their driving. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Distributive Trade: Coronavirus baroness smith of basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, for the purposes of COVID-19 measures, what discussions they have had with (1) employers, (2) employee representatives, and (3) trade unions, about staff working in the retail and distribution sectors. lord callanan: Ministers and officials have regular engagement with a large number of businesses, representative organisations and trade unions across all sectors including retail and distribution. Ministers have hosted a regular series of calls in recent weeks, where they have had the chance to speak to and hear directly from a wide range of organisations and businesses specifically for the purposes of COVID-19. Offshore Industry: Coronavirus lord bruce of bennachie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking, or plan to take, to support the UK offshore oil and gas industry and its supply chain through (1) the changes in the global oil market, and (2) the COVID-19 pandemic. [T] lord callanan: My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a host of measures to help business in this period with £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK. These support measures remain under review and have been adapted based on feedback from industry to ensure they continue to meet the needs of all sectors of the economy. Over the past month, Ministers and officials have been proactively engaging with the oil and gas sector and its supply chain by holding virtual meetings with representatives, individual businesses, trade associations, their members and the regulators to ensure that the sector can benefit from the far-reaching package of interventions that the government has put in place to help businesses through the current situation. Officials in the Department are working closely with the Oil and Gas Authority, to monitor and mitigate the impacts of low oil prices and Covid-19 on the sector and track any financial and operational risks, particularly any that could impact on health, safety, the environment or security of supply. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Libya: Terrorism lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Interior Minister of the government of Libya about (1) frozen Libyan assets, and (2) the provision of compensation to victims of IRA bombings that used Semtex and other material support supplied by the Gaddafi regime. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK is committed to supporting the victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism and wishes to see a just settlement for all victims. In March 2019 the former Foreign Secretary appointed William Shawcross as the UK's Special Representative on UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism. We have also raised the issue of a just settlement with the Libyan authorities. The Government has a longstanding position of not pursuing government-to-government negotiations with Libya on behalf of victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism, though we continue to provide support to the victims, their representatives and campaign groups, and we continue to press the Libyan authorities to engage constructively on this issue. Libyan assets in the UK were frozen under UN Security Council Resolution 1973 at the instigation of the Libyan authorities in 2011. These assets can only be unfrozen by gaining the agreement of all members of the UN Security Council. Iran: Prisoners baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran to seek the permanent release of (1) Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, and (2) other dual nationals, who have been imprisoned that country. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are relieved that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released on March 17. While her further extension is a welcome step, we continue to urge the Iranian Government to immediately release her - and all UK dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran - to enable them to return to their families in the UK. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Foreign Minister Zarif on 16 March and Minister of State for the Middle East with the Iranian Ambassador on 26 March. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently raises all of our dual national detainees with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan: Homicide lord birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan following the Legatum Institute identifying eight journalistsas being murdered in Pakistan between October 2018 and October 2019. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are deeply concerned by the reported murders of journalists in Pakistan. The UK is committed to the protection of journalists and promotion of media freedom. We regularly raise our concerns about the human rights situation, including on the freedom of expression, with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level and continue to monitor the situation actively. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Qureshi attended the UK's Global Media Freedom Conference in London in July 2019.In support of our commitment to media freedom and the protection of journalists, the UK and other partners funded the Asma Jehangir Conference held in Lahore in October 2019. This was a two day conference, which provided space for civic discourse and included sessions on media freedom. USA: Open Skies Treaty lord browne of ladyton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the strategic importance of the Open Skies Treaty; and what discussions they have had with the government of the United States about their reported intention to leave that treaty. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK continues to support the Open Skies Treaty, which helps to build understanding and confidence between countries through military transparency. The Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence, as well as other Ministers and senior officials from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, have raised this on a regular basis with their US counterparts, emphasising the UK's commitment to the Treaty. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran to secure the permanent release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, following the extension of her temporary release to 20 May. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are relieved that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released on March 17. While her further extension is a welcome step, we continue to urge the Iranian Government to immediately release her - and all UK dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran - to enable them to return to their families in the UK. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Foreign Minister Zarif on 16 March and Minister of State for the Middle East with the Iranian Ambassador on 26 March. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently raises all of our dual national detainees with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Libya: Turkey the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what further information they can provide on reports that Turkey flew F16 fighter jets over the Libyan coast in April; and what assessment they have made of the impact of any such intervention by Turkey in Libya’s civil war. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of recent reports of Turkish fighter jets flying over the Libyan coast. We remain concerned by Turkish military involvement in Libya, which risks further aggravating the conflict. We have expressed these concerns to the Turkish Government, as we have done to other external actors whose activity continues to fuel the conflict. We continue to call on sides to de-escalate, support a ceasefire and a return to UN-led political talks. The UK is clear that lasting peace and stability in Libya will come only through an inclusive political settlement. Saudi Arabia: Capital Punishment the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of figures from Amnesty Internationalwhich indicate that Saudi Arabia executed 184 people in 2019; and what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about the increased use of the death penalty in that country. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We regularly make clear, using a range of Ministerial and diplomatic channels, that the British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, as a matter of principle. We note Amnesty International's report highlighting an increased number of executions in Saudi Arabia in 2019. As a Human Rights Priority Country, Saudi Arabia will be reviewed in the Annual Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2019 Human Rights and Democracy Report (to be published during 2020).The former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa raised our concerns about the death penalty with Deputy Justice Minister HE Abdullah Al Sulaimi on 11 February. The Foreign Secretary also raised our human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia during his visit in March this year. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Government of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia: Capital Punishment lord pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about the enforcement of the death penalty in that country; what assessment they made of that county’s human rights record; and in view of that assessment, what evaluation they have made of the potential takeover of Newcastle Football Club by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. lord ahmad of wimbledon: We regularly make clear, using a range of Ministerial and diplomatic channels, that the British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country. The former Minister for the Middle East and North Africa raised our concerns about the death penalty with Deputy Justice Minister HE Abdullah Al Sulaimi on 11 February.Our most recent assessment of Saudi Arabia's human rights record was published in our latest Human Rights and Democracy Report, published in June 2019. Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign and Commonwealth Office human rights priority country, particularly because of the use of the death penalty and restrictions on women's rights, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion or belief. The Foreign Secretary raised our human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia during his visit in March.We are aware of a potential takeover bid for Newcastle United Football Club involving Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The bid is being considered by the Premier League in accordance with its own established procedures. Cabinet Office EU Law baroness hayter of kentish town: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their next report on progress towards removing retained EU law restrictions, as required by Schedule 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. lord true: The sixth European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks statutory report was published on 19 March 2020, covering the reporting period of 26 September 2019 to 25 December 2019. The seventh report, detailing work that has taken place between 26 December 2019 to 25 March 2020, will be published in the coming months. Department for International Development Syria: Overseas Aid baroness hodgson of abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that UK aid donated bilaterally and through the UN is reaching Rojava in north east Syria. lord ahmad of wimbledon: UK aid continues to reach communities in North East Syria. DFID support is distributed via a number of UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations, and targets those in acute need across the North East. It balances provision of vital, life-saving supplies such as food, water, shelter and healthcare, with helping communities recover from life under Daesh occupation, for example, by providing grants to small businesses. DFID has rigorous and robust checks to monitor partners’ activity and ensure aid goes to those in acute need across the North East.Between April and September 2019, DFID support to Al-Hasakeh, Al-Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zor governorates and provided: over 325,000 medical consultations, over 5,000 food rations; clean drinking water to over 41,000 people, access to education to over 30,000 pupils, and has helped over 5,000 people with business development. Iran: Coronavirus lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have provided to support the government of Iran to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 upon its citizens. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The E3 (the UK, France and Germany) have provided a EUR 5 million package of financial and material assistance to Iran via the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN bodies to help with the response. Syria: Coronavirus the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help minimise the risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to those currently living in refugee camps in Syria. lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK recognises that individuals in refugee camps are more vulnerable to COVID-19. In Syria the UK is one of the leading donors supporting international efforts to deliver vital healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene activities; all of which help to mitigate the threat posed by COVID-19.DFID’s current support in Syria includes training for health workers; educational material to raise awareness on health and sanitation; provision of infection, prevention, and control supplies; and cash assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The UK is monitoring the situation closely and working with humanitarian partners inside Syria to respond to the outbreak and to sustain life-saving services.DFID has pledged £200 million of humanitarian aid to support the UK’s global efforts to combat the outbreak, this includes support for IDPs and those in refugee camps. £65 million of this contribution is for the World Health Organisation to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our most recent funding also includes new support to the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) and to UNICEF to help install new hand-washing stations and isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps, as well as provide protection services and education opportunities for forcibly displaced children. Syria: Coronavirus the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the humanitarian situation in Idlib province during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the risks of that situation worsening due to the further spread of the virus in Syria. lord ahmad of wimbledon: There are immense humanitarian needs in North West Syria, including Idlib province; these are further increased by COVID-19. Of almost 1 million people displaced in North West Syria since 1 December 2019, some 135,000 people have returned to their areas of origin or previous displacement. The most urgent needs continue to be shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, food, and protection.To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North West Syria. We assess that secondary effects of the pandemic will intensify needs and hinder response efforts. The UN’s response plan in the North West is now estimated at $162 million, with efforts focusing on preparedness and planning to minimise the potential impact of the virus on communities in addition to the existing crisis response. The World Health Organisation has warned of an impending ‘explosion’ of cases in Syria and we expect a significant outbreak that will be difficult for the health system to manage after years of conflict. Some of the highest risks are in IDP camps and conflict areas, including Idlib province.The UK is monitoring the situation closely and DFID is working with the UN and our humanitarian partners in Syria to ensure we are able to actively respond to the outbreak and sustain life-saving services during this pandemic. Department for Work and Pensions Sick Leave: Coronavirus lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they are giving to employers of people in insecure employment including (1) people on zero-hours contracts, (2) self-employed individuals working for organisations as if they were employees, and (3) people in similar precarious circumstances where it is not possible to claim statutory sickness benefit, in situations wherepeople are advised to self-isolate due to contracting COVID-19, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or having been in contact with cases of COVID-19; and what advice theyare giving to peoplein such circumstances. baroness stedman-scott: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 20 March 2020.The correct answer should have been: As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly. baroness stedman-scott: As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly. Northern Ireland Office Terrorism: Northern Ireland baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Ministerial Statement byViscount Younger of Leckie on 18 March (HLWS163), whowill decide whether there is “new compelling evidence and a realistic prospect of a prosecution” in order for an outstanding Troubles-related death to be investigated. viscount younger of leckie: We intend that a new independent body will be responsible for looking at and providing information relating to unresolved Troubles-related deaths. Where there is compelling new evidence which carries a realistic prospect of a conviction, cases will proceed to a full police investigation. European Union: Northern Ireland baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have received from the European Union about establishing an office in Northern Ireland. viscount younger of leckie: In February, UK Ministers considered an initial request from the European Union to establish an office in Northern Ireland and, on 27 April, responded to their further letter on this issue. Our position remains the same, that Article 12 of the Northern Ireland Protocol does not necessitate or place any requirement on the UK to facilitate an EU Delegation office in Belfast, or indeed any other permanent EU presence in Northern Ireland. Coronavirus: Northern Ireland baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the development of an exit strategy from the COVID-19 lockdown. viscount younger of leckie: The Northern Ireland Office Ministerial team and officials and are working closely with the First Minister, deputy First Minister and the rest of the Executive on the response to Covid-19, including on any easement of social distancing measures. The Government will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive in facilitating strong coordination and collaboration to make sure that the most effective measures are put in place in all parts of the UK as this response continues. Northern Ireland Ministers also attend COBR calls on health, economy and general public services, and are thereby engaged in overall UK planning. Stormont House Agreement baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what further steps they intend to take implement the Stormont House Agreement of 2015. viscount younger of leckie: In line with our commitment in New Decade, New Approach, we published a Written Ministerial Statement on 18 March setting out a framework for legislation to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. The wider context in which we are currently working is very challenging and has unsurprisingly had an impact on our planned timetable, as the repercussions of dealing with the Covid-19 crisis have been extensively felt. However, we have begun the engagement process, as promised, and remain fully committed to making progress on this important issue. Ports: Northern Ireland baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to introduce legislation with regard to trade arrangements between ports in Northern Ireland and ports in Great Britain; and when they intend to implement those plans. viscount younger of leckie: As committed to in the agreed New Decade, New Approach deal, this Government will legislate to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the UK internal market, and ensure that this legislation is in force for 1 January 2021. The Protocol makes clear that Northern Ireland is in, and remains part of, the UK’s customs territory. The Government is committed to implementing the Protocol on Northern Ireland and Ireland and doing so in a way that supports the interests of businesses and the public in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Government baroness ritchie of downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received about their proposals for addressing Northern Ireland Legacy issues; and from whom. viscount younger of leckie: The Written Ministerial Statement published on 18 March took account of the responses received to the Government’s consultation ‘Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past’. As set out in this statement, we have started engagement with a range of stakeholders on the legacy proposals, including victims’ groups, the NI parties and the Irish Government. The Government is committed to finding consensus on the detail of the proposals which allows us to move forward.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2020-04-30

Armed Forces: DDA Exemption Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the comments by Lord McKenzie of Luton in Grand Committee on 28 April (Official Report, House of Lords, cols. GC44-5), what is the justification for the breadth of the exemption of the Armed Forces from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and whether they have now reconsidered it. To ask Her Majesty's Government why they plan to maintain the exemption of Armed Forces personnel from the Disability Discrimination Act as a proportionate means of ensuring combat effectiveness. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy that Armed Forces personnel should be treated differently with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act from police and fire services personnel. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose an amendment to the Equality Bill to remove the exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act of Armed Forces personnel. Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The Armed Forces have an exemption from the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) because all service personnel need to be combat effective in order to meet a worldwide liability to deploy. This means that everyone who joins the Armed Forces undergoes a rigorous selection and initial training process to ensure that they can withstand the hardship and challenges of military service. The Armed Forces do not allow units to have a protected role or reduced commitment, which means that everyone is liable to deploy and to fight anywhere in the world, even if only in self-defence. Accordingly, the MoD has concluded that it is essential that exemptions from domestic and international disability legislation are retained. For this reason the Armed Forces' exemption from the DDA has been replicated in the Equality Bill. This is required to ensure the continued combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces, as decisions on operational effectiveness must be taken by MoD Ministers, accountable to Parliament and based on military advice, not by the courts. The Armed Forces must be able to determine and set their own standards, based on the tasks to be performed. The Government do not expect the rationale for the exemption from the DDA to change, hence there are no plans to remove this exemption. The Armed Forces perform a role which is fundamentally different from those of other organisations, such as the police and the fire services. All service personnel are weapons-trained and need to be able to respond to the uniquely harsh realities and complexities of warfare. This involves deployment overseas and prolonged working in stressful situations and arduous environments. Service in the police and the fire services is intrinsically different, not least because there is no requirement for everyone to be weapons-trained, or to serve overseas for prolonged periods. The Government do not consider that a direct comparison can be drawn between service in such disparate organisations. Banking Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering whether to permit banks to raise the value of their assets above market conditions in order to increase their net worth. Lord Myners: The Government expect banks to value the assets on their balance sheet in accordance with industry and international best practice, the relevant accounting rules and financial regulations. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 19 January that banks joining the asset protection scheme would have to implement the highest international standards of public disclosure in relation to their assets. Further detailed information about the assets in the scheme will be provided after the final contracts are signed. Banking Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Myners on 27 April (WA 1) concerning discussion with the government of the Republic of Ireland, when the practice was introduced not to provide details of all meetings of Treasury Ministers and officials; by whom; and why. Lord Myners: It is a long-standing practice that the Government do not normally publish details of the meetings of UK Ministers and officials with their counterparts in other Governments, as to do so might prejudice free and frank discussions. British Citizenship Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will amend the paragraph on the UK Border Agency website page www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/eligibility/registration/britishmother headed "Children of British mothers—proposed changes", to explain the provisions of clause 46 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill affecting the child born abroad to a British mother before 7 February 1961, giving the persons concerned advance notice of their right to register as a British citizen when Part 2 of the Bill comes into effect. Lord West of Spithead: An announcement anticipating this change has been on the UKBA website since 16 July 2008. We are in the process of updating this to reflect the current progress of the Bill. British Coal Compensation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 3 March (WA 150) concerning the payment of £40.5 million to Avalon Solicitors in the British Coal litigation, what assessment they have made of (a) the sentence of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on 29 April striking-off from the Roll of Solicitors that firm's former senior partner, Andrew Nulty; (b) the tribunal's finding that Mr Nulty's conduct had been "a disgrace to the profession"; and (c) the tribunal's finding that Mr Nulty's written response to a Minister of the Crown in the British Coal litigation had been intended to deceive and was dishonest; and whether, having regard to such matters, the payment of £40.5 million to Avalon Solicitors is to be referred to the Serious Fraud Office and South Yorkshire Police in connection with their ongoing investigation into the British Coal Litigation. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The department has not made any such assessment to date. The department will consider the matter further when the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal's written ruling in respect of the case against Avalon is published. British Coal Compensation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current total amount of costs paid to solicitors representing claimants under the claims handling agreement, British Coal vibration white finger litigation. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The total costs for claimants' solicitors handling claims under the vibration white finger scheme is £187.14 million (includes Solicitors Co-ordinating Group, UDM and Vendside Ltd) as at 31 March 2009. British Coal Compensation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether closing dates for the schemes under the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and British Coal vibration white finger litigation have been extended; and, if so, what are the new closing dates proposed for each such scheme. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)—The closing date to register claims under the COPD scheme was 31 March 2004. The total number of claims received under the COPD scheme is 592,000. An aspirational scheme completion date was set for 16 February 2009 over four years ago. In agreement with the court overseeing the COPD scheme in March 2009 the target is now to reduce claims down to 2000 by 30 November 2009 with the aim to resolve the remaining claims by end 2010. Vibration White Finger (VWF)—Vibration white finger was closed to new application in October 2002 for live claims and January 2003 for posthumous claims. The total number of claims received under the vibration white finger (VWF) scheme is 170,000. As at end of March 2009, over 169,000 claims have been settled. The VWF litigation concluded on 1 May 2009. The department expects to have settled the remaining 535 VWF claims by end 2009. British Coal Compensation Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pro formas have been sent out by solicitors in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and British Coal vibration white finger litigation to advise former clients of the position in respect of third party funding arrangements; and whether they have made any assessment of the accuracy of the information provided. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: I understand the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) has entered into agreement with some solicitor firms on the basis that the firms write to the clients they represented in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or vibration white finger schemes providing information on the issue of deductions and the right of the clients to request repayment of any inappropriate deduction(s). Therefore, this is a matter for the LCS and the solicitors involved. I am keeping in touch with the LCS on the progress of this initiative. Common Land Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government which applications for restricted works on common land have been made under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006; and what was the outcome in each case. Baroness Andrews: Fifty-nine applications have been made under Section 38, of which 29 have been decided; details are given in the following table: Name of common [and County] Date application received Decision Redbourn Common, Hertfordshire 19 November 2007 Granted Rishworth Moor Common, West Yorkshire 21 November 2007 Granted Houndwell Park (Spark Park), Hampshire 27 November 2007 Granted Crosscannonby Foreshore, Cumbria 20 December 2007 Granted Tiptree Heath Common, Essex 4 January 2008 Granted Lately Common, Cheshire 7 January 2008 Granted The Village Green Common, North Yorkshire 18 February 2008 Granted Bowscale Common, Cumbria 20 February 2008 Granted Mungrisdale Common, Cumbria 20 February 2008 Granted Saddleback Common, Cumbria 20 February 2008 Granted Hargill Common, North Yorkshire 26 February 2008 Granted Walney Island (South), Cumbria 29 February 2008 Granted The Green Common, Buckinghamshire 3 March 2008 Granted Llynclys Hill Common, Shropshire 4 April 2008 Granted Gembling Common, East Yorkshire 14 May 2008 Granted Broad Street Common, Surrey 11 June 2008 Pending Shalford Common, Surrey 13 June 2008 Granted The Moors, Shropshire 27 June 2008 Granted Crownhill Down, Devon 4 July 2008 Granted Chilgrove Common, West Sussex 16 July 2008 Pending Curtismill and Wattons Green, Essex 28 July 2008 Granted Common land at Portland, Dorset 18 August 2008 Granted Redhill and Earlswood Commons, Surrey 3 September 2008 Granted Pickhurst Green Common, Bromley 2 October 2008 Pending The Lees, Kent 14 October 2008 Granted Roadside Waste, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire 17 October 2008 Granted Little Warley Common, Essex 27 October 2008 Granted Blackheath Common, Surrey 3 November 2008 Pending Thornage Common, Norfolk 10 November 2008 Granted The Green, Norfolk 12 November 2008 Granted Hayes Common, Bromley 18 November 2008 Pending Hartlebury Common, Worcestershire 19 November 2008 Pending Lydlinch Common, Dorset 20 November 2008 Pending Withycombe Raleigh Common, Devon 21 November 2008 Pending Arkengarthdale Common, North Yorkshire 15 December 2008 Granted Shaugh Prior Common, Devon 23 December 2008 Granted Cinder Hill, East Sussex 31 December 2008 Pending Great Common, Suffolk 2 January 2009 Pending Marley Common, West Sussex 7 January 2009 Pending Prees Heath, Shropshire 8 January 2009 Pending Englefield Green, Surrey 14 January 2009 Pending Chesham Moor Common, Buckinghamshire 4 February 2009 Pending Westfield Common, Surrey 9 February 2009 Granted Alderford Common, Norfolk 9 February 2009 Pending Swannington Upgate Common, Norfolk 9 February 2009 Pending Clee Liberty Common, Shropshire 9 February 2009 Pending Therfield Heath, Hertfordshire 9 February 2009 Pending Yately Green, Hampshire 11 February 2009 Pending Wessington Green Common, Derbyshire 20 February 2009 Pending London Fields, Hackney 10 March 2009 Pending Bridgeyate Common, South Gloucestershire 19 March 2009 Pending Viscar Common, Cornwall 24 March 2009 Pending Aspull Common, Wigan 26 March 2009 Pending Hapton Common, Lancashire 14 April 2009 Pending Smithwood Common, Surrey 14 April 2009 Pending Sodbury Common, South Gloucestershire 20 April 2009 Pending Long Green and Spears Hill, Suffolk 20 April 2009 Pending Blackdown/West Blackdown Common, Devon 22 April 2009 Pending Thwaites Fell, Cumbria 24 April 2009 Pending Common Land Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government which applications for deregistration of common land have been made under Section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 in relation to (1) commons, (2) village greens and (3) town greens; what was the outcome in each case; and in which cases replacement land was provided. Baroness Andrews: Nine applications have been made under Section 16, of which six have been decided; details are given in the following table. Suitable replacement land was provided in every case where consent has been granted. Name of common or green and county Date application received Decision (1) Commons Mill Green Common, Hampshire 7 November 2007 Granted Crowborough Common, East Sussex 7 May 2008 Refused Dartford Heath Common 16 June 2008 Granted Puxey Pond, Dorset 2 July 2008 Pending Gentleshaw Common, Staffordshire 1 September 2008 Granted (2) Village greens Kingston Beach, West Sussex 19 March 2008 Granted The Green, Barrington, Cambridgeshire 26 August 2008 Granted Barmby Moor, East Yorkshire 28 January 2009 Pending Easington Village Green, Durham 6 April 2009 Pending (3) Town greens None specifically designated as such on the application Counterterrorism Baroness Neville-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many counterterrorism security advisers have been trained by the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office in each year since 2001. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many counterterrorism security advisers are in each police force in the United Kingdom. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police forces have completed assessments of local critical sites within their jurisdiction that might be vulnerable to terrorist or extremist attack. To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent on (a) training, and (b) employing counterterrorism security advisers in each year since 2001. To ask Her Majesty's Government from which budget the extra £5 million of Government money announced by Lord West of Spithead on 20 April to enable councils and partnerships to put into practice the advice contained in Safer Places: a Counter-Terrorism Supplement will come; and how that money will be apportioned. Lord West of Spithead: The £5 million funding comes from the Home Office budget for the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT).This has been allocated as part of the budget-setting round for 2009-10 to support regional and local delivery of work in England and Wales to improve the protection of crowded places as set out in the Government's consultation document Working Together to Protect Crowded Places. The Government will allocate this funding based on priorities identified by local partnerships and risk assessments carried out by counterterrorism security advisers (CTSAs). Funding provided by the Home Office for counterterrorism security advisers (CTSAs) is paid directly to police authorities and was funded from the dedicated security post (DSP) grant in 2008-09 and previous years. The funding is a contribution towards the cost of employing, training and equipping police officers/police staff to fulfil the duties agreed between the police force and the Home Office. The funding since 2003-04 is as follows: 2003-04—£2,508,000;2004-05—£4,984,000;2005-06—£6,061,163;2006-07—£5,952,800;2007-08—£5,970,763; and2008-09—£7,775,863. Information for 2001-02 and 2002-03 is not readily available. CTSAs in each police force in England and Wales have identified crowded places in their force areas and completed risk assessments using guidance jointly issued by the Home Office and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office. This process is nearly complete in Scotland and is still under way in Northern Ireland. CTSAs are advised of other critical sites within their force areas and provide protective security advice as appropriate. The number of counterterrorism security advisers trained by year and by police force is not held centrally. Education: Sponsor Licence Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government which colleges, schools and universities have been refused a sponsor licence by the UK Borders Agency. Lord West of Spithead: Information pertaining to sponsor licence applications is held in confidence between the UK Border Agency and the institutions making the application. It would not be appropriate to disclose information relating to refusals to a third party. Elections: Northern Ireland Constituencies Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the electorate for the European elections in June 2004, and how many applications there were for postal votes, in each of the 18 Northern Ireland parliamentary constituencies. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: These are operational matters for the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. Statistics about the June 2004 elections can be found on his website at www.eoni.org.uk/index/statistics/election-statistics/european-parliamentary-election-2004.htm. The noble Lord may wish to write to the chief electoral officer directly with any further queries. Elections: Northern Ireland Constituencies Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the present electorate in each of the 18 Northern Ireland parliamentary constituencies. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is responsible for maintaining the electoral register in Northern Ireland. Statistics about the size of the electorate can be found on his website at www.eoni.org.uk/index/statistics/electorate-statistics.htm. The noble Lord may wish to write to him directly with any further queries. Elections: Northern Ireland Constituencies Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether notices for postal vote applications for the June 2009 European elections were advertised in the (a) Down Recorder, (b) Down Democrat, (c) Mourne Observer, (d) Tyrone Courier, (e) Tyrone Times, (f) Dungannon Observer, (g) Ballymena Guardian, and (h) Ballymena Times. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Electoral Commission is responsible for promoting public awareness of election matters across the United Kingdom, including with regard to notices in relation to postal vote applications. The noble Lord may wish to write to the commission directly. Energy: Renewables Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the contracted standing charge per year by 2020 that will fall on all electricity consumers in order to recover the cost of subsidising generation and transmission of renewable energy technologies; and how much that is per British household. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The projected cost of the RO (including the measures banding the RO in the Renewables Obligation Order 2009) on electricity prices is £6.5/MWh in 2020. This represents an increase in the average annual electricity bills of around £21 in 2020. In the renewable energy strategy consultation the Government set out the impact of meeting the UK's share of the EU renewable energy target. Table 10.1 shows the impact on electricity bills to be 9 to 15 per cent higher between 2020 and 2024, an increase in average domestic bills of between £32 and £53 per year. Estimates will be updated in the renewable energy strategy to be published in the summer. Equalities Targets Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the budget statement, there is justification for maintaining equalities targets; and whether they will propose savings by abolishing the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission and revoking all equalities legislation. Lord Myners: The Government are committed to the equalities agenda. They have no plans to abolish the Government Equalities Office (GEO) or the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), or revoke equalities legislation. Foster Care Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of foster carers in the United Kingdom. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: By improving the training, support and development of foster carers our Care Matters agenda should help to equip foster carers with the skills they need, and in doing so aid recruitment and retention of foster carers. We have also provided a grant of £82,000 in 2009-10 to support the Fostering Network's foster carer recruitment event—Foster Care Fortnight—which launched on 11 May. We will continue to work with stakeholders to determine what more the Government can do to support local recruitment of foster carers. Foster Care Lord Sheikh: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that foster carers receive monetary allowances that are commensurate with their duties. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: All foster carers receive an allowance from their fostering service provider to meet the costs of caring for children placed with them. The Government introduced a national minimum allowance in 2007. A Fostering Network survey conducted in October 2008 showed that all but nine fostering service providers are paying their carers at least the national minimum allowance. A further six providers have subsequently confirmed that they would pay their carers at least the national minimum allowance from April 2009. Over and above this minimum, it is for fostering service providers to determine their payments in light of their particular circumstances. We will be expecting providers to publish details of the way in which their payment systems are structured so that this is transparent to carers. Government Departments: Staff Absence Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the rates of staff (a) absence, and (b) sickness absence, were at (1) the Department for Communities and Local Government, and (2) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, in each of the past three years; and what the targets for the department were in each case. Baroness Andrews: Information on sickness absence for 2004, 2005 and 2006-07 for the Department for Communities and Local Government or its predecessor, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), can be found on the Civil Service website at www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/who/statistics/sickness.aspx. From January 2008, information on sickness absence has been provided by departments and collated by the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis. Sickness absence data for the Department for Communities and Local Government are aggregated with those for its executive agencies but data are not collected for its NDPBs. In the 12 months to 31 December 2008, the average working days lost per employee in the Department for Communities and Local Government were 6.3. Targets for sickness absence have not been set by the department and neither does it collect information on absence other than that which is sickness-related. Government Departments: Staff Absence Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the rates of staff (a) absence, and (b) sickness absence, were at (1) the Home Office, and (2) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, in the past three years; and what the target rates set for the department were in each case. Lord West of Spithead: (a) Staff absence in Home Office HQ and its agencies—Members of staff might be absent from work for a variety of reasons (other than sickness absence), such as annual leave, flexi leave, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or special leave. No central record is kept of the totality of these absences and the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. (b) Sickness absence in Home Office HQ and its agencies—Table 1 provides the rate of sickness absence for Home Office HQ and its agencies in 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. We do not hold data for non-departmental public bodies. Sickness absence target rates for Home Office HQ and UKBA—Targets for the reduction of sickness absence levels in Home Office HQ and UKBA were set out in the Home Office reform action plan, published in July 2006. The published targets were: a reduction to an average seven working days lost per person per year by 2008 and to an average six working days lost per person per year by 2010. This target is currently being reviewed in the light of recent developments in the department, including the introduction of a new sickness absence policy and improved data collection procedures. Identity and Passport Service—Targets for the reduction of sickness absence levels in the Identity and Passport Service have been published regularly in the IPS annual report and business plan. The targets for 2007, 2008 and 2009 were 10.5 average working days lost per staff year. Criminal Records Bureau—Targets for the reduction of sickness absence levels in the Criminal Records Bureau have been published regularly in the CRB. business plan. The 2006-07 business plan stated a target of less than 11 days annually. The 2007-08 and 2008-09 business plan stated a target of 10 days annually. Table 1 Footnote 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 1 AWDL RY AWDL RY AWDL RY Home Office Headquarters 2 7.80 6.60 5.50 Agencies: UK Border Agency 3 11.20 9.70 Identity and Passport Service 10.10 11.70 9.59 Criminal Records Bureau 9.30 12.30 11.31 The Prison Service 4 12.00 Home Office Total 10.70 9.34 Footnotes 1 Data for 2006-07 have been taken from the Cabinet Office publication Analysis of Sick Absence in the Civil Service FY2006-07. Data for 2007-08 have been taken from the April 2007-31 March 2008 Quarter 4 Cabinet Office return produced for the Permanent Secretaries Management Group. Data for 2008-09 use Data View, the new single source for all Home Office HR data. Data View uses data extracted as soon as possible after the last day of the calendar month from the Home Office's four employee records systems: Adelphi for Headquarters and the UK Border Agency (UKBA); Snowdrop for the Identity and Passport Service (IPS); IRIS for the Criminal Records Bureau; and ePayFact for pay and pensions purposes. UKVisas (previously FCO) and HMRC Detection staff who have transferred to the UKBA will be added during 2009-10 as part of an ongoing improvement programme. Data from 2006-07 and 2007-08 did not use the Office of National Statistics definitions for headcount reporting, and did not comply with latest guidance for the correct reporting of sick absence issued by Cabinet Office. All data for 31 March 2009 (2008-09) fully comply with Office of National Statistics and Cabinet Office standards, definitions, and reporting. 2 Headquarters figure for 2006-07 included the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), which later became the UK Border Agency. 3 The Immigration and Nationality Directorate became the Border and Immigration Agency (a shadow agency of the Home Department) in May 2007, later renamed the UK Border Agency from 2007-08. 4 The Prison Service joined the Ministry of Justice as part of the machinery of government changes in May 2007—see Home Office departmental report 2008 Cm 7396 p. 104. Government Departments: Staff Absence Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the rates of staff (a) absence, and (b) sickness absence, were at (1) the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and (2) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, in each of the past three years; and what the targets for the department were in each case. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The department reports on targets for sickness absence, including the average number of days, on its website at www.dcsf.gov.uk/sicknessabsence/. The department is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and is on target to reduce sickness absence to meet Cabinet Office targets, with an aim of reducing sickness absence to seven days per full-time staff member by 2010. The department does not report against any absence targets other than sickness absence. All non-departmental public bodies for which the Department for Children, Schools and Families has responsibility have their own systems, and information is not kept centrally and could only be established at disproportionate costs. The department has no agencies. Houses of Parliament: Select Committees Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 20 April (WA 346), on how many occasions and in what circumstances Ministers of HM Treasury have refused to give evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees during the past five years. Lord Myners: The information requested is not readily available. Houses of Parliament: Select Committees Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 20 April (WA 346), on how many occasions and in what circumstances Ministers of the Scotland Office have refused to give evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees during the past five years. Lord Davidson of Glen Clova: I am not aware of any occasion during the past five years when a Scotland Office Minister has refused to give evidence to a parliamentary Select Committee. Houses of Parliament: Select Committees Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 20 April (WA 346), on how many occasions and in what circumstances Ministers of the Department for Transport have refused to give evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees during the past five years. Lord Adonis: In the past five years there have been no occasions when Ministers from the Department for Transport have refused to give evidence to parliamentary Select Committees. Houses of Parliament: Select Committees Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask the Leader of the House further to her Written Answer on 20 April (WA 346), on how many occasions and in what circumstances she and her predecessors have refused to give evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees during the past five years. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I am not aware of any occasion in the period when a Leader of the House has refused to give evidence to a Select Committee of either House. Housing: Valuations Baroness Warsi: To ask Her Majesty's Government what factors are taken into account by the Valuation Office Agency when deciding whether to allocate a dwelling with a GG (garden—where not usual) value significant code; and whether they will place the agency's guidance on the issue in the Library of the House. Lord Myners: The value significant code GG may be present where a property has a garden when similar properties in the vicinity do not, and it is believed the garden's existence is likely to affect the value of a property. An example would be a flat or a mews-style property with a garden in a location where neighbouring properties have no such facility. The Valuation Office Agency does not provide specific guidance to its staff on when to use the code—it is a matter of local knowledge and judgment. General guidance on the use of all its dwelling-house codes is published on the VOA's website at www.voa.gov.uk/publications/dwellinghousecodingguide/files/contents.htm. Kenya The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to consolidate the 2008 power-sharing agreement in Kenya and to encourage the government of Kenya to follow up the recommendations of the Waki Commission. Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government have made clear their support for the Kenyan coalition Government. We have encouraged both sides of the partnership to work together to implement the reforms needed to prevent further violence and instability in the country and stand ready to assist where appropriate. We have provided funding for Kofi Annan's secretariat in Nairobi and support to the Waki and Kriegler commissions. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister wrote to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga on 9 April 2009 to relay our concerns at the slow pace of reform and to encourage them to intensify their efforts to deliver. The Prime Minister highlighted the need to tackle the culture of impunity and to hold to account those responsible for the post-election violence, as recommended by Justice Waki. We are also encouraging and exploring opportunities for police reform with the Ministry of Internal Security, another crucial element of the Waki Commission report. We are also considering support for electoral reform. Motorway Service Stations: Price Control Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as alleged by a spokesman for Moto in the Financial Times on 1 May, Government restrictions are imposed on motorway service station cafés and shops which prevent them from charging supermarket prices for food and drink. Lord Adonis: The Government set no requirements regarding pricing structure for the services provided by motorways service area operators. The Department for Transport circular 1/2008, Policy on Service Areas and Other Roadside Facilities on Motorways and All-Purpose Trunk Roads in England, sets requirements for the provision, standards and signing of roadside facilities on the strategic road network. These include, for example, the provision of two hours' free parking for all types of vehicle, provision of free toilets, 24-hour opening and the availability of fuel. Motorway Service Stations: Price Control Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that motorway service station cafés and shops do not charge excessive prices for basic food and drink. Lord Adonis: Since 1992, government policy has been that the private sector should identify, build and operate motorway service areas (MSAs). Through the Highways Agency, the Government continue to have an involvement in MSAs in relation to road safety and traffic management but has no power to control pricing structures at MSAs as they are run as commercial operations by the private sector. Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 30 March (WA 198) and 24 April (WA 421) concerning bonuses for staff in the Northern Ireland Office, what assessment they have made of the extent to which the Answers provided were appropriate for the Questions. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office attaches considerable importance to answering Parliamentary Questions. All answers to Parliamentary Questions are cleared by a senior civil servant before being considered by Ministers. Northern Ireland Office: Sick Leave Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is an annual number of days allowed to staff of the Northern Ireland Office as sick leave; if so, how many days; when it was introduced; and what are the conditions for taking sick leave. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: There is no such entitlement. Northern Ireland Office: Sick Leave Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of staff of the Northern Ireland Office are currently off work on long-term sick leave; and how many of that number claim to be suffering from stress. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Our records show that there are 40 members of staff in the Northern Ireland Office absent on long-term sick absence. In nine cases, anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illness is the medically certified reason for the sickness absence. Northern Ireland Office: Staff Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many substitute staff were employed by the Northern Ireland Office in the past three years; what the cost in salaries and administration was; and whether they will consider creating permanent posts as a cost-saving alternative. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: In the last three years, April 2006 to March 2009, 398 substitute staff have been employed by the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies. The cost in salaries and administration was £4,647,116. Substitute staff have been employed to provide cover for a range of business needs which have included cover for maternity leave, sickness absence, recruitment delays and where substitute staff have the relevant experience or qualifications to carry out the job in the short term. The transient nature of these business needs means that the creation of permanent posts to fill the need is not always a cost-saving alternative. Northern Ireland Office: Taxis Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was claimed by staff in the Northern Ireland Office on taxis in each month of 2008. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Staff may claim taxi expenses for non pre-booked journeys which are approved by line managers in accordance with the departmental travel policy. These are reimbursed through staff expenses claims and are recorded as incidental expenditure on the departmental finance system. Extracting the information requested would require a manual investigation of all the claims for this period. These costs cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. Northern Ireland Office: Taxis Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 30 April (WA 72) which indicated that the Answer to a previous Question was incorrect, why the error was only acknowledged when the later question was tabled. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The department was in the process of considering how best to deal with the error when Question HL3045 (Official Report, WA 72) was tabled. Pakistani Christians Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the research and report on the Pakistani Muslim Community in England commissioned by Communities and Local Government from the Change Institute does not include the United Kingdom Pakistani Christian communities; and whether they propose to commission similar research into them. Baroness Andrews: Communities and Local Government commissioned research into 13 Muslim ethnic communities in England in order to improve our understanding of the diversity which exists within, and is often masked by, the blanket term "British Muslim". For this reason populations of a relevant ethnicity but different faith—such as Pakistani Christian, Egyptian Coptic Christian and Indian Sikh—were acknowledged but deemed outside the scope of the research. There are no immediate plans to produce further reports on other communities. Presbyterian Mutual Society of Northern Ireland Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to the situation of savers who have deposited funds with the Presbyterian Mutual Society of Northern Ireland; and what action is being taken to protect those savings. Lord Myners: The Government sympathise with the difficult situation faced by members of the Presbyterian Mutual Society of Northern Ireland. Organisations such as the PMS which are registered as industrial and provident societies (IPSs) are exempt from regulation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in respect of accepting deposits in the form of withdrawable share capital. Societies should make clear to members that their deposits are risk capital, held in the form of share capital that can be withdrawn. Under IPS legislation, any one member's shareholding is limited to £20,000. Being outside of FSA regulation, the PMS and its members do not contribute to, and are therefore not protected by, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Questions for Written Answer: Late Answers Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will answer questions HL1594, HL1595 and HL1597, tabled on 23 February; and what is the reason for the delay. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I apologise for the delay. Naturally I asked for the delay to be investigated. I regret that there is no clear reason other than inefficiency. Every effort will be made to ensure that such delays will not occur in future. These Questions have now been answered (Official Report, 28 April, col. WA 32). Schools: Performance Tables Lord Lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Morgan of Drefelin on 20 April (WA 370), why they do not rely on the work of UCAS to judge the compatibility of IGCSE and GCSE; why the inclusion of a qualification in school performance tables should be subject to it meeting the requirement for public funding; and what elements of the "priority aspects of learning in English and Mathematics" are not included in the relevant IGCSE. Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: The school and college achievement and attainment tables provide a reliable source of comparative information to help focus the debate on standards and strengthen the accountability of schools and colleges. It follows that the indicators of performance at the end of key stage 4 must be based on performance in comparable examinations. This means that for inclusion in the tables qualifications must first be accredited by Ofqual as meeting certain standards and be subject to regulation to ensure those standards are maintained. International GCSEs (iGCSEs) have not been submitted to Ofqual for accreditation by the awarding bodies concerned and so cannot be considered for inclusion in the tables. Once accredited, qualifications for use in maintained schools must also be approved for funding under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. The achievement and attainment tables only recognise qualifications which have been approved under Section 96 because it is unlawful for maintained schools to offer other qualifications. While independent schools can legally offer qualifications which are not approved under Section 96, these are not recognised in the tables because to do so would mean that the tables would not be comparing performance across a common set of qualifications. In the key performance indicator showing the number of pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs or equivalent, including GCSEs in English and mathematics, we specify GCSEs in these core subjects because they have been accredited by Ofqual as meeting the statutory requirements of the national curriculum. Ofqual has not determined whether iGCSEs meet these requirements because they have not been submitted for accreditation. However, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) conducted a comparability study into the extent to which iGCSEs met GCSE criteria and corresponding programmes of study required for use in England, the results of which are available on Ofqual's website at www.ofqual.gov.uk/309.aspx. This found that, for example, the iGCSE in English literature includes no prescribed reading to meet the requirement to study Shakespeare. The QCA is responsible for the methodology for establishing the relative value of qualifications reported in the achievement and attainment tables and the points awarded to those qualifications. Their system was designed as a measure of a school's effort and effectiveness in teaching these qualifications. UCAS's system, on the other hand, was designed as a measure of students' preparedness for higher education. Sport: Swimming Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of having dual awarding bodies for the teaching of swimming. Lord Carter of Barnes: There is nothing to prevent more than one awarding body from delivering accredited qualifications for the teaching of swimming. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is responsible for the status of awarding bodies. Currently, both the Amateur Swimming Association and the Swimming Teachers' Association are approved as awarding bodies for offering qualifications for the teaching of swimming. Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the comments by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 28 April (Official Report, House of Lords, GC 41), whether they will support the introduction of procedures for enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of treaties without the need for legislation; and, if not, what are their reasons. Lord Malloch-Brown: As the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie of Luton, stated on 28 April 2009, the Constitutional Renewal Bill is scheduled for introduction before the Summer Recess. The Bill will include provisions to place the present arrangements for parliamentary scrutiny of treaties on a statutory footing. The development and operation of mechanisms outside the proposed legislation to enhance Parliament's ability to scrutinise treaties is ultimately a matter for Parliament itself. The Government will endeavour to respond positively to whichever additional methods Parliament wishes to pursue. Visas Baroness Hooper: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any complaints have been received about the regional administration of visa applications made overseas; if so, how many; and what steps are being taken to monitor and review the system. Lord West of Spithead: In April 2008 we appointed regional directors to run the business of the UK Border Agency's international group, including the visa service, through the following regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Euromed and South Asia and the Gulf. No complaints have been received about this restructuring.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2009-05-12a

Department for Transport East-West Rail Link: Electrification Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the planned rail link between Oxford and Cambridge will involve electrification of the entire line; and if not, why not. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government is committed to decarbonisation, including delivering a net-zero carbon railway. The case for the electrification of East West Rail is being considered, which includes consideration of full electrification along the whole route, as well as options for partial electrification using battery-electric hybrid rolling stock, or hydrogen traction. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Employment Agencies: EU Countries The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government to define whether hybrid companies, which offer both services and recruitment services in the EU, would be categorised as agencies or as service companies under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Lord Callanan: Whether the activities of a UK company comprise recruitment agency services or other services (or both) under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) will depend on the nature of those activities in each specific case, and may vary over time or between different contracts for the same company. Employment Agencies: EU Countries The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement restricts service provision to a maximum of 12 months. Lord Callanan: The UK-EU Trade & Co-operation Agreement (TCA) is based on best precedent set by the EU’s trade deals with Japan and Canada. The TCA ensures that both Parties offer a minimum standard of treatment for business travellers, such as guaranteed lengths of stay of up to 12 months for contractual service suppliers and independent (self-employed) professionals, subject to Member State reservations. This is in line with EU-Japan and CETA precedent, reflects the domestic immigration systems of most of the signatories of the agreement, and is more generous than the typical range of WTO commitments for this category of service suppliers. Employment Agencies: EU Countries The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their understanding of the term 'agency' as it appears in the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement in the context of the employment of 'contractual service suppliers' under Article SERVIN.4.1: Scope and definitions 5(b); and whether this definition includes recruitment or language services. Lord Callanan: The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) uses the United Nations’ Central Production Classification (CPC) (prov., 1991) to identify individual sectors and sub-sectors. Where the TCA says ‘other than through an agency for placement and supply services of personnel’, it is referring to CPC 872. CPC 872 includes, but is not limited to, executive search services (87201) (‘services consisting in the search for, selection and referral of executive personnel for employment by others’); placement services of office support personnel and other workers (87202) (‘services consisting in selecting, referring and placing applicants in employment by others on a permanent or temporary basis, except executive search services’); and supply services of office support personnel (87203) (‘services consisting in supplying on a fee or contract basis to the clients, whether on a temporary or long-term basis, office support personnel hired by the supplier, who pays their emoluments’). Her Majesty’s Government understands the term ‘agency’ to mean a business or organisation providing a particular service on behalf of another business. Her Majesty’s Government understands ‘an agency for placement and supply services of personnel’ to include recruitment services, of the kind described under CPC 872, but not language services. Language services may be better categorised under the subsector ‘translation and interpretation services’ (see Annex 19 (previously Annex SERVIN-4)). Employment Agencies: EU Countries The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, contract brokers are to be treated as service providers in a business-to-business relationship with the contracted services provider, or as recruitment agencies. Lord Callanan: Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) the classification of the activities carried out by each UK and EU firm will depend on the specific services it provides, which may vary over time or as between different contracts. It would be possible for a single firm to carry out multiple activities at the same or different times (for example, to act both as a contract broker and as a recruitment agency). Sizewell C Power Station Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the response byBaroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist on 3 February (HL Deb, col 2168),whether they have made a decision to proceed with the construction by EDF of the new nuclear power station Sizewell C; and, if so, when this decision was made. Lord Callanan: I assume my noble Friend is referring to our announcement to the House that we are entering negotiations with EDF, in relation to Sizewell C. Our aim is to bring at least one large-scale nuclear project to the point of Final Investment Decision by the end of this Parliament. No decision has yet been taken to proceed with Sizewell C, and the successful conclusion of these negotiations will be subject to full Government, regulatory and other approvals, including value for money. Hydrogen: Job Creation The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase manufacturing jobs in the UK hydrogen market. Lord Callanan: My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to unlock three times as much private sector investment by 2030. The Ten Point Plan and Energy White Paper both set out that the Government, working with industry, aims to have 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity in the UK by 2030. The Government will publish a dedicated Hydrogen Strategy in the first half of this year. This will offer more detail on how we will work with industry to meet the 2030 ambition. Driving the growth of low carbon hydrogen could deliver support for up to 8,000 jobs by 2030, potentially unlocking up to 100,000 domestic and export jobs by 2050 in a high hydrogen scenario. To ensure we have the skilled workforce to deliver net zero, including our commitments on hydrogen, the government has launched the Green Jobs Taskforce, working in partnership with business, skills providers and unions, to help develop plans for new long-term good quality, green jobs by 2030. Hydrogen: Investment The Earl of Shrewsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to incentivise private investment in the UK hydrogen market. Lord Callanan: We recognise the importance that government ambition, coupled with a supportive policy framework, has had in building investor confidence in the development of low carbon technologies in the UK. My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to unlock three times as much private sector investment by 2030. The Ten Point Plan and Energy White Paper both set out that the Government, working with industry, aims to have 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity in the UK by 2030.In support of this we have announced a £240m Net Zero Hydrogen Fund for co-investment in new low carbon hydrogen production, to bring forward a combination of CCUS-enabled ‘blue’ hydrogen and electrolytic ‘green’ hydrogen projects. This year, we are bringing forward detail on hydrogen business models and the revenue mechanism, to stimulate private investment in new low carbon hydrogen production facilities. The Government will publish a dedicated Hydrogen Strategy in the first half of this year. This will offer more detail on how we will work with industry to meet the 2030 ambition. Department of Health and Social Care Coronavirus: Vaccination The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether migrants who have not paid the International Health Surcharge will be charged for a COVID-19 vaccination; and whether there will be any checks on a person's immigration status before such vaccinations are carried out. The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether COVID-19 vaccinations will be made available to EU nationals who have not confirmed their status under the EU Settlement Scheme after the 30 June deadline for applications has passed. The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether NHS staff organising COVID-19 vaccination appointments are required to ask patients for proof of residence in the UK. Lord Bethell: Vaccination against COVID-19 is a primary care service and is free to everyone living in England, including all overseas visitors, regardless of their immigration status or nationality. This includes anyone living in the United Kingdom without permission. This service is not within scope of the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 and as no charges apply, immigration status checks are not required in order to assess eligibility. Coronavirus: Screening Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many COVID-19 tests were processedon each day between 7 and 14 October; and how long did it take to notify individuals of the results of those tests. Lord Bethell: The following table shows the number of tests processed on each day between 7 to 14 October 2020:7 October 2020152,0518 October 2020153,7139 October 2020168,78310 October 2020150,74311 October 2020155,66712 October 2020146,20713 October 2020146,07314 October 2020164,270 The following table shows the median time for pillar 2 testing from test to notification from 1 to 14 October 2020: 1-7 October 20208-14 October 2020Regional test sites28 hours45 hoursLocal test sites29 hours47 hoursMobile testing units78 hours41 hoursHome testing kits75 hours78 hours Coronavirus: Vaccination Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed by the Alzheimer’s Society on 1 February about the impact of delaying the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination on care home residents. Lord Bethell: Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines provide a high degree of protection after the first dose. The decision to update the dosing interval is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and is designed to save lives. It was made following a thorough review of the data and was in line with the recommendations of the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers. The JCVI advised that we should prioritise giving as many people in at-risk groups their first dose, rather than providing two doses in as short a time as possible. Healthy Start Scheme: Vitamins Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the shelf life ofHealthy Start vitamins; and what steps they take to ensure that such vitamins are delivered within at least three months of expiry. Lord Bethell: The shelf-life of Healthy Start Vitamins tablets for women is 24 months and the shelf-life of Healthy Start Vitamins drops for children is 15 months. The Service Level Agreement under which Healthy Start Vitamins are supplied to local areas ensures that stocks with sufficient shelf-life should be dispatched and this should be a minimum of three months. Test and Trace Support Payment Lord Porter of Spalding: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether councils will be given discretion over the payment of the £500 self-isolation Test and Trace support grant so that councils can pay those claimants who do not submit their claim within two weeks, providing a legitimate reason is given for the delay in the application. Lord Bethell: Individuals can apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment up to 28 days after their first day of self-isolation. This cut-off period is the same across all local authorities. In the event a local authority believes there is a legitimate reason an applicant has not been able to apply within the 28-day application period – for example, because they were ill in hospital and could not reasonably have been expected to make an application – they should use their discretion on a case-by-case basis in deciding whether to accept an application. Healthy Start Scheme: Vitamin D Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) level, and (2) adequacy, of Vitamin D content in Healthy Start vitamins. Lord Bethell: Healthy Start Vitamins are made available free to people on Healthy Start, as a public health intervention to support the adequate daily intake of key micronutrients. Healthy Start Vitamins tablets for women and Healthy Start Vitamins drops for children both contain a daily dose of ten microgrammes of vitamin D. National Institute for Health Protection Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they made towards the developmentof the National Institute for Health Protection. Lord Bethell: Plans are on track to establish the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP) in spring 2021 with staff and systems moving into the new organisation over the following months. The recruitment process for the NIHP Chief Executive is ongoing and the outcome will be announced in due course. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review Lord Tunnicliffe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to carry out a national security risk assessment as part of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy; whether any such assessment will be published; and if so, where. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Integrated Review will cover all aspects of international and national security policy - defence, diplomacy, development and national resilience. Uniting development and diplomacy in one department brings together Britain's international effort to have even greater impact and influence on the world stage as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The Review will assess what will be needed to deliver our new strategy, in addition to seizing the opportunities offered by the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.The full conclusions of the Integrated Review will be announced in March. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Honey Bees: Northern Ireland Lord Swinfen: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether honey bees moved from Northern Ireland to the rest of theUKmust be destroyed; and if so, why. Lord Swinfen: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland impactsthe movement of Italian bees from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: It is not the case that honey bees moved from Northern Ireland to other parts of the UK must be destroyed.EU member states may export bees to Northern Ireland in line with intra-Union trade rules. Queen honey bees can be imported into any part of the UK from Italy and other EU countries but packages and colonies of honey bees can only be imported into Northern Ireland. There is, and will remain, unfettered access for honey bees which qualify as a Northern Ireland good to the rest of the UK market. The basis on which businesses may qualify for unfettered access is clearly set out in legislation passed last year. Animal Welfare: Brexit Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what legislation is in place that expressly recognises animals as “sentient beings” and requires Government to pay full regard to animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing policy, now that Article 13 of theTreaty on the Functioning of the EU no longer applies in UK law. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Now that we have established a new relationship with the European Union, we have a unique opportunity to shape future animal welfare policy in the UK to ensure our already high animal welfare standards are maintained and enhanced.There has never been any question that this Government's policies on animal welfare are driven by the fact that animals are sentient beings. We have committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. Any necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in an effective and credible way and will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.The Government will ensure that animal sentience is not only recognised in domestic law, but that we will have an effective and proportionate means of taking animal sentience into account in policy making.Here in the UK, we are already improving animal welfare standards without EU input and beyond the scope of Article 13. The Government is committed to taking action to improve animal welfare at home and abroad, including by increasing maximum sentences for animal cruelty, banning third party sales of puppies, and introducing one of the world's toughest bans on ivory sales. We have also made CCTV mandatory in slaughterhouses and we are planning other reforms. These steps show how seriously this Government gives regard to animal welfare. Cabinet Office UK Trade with EU Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord True on 2 February (HL12298), whether they will now (1) answer the question put, namely whether they have made any assessment of the possible competitive disadvantages to (a) England, (b) Wales, and (c) Scotland, of not being in the EU Single Market; and if so, what was the result of any such assessment, and (2) over whom Northern Ireland has a "competitive advantage" by being in the EU Single Market for goods. Lord Agnew of Oulton: The UK has left the EU Single Market and Customs Union with a deal that means the UK can now regulate in a way that suits the UK economy and UK businesses – doing things in a more innovative and effective way, without being bound by EU rules. The Northern Ireland Protocol protects the territorial integrity of the UK by safeguarding Northern Ireland’s place in the UK’s customs territory and internal market, ensuring unfettered access to Great Britain for Northern Ireland businesses, while also facilitating the free flow of goods between Northern Ireland and the EU. The questions of the advantages of relationships with the EU single market and customs union have been extensively debated over the last four years. I note that the Liberal Democrats campaigned to reverse Brexit in the last General Election, but the people of the United Kingdom voted to Get Brexit Done, endorsing the Conservative commitment to leave the Single Market and Customs Union. Local Government: Elections Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make provisionfor (1) the suspension, or (2) the cancellation, of polls on 6 May in the event of a local emergency, including a local surge in COVID-19 casesresulting from an outbreak of a new variant which spreads rapidly, in a particular (a) polling district, (b) electoral division, (c) local authority, and (d) mayoral or police commissioner election; and who will have the authority to make such decisions under any such plans. Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they plan to put in place to ensure that applications for a proxy vote for the elections on 6 May (1) are made by the person to whom the vote belongs, (2) are accompanied by clear and full information on why a proxy vote is being requested, (3) are not systematically collected by political parties or candidates at those elections or persons acting on their behalf, (4) include contact information for the applicant, and (5) ensure that late applications can be efficiently and properly processed. Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what instructions will be given (1) to returning officers for, and (2) to persons acting on their behalf at, the elections on 6 May on how to proceed if two or more applications to appoint a proxy are made in respect of the same elector and they purport to appoint different persons as the proxy for that elector; and whether any such instructions include guidance on what to do should multiple such applications behanded in at the same time at the last possible time for such applications. Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a local authority employeecandecline to carry out duties in relation to (1) the operation of polling stations on 6 May, (2) the counting of votes in relation toelections on that day, and (3) other activities involving direct contact with members of the public. Lord Agnew of Oulton: Democracy should not be cancelled because of covid. The Government has confirmed that the set of local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections scheduled for May will go ahead, and made a firm commitment that the Government will support the sector to deliver them. The Government has published a clear Delivery Plan for the May elections, setting out how the Government will support local elections teams to deliver effective polls that are covid-secure for voters and staff. Proxy voting rules will be changed, enabling those who need to self-isolate to request an emergency proxy vote at short notice - right up to 5pm on polling day itself. This will mean that voters who have tested positive for COVID-19, or are self isolating, can still have their say in these elections without having to leave their residence. It is an offence to provide false information on any voter registration form or any form requesting an absent vote. Information will have to be taken at face value as not all electors will be able to produce evidence. For example, some electors will be self-isolating due to contact with others. Others may show symptoms too late to be tested or otherwise have symptoms and are unable to produce a positive test. Further guidance for all those involved in the elections will be available in due course and well in advance of the polls. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Farmers: Broadband Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the report by the National Farmers Union NFU digital survey results, published on 8 February, and (2) the finding in that report that more than four in ten farmers do not have access to fast and reliable broadband. Baroness Barran: The Government has delivered superfast broadband to over five million premises, mainly in rural areas, which means that 96% of UK premises have access to superfast speeds and the UK has one of the highest rates of rural superfast coverage in Europe.However, the Government recognises that further investment in rural broadband is needed, as the National Farmers Union’s recent report demonstrates. That is why the Government is investing an unprecedented £5 billion to further subsidise deployment of gigabit broadband in the hardest to reach 20% of the country. The majority of this funding will be deployed in rural areas, and will connect farms in these areas. The £5 billion investment will prioritise deployment to premises without access to superfast broadband, where possible. Rural Areas: Broadband and Mobile Phones Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the lack of rural broadband and mobile phone connectivity; and how they plan to address the issue. Baroness Barran: Over 96% of all premises in the UK can access superfast broadband thanks to the success of our Superfast Broadband Programme, meaning the UK has one of the highest levels of rural superfast connectivity in Europe. The Government is committed to further improve the UK’s broadband infrastructure and deliver nationwide gigabit connectivity as soon as possible. As part of this, we are investing an unprecedented £5 billion of subsidy to support the deployment of gigabit broadband in the hardest-to-reach, predominantly rural, areas of the country through our new UK Gigabit Programme.We have already made significant progress in connecting rural premises to gigabit speeds and, since 2018, have delivered gigabit-capable connectivity to over half a million homes and businesses in some of the hardest to reach places in the country, through our existing Superfast Broadband and £200 million Rural Gigabit Connectivity programmes.The Government is also committed to extending geographic mobile coverage to 95% of the UK. On 9 March 2020, we announced the £1 billion Shared Rural Network deal with the Mobile Network Operators. This landmark deal will see operators collectively increase mobile phone coverage throughout the UK to 95% by the end of programme, underpinned by legally binding coverage commitments.On 27 January 2021, the operators Three, O2 and Vodafone announced a joint venture to build and share 222 new masts to boost coverage across the UK to deliver the first stage of the SRN. This will result in increased coverage in each of the UK nations. Gambling Lord Browne of Ladyton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byBaroness Barran on 7 January (HL Deb, col 281), and the statement that "the vast majority of people who gamble do not experience harm", what assessment they have made of the report by Naomi Muggleton et al The association between gambling and financial, social and health outcomes in big financial data, published in Nature on 4 February. Baroness Barran: The 2016 combined Health Surveys, estimated that 1.2% of people who gamble are likely to be problem gamblers, with a further 2% at moderate risk, and 4.4% at low risk of experiencing some harm related to gambling. The Health Surveys use two validated screening questionnaires to assess problem gambling, which ask whether respondents have experienced a range of negative behaviours and outcomes related to gambling including spending more than they could afford to lose, chasing losses and borrowing money to pay gambling debts.Recently published analysis of banking transaction data has demonstrated a correlation between higher rates of gambling spend as a proportion of income and indicators of lower financial inclusion, wellbeing and healthiness. These correlations were generally strongest after the 75th percentile of spend levels. The analysis found that the majority of people who gamble spend only a small proportion of their income on gambling, and did not establish a causative link between gambling spend and the indicators identified.The government launched its Review of the Gambling Act 2005 on 8 December with the publication of a Call for Evidence. The Review will be wide-ranging and evidence led, and aims to make sure that the regulation of gambling is fit for the digital age. UK Trade with EU: Non-tariff Barriers Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of non-tariff barriers to trade on small and medium-sized enterprises in the cultural sector which have exported to EU customers since 1 January 2021. Baroness Barran: The Government recognises the importance of the creative and cultural sectors, and is fully committed to assist them to navigate the new rules under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.The Agreement ensures there will be zero tariffs or quotas on trade between the UK and the EU, where goods meet the relevant rules of origin, and includes provisions to facilitate trade and address non-tariff barriers for UK exports to the EU and vice versa.The Government appreciates that leaving the European Union and the Customs Union will mean changes and new processes, and companies having to adapt to new rules of origin procedures.We will continue engagement to understand the circumstances of companies in the cultural and creative sector, and to support them to adapt to new trading arrangements with the EU.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2021-02-18

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Electricity: Storage baroness featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to develop a strategy to ensure future continuity on network charging in relation to electricity storage; and if so, how. lord prior of brampton: The charging regime is the responsibility of Ofgem as the independent regulator. In the joint BEIS/Ofgem Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan released on 24 July 2017 it was recognised that at present network charges can put storage at a relative disadvantage to other network users, preventing a level playing field. The Government is keen to see fair changes to the charging regime that create a level playing field for storage. Ofgem indicated that changes to storage charging would be best and most rapidly brought forward by industry, and two modifications have now been raised to address this issue. Ofgem also expects industry to provide guidance on the treatment of storage as intermittent or non-intermittent in the distribution charging methodologies by the end of 2017. Cost of Energy Independent Review baroness featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the specific financial interests which are referred to in the declaration of interest by Professor Dieter Helm published on 6 August in relation to the cost of energy review. lord prior of brampton: The review is being conducted in accordance with well-established principles for transparency and accountability, typical of this kind of independent review. As the declaration of interests makes clear, Professor Helm will not change any financial interest he might have in companies that are active in the UK energy sector during the course of the review. Tidal Power: Swansea Bay baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timescale for making a decision on plans for a Swansea tidal lagoon, following publication ofthe Hendry Review in January. lord prior of brampton: The Government is considering the findings of the independent Hendry Review before deciding, in light of the relevant factors, its position on the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project. Department for Exiting the European Union UK Trade with EU lord allen of kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment ofhow World Trade Organisation rules would affect the UK economy, broken down by sector, were the UK to leave the EU without a trade deal. baroness anelay of st johns: A future partnership between the UK and EU is in the interests of both sides, and we are confident that we will secure a good deal for the UK as a whole.A responsible government should, however, prepare for all potential outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached. The Government is undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work to assess, across a range of scenarios on a sector by sector basis, the economic impacts of exiting the European Union. However, as Parliament has agreed, it would not be appropriate to publish any such information that could damage our negotiating position. Brexit baroness hayter of kentish town: To ask Her Majesty's Government what meetings they have held with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute with regard to Brexit over the past sixmonths, particularly inrespectoftheir undertaking to "continue to engage with...consumer organisations", as set out in their position paper published in August, Continuity in the availability of goods for the EU and the UK. baroness anelay of st johns: Officials from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have regular contact with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) as part of the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP). CPP is an operational and strategic group, chaired by BEIS, and CTSI are fully engaged in all partners' discussions, including on EU exit.With the negotiations underway, officials from HM Government will continue to engage widely with consumer organisations. We will reach a successful outcome by drawing on the expertise of these groups, understanding their perspectives and working with them to test and validate positions as we prepare to leave the European Union. Department for International Development Burma: Refugees lord ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the needs of refugees fleeing violence in the Rakhine region of Myanmar. lord ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK is, or will be, contributing humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees; and if so, how much has been contributed to date. lord ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support, if any, they plan to give to the government of Bangladesh to accommodate Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. lord bates: We are working at the highest levels with the government, other donors and the UN to improve access and ensure that aid reaches those that need it most. However this is a changing situation and there is not yet access to the conflict areas for a needs assessment. We are working with others to establish a picture of what is happening, where people are and what shape they are in. The UK has long been one of the biggest contributors of humanitarian aid for the displaced population in both Burma and Bangladesh. DFID has already committed £5.9 million to meet the needs of displaced Rohingya and the host communities who support them in Bangladesh. This is reaching 55,188 people with a range of support including food, education and protection of the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable, including women and girls. A further £5 million is being made available to provide urgent assistance to newly arriving refugees with needs such as food, shelter, and water and sanitation. Within Rakhine State we have provided over £30 million in humanitarian assistance since 2012, including food and sanitation for over 126,000 people. The UK Government is deeply concerned about the violence against the Rohingya and other communities in Burma’s Rakhine State, and the plight of thousands fleeing their homes. Burma: Humanitarian Aid the lord bishop of coventry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what humanitarian assistance they are providing to help alleviate the emerging humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State in Burma. lord bates: Since 2012, the UK has provided over £30 million in humanitarian assistance in Rakhine state, including food and sanitation for over 126,000 people. Our partners are delivering humanitarian assistance to more than 80,000 people in the non-conflict zones of Rakhine State. We continue to strongly urge the Burmese authorities to allow the access of aid, food and medication to all affected communities in Rakhine and we are working closely with them to support this. In northern Rakhine DFID partners are ready to provide emergency food assistance to 30,000 people and to treat more than 3,000 severely malnourished children and pregnant women once access is granted. DFID has also committed £10.9 million to meet the needs of displaced Rohingya and the host communities who support them in Bangladesh. Syria: Drinking Water lord mcinnes of kilwinning: To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific measures they are taking to support the Free Syrian Army to ensure the re-introduction of safe drinking water to Raqqa. lord bates: Humanitarian organisations are currently unable to enter Raqqa City as it is an active conflict zone. DFID funded partners – United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations – are supporting those displaced by the fighting with water, sanitation and hygiene assistance, food and shelter. To increase access to water, our partners are providing safe drinking water and chlorine for water purification, and repairing the water network in the nearby town of Tabqa. South Sudan: Refugees baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are giving to the government of Uganda to help with the reception of refugees from South Sudan; and what assessment they have made of how the health servicesin that countryare coping with the needs of refugee women. lord bates: Her Majesty’s Government is providing £40m in bilateral aid this year to support the Ugandan Government’s response to its refugee population of 1.3m, of whom 1m are from South Sudan. This support is providing food for 1 million people, clean water and nutrition support for more than 200,000, shelter and relief items for 116,000 and vaccinations for 40,000 children. 82% of Uganda’s refugees are women and children. Health care for refugees is provided largely through the existing health system. The main challenges are ensuring adequate infrastructure, human resources and supplies to meet the increased demand for reproductive and maternal health services; and the management of communicable diseases such as malaria. Sri Lanka: Disaster Relief lord naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatadditional aid they have offered to Sri Lanka to help cope with the severe drought and floods which have affected over one million people. lord bates: Our assessment is that the crisis in Sri Lanka is being adequately managed through existing mechanisms in Sri Lanka, including the Government’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and humanitarian agencies on the ground, including the Sri Lankan Red Cross Society. The UK provides significant amounts of funding to UN humanitarian emergency agencies (such as UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP), the EU’s humanitarian emergency response agency (ECHO) and the Red Cross, all of whom are contributing to the response. At the moment therefore we do not anticipate that a bilateral response from the UK will be needed. Other countries in the region are also providing assistance, and the US and EU have offered their support. Sudan: Sanctions the lord bishop of leeds: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian impact of sanctions on the people of Sudan. lord bates: HMG, through DFID, follows the humanitarian situation closely and provides over 550 thousand vulnerable people in Sudan with humanitarian assistance each year. DFID supports Sudan’s most vulnerable people to meet their basic needs, sustain their livelihoods, and build their resilience to crises.We welcome the temporary suspension of US bilateral economic sanctions on Sudan, which if lifted permanently will support progress towards inclusive economic development for Sudan’s people. We encourage the Government of Sudan to continue to make the required progress to enable permanent lifting of US sanctions. The UK continues to apply the United Nations’ arms embargo and targeted sanctions in Darfur, as well as the European Union arms embargo on Sudan. Caribbean: Hurricanes and Tornadoes lord condon: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British emergency services personnel are being deployed to assist in the aftermath of hurricane Irma; where those personnel will be deployed; and what range of assistance they will provide. lord bates: We now have almost 700 military personnel, over 50 police, and a senior search and rescue adviser from the UK’s fire and rescue services in the Caribbean region to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. DFID has sent over 18 humanitarian and logistics advisers in the region, including humanitarian advisers in Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands, where they are supporting Governors and local authorities.All UK personnel are deployed as part of a coordinated cross-Government response, bringing together military, aid, and consular effort. Across the affected area, our personnel have delivered urgent humanitarian relief, assisted in restoring vital infrastructure, and supported local institutions in maintaining law and order. We will continue to work closely with our advisors on the ground and with the Overseas Territories governments to deploy our specialists where they are most needed.The Government will continue to do all it can to support those affected. Further details of our work are available on our website. Turkey: Historic Buildings lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what help they can offer to Turkey to assist in the cultural preservation of damaged historical buildings in the Suriçi neighbourhood. lord bates: The UK Government has committed £30 million to help protect and restore cultural heritage in twelve target countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Turkey, through the establishment of the Cultural Protection Fund. The British Council is funding two projects in Diyarbakir province which includes Suriçi. The projects will cover surveys, documentation and condition assessments of buildings in order to allow for appropriate conservation planning in the future. Department for Education GCE A-level lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of recent leaks of A-Level examination questions, what measures they plan to put in place to restore public confidence; and what steps they are taking to ensure consistent sanctions against those who leak such information. lord nash: This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write directly to the noble Lord. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House of Lords Library. Grammar Schools lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that selective schools do not de-select students at the age of 16. lord nash: Where schools admit external applicants into their sixth form, it is lawful for them to set minimum academic standards for entry. The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 as amended also permits schools to remove pupils from the admission register who are above compulsory school age, if they do not meet the academic entry standards for the sixth form. The regulations do not permit their removal from the register for failure to maintain high academic attainment once they have entered the sixth form. The Department’s statutory guidance: ‘Exclusion from maintained schools, Academies and pupil referral units in England’ explicitly states that, once a pupil is enrolled, it is unlawful to exclude for a non-disciplinary reason such as academic attainment or ability. We expect all schools to adhere to these rules and we have recently written to them to remind them of their responsibilities. Schools: Registration lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of children being taught at unregistered schools; and what information and directions they have given to (1) local authorities, and (2) Ofsted, on this issue. lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manyunregistered schools have beenclosed in each of the last three years for whichrecords areavailable. lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what powers, (1) Ofsted, (2) local authorities, and (3) the Secretary of State, have to close unregistered schools; what representations they have received about the adequacy of such powers; and whether they have any plans to strengthen those powers. lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they regard children attending unregistered schools to be children at risk and therefore subject to assessment under local authority child protection procedures. lord nash: National statistics on the number of children being taught at unregistered schools are not held centrally. However, we are working closely with Ofsted and local authorities to tackle this sector. We have provided Ofsted with additional resources to root out and inspect those suspected of operating unlawfully and take action to bring them into compliance with the law. We have also been supporting local authorities to use their existing powers under safeguarding or health and safety legislation to disrupt and tackle both unsuitable out-of-school settings and unregistered independent schools. Although we don’t track closures of unregistered schools, Ofsted’s Annual Report 2015/16: education, early years and skills, published on 1 December 2016, noted that from January 2016 to end August 2016 (the end of the period covered by the report), Ofsted inspected 38 such settings; Ofsted issued 19 warning notices telling proprietors to cease operating illegally; and 15 of those providers ceased to operate illegally following those inspections. Ofsted will publish its next annual report later this year.The annual report can be accessed on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/574186/Ofsted_annual_report_education_and_skills_201516_web-ready.pdf.It is a criminal offence for any person to operate an unregistered independent school and Ofsted has powers to inspect such settings. Anyone who is found to be conducting an independent school without registration is breaking the law and may be liable to prosecution. However, in most cases, collaborative working between Ofsted and local authorities has resulted in such settings voluntarily ceasing to operate unlawfully, which is verified by the figures highlighted in the Ofsted report referred to above. As part of our ongoing work with Ofsted and local authorities we have been raising awareness on how we can all work together to help ensure that children are safe and are receiving a suitable education. We keep this under constant review. The legislative framework for the child protection system in England is provided largely by the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. This sets out the overarching responsibility of local authorities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area, regardless of where they are educated. It is for local authorities to assess whether the threshold for intervention is met in the case of an individual child taking account of the impact and influence of environmental factors, such as attending an unregistered school. However, wherever local authorities have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, they are under a duty to investigate. Local authorities should make whatever enquiries necessary to decide what, if any, action to take to safeguard or promote the child’s welfare. Ofsted annual report education and skills 2015-16 (PDF Document, 3.29 MB) Overseas Companies: Race Relations baroness primarolo: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are planning to amend the Race Relations Act 1965 and subsequent related legislation to clarify the extent to which that legislation applies to the activities outside the UK of UK-based (1) companies, and (2) directors. lord nash: The employment provisions of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”), which supersedes previous equalities legislation, only apply to employer activities in Great Britain. Some activities outside Great Britain may also be in scope of the Act, if the employment relationship is found to have a strong connection with Great Britain. The Government has no plans to amend the Act in this respect. Vocational Education: Overseas Students baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) EU, and (2) non-EU, overseas students are taking technical, professional and vocational courses in the UK. lord nash: The department does not collect data on the nationality of Further Education students. Students will be eligible for Education and Skills Funding Agency funding if they are a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) and have been resident in the EEA for at least three years prior to the start of learning and are ordinarily resident in England. Education lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will respond to the consultation on out-of-school education settings which closed in January 2016; and whether they propose to introduce provisions that would require such settings to (1) register, and (2) be subject to risk-based inspections. lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that requiring out-of-school settings to (1) register, and (2) be subject to risk-based inspections, would have on addressing the existence of illegal unregistered schools. lord nash: The Government published a Counter Extremism Strategy in 2015, which set out plans to introduce a new system of oversight for out-of-school education settings – such as supplementary schools, tuition centres and madrassahs. To learn more about these settings, and the potential scope and impact of any regulatory system, the department issued a call for evidence. We will make an announcement about the outcome in due course. Government Departments: Equal Pay lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government which government departments have not yet met the requirement to publish information about gender pay gaps between male and female employees. lord nash: All government departments listed in Schedule 2 to the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017 are required to publish this information if they have 250 or more employees, including staff working in executive agencies. Ministry of Justice Prisoners on Remand: Acquittals lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of remand prisoners acquitted of the offences for which they were remanded in the year 2016-17. lord keen of elie: The latest currently available data on court remand covers the 2016 calendar year. Of the 345,897 defendants who were prosecuted and subsequently not convicted at magistrates’ courts, approximately 9% (32,238) had been remanded in custody at some point during those proceedings.Of the 37,606 defendants who were subsequently not convicted at the Crown Court, approximately 17% (6,524) had been remanded in custody at some point during those proceedings.Those defendants included as not convicted include those who were not proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and those who were not tried at the Crown Court due to the proceedings terminating early, for example due to the defendant dying before the court appearance date. Ministry of Defence Military Aid lord campbell of pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) officials, and (2) service personnel, are engaged in advising foreign governments on their obligations under international law on the conduct of military operations, broken down by country. earl howe: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides training to foreign governments and their Armed Forces on international law, including on topics such as international humanitarian law, counter-piracy and maritime law, and the military justice system. The number of UK officials and Service personnel involved in providing this training changes over the course of a year. The majority of international law training is provided by individuals and small teams deploying and visiting for short periods of time.This year the MOD has provided training to the Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Uganda. We also welcomed foreign students from Canada, Denmark, the Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Switzerland, Uganda, and the USA on UK courses such as the Brigade Legal Officers course. One British Army lawyer works in the International Institute for Humanitarian Law at San Remo, Italy.Additionally training and advice on international humanitarian law is incorporated into a range of military training delivered by the UK Armed Forces to our international partners. I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 1 December 2016 to Question HL3314 to Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, which details those countries the UK trained during financial year 2016-17.Finally, officials and Service personnel meet their foreign counterparts at conferences, in multi-lateral organisations including NATO, and at academic institutions. The MOD does not centrally record these meetings and a full response could only be provided at disproportionate costs. Ascension Island: Aviation lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to revert to using Ascension Island as a refuelling stop after scheduled works have been completed; and when they expect flights using Ascension to resume. earl howe: Following the scheduled restructuring works to the Wideawake runway on Ascension Island, the Ministry of Defence fully intends on returning to Ascension Island to continue operation of the South Atlantic Airbridge to the Falklands. St Helena: Aviation lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possibility of using St Helena Airport as a refuelling stop for flights to and from the Falkland Islands. earl howe: The distance between the UK and the Falkland Islands and the time spent over water necessitates the use of large aircraft which have the capability to operate the route. The runway length at St Helena Airport has been assessed by the Ministry of Defence as not sufficient to enable our large military aircraft to operate from it. Ascension Island: Aviation lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the completion of scheduled works to the US Airbase Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island, the RAF will resume their use of that airfield. earl howe: Ascension Island remains strategically important in supporting the Ministry of Defence (MOD) mission in the South Atlantic. The MOD fully intends to return to Ascension Island following the full restructuring of the runway. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Insects: Non-native Species marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the decline since 2012 in UK native ladybird species as a result of the invasive Harlequin ladybird, and (2) the impact of this decline on the resilience of ecosystems; and what steps they are taking to address this. lord gardiner of kimble: The Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis), a native of central and eastern Asia, was released for the control of pest insects across Europe from the late 1980s. It was first recorded in the UK in 2003 and considered an established species by 2005. There are no known cases of the Harlequin ladybird having been deliberately released in the UK and it is believed to have arrived through natural dispersal from Europe. The Government has not conducted its own assessment of the decline in UK native ladybird species as a result of the Harlequin ladybird. However, research carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and analysis by UK experts using records collated through the UK Ladybird Survey, indicate that the Harlequin ladybird is displacing some native ladybird species, by out-competing them for food and through direct predation. Further research is planned by the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology to understand better the impact of the Harlequin ladybird on the resilience of the UK’s natural ecosystems. The Harlequin ladybird is now widely spread across the UK, particularly in England. There are no appropriate methods for controlling the Harlequin ladybird which would not also harm native species and no effective mitigation measures that can be adopted to address their impacts. The Harlequin ladybird however, provides an important case study that has informed our response to invasions of similar non-native species. Home Office Sharia Law Independent Review baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the independent inquiry into the application of Sharia Law in the United Kingdom to conclude; and when they expect the report to be published. baroness williams of trafford: Professor Mona Siddiqui’s independent review into the application of Sharia law in England and Wales is expected to report to the Home Secretary in the coming months. The Government will consider the publication of the review and its response, once the review report has been submitted. Sharia Law Independent Review baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has caused the delay in publishing the report of the independent inquiry into the application of Sharia Law in the United Kingdom. baroness williams of trafford: The Government’s independent review into the application of Sharia law in England and Wales is not delayed. The review chair, Professor Mona Siddiqui, is expected to submit her review report in the coming months. Immigrants: Detainees baroness hamwee: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the responseby Baroness Williams of Trafford on 4 July (HL Deb, cols 788–9) and her Written Answer on 31 July (HL668), regarding rates of pay for work undertaken by immigration removal centre detainees, whether any of the work undertaken by thosedetainees was duplicated by staff or employees of (1) the Home Office, or (2) the Immigration Removal Centre; if so, what were the rates paid to those detaineesfor that work; and what is their assessment of why no savings or efficiencies have been realised by the Home Office or private service providers. baroness williams of trafford: It is not permitted contractually for private service providers to use the detainee paid work scheme to replace staffing obligations in immigration removal centres. None of the work undertaken by detainees on a voluntary basis in this scheme is duplicated by staff or employees of either the Home Office or the private service provider and there are no savings or efficiencies realised by the Home Office or private service providers. Acids: Sales lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to control the sale of dangerous acids. baroness williams of trafford: We are developing a set of voluntary commitments for retailers to restrict access to the most harmful corrosive products. We are currently discussing the commitments with the British Retail Consortium. We are also undertaking work to review the Poisons Act 1972 and how it controls the sale of particular acids and corrosive substances. Asylum lord mcinnes of kilwinning: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the recommendations of the report Refugees Welcome? by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees, what measures they have taken to improve the experience of successful asylum seekers. baroness williams of trafford: We are working to ensure that asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation who are granted refugee status are able to access the mainstream benefits system smoothly if they continue to need support to cover their living needs.In particular, we have established a new process that provides additional support to refugees during their transition on to mainstream benefits. That support involves offering a prompt appointment with the Department for Work and Pensions’ “vulnerable persons” service, and further assistance to ensure they receive the first payment of any benefit they are entitled to before their Home Office support comes to an end. Asylum lord mcinnes of kilwinning: To ask Her Majesty's Government what lessons have been learned from the integration of recent Syrian refugees, in particular in relation to the provision of (1) housing, (2) National Insurance numbers, and (3) support in finding employment;whether those lessons are being deployed to ensure effective integration and support for successful non-Syrian asylum seekers; and if so, how. baroness williams of trafford: The ability to plan for the arrival in the UK of those refugees who have been resettled in this country because they are fleeing the conflict in Syria has meant that we are able to provide appropriate support upon arrival. This involves planning for their accommodation and providing caseworker support to access public services, including the service provided by DWP. A pilot to provide bespoke employment support is also in place. Additional funding has been made available by the Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions to provide increased levels of English for Speakers of Other Languages tuition, which will also significantly improve the chances of finding employment. We will evaluate the results of the programme, including the employment pilot, to see what lessons may be learnt. Hillsborough Families' Experiences Review lord rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the report by Bishop James Jones into the Hillsborough families’ experiences was received; when it will be made publicly available; and whether it has addressed issues relating tolegal representation for families of victims at coroners' inquests where the police are legally represented. baroness williams of trafford: Bishop James Jones submitted a copy of his report into the experiences of the Hillsborough families to the Home Secretary on 20 June 2017. On 8 September 2017 he submitted a version that takes account of the Crown Prosecution Service’s charging decisions announced on 28 June 2017. That report will be considered by the Government. The report and separately the Government’s response will be published in due course. In the meantime we are not in a position to comment on its contents. Visas viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether biometric and fingerprint data taken from a visa applicant's application to enter the UK are deleted from any database if that applicant is subsequently refused entry; and if not, for what specific purpose the data are retained. baroness williams of trafford: Fingerprints taken from visa applicants are normally retained for up to ten years regardless of whether the application was successful, as set out in regulations made under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.This enables the Secretary of State to identify easily those who make further applications for visas to come to the UK, preventing immigration abuse and those who are a risk of high harm from entering the country. Offences against Children baroness walmsley: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish their response to the Home Office public consultation, Reporting and Acting on Child Abuse and Neglect. baroness williams of trafford: The previous Government launched a consultation on reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect. This sought views on the introduction of possible new measures including a mandatory reporting duty or a duty to act. The Government has reviewed the consultation responses and will publish its response in due course. Entry Clearances: Overseas Students baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many international students left the UK without (1) accessing work experience, or (2) gaining a qualification, in the last year for which figures are available. baroness williams of trafford: The information you have requested is not included in statistics published by the Home Office. Asylum: LGBT People lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people claimed asylum in the UK on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity in the last 18 months; and of those that did, how many have been granted the right to remain in the UK. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office remains committed to publishing information on the number of people claiming asylum on the basis of sexual orientation. Work is ongoing to assure the quality of the data for publication in line with reporting standards. Police: Biometrics lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals have asked to have their facial images removed from police databases in the years (1) 2014, (2) 2015, (3) 2016, and (4) 2017 to date; and of those who have asked, what percentage have had their images removed. baroness williams of trafford: The information requested is not centrally collected. Immigrants: Detainees lord marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of detaining (1) persons awaiting deportation who have served custodial prison sentences, and (2) others awaiting deportation,in separate establishments. baroness williams of trafford: All individuals entering immigration detention are risk assessed and accommodated under the processes set out in Detention Services Order 03/2016. The Home Office seeks to remove foreign national offenders at the earliest opportunity. Where that is not possible, foreign national offenders awaiting deportation will normally be transferred into immigration detention on completion of their sentence. However, those assessed as unsuitable for the immigration detention estate, for reasons of safety and control, remain in prison. We continue to keep the management of foreign national offenders in the detention estate under review. Immigration Controls lord marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether immigration officers, when scanning the passports of arrivals in the UK,are automatically alerted to any person arriving at a UK port of entry who is subject to a deportation order. baroness williams of trafford: The UK holds a watchlist of adverse information and intelligence drawn from a variety of sources, including the police. The system is used by Home Office staff for the purposes of national security and the detection and prevention of crime. It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific data held on the watchlist, the source of the data or how it is used as to do so would be counterproductive. Hate Crime lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are planning toreview hate crime laws so that hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability are treated equally to those based on race and faith, by making them aggravated offences. baroness williams of trafford: We have one of the strongest legislative frameworks in the world to tackle hate crime. The hate crime action plan published in July 2016 includes new actions to ensure the legislation is used effectively to support victims and deal with perpetrators. We keep our legislation under review. Since 2010 the Government has strengthened legislation to offer further protection for transgender and disabled people and on the grounds of sexual orientation. Deportation: EU Nationals baroness hamwee: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the breakdown of the reasons for the deportation of EU nationals in (1) the first quarter of 2016, and (2) the first quarter of this year. baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office does not hold the information in the format requested. HM Treasury EP Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 28 July (HL997), whether they received a request for ministers to meet the European Parliament's Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion; and if so, what was their response. lord bates: The European Parliament’s Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion requested a meeting with ministers during the Committee’s two-day visit to London during February 2017. Ministers were unavailable on the days requested and the Committee met with senior officials from the UK’s cross-agency Panama Papers Taskforce. Credit lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding contained in the Bank of England's Money and Credit June 2017 Statistical Release that there was a 10 per cent rise in outstanding unsecured consumer credit in the year to June. lord bates: The Treasury monitors the Bank of England’s Money and Credit statistical releases and other statistical publications. The government established an independent Financial Policy Committee (FPC) and gave the FPC a primary objective to identify, monitor and take action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing financial stability. The FPC’s June 2017 Financial Stability Report (FSR), published on 27 June, assesses recent trends in unsecured debt in the consumer credit market. The FSR notes that consumer credit has been growing rapidly, but that loss rates on consumer credit lending are low at present. Debts lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding contained in the Bank of England's Money and Credit June 2017 Statistical Release thatone in six of the 2.2 million people with personal debt are in financial distress; and what action they are taking to reduce consumer debt. lord bates: The government monitors the Bank of England’s statistical releases, including Money and Credit, and is committed to supporting all those affected by problem debt. We have a range of measures in place to help achieve that. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates the consumer credit market, and has introduced binding rules to strengthen consumer protection. They are based on the principle that money should only be lent to a consumer if they can afford to repay it; lenders must show forbearance if there is evidence of financial difficulty. The FCA also capped the cost of payday loans. As part of a review of this price cap, the FCA will examine the high-cost credit market more broadly and consider whether further interventions are necessary to address the risk of consumer harm. The Money Advice Service (MAS), which was set up by the government, coordinates the provision of free-to-client debt advice. In 2016/17, MAS spent just under £49 million on its debt advice work, directing around 90% of this to fund frontline services. This led to more than 440,000 free-to-client debt advice sessions being delivered face-to-face, over the phone and online across the UK. In the Queen’s Speech, the government announced the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill. This will legislate to restructure the financial guidance landscape and bring debt advice, money guidance, and pensions guidance together in a single body, and give consumers better access to the financial information they need. This Bill is currently going through Parliament. Business: Loans lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings contained in the Bank of England's Money and Credit June 2017 Statistical Release that there was (1) a £0.2 billion fall in loans to non-financial small and medium enterprises, and (2) an £8.2 billion rise in loans to large business, in the year to June. lord bates: The Treasury monitors the Bank of England’s Money and Credit statistical releases and other statistical publications.The Government is supporting lending to SMEs in a variety of ways, such as through the establishment of the British Business Bank to make finance markets work better for small businesses. The Government is also helping alternative lenders which lend to small businesses, for example through support for challenger banks; introducing a bespoke regime for peer-to-peer lending; and structural interventions such as the bank referral scheme and the SME credit data sharing scheme. Football: Taxation lord tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HMRC collects any revenue from football club transfer payments. lord bates: Football transfer fees are subject to VAT according to the normal rules. Any profits made by football clubs are subject to Corporation Tax in the usual way. Payments made to players as part of their transfer, such as signing-on fees, are taxable as earnings. Speed Limits: Fines lord jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government where the proceeds from speeding fines for motoring offences are directed; and to what activities and whose budgets they are directed. lord bates: Speeding fines for motoring offences are directed into the Consolidated Fund. The fund is administered by HM Treasury and is used to support general expenditure on public services such as policing, healthcare, local government grants and transport. Annual accounts for the Fund can be found on the Government’s consolidated fund website. European Economic Area lord lea of crondall: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, if the UK were toremain inthe EEAby joiningEFTA after leaving the EU, the annual cost to the UK in terms of liabilities to the EU would remain the same as if the UK had remained in the EU; and if not, what is their estimate of the reduction or increase in that cost. lord bates: The arrangements for withdrawal from the EU, including any financial or subsequent trading arrangements with the EU, will be a matter for the withdrawal agreement as part of the Article 50 process. The UK government is committed to working with the EU to reach a fair arrangement for Britain’s exit and the best deal for UK taxpayers. Exchange Rates lord lea of crondall: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that the pound sterling does not fall below parity with the euro. lord bates: The UK has an inflation target, not an exchange rate target, and the government does not express a view on the level of the exchange rate. The value of sterling adjusts flexibly in response to economic conditions and market forces. Debts the lord bishop of st albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to offer individuals relief from persistent debt; and whether they intend to introduce a statutory breathing space scheme. lord bates: The government is committed to supporting all those affected by problem debt, and has a range of measures in place. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates the consumer credit market, and has introduced binding rules to strengthen consumer protection. They are based on the principle that money should only be lent to a consumer if they can afford to repay it; lenders must show forbearance if there is evidence of financial difficulty. The FCA also capped the cost of payday loans. As part of a review of this price cap, the FCA will examine the high-cost credit market more broadly (such as rent-to-own), and consider whether further interventions are necessary to address the risk of consumer harm. The Money Advice Service (MAS), which was set up by the government, coordinates the provision of free-to-client debt advice. In 2016/17, MAS spent just under £49 million on its debt advice work, directing around 90% of this to fund frontline services. This led to more than 440,000 free-to-client debt advice sessions being delivered face-to-face, over the phone and online across the UK. In the Queen’s Speech, the government announced the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill. This will legislate to restructure the financial guidance landscape and bring debt advice, money guidance, and pensions guidance together in a single body, and give consumers better access to the financial information they need. This Bill is currently going through Parliament. Credit Cards the lord bishop of st albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce measures to prevent the automatic increase of credit card limits. lord bates: The regulation of consumer credit including credit cards is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority. Last year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published the results of its Credit Card Market Study. As a result of this study, the FCA has taken action to tackle persistent debt in the credit card market. As part of this, the industry has also developed a voluntary agreement to give greater control to customers and to restrict offers of credit limit increases. We have passed the Lord Bishop’s question on to the FCA, who will reply directly to him by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House. Non-domestic Rates: Valuation lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many small and medium sized businesses will be impacted by the Valuation Office Agency's decision to class communal spaces such as staircases, corridors and lifts as separate premises for business rate purposes; and how many such businesses will be billed retrospectively as a result of this change. lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on small and medium sized businesses of the Valuation Office Agency's decision to class communal spaces such as staircases, corridors and lifts as separate premises for the calculation of business rates. lord bates: In July 2015, the Supreme Court clarified existing rating law relating to communal spaces such as staircases, corridors and lifts. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has a legal duty to adapt its practices to reflect the judgment. The VOA assesses the value of property and not the businesses that occupy the property. As such, it does not hold information on whether the occupant of a property is a small or medium business. Cars: Sales baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of thenumber of personal contract purchase plans taken out to finance car purchases over each of the last five years; andwhat assessment they have madeofthe potential impact of such loans on (1) the car industry, and (2) the UK economy, if there were to be a widespread failure to repay such loans. lord bates: The government established an independent Financial Policy Committee (FPC) and gave the FPC a primary objective to identify, monitor and take action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing financial stability. The FPC’s June 2017 Financial Stability Report (FSR), assesses recent trends in the consumer credit market, including dealership car finance and personal contract purchase (PCP) agreements. The FSR notes that PCP agreements have been growing rapidly, from around three-fifths of new car purchases financed through dealership car finance in 2011 to four-fifths in 2016, but that arrear rates on dealership car finance are generally lower that other forms of consumer credit. Northern Ireland Office Belfast Agreement lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met with and consulted each of the Belfast Agreement participants, (1) Lord Alderdice, (2) Lord Empey, (3) Lord Kilclooney, (4) Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, and (5) Lord Trimble,(a) as a group, or (b) individually; andwhat are thedetails ofthose meetings. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has regular meetings with Parliamentarians, including regular events for members of the House of Lords with an interest in Northern Ireland affairs, to which these five members are invited. Department for International Trade Trade Agreements lord roberts of llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what flexibility they will seek in the terms of any new trade deal negotiated with non-EU countries to take account of as yet unknown restrictions inserted in any future deal between the UK and EU. baroness sugg: The departmental responsibility for the EU-UK trade agreement lies with the Department for Exiting the EU.We are considering in depth, our future trading relationships with partners as we prepare to leave the EU. We will consider what this means for negotiating an ambitious trade agreement with the EU, as well as striking agreements with countries outside the EU. The Senior Deputy Speaker House of Lords: Catering lord kennedy of southwark: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by the Senior Deputy Speaker on 31 July (HL1160), what steps he is taking to increase the number of British products on sale in all outlets in the House of Lords, including British wine. lord laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.The vast majority of fresh products purchased by House of Lords Catering and Retail Services (CRS) are British, and CRS has an ongoing policy to continue to increase its use of British products, taking account of procurement and value for money tests. British produce is always preferred when in season, and menus are designed to incorporate British sustainable products and showcase British seasonal produce where possible. The majority of the main ingredients in CRS dishes, such as meat, poultry, fish and dairy produce, are British.In House of Lords bars, CRS aims to supply a range of beverages including British options; CRS has recently changed supplier to increase its offering of British craft ales and lagers.CRS aims to increase the selection of British wines available in House of Lords restaurants and bars. Additional British wines will appear on the wine lists after the conference recess.For the House of Lords retail shop, CRS aims to increase its ranges of British products; work is underway to develop with its suppliers products that would enhance the British selection on offer.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2017-09-18

Department for Transport Aviation: Fuels Baroness Featherstone: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding is available for research and development into sustainable aviation fuels. Baroness Featherstone: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the carbon savings that could result from increasing the use of biofuels in UK aviation. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government believes sustainable aviation fuels are of strategic importance, both in reducing carbon emissions and to drive the development of an advanced biofuels industry in the UK. Those developing sustainable aviation biofuels were eligible to apply for funding under the Department’s Advanced Biofuel Demonstration Competition, the winners of which were announced last September. In early 2015 a Transport Energy Taskforce including aviation industry experts considered, amongst other things, the potential for sustainable aviation fuels to contribute to our climate change commitments to 2030 and beyond. Further to that work we are planning to consult on potential changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation later this year, including to make renewable fuels used in aviation eligible for reward under the scheme. Railway Track Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 11 May (HL8205), whether they hold information on the number of single line tracks on passenger lines in their records; and if not, why not. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Department for Transport does not hold detailed records of track layouts. These records are held by the Infrastructure Operators. The information is provided to the Department on request and is also available in commercial map publications at specialist railway bookshops. Rapid Transit Systems: South Yorkshire Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what the reasons are for the delay in the start of operation of the South Yorkshire Tram Train service. Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken, by whom, and when, to ensure that Network Rail deals with the slippage of the start date of the South Yorkshire Tram Train service. Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the South Yorkshire Tram Train service will be operational. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Department for Transport and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, the joint funders of the tram train pilot project, have been advised that Network Rail has initiated a review of the current programme of works needed to adapt their infrastructure to operate the tram train vehicles between Meadowhall South and Rotherham Parkgate.The Department understands that Network Rail has encountered significant issues with the approval of new bespoke electrification equipment needed to operate the tram train vehicles. The joint funders are clearly disappointed by this further delay. Bus Services Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what types of data they envisage bus companies outside London will have to make available under the provisions of the Bus Services Bill. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The provisions of the Bus Services Bill enable the creation of a single repository of information that could contain information about routes, timetables, fares and tickets, as well as live information about bus arrival times. The information would be open to the public and could be used by software developers to create, for example, information applications for mobile devices. The detail of what information is to be provided, and in what format, will be developed through close consultation with bus operators, local transport authorities and potential users and will be included in secondary legislation subject to the affirmative procedure. Bus Services: Fuels Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require bus operators to use greener fuel. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: A series of measures have been brought in in recent years to encourage bus operators to use greener fuels. Under the Green Bus Fund which ran from 2009-2014, £89m of Government funding helped purchase over 1200 buses. These vehicles met strict rules covering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with ordinary buses, taking into account both the production and consumption of the fuel. The Low Emission Bus Scheme (LEBS), announced last year, will provide over £30m to help buy several hundred more low emission buses. The Government is also encouraging the uptake of greener vehicles through the Bus Service Operators Grant low carbon emission bus incentive under which eligible services receive an additional 6p per kilometre. The Bus Services Bill, which was introduced into the House of Lords on 19th May, will provide local transport authorities with new powers to specify the emission standards to be met by local bus services – including through franchising and, with sufficient support from bus operators, under enhanced partnership arrangements. The Government has also invested over £26m since 2011 under the Clean Bus and Clean Vehicle Technology Funds for local authorities in pollution hotspots across England to retrofit 1000s of buses, and other vehicles, with pollution reducing technology. This includes converting some buses to either natural gas or to electric propulsion. Bus Services: Disability Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require bus operators to make buses disability friendly. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Single deck buses designed to carry over twenty two passengers on local and scheduled routes must already comply with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR), including incorporating a designated wheelchair space and boarding facilities, priority seating and colour-contrasting hand-holds. Double deck buses must comply by the 1st January next year, and coaches by 2020. As at 2014/15, 95% of buses in England were low floor or had an accessibility certificate, compared to 80% in 2009/10. Positive driver interactions and accessible on-board information also make a big difference for many disabled passengers. We are developing best practice guidance on providing disability awareness training for drivers, and have supported innovative approaches for providing next stop information on-board vehicles. Bus Services Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to require bus operators to collaborate to make bus journeys more integrated. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Bus operators and local transport authorities can work together to improve bus services for passengers through voluntary arrangements and statutory partnerships. The Bus Services Bill will improve the range of partnership options available to authorities and operators. The Bill will make the statutory partnership schemes more attractive by removing the requirement that the scheme must involve the provision of specific facilities. The Bill will also create a new enhanced partnership arrangement. This will enable local transport authorities to set the frequency and timing of specific services, introduce a zonal ticketing scheme, mandate types of payment that must be accepted, and require certain information to be given to passengers. Any proposals must receive sufficient support from the bus operators before they can be introduced. Fuels Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to increase the percentage of fuel made from used cooking oil and other waste products. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) was amended in 2011 to provide double reward for biofuels derived from wastes. Since the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) was established waste based biofuels have risen from 12% of total biofuel supply in the first year of the obligation 2008/09, to 50% based on the latest full year’s data for 2014/15 (Biofuels Statistics obligation year 7 2015/16 - Report 6). According to our latest but incomplete dataset, covering 2015/16, waste based biofuels have risen to 54% of total biofuel supply (Biofuels Statistics obligation year 8 2015/16 - Report 3). Used cooking oil from the UK was the most widely reported source under the RTFO for biodiesel in 2014/15 (by feedstock and country of origin) making up 19%. The latest available (incomplete) data for 2015/16 suggests used cooking oil from the UK has risen to 24% of biodiesel. In addition we have made available a total of £25 million in match-funded grants to construct three demonstration scale advanced biofuel plants in Swindon, Tees Valley and Grangemouth. These projects will convert low value waste to high value transport fuel. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Andargachew Tsege Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to ask the government of Ethiopia to release Andy Tsege following his alleged torture and sentencing to death without a court hearing, and if not, why not. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government takes the detention and welfare of Mr Andargachew Tsege, who was transferred from Yemen and is imprisoned in Ethiopia, very seriously. The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Philip Hammond), has raised Mr Tsege's case with his Ethiopian counterpart over 20 times. The Minister for Africa, my Hon Friend, the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge) has also raised the case, most recently on 8 January. Our focus has been on lobbying for Mr Tsege to have access to an independent lawyer who is able to advise him of his legal options. We believe that this is the best way to grant Mr Tsege the opportunity to resolve this case. Ministerial lobbying has already achieved the transfer of Mr Tsege to a normal federal prison and regular consular visits. We will continue to lobby the Ethiopian government until Mr Tsege is given access to a lawyer, and until our concerns about Mr Tsege’s case have been fully addressed. Iran: Prisoners Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what have been the practical benefits to the UK of the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, and of the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Iran in August 2015, in respect of obtaining the release back to the UK of prisoners such as Kamal Foroughi, and Nazanin Ratcliffe and her child. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action applies only to Iran’s nuclear programme, but offers a real opportunity for Iran to normalise its relations with the international community. Reopening our Embassies in August 2015 offers greater opportunity to discuss a range of issues, including consular cases. We regularly raise our concerns on all consular cases, both in London and Tehran. Most recently the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised them with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif on 17 May, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), raised them with the Iranian Charge d’Affaires in London on 18 May. Iran: Capital Punishment Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Iranians have been executed since the visit of the Foreign Secretary to Iran and the re-opening of the UK embassy in Tehran last year, and what assessment they have made of whether that figure indicates any improvement in the human rights position of Iranian citizens. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran believes that between 966 and 1,025 people were executed in 2015. The UK repeatedly calls on Iran to bring an end to the use of the death penalty. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the destruction of crops and olive trees on Palestinian-owned agricultural lands near Nejehot settlement by Israeli forces. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of the difficulties facing Palestinian olive growers and of the particular sensitivities around olive trees given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers. We have expressed our serious concerns to the Israeli Government and security officials about the destruction of olive trees on a number of occasions, whether by the Israeli authorities or extremist settlers. We hold the Israeli authorities responsible for enforcing the rule of law and providing the appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel concerning the banning of two Palestinians from accessing Al Aqsa Mosque on the grounds of their having been involved in protests against the entry of Israeli settlers to the site. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Whilst we have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, it is vital that the longstanding status quo of the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif compound be preserved and we urge the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law as an occupying power in East Jerusalem. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding the closure of all commercial crossings in the West Bank on 11 and 12 May, preventing permit holders from accessing Israel or East Jerusalem because of Israel’s Commemoration and Independence Day. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While we are not planning to make any representations to the Israeli authorities on these specific incidents, we remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement between the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We continue to work closely with the Quartet and EU partners to call on Israel to ease access restrictions. Israel: Bedouin Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding the demolition by Israeli forces on 16 May of seven donor-funded residential containers and the confiscation of materials for another three in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Jabal al Baba. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We condemn the demolition of Bedouin homes at Jabal Al-Baba, which is a particularly vulnerable community in East Jerusalem. We have not specifically raised this issue, but we are extremely concerned at the large increase in demolitions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since the start of 2016, compared to the monthly average in 2015. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv raises our concerns about demolitions regularly with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 15 May. We call on Israel to provide a legal route for Palestinians to obtain building permits. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding the targeting of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza strip, including the sinking and confiscation of fishing boats on 15 May north of the Gaza strip. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Whilst we have not raised this specific issue with the Government of Israel, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have expressed our concern previously over the Israel Defence Forces' use of live fire against fishermen and also about the confiscation of their boats. Yemen: Banks Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are providing support to the central bank of Yemen to avert financial collapse. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Central Bank of Yemen (CBY) is a key Yemeni institution. We have made sure that the economy and the state of the CBY are not ignored during the peace talks in Kuwait. We continue to lobby the Government of Yemen and the Houthis and Pro-Saleh General People's Congress at the highest levels to emphasise the seriousness of the economic situation, including pressing for all Yemeni parties to cooperate, take ownership of the issues, and ensure key institutions such as the CBY are protected. Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to publish a strategic plan and five-year road map for the implementation of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, and if so, when. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government is considering the recommendation in the House of Lords Select Committee Report on Sexual Violence that it develops a strategic plan and roadmap. The Government will respond in full to the Select Committee Report on 13 June. The Government will continue to update Parliament on the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual Human Rights Report. The Government also plans to provide regular briefings and updates to the recently formed All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sexual Violence in Conflict. In addition, the Government keeps all those interested in this important work up-to-date on progress via social and other forms of media. *No heading* Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to assist the International Criminal Court to bring to justice those who have been indicted for genocide or crimes against humanity, such as President Bashir of Sudan, and what action they will take against those individuals, including British citizens, who provide support to, or aid and abet, such regimes. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC); we continue to promote compliance with the arrest warrants for all those indicted, including President Bashir of Sudan. The UK has made it a domestic crime to commit any of the crimes in the ICC Rome Statute, including genocide and crimes against humanity. The legislation provides for ancillary offences including in respect of persons that aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of a genocide, crime against humanity or war crime. Where such crimes take place in the UK, or elsewhere by UK nationals, UK residents or a person subject to UK Service jurisdiction, they can be prosecuted before the UK courts. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Trade: Statistics Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to improve trade data for the next calendar quarter. Lord Price: Increasing exports is a key factor in the Government’s long-term economic plan. Government departments are working together to support UK businesses looking to take advantage of overseas opportunities and to create a strong business environment that allows them to flourish both at home and overseas. A key part of this work is to identify export opportunities, many of which are based around the needs of high-growth and emerging markets. We are making those opportunities available to UK businesses through the Exporting is GREAT campaign which has elicited over 25,000 responses to the 7,000 export opportunities published online since it launched in November 2015. Department for International Development Developing Countries: Education Lord Alton of Liverpool: to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that the new Education Cannot Wait fund will focus on the most marginalised children, including girls and children with disabilities. Baroness Verma: The UK has played a leading role in the development of Education Cannot Wait – a fund for education in emergencies. A key focus for Education Cannot Wait will be on ensuring that marginalised children and young people are able to access a quality education. This includes refugees and internally displaced children, as well as children facing barriers to their education because of their gender, disability or other factors.This focus is reflected in the Fund’s indicative headline results, which commits to providing “Inclusive education [that] reaches the most marginalised children and young people in crises” with a target of “100% of supported education opportunities demonstrate increase in education for girls, disabled and those in remote locations”.The UK will continue to engage closely during Education Cannot Wait’s inception phase, to ensure that this commitment is fully reflected in its final design and results frameworks. Ministry of Justice Social Security Benefits: Appeals Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the annual saving in legal aid costs as a result of the withdrawal of legal and advice in relation to benefits appeals. Lord Faulks: Legal aid for welfare benefits appeals is limited to advice and assistance on a point of law in the Upper Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, including applications to the Upper Tribunal for permission to appeal. Legal aid is also available for judicial reviews of welfare benefit decisions and claims about welfare benefits relating to a contravention of the Equality Act 2010. Given the need to focus limited resource on the highest priority matters, legal aid is no longer generally available for other welfare benefits matters. Although many people rely on benefits, these cases primarily concern financial entitlement and, as such, do not raise such fundamental issues as cases concerning liberty or safety. The Impact Assessments published at the time LASPO received Royal Assent provided estimates for the reductions in legal aid spending for matters within the welfare benefits category, It was estimated that volumes would fall by 135,000 or 98% and spend by £25m or 97%. As part of the LASPO Post Implementation Review, the department will make an assessment of whether this reduction has been achieved. The impact assessments published alongside LASPO are available on the gov.uk website. Probation Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of short-term prisoners in receipt of satisfactory probation supervision; and how that is being assessed. Lord Faulks: We assess the standard of supervision for all offenders, including those sentenced to under 12 months, through a range of service levels and, for Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs), through a robust contract management process. Performance information for the National Probation Service and CRCs against these service levels is published quarterly. The most recent statistics were published on 28 April. Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence: Property Transfer The Duke of Somerset: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered the longer-term advantages of selling surplus Ministry of Defence property by leasehold rather than freehold, and if so, what conclusions they have drawn. Earl Howe: The Ministry of Defence largely sells its surplus estate freehold in accordance with the disposal process set out by the Treasury, in order to ensure best value for the taxpayer. However, if warranted, properties may be sold with a long-term leasehold in order to retain an element of influence over their future use and occupation. Department for Work and Pensions Social Security Benefits: Appeals Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is (1) the role, and (2) the annual cost, of presenting officers employed by the Department for Work and Pensions in relation to benefit appeals. Baroness Altmann: The role of the Presenting Officer is to present the Department’s case effectively thereby helping the tribunal reach the right decisions and to gather feedback from the tribunal for its decision makers. The year to date costs for existing DWP Presenting Officers (to January 2016) is approx. £1.5m. Personal Independence Payment Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Altmann on 4 May (HL Deb, col 1503), what rate of support claimants of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment will be guaranteed to receive if they cannot walk safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time period, (1) for more than 20 metres, or (2) for more than 50 metres. Baroness Altmann: Claimants who can stand and then move no more than 20 metres will receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP. Claimants who can stand and then move more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres are guaranteed to receive at least the standard rate of the mobility component. In some cases, depending on the individual’s circumstances, they may receive the enhanced rate If they score points from the other mobility activity. Disability Living Allowance Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the medical criteria behind the introduction of a walking distance of 50 metres as part of the assessment for Disability Living Allowance in 1992. Baroness Altmann: No walking distance was set when Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was introduced. The higher rate mobility component of DLA was always intended to be for those disabled people who were unable to walk or virtually unable to walk. The DLA regulations refer to the ability to walk out of doors being limited by reference to four factors; distance, speed, length of time or manner in which progress can be made without severe discomfort. The lower rate mobility component was intended for people who are able to walk but need guidance or supervision because of severe mental or physical disability. Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working age claimants, was developed to provide a more equal recognition of both daily living and mobility needs of those with all disability and impairment types, including physical, mental health, cognitive and sensory. HM Treasury Block Grant: Northern Ireland Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have agreed the reduction to the Block Grant for the Northern Ireland Executive as a result of the decision to introduce a lower rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland from April 2018, and if so, what is the new Block Grant figure. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: In 2015 the government legislated to make a lower Northern Ireland Corporation Tax rate possible. The Northern Ireland Executive are committed to introducing a rate of 12.5%, to be introduced in 2018.Now Northern Ireland’s own political leaders must press on with the reforms necessary to put the Executive’s finances on the sustainable footing required to complete Corporation Tax devolution. As set out in the Stormont House Agreement, the Executive would then meet the direct and behavioural costs of any reduction in corporation tax in Northern Ireland, and we are continuing to work with the Executive on the funding arrangements which would deliver this outcome. Social Security Benefits and Taxation: EU Nationals Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord O’Neill of Gatley on 18 February (HL5912), when information about taxes paid by and benefits paid to EU migrants which was not available in February became available, and why that answer was not updated with the requested information. Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether VAT paid by EU migrants is included in the recently announced figures of taxes paid by EU migrants, and if not what is the estimate of such payments. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The analysis on recently arrived non-UK EEA nationals subject to income tax and National Insurance contributions or receiving HMRC administered benefits became available on 12 May 2016 when it was published on HMRC’s publications page on GOV.UK.No estimate of VAT paid by EU Nationals is held. VAT is levied on most goods and services, with the person’s nationality not generally recorded. London Stock Exchange: Deutsche Borse Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they or the Financial Conduct Authority have commenced reviewing the regulatory conditions to be applied to the takeover of the London Stock Exchange by Deutsche Bourse, and whether that takeover can proceed without regulatory approval. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: I refer the noble Lord to my written answer of 26 April (HL7583, HL7584, HL7585, and HL7586), and to the investor relations section of the London Stock Exchange Group website, which contains information about the proposed merger, including on the required regulatory approvals. The timings of the regulatory notifications are a matter for the companies acting in accordance with the relevant legislation. Financial Services Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for prohibiting full transparency in transaction costs in fund management reporting. Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their policy that entertainment expenses either given or received by individuals in fund management companies and their clients and suppliers should be disclosed, and whether they will encourage pension trustees to require such disclosures in their management contracts. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government is committed to the principle that people should have access to appropriate and accessible investment options and understand the charges that they face. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is currently conducting a market study into asset management. We await the FCA’s assessment of disclosure of costs and fees in fund management reporting, where these issues fall under the scope of the market study. The FCA expect to publish an interim report in summer 2016 and a final report in early 2017. With respect to the disclosure requirements imposed on pension trustees, the Department for Work and Pensions and the FCA jointly undertook a Call for Evidence on disclosure of costs and charges in workplace pension schemes during 2015. We and the FCA are assessing the responses received and remain committed to making regulations and rules in this Parliament requiring publication of costs and charges, as per the legal duty in the Pensions Act 2014. Insurance Fraud Taskforce Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to report on the progress of the Insurance Fraud Taskforce and its role in dealing with fraudulent claims and the operation of claims management companies; and what assessment they have made of the implementation of the recommendations of the Insurance Fraud Taskforce: final report published in January. Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the Insurance Fraud Taskforce that detected insurance fraud and undetected insurance fraud costs consumers up to £50 per year; and whether they plan to establish a unit (1) to track the return of those costs to the consumer, and (2) to monitor the performance of the insurance industry in tackling fraud and addressing the practices of claims management companies. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: A Written Ministerial Statement was published on 26 May 2016 to announce that the Government accepts each of the recommendations addressed to it. We expect that all organisations tasked with taking forward recommendations do so with urgency. The Government will do what it can to assist and, in order to make sure that all of the recommendations are actively pursued, we will seek an update on progress later in the year. The report highlighted the particular problem of fraud in relation to low value personal injury claims and the Government has established a programme of reforms in this area, particularly in respect of whiplash claims and regulation of claims management companies. We are pleased that the report’s recommendations reflect and support that reform programme. Claims Management Services: Regulation Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their target date for the operation of a regulatory regime for claims management companies. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: At Budget 2016 the Chancellor announced that the government accepts the recommendations of the independent review into the regulation of Claims Management Companies (CMCs). The new regime will be tougher and will ensure CMC managers can be held personally accountable for the actions of their businesses. In order to ensure that the new regulatory regime is implemented effectively, the government intends to transfer responsibility for regulating CMCs from the Ministry of Justice to the Financial Conduct Authority. The government intends to take forward the necessary primary legislation in due course. Insurance Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage better customer service in insurance companies that allow for consumers to make free claims. Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA’s Insurance Conduct of Business Sourcebook (ICOBS) sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms in relation to their business which aim to ensure consumers are treated fairly. This includes provisions relating to the handling of claims by insurers. ICOBS states that insurers must handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. Cabinet Office UK Membership of EU Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the remarks by the Prime Minister on 9 May regarding the “risk” to “peace and stability on our continent” should the UK vote to leave the EU, what contingency plans they are preparing for deploying Army Reserves. Lord Bridges of Headley: In his speech on 9 May, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off by remaining a member of the EU. If the UK were to leave the EU, the withdrawal negotiation would need to address a wide range of difficult issues, including co-operation on foreign policy. Electoral Register Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with ministers in the devolved administrations about improving the levels of voter registration. Lord Bridges of Headley: Following the May elections we look forward to working with the new Governments in Scotland and Wales on modernising and improving electoral registration. Electoral policy is not devolved in Northern Ireland but we are working with the Chief Electoral Officer to introduce digital registration. The Government is committed to helping ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote in polls is able to do so. Online registration makes it easier, simpler and faster for people to register to vote. Since the introduction of IER in Great Britain in 2014 there have been over 17 million applications to register to vote, with a majority of these applications online. Electoral Register Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to review the number of types of identification documents with which a person may register to vote. Lord Bridges of Headley: Ensuring the accuracy of electoral registers and taking steps to reduce fraud is critical to building confidence in the systems underpinning our democracy. In the majority of cases, applicants registering to vote will have their identity matched against government records or local data sources successfully. Where this is not possible, most applicants can be asked to provide supporting documentary evidence, which can be drawn from a wide range of sources and there are no plans to change this. Electoral Register Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions they are taking to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and other victims of serious violence are aware that they can reregister to vote anonymously. Lord Bridges of Headley: Electors who need to keep their name and address anonymous are able to submit an application for anonymous registration. As part of their application, electors must satisfy the Electoral Registration Officer that their safety, or that of people they live with, would be at risk if the register contained their name and address. For this purpose electors must provide either a court order or an attestation by a “qualifying officer”, which includes senior police officers and chief social workers. The evidential threshold for applications for anonymous electoral registration is to ensure that it is available only to those whose personal safety would genuinely be at risk if their details appeared on the electoral register. Domestic violence charities and other Non-Government Organisations may partner with Individual Electoral Registration Officers to ensure those in their area who may need to register anonymously are able to do so. Political Parties: Finance Lord Tyler: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to reallocating public funds presently allocated to (1) candidate and party election addresses, and (2) government advertising, to enable a cost-neutral package of reform of the rules on political party finance, including a cap on donations. Lord Bridges of Headley: The Government is open to dialogue on practical measures to reform the funding of political parties. This can only be achieved by cross party discussions from the political parties themselves.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-06-02

North/South Implementation Bodies: Funding Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 1), in the case of the Language Implementation Body budget for 2003, how the assessment of benefits for each jurisdiction was made to allow the setting of proportionality of contribution. Baroness Amos: The assessment of benefits for each jurisdiction in relation to the language body budget was made when the body was established in December 1999, and was on the basis of a number of factors, including the nature and location of activities being undertaken by the language body and the number and location of staff. No factors have arisen since then to merit a change to this assessment. North/South Implementation Bodies: Funding Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 1) concerning funding for Cross-Border Bodies, whether that reply means that pressure on funding in either jurisdiction should only apply to activity in that jurisdiction. Baroness Amos: No. Budgets for the North/South Implementation Bodies must be agreed on a joint basis north and south, and thus funding pressures in either jurisdiction may have implications for the budget as a whole. Northern Ireland: Mental HealthTribunal Rules Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 14 October (WA 99), whether they consider the mental health tribunal rules (Northern Ireland) 1986 to be compatible with the obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom by the European Convention on Human Rights, in view of the decision of the English Court of Appeal last year that the equivalent English rules are incompatible; and, if so, what is their reasoning. Baroness Amos: The English Court of Appeal did not find that the English mental health tribunal rules, which are purely procedural, were incompatible with the obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom by the European Convention on Human Rights, but it did find that the English Mental Health Act 1983 was so incompatible. The review of mental health legislation referred to in my Written Answer on 14 October (WA 99) continues to consider whether the maintenance and exercise of the equivalent Northern Ireland provisions are compatible with human rights obligations. Northern Ireland Government Offices: Cleaning Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 16 October (WA 128) concerning the cost of cleaning government offices in Northern Ireland, how much office cleaning has cost each year since 1994. Baroness Amos: The actual costs of cleaning all government offices in Northern Ireland are not held centrally. Information is only readily available from the first full year following devolution for core departments. These costs are set out in the following table. Financial Year Cost 2000–01 £1,321,180 2001–02 £1,408,262 2002–03 £1,698,969 The estimated value of cleaning contracts awarded referred to in my earlier reply (WA 128) is held centrally and amounts to approximately £2.7 million per annum and includes the estimated cost per year in respect of cleaning offices belonging to agencies and NDPBs in addition to the core departments. Northern Ireland Parliament 1921–1972: Legislation Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many times the Parliament of Northern Ireland enacted legislation discriminating against Roman Catholics or Protestants or both between 1921 and 1972, and whether they will specify the Acts and sections now judged to be directly or indirectly discriminatory on the grounds of religion. Baroness Amos: I am unaware of any legislation still in force and enacted by the Parliament of Northern Ireland which would now be judged to be directly or indirectly discriminatory on the ground of religious belief. Belfast: Waterways Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will: (a) Obtain powers to dredge or remove debris and rubbish from the Connswater and Knock Rivers and their banks for their full length within Belfast; (b) indicate who are the public sector littoral owners of those rivers who have current responsibility for such dredging; and (c) enhance the Connswater River with overhanging walkways as it flows through the Connswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast. Baroness Amos: The main urban sections of the Connswater and Knock Rivers in east Belfast are already designated for maintenance by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Rivers Agency. Maintenance work is carried out as and when necessary to ensure free flow. Works, including channel clearance, in the Connswater and Knock Rivers are included in the agency's maintenance programme in the current business year. Any extension of existing designated sections would only be based on drainage need, and not amenity reasons. Designation of watercourses within the terms of the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 does not require public sector ownership of the watercourses concerned to enable necessary drainage works to take place. The Rivers Agency's drainage remit does not enable it to carry out works solely for amenity reasons and therefore that agency has no plans to construct overhanging walkways in the vicinity of the Connswater River. Also, the draft Belfast metropolitan transport plan will contain an integrated range of proposals for walking/cycling, public transport, highways and management up to 2015. The work to develop the plan has not identified a pedestrian need that would justify the potentially high costs of constructing walkways overhanging the Connswater River in the vicinity of the Connswater shopping centre in east Belfast. Iraq: Gender Experts Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) what are the names and qualifications of the two gender experts who have been assigned to Iraq; (b) what is the length and purpose of their assignment; and (c) what is the cost of sending them and supporting their work. Baroness Amos: For the personal safety of those concerned, under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (exemption 1—defence and security and exemption 8—public employment) and due to the fact that this Answer will be made public, the names, locations in Iraq and salaries of the two gender experts who have been assigned to Iraq are being withheld. Both gender experts are educated to Masters level. Both have broad experience in the field of social development. The first has a long career that has centred on women's rights, gender equality, gender violence and equal opportunities, working with local authorities, government departments and a range of non-governmental organisations. The second, who is seconded to DfID from a local authority, is currently working as an equality officer developing equality strategies in race, gender and ethnicity. The two experts will provide strategic support to the Minister/Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in addressing the needs of Iraqi women, and provide capacity and support to CPA-South and a local council in southern Iraq to promote gender equality and diversity. Both experts will work in Iraq for up to six months. The cost of these deployments will be up to £152,000 in total. Cameroon Lord Rea: asked Her Majesty's Government: At the high level meeting on Cameroon to be hosted by the Commonwealth on 29 October, they will press the Cameroon Government to take steps to improve the fairness and transparency of their parliamentary and presidential electoral process; and Whether, at the high level meeting on Cameroon to be hosted by the Commonwealth on 29 October, they will insist that the registration of voters is full, fair and transparent; and At the high level meeting on Cameroon to be hosted by the Commonwealth on 29 October, they will insist that there are safeguards to ensure the neutrality and independence of officials involved in the administration of elections; and At the high level meeting on Cameroon to be hosted by the Commonwealth on 29 October, they will insist that the independence of members of the National Elections Observatory is protected; and At the high level meeting on Cameroon to be hosted by the Commonwealth on 29 October, they will consider making economic assistance to Cameroon conditional on improvements in the electoral process. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are working closely with Commonwealth and other partners in assisting the Cameroon Government to achieve their commitments to reform in all the areas mentioned. At the 31 October Conference, the UK, in common with other donors, made clear its readiness to provide support, in particular for electoral reform and prisons. Indonesia: Use of British-built Military Equipment in Aceh Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 10 July (WA 53), how they are "carefully monitoring the extent of compliance" with assurances "that British-built military equipment should not be used offensively or to violate human rights" in Aceh. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Our embassy in Jakarta and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London monitors all sources of information available on the situation in Aceh and follow up on any reports that British-built military equipment has been used offensively or used to violate human rights. In co-operation with our EU colleagues we continue to press for free and unhindered access to Aceh for diplomats, for NGOs and for the international press. Iraq: Unemployment Baroness Williams of Crosby: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the current estimated rate of unemployment in Iraq. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Nations/World Bank Joint Needs Assessment published in October 2003 estimates that unemployment and underemployment in Iraq is currently at about 50 per cent of the labour force. I am placing a copy of the Joint Needs Assessment, produced to coincide with the Iraq Donors Conference held in Madrid, in the Library of the House. The document is also available online through the World Bank website—www.worldbank.org. Peacekeeping: UNSCR 1325 Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government: What they are doing to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Kingdom's support for Security Council Resolution 1325 (SCR1325), three years after its adoption in October 2000, is now focused on implementing its provisions and ensuring that the necessary mechanisms are in place for monitoring its implementation. UK support has included: providing 150,000 dollars to the United Nation's Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to develop and implement a training manual and integrate its use into DPKO's Best Practices Unit; providing compulsory training to all UK military and police officers embarking on peace-keeping or similar overseas missions on gender, child protection and human rights issues; actively searching for and subsequently deploying UK female officers to missions and other conflict prevention/resolution operations, the most recent examples being the deployment of two female police officers to Sierra Leone and a senior gender expert to Baghdad to work with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA); developing a database of suitably qualified women based in the UK experienced in conflict prevention/resolution work, and willing to be deployed overseas; continuing efforts in the UN Security Council to reflect gender perspectives in a meaningful way. The UK has argued for language in SCRs that establish or renew peace-keeping mandates as one concrete method of mainstreaming gender into the council's work. The UK is systematically looking for opportunities to ensure that gender concerns are properly addressed in resolutions, mission mandates and progress reports. Recent Security Council resolutions reflecting language taken from SCR1325 or its provisions include those on Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cote d'Ivoire. We also repeated at the open debate of the Security Council on women, peace and security held on 31 October to mark the third anniversary of the resolution's adoption, the suggestion made at the same debate in 2002 that the council give thought to establishing a mechanism through which it can monitor its own progress on issues relating to women, peace and security; welcoming the International Criminal Court's willingness to include within its remit certain crimes against women; ensuring that those members of the various UK teams in Iraq, especially those working in or with the CPA, are fully briefed on the gender aspects of their work. The UK's Special Representative, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, on a recent round of briefing calls and meetings in London, met my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Minister for Women and Equality, and e-Minister in Cabinet (Patricia Hewitt), a representative group of Iraqi women, and representatives of UK non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the Women's National Commission, active in the field; funding through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool several initiatives relating to the implementation of SCR1325, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women's efforts to gather information on women's peace-building and gender justice initiatives, and work with the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights, an NGO that supports grass-roots activities in countries where there are multinational peace-keeping operations. It is our experience that small well targeted funding can make a big difference—for example, encouraging women to play an active role in Afghan politics by providing childcare facilities in the main Parliament building in Kabul. Future ideas include a series of briefing workshops, held jointly by the UK and Canadian missions to the UN in New York, for newly elected Security Council members, to build a wider body of support amongst member states for SCR1325 and the broader set of issues surrounding women, peace and security.simone Vietnam: Unified Buddhist Church Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will make representations to the Government of Vietnam about persecution of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, and encourage the European Union to raise the matter. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: In Vietnam, the UK works closely with EU partners on human rights matters. The EU Presidency has already made representations to the Vietnamese Government about the recent detention of senior members of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV). It will be seeking further information about the alleged incidents involving the UBCV at the next EU Vietnam human rights dialogue meeting later this month. When my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary met Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nien in September, he presented him with the EU's list of prisoners of concern, which includes UBCV prisoners. Ceuta and Melilla: European Parliamentary Elections 2004 Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the electors of Ceuta and Melilla will have the right to vote at the next election of the European Parliament in 2004. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This is a matter for the Spanish Government, but we understand that electors of Ceuta and Melilla will have the right to vote at the next European Parliamentary elections in 2004. Fourth Geneva Convention: Civilians in the Occupied Territories Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they consider that the Fourth Geneva Convention applies for the protection of civilians in the Occupied Territories, or whether they consider Israel to be the legal administrator of the territories pending determination of their status, and hence, not bound by the Fourth Geneva Convention. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK has long taken the view that the Israeli presence in the Occupied Territories is governed by the Fourth Geneva Convention. The UK reaffirmed its view of the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention in the Occupied Territories at the reconvened conference of High Contracting Parties in Geneva on 5 December 2001. In accordance with the declaration adopted at the conference, we continue to call upon all parties to the conflict to respect and to ensure respect for the Geneva conventions in all circumstances. Somaliland Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with Government Ministers from the Republic of Somaliland; and whether they agree with the submission by those Ministers that the international community should pay more attention to an administration which is founded on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My honourable friend the Minister for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Chris Mullin) met with two representatives of the Somaliland authorities, Edna Adan Ismail and Mohammed Hashi Elmi, on 2 October. The British Government have provided support to the development of multi-party democracy in Somaliland and are considering how they might increase their development assistance in the light of Somaliland's democratic achievements. Our Ambassador in Addis Ababa visited Hargeisa last week and discussed possible areas of support with the Somaliland authorities. Democratic Republic of Congo Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many troops are now deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; and what further steps they consider should be taken by the United Nations Security Council to secure the peace of the region. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: According to the latest available reports the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has 6,948 troops deployed in the provinces of North and South Kivu, Maniema province, and in the Ituri district of Orientale province. No information is available on the numbers of Congolese troops deployed in eastern DRC; nor is there any reliable information on the numbers of troops belonging to the former Forces Armees Rwandaises/Interahamwe, the Force pour la Defense de la Democratie, or the Forces Nationales de Liberation who are also present in eastern DRC. Security Council Resolution 1493 (2003) is a robust and comprehensive resolution, giving full Chapter VII powers to UN troops in the DRC for the first time. It should contribute greatly to peace and stability in the region. The UN Secretary-General's new Special Representative is in place to drive the peace process forward. Saudi Arabia: British Citizens in Detention Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will help alleged British victims of torture and arbitrary detention in Saudi Arabia to obtain exemplary compensation from the Saudi authorities. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have always made clear our concerns about this case, including the men's treatment and conditions in detention. We are in touch with the men and their lawyers and are doing what we properly can to assist. If the men choose to pursue a claim for compensation it is a matter for them and their lawyers. Middle East Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will propose a United Nations Security Council Resolution condemning both the construction by Israel of a security wall and fence on Palestinian territory and bombings and other violence by Palestinians. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have no plans to introduce a UN Security Council Resolution on these issues. We deplore the terrorist suicide bombings of Israeli civilians and recognise Israel's legitimate security concerns. At the same time, we consider Israel's construction of a fence on occupied land to be illegal. We have urged the Palestinian Authority to exert greater efforts to stop suicide bombings and have repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to reconsider the route of the fence. These concerns were addressed in a resolution of the UN General Assembly on 21 October. Guantanamo Bay: Legal Status of Detainees Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will request the United States Government to bring the prisoners held at Guantanamo, Cuba, before a competent tribunal in order to determine their status, in accordance with Article 5 of the Geneva Convention. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The legal status under international law of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay is a complex matter that has to be considered in the light of the facts of each individual detainee. We believe that whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment, and if prosecuted, a fair trial and have made this point clear in discussions with the United States. The United States has said that it will treat the detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva conventions. FCO Annual Report on Human Rights 2003 Lord Palmer: asked Her Majesty's Government: In respect of the Human Rights Annual Report 2003, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, how many copies were produced; what was the cost of the publication; and what is the expected revenue from sales. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office produced 6,000 copies of the Annual Report on Human Rights 2003. The cost of publication, excluding staff costs, was approximately £69,900. The report is distributed freely to Members of both Houses, as well as to foreign embassies, human rights-related non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and copyright libraries. Copies are also sent to all FCO overseas posts which pass them on to host governments. The report is free to download in both HTML and PDF format on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk). We do not expect any significant revenue from sale of the annual report. Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission Ruling Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they consider the ruling of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission to be conclusive and binding on both parties; and, if so, what additional measures they will recommend to the United Nations Security Council to persuade Ethiopia to accept the ruling. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We consider the Boundary Commission decision to be legally binding on both parties. The UK, and other members of the UN Security Council, are working hard to encourage both sides to accept the Boundary Commission decision and to begin a political dialogue on all the issues separating the two countries. Afghanistan: Police Training The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: What training they provide for the police forces in Afghanistan. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Two senior Afghan police officers funded by the Government attended the International Commanders Course at Bramshill (UK) in early 2002. The seven-strong US-led International Police Training Mission that has been providing both basic and specialised training in Kabul since June 2003 includes two UK police advisers. A further team of four UK police advisers deployed to Kabul in July to run a three-year, £6.7 million pound programme to establish crime scene investigation units for the Afghan National Police. They are supported by additional visiting UK trainers and consultants. Ascension Island: Wideawake Airfield Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government: What action they are taking to allow for the opening of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island to civilian charter traffic. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The "Wideawake" agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States Governments, which allows for the opening of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island to civilian charter traffic, was signed on 1 October. At present access to Ascension Island for civilians is by ship, or on RAF flights between Brize Norton and the Falkland Islands. The UK Government wish to improve access to Ascension Island, in order to provide an essential building block for its future economic development. The UK Government have therefore agreed with the US Government that the US "Wideawake" military airbase on Ascension Island may be used for a limited number of civilian charter flights every week. It will be for airlines to decide on commercial grounds whether to take the opportunity to fly to Ascension Island. The UK Government will work closely with the Ascension Island Government to encourage airlines to fly there. A prospectus will be issued in early 2004. The opening of the airfield is part of the modernisation process of Ascension Island. In 2002 a fiscal regime was introduced and the first-ever Island Council was formed. The Ascension Island Government are working to continue this process and are preparing a strategic plan providing a vision for the Island for the next five years. A copy of the Wideawake Agreement will be laid before Parliament as a Command Paper in due course. Kosovo: UNSCR 1244 Lord Grabiner: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their policy on the approach outlined, in Belgrade and Pristina, by the United States' Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Marc Grossman, for the further implementation of UNSCR 1244. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Over the past months it has become clear that the stability of Kosovo, and the Balkans is increasingly affected by a lack of a clear way forward on its final status within the terms of UNSCR 1244. The Contact Group has therefore designed a new approach. It is based on a review mechanism, conducted in consultation with UNMIK, the Contact Group and the PISG, to monitor Kosovo's progress on implementation of the internationally endorsed standards set by the UN. There will be quarterly reviews with a first opportunity for a formal assessment of progress in mid-2005, or earlier if sufficient progress has been made. If the assessment is positive then the UN Security Council will consider whether a process should be initiated for a final settlement as laid down in UNSCR 1244. In the event of a negative assessment, more work would need to be done on the standards, and a date set for a further review. The Contact Group's intention is not to express a view on final status itself. This would be premature. The aim is to advance standards, assess how much progress has been made on those standards, and judge whether or not such progress could justify addressing final status as UNSCR 1244 requires. This approach was outlined on 4 and 5 November in Belgrade and Pristina by the United States' Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Marc Grossman, with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Kosovo Harri Holkeri and local Contact Group representatives. UNMIK has a key role in this strategy. SRSG Holkeri has our full support. EU High Representative Javier Solana has also welcomed this strategy. Rough Sleepers: Westminster Cathedral Piazza Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the rough sleeping that occurs nightly in the Piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral is to be permitted indefinitely. Lord Rooker: The Government do not set targets to reduce rough sleeping in specific areas such as the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral. However, the Homelessness Directorate is working with Westminster City Council to tackle disruptive behaviour in the daytime and rough sleeping on the piazza. The number of people sleeping rough on the piazza fluctuates on a daily basis. Westminster acknowledges that rough sleeping around the piazza continues to be one of London's most visible and troublesome hotspots. Westminster has recently (October) recommissioned street outreach services via a new rapid intervention team with a view to tackling the problem. The aim is to help vulnerable people into appropriate services that will enable them to sustain accommodation, to divert others new to the area, and bring about real reductions in people using the piazza to bed down at night. Planning: Obligations and Charges Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why, in order to speed up the property planning process, they will not replace the existing negotiated system with a tariff system. Lord Rooker: The Government published a consultation document Contributing to sustainable communities: a new approach to planning obligations on Thursday 6 November proposing a two-fold approach to the reform of planning obligations: first, a new policy to improve negotiated planning obligations; and secondly, legislation to enable the Government to establish a new optional planning charge, as an alternative to negotiated planning obligations. The proposed optional planning charge would give developers the option to pay a charge, set in advance by the local authority, instead of entering into negotiations. It would offer developers the benefits of speed and certainty. Equally, developers would still have the option of negotiating, if they preferred to do so. So our proposals offer developers more flexibility and choice. Homeless Households: Temporary Accommodation Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will announce the outcome of their recent consultation on improving standards of temporary accommodation for homeless households. Lord Rooker: My honourable friend the Member for Pontefract & Castleford has announced today that in the light of positive responses to the public consultation on the Government's proposals to improve standards of temporary accommodation for homeless households the Government intend to: make an order under Section 210 of the 1996 Housing Act to come into force on 1 April 2004 to end the long-term (defined as more than six weeks) use of bed-and-breakfast (B&B) accommodation as temporary accommodation for homeless families with children or where a member of the household is pregnant; issue statutory guidance to bring together and restate existing minimum standards for all temporary accommodation used by housing authorities to accommodate homeless families and individuals under the legislation; issue statutory guidance on additional standards that should apply to B&B accommodation where this is used by housing authorities to accommodate homeless families and individuals under the legislation; and issue statutory guidance on the arrangements that should be put in place to ensure that all households placed in temporary accommodation by housing authorities under the legislation receive support to ensure that their health, education and welfare needs are met. A summary of responses to the consultation will be made available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website—www.odpm.gov.uk. Overseas Students Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in deciding the fees to be charged for applications for extensions of leave to remain by temporary residents in the United Kingdom: (a) they gave special consideration to the needs of international students; (b) they had consultations with universities and organisations representing students; and (c) they estimated that, in the light of the Prime Minister's initiative to promote United Kingdom higher education internationally, the charges would encourage or discourage prospective international students. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Special arrangements are in place for students under the Student Batch Scheme. The Student Batch Scheme was conceived in 2000 in consultation with United Kingdom COSA to provide a service that chimed with the Prime Minister's initiative to attract overseas students to the UK. Under the terms of the scheme, universities and colleges of further and higher education can send applications in batches, and students benefit from personal contact with the international student advisers who submit the batches. To date this autumn the vast majority of Student Batch Scheme applications have been completed within three weeks of receipt. To cope with the very large number now coming in, extra casework teams have been devoted to these applications. We will be reviewing the fee annually and as such consideration will be given to improving the way the charging system is operated and the feasibility of differential charges. We will consult with the education sector on those areas where we have flexibility. We do not believe the charge will act as a disincentive when set against the other costs which students incur. We recognise the contribution overseas students make to the UK but do not accept that the general taxpayer should subsidise their applications. The benefits are, after all, reciprocal. Asylum Reform Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they have asked for responses by 17 November 2003 to the proposals for changes to the law on asylum, in the document New legislative proposals on asylum reform, issued on 27 October, when the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultation, issued in November 2000, says (Criterion 5, page 16) that a minimum of 12 weeks should be allowed except in cases where there are "circumstances which unavoidably require a consultation period less than 12 weeks"; and why the document does not state "Ministers' reasons for departing from the code; and what special measures . . . have been taken to ensure that consultation is nevertheless as effective as possible", as further required by the code. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As my right honourable friend the Home Secretary first announced on 22 May this year, the Government are intending to introduce further legislative measures to address the specific problems of abusive appeals and undocumented applicants in the asylum system which continue to undermine the credibility of the system. As stated in the letter we sent to stakeholders, we consider that these are urgent measures and are therefore seeking to introduce them as soon as parliamentary time allows. While we are seeking the views of key stakeholders on the new provisions we believe that further reform is needed quickly if we are to capitalise on the success of our measures to date. Further dialogue is taking place with stakeholders on specific measures and a copy of the letter to stakeholders has been placed on the website of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate so that it is available to the public. Anti-social Behaviour Orders Baroness Walmsley: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued against young people in rural areas (as defined by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister); and How many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued against young people in rural areas (as defined by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) as a proportion of the total number of orders issued; and How many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued against young people in rural areas (as defined by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) have been breached. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The table gives information on the number of notifications received by the Home Office of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) granted within England and Wales, by rural local authority area (as defined by the Countryside Agency) and by age group, from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003 (latest available). This information is reported by the Magistrates' Court Committees (MCCs) and the Crown Court and from copies of the orders received we have been able to identify the local authority areas involved. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) does not have a definitive list of individual rural areas. Statistics on breaches of ASBOs are not collected centrally at this level of detail. The number of ASBOs, as notified to the Home Office by Magistrates' Courts Committees and the Crown Court, by rural local authority area (as defined by the Countryside Agency) and age group, England and Wales, 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003 Total issued Age 10-17 Rural local authority area (100%) Total % Avon & Somerset 5 3 60 County of Avon South Somerset DC 5 3 60 Cambridgeshire 2 2 100 Huntingdonshire DC 2 2 100 Cheshire 13 2 15 Chester DC 11 2 18 Congleton BC 1 0 0 Crewe & Nantwich BC 1 0 0 Cumbria 8 2 25 Allerdale BC 2 0 0 Copeland BC 5 2 40 South Lakeland DC 1 0 0 Devon & Cornwall 2 0 0 County of Cornwall Carrick DC 1 0 0 County of Devon North Devon DC 1 0 0 Dorset 1 1 100 Purbeck DC 1 1 100 Durham 2 1 50 Wear Valley DC 2 1 50 Hampshire & Isle of Wight 1 1 100 Isle of Wight Council 1 1 100 Kent 5 4 80 Canterbury CC 3 3 100 Sevenoaks DC 2 1 50 Lancashire 3 3 100 Pendle BC 3 3 100 Lincolnshire 3 1 33 East Lindsey DC 1 0 0 South Kesteven DC 2 1 50 Northamptonshire 1 0 0 Northampton CC 1 0 0 North Yorkshire 1 1 100 Harrowgate BC 1 1 100 Suffolk 9 3 33 Suffolk CC 2 1 50 Waveney DC 7 2 29 Sussex 6 4 67 County of East Sussex Rother DC 3 2 67 Wealden DC 1 1 100 County of West Sussex Chichester DC 1 0 0 Crawley BC 1 1 100 Thames Valley 4 2 50 County of Buckinghamshire Aylesbury Vale DC 3 1 33 County of Oxfordshire Cherwell DC 1 1 100 Warwickshire 1 0 0 Stratford upon Avon DC 1 0 0 West Mercia 9 2 22 County of Herefordshire Herefordshire Council 4 1 25 County of Shropshire Bridgnorth 1 0 0 North Shropshire DC 2 0 0 South Shropshire DC 1 1 100 County of Worcestershire Malvern Hills DC 1 0 0 England 76 32 42 Dyfed-Powys 2 0 0 Carmarthenshire CC 1 0 0 Ceredigion CC 1 0 0 North Wales 4 3 75 Conwy County BC 3 2 67 Gwynedd County BC 1 1 100 Wales 82 35 43 England and Wales 158 67 42 Halloween Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether any monitoring has been done, or is under consideration, of acts of vandalism and damage to property by groups involved in door-to-door visits at Halloween. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is no specific monitoring of acts in these circumstances centrally and there are no plans for this. Asylum Seekers: Detention The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government: What improvements have been made since January 2000 to the regulations requiring written reasons for the detention of asylum seekers at the time of first admission and of each bail hearing. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There have been no changes in the statutory requirements relating to the provision of reasons for detention under Immigration Act powers. Under Rule 9(1) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 every detained person must be provided with written reasons for his detention at the time of his initial detention, and thereafter monthly. Failed Asylum Seekers: Support Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many emergency orders for interim payments of benefits to destitute asylum seekers have been made by the courts since the entry into force of the Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act 2002; and whether, following the observations made by Sir Stephen Sedley in his Legal Group annual lecture, they will seek to amend the 2002 Act so that it conforms with the European Convention on Human Rights. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The published figures relating to the operation of the Nationality, Immigration & Asylum Act 2002 are given in the Asylum Statistics. Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration & Asylum Act 2002 is not incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, so no amendment is necessary. The convention does not require state support to be given automatically to all asylum seekers who have failed to make their asylum claims when required to do so. Work Permits Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many work permits were issued in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available; and what were the main countries of origin of the people who secured the permits. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: A total of 136,151 work permits, including extensions to existing work permits, in 2002 were issued. The top 10 nationalities for which work permits were issued are given below: Nationality Number of Work Permits Issued 1. India 31,820 2. United States of America 23,018 3. South Africa 13,714 4. Philippines 12,778 5. Australia 8,490 6. Pakistan 4,006 7. China Peoples Republic 4,587 8. Zimbabwe 4,024 9. Japan 4,104 10. Canada 3,780 Immigration Policy: ECJ Ruling in Akrich Case Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 16 October (WA 135), whether the United Kingdom remains sovereign in respect of its immigration policy. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The United Kingdom's sovereignty over its immigration policy remains unchanged following the European Court of Justice (ECJ) case of Akrich. Following the European Court of Justice case of Surinder Singh, which was delivered in 1992, the non-EEA family member of a British national, who has worked in another member state, may claim a right to enter and remain in the UK under EC law instead of the UK's Immigration Rules. In the European Court of Justice case of Akrich, the court was asked to determine whether a member state could refuse to apply the Surinder Singh judgment to a British citizen who had deliberately moved to another member state with the express intention of creating an initial right of residence in the UK for their third country national spouse. The European Court of Justice ruling in the case of Akrich supports the UK's view that third country nationals who are illegally in the UK, and marry British citizens, should not be able to use EC law to remain here. It will allow the UK to continue to be able to apply its national immigration legislation in such cases. People Trafficking Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps are being taken both to combat trafficking in human beings and to protect the victims of trafficking; and how such measures will be strengthened following the agreement in the European Union Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers on 6 November on a Directive providing temporary residence permits for victims to co-operate with prosecutions and receive assistance. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are committed to ensuring that stronger measures are in place to penalise people who traffic in human beings. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 introduced a new offence of trafficking for the purpose of controlling prostitution with a maximum penalty of 14 years. This offence came into force 10 February 2003. More comprehensive offences covering trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation are included in the new Sexual Offences Bill, and an offence covering trafficking for labour exploitation will be introduced when parliamentary time permits. We are working to support the victims of human trafficking. A pilot scheme for adult victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation was launched in March this year. The scheme is being delivered in conjunction with Eaves Housing, and provides victims with an allocated support worker, access to short-term housing, counselling and health, translation and legal services. In addition, Project Reflex, set up in May 2000, brings together the key agencies to tackle organised immigration crime, including people trafficking. An example of the success of this initiative is Project Reflex Romania, which has identified 105 criminal organisations and arrested 67 persons, of whom 20 have faced charges. While we are committed to combating the trafficking of human beings, we feel that the proposed European directive on the short-term residence permits for the victims of trafficking will be abused. This in turn would have a detrimental effect on the resources available to investigate and prosecute those who are involved in this abhorrent trade. It would also undermine our efforts to remove those that have entered illegally, and have no legitimate right to remain. It is for these reasons we did not opt in to this directive. Notwithstanding the decision not to opt in to this directive, every effort has been made to shape the progress of the directive to overcome our concerns. It is of course still open to the United Kingdom to opt in once the directive is implemented, and we intend to review our decision fully at that point. The directive is still subject to French and Dutch scrutiny reservations, and will need to be referred back to the European Parliament before implementation. Public Schools: Charitable Status Lord Lea of Crondall: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the extent of the charitable commitments required for continued charitable status for public schools. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: To qualify for charitable status an organisation must be for the public benefit. The Government intend that the Charities Bill we are preparing should make this explicit. Charging fees for services or facilities does not by itself bring a charity's public benefit into doubt. In most cases fees do not in practice restrict people's access to those services or facilities. But if a charity's services are only accessible to people able to afford high fees, its public benefit may come into question. The Strategy Unit's recent review of charity law recommended that the Charity Commission, as regulator, should look into charities charging high fees—including, but not limited to, charitable independent schools—to ensure that they meet the public benefit requirement. The Government have endorsed this recommendation. Immigration Detainees: Language Support Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Following publication of the Harmondsworth report (An Inspection of Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre 16–18 September 2002), what measures have been taken to ensure that detainees have access to competent legal advice in a language they can understand. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Every detainee is provided with information at the time of detention and within individual removal centres on how to contact the Immigration Advisory Service and the Refugee Legal Centre for free advice and assistance. This information is explained to the detainee, using an interpreter if necessary. In addition, information on local solicitors and other bodies providing advice and representation is made available to all detainees at individual removal centres. Separately, the Legal Services Commission is considering the letting of contracts to solicitors in areas in which removal centres are located. Clearly, it is a matter for those providing legal advice in any particular case to ensure that the advice is understood by the detainee. Immigration Detainees: Children Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government: Following publication of the Harmondsworth report (An Inspection of Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre 16–18 September 2002), whether they have plans to review the detention of children in removal centres for longer than seven days. Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The detention of families with children is very regrettable but it is sometimes necessary as part of maintaining an effective immigration control and in removing from the United Kingdom those who have no lawful basis to stay. It does not happen in the vast majority of cases and, where it does prove necessary, it is kept to the minimum period possible, often for only a few hours or days prior to removal. It would not, however, be appropriate to set an arbitrary time limit on such detention. To do so would take no account of the circumstances of individual families and would serve only to encourage those concerned to frustrate immigration and asylum processes in the hope of reaching a point where they would be released. Racial Discrimination: Political Parties Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is lawful for a political party which discriminates on racial or ethnic grounds to register under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000; and, if so, whether they consider that the law should be changed. Lord Filkin: While it is not unlawful for such a political party to register under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, it is unlawful to discriminate on racial grounds. The Race Relations Act 1976, as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, makes it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), or ethnic or national origin. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 created nine new racially aggravated offences which carry significantly higher penalties. It is also a criminal offence under the Public Order Act 1986 to use threatening, abusive or insulting language or behaviour in order to stir up racial hatred, including distributing racist leaflets. I would hope that the law was powerfully enforced against any organisation that behaved in these ways. Gulf War 1990–91: Vaccines Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether those commissioned and funded by them to undertake research in relation to Gulf War illnesses had already been, or are now being, informed of the disclosures that were made to Parliament in the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9 October (WA 67) regarding the multiple immunisation programme adopted by the Ministry of Defence for troops deployed to the Gulf in 1990–91; and Whether the research staff involved in the current study at Porton Down into the safety or otherwise of the multiple immunisation programme adopted by the Ministry of Defence for troops deployed in the 1990–91 Gulf War had already been, or are now being, informed of the disclosures made in the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9 October (WA 67) on vaccines used during the conflict, and, if so, on what date they were informed. Lord Bach: Researchers who have undertaken or are undertaking work on Gulf veterans' illnesses issues funded by the Ministry of Defence and commissioned through the independent Medical Research Council are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of all the information relevant to their work. Information about the medical countermeasures taken to protect personnel during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict has been in the public domain for many years and readily available on the Ministry of Defence's website. This includes my letter of 9 October. In addition, researchers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, who are undertaking work to establish whether combinations of vaccines administered with and without pyridostigmine bromide give rise to adverse health effects were given information about the medical countermeasures taken in 1990–91 in November 1997. War Widows Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Answer by the Lord Bach on 27 October (Official Report, cols. 1–4), what proportion of war widows whose husbands died before the advent of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme are in receipt of their own state retirement pension; and, for those widows not in receipt of their own state retirement pension, what is the maximum pension they can receive. Lord Bach: The information requested on the proportion of war widows whose husbands died before the advent of the Armed Forces Pensions Scheme who are in receipt of their own state retirement pension is not available. It could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, involving the clerical examination of over 40,000 individual war widows' files to identify where the husband died before 31 March 1973 and then by seeking information on payment of retirement pension in each case. With regard to the amount of pension payable, a war widow who is aged 70 or over and whose late husband left service before the advent of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme on 31 March 1973 receives a tax-free war widow's pension of £175.37 a week. At age 80, this increases to £185.37 a week. If she is entitled to a state retirement pension based on her own national insurance contributions, this is payable on top of the war widow's pension. A pension and lump sum was also payable under Armed Forces occupational scheme arrangements provided that certain qualifying criteria were met. A minimum period of service by the spouse of 12 years (other rank) or 10 years (officer) was required for eligibility for a widow's pension though a gratuity was payable below this. The value of the payment depended on a number of factors, notably rank. War Widows Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: What benefits are payable to war widows aged 70 or over who are: (a) pre-1973 war widows with their own state retirement pension; (b) pre-1973 war widows without their own state retirement pension; (c) post-1973 war widows with their own state retirement pension; and (d) post-1973 war widows without their own state retirement pension. Lord Bach: A war widow aged 70 whose husband's military service ceased before 31 March 1973 receives a tax-free war widow's pension of over £175 per week, rising to over £185 per week at age 80. A pension and lump sum may also be payable under Armed Forces occupational scheme arrangements provided that certain qualifying criteria were met. Notably, a minimum period of service by the husband of 12 years (other rank) or 10 years (officer) was required for eligibility for a widow's pension, though a gratuity was payable below this. The value of the payment depended on a number of factors, notably rank. A war widow whose husband's service ceased after 31 March 1973 can receive a tax-free war widow's pension of almost £115 per week, rising to almost £125 per week at age 80, and an attributable pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS). The qualifying criteria and levels of pension paid under the AFPS were generally significantly more generous than the pre-1973 occupational provisions. In addition, widows in both groups are eligible for the full range of social security benefits, subject to the normal rules on entitlement and abatement. These fall into three main categories. Benefits may: be paid on top of the war widow's and occupational pensions (for example, state retirement pension based on the widow's own national insurance contributions, attendance allowance and winter fuel payment); or be reduced by the amount of the war widow's pension (for example, widow's retirement pension based on the late husband's contributions; carer's allowance); or take the war widow's and occupational pensions into account as income, with disregards for the war pension (for example, with respect to pension credit; housing and council tax benefits). The first £10 of a war widow's pension is disregarded as well as all of the supplementary pension (£60.97) paid to a pre-1973 widow. In the case of housing benefit and council tax benefit, local authorities have the discretion to apply a further disregard up to the full amount of any war pension in payment. Armed Forces: Review of Pension and Compensation Arrangements Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Ministry of Defence has now taken a decision to replace the current burden of proof ("reasonable doubt") with "the balance of probability" in the pension and compensation scheme to be introduced in April 2005; and, if so, whether they accept the Royal British Legion's estimate that this could eliminate up to 60 per cent of claimants for both war pension and war widows' awards. Lord Bach: I refer my noble friend to my Written Answer of 16 September, (Official Report, cols. WA 166–167) announcing new Armed Forces pension and compensation arrangements. The "balance of probability" standard of proof will be used in the new Armed Forces compensation scheme (AFCS). This standard of proof is used widely elsewhere in occupational schemes and by the civil courts. The new scheme has been designed to ensure fair, evidence-based decision-making, with the standard of proof as only one factor affecting consideration of claims. Modern systems for keeping service and medical records provide a high level of confidence that reliable evidence will be available of how an injury or illness may have arisen. Equally, the causes and likely prognosis of ill-health and injury are now much better understood than when the current standard of proof was introduced in the war pensions scheme in 1943. Any individual who is unhappy with the outcome of a claim will have right of appeal to a fully independent tribunal. We are aware of no basis for the Royal British Legion's estimate of claim elimination rates and I can confirm that we expect no reduction in the costs of the scheme as a result of the changes in design. We are confident that the new scheme will be successful in ensuring compensation in all cases where there is reasonable evidence that a condition was linked to service, as well as providing a better focus on the more severely disabled. London Student Pledge Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the cost of the London student pledge; and from what source the money will be found to fund the project. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The London student pledge builds on activities that are happening now across London through schools, youth organisations, the voluntary sector, local communities and in families. The activities are variously funded, but London Challenge is putting in some additional resources, generally matched funding with business or charities, to help build capacity in London so that all young people get the chances that some get already. £500,000 has been committed to date from London Challenge funds. London Student Pledge Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: What, in practical terms, the London student pledge means for each London student. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The London student pledge creates an expectation that every young person in London will, by the age of 16, have the opportunity to benefit from the common wealth of London—its arts and sports facilities, universities, business and enterprise. Its 10 points provide a focus for the activities of a range of London organisations in offering opportunities to London's young people. London Student Pledge Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: How many pupils will benefit from the London student pledge. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Through the student pledge, London organisations will be offering opportunities to all young people over the course of their secondary education. London Student Pledge Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the geographical boundary within which the London student pledge will apply. Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The London student pledge relates to the Greater London area. Pension Protection Fund Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: What independent professional advice they are taking, or intend to take, about the impact on pension fund investment strategy of different possible contribution calculations for the Pension Protection Fund, and whether any such advice will be published in full. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: DWP officials are working closely with a wide range of external organisations and key pensions stakeholders, both here and abroad, on issues relating to the Pension Protection Fund. This work is ongoing. We will continue to seek the views of external experts to help us achieve the successful implementation of the Pension Protection Fund. Most of the input we have received so far has been at informal meetings between officials and external stakeholders and we are therefore not in a position to publish it. State Pension Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the estimated net additional cost to the Exchequer, in each year from 2006 to 2015, of increasing the basic state pension in 2006 by: (a) £10 a week for single people aged 75–79 inclusive; and (b) £15 for single people aged 80 and over with corresponding increases for couples in both cases, and with the basic state pension uprated in line with average earnings thereafter. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The information requested is in the following table: Year The estimated net additional cost in each year from 2006–07 to 2015–16, of increasing the basic state pension in 2006 by £10 a week for single people aged 75–79 inclusive with corresponding increases for couples with the basic state pension then uprated by average earnings for those years (£ billion) The estimated net additional cost in each year from 2006–07 to 2015–16, of increasing the basic state pension in 2006 by £15 a week for single people aged 80 and over with corresponding increases for couples with the basic state pension then uprated by average earnings for those years (£ billion) 2006–07 0.5 1.1 2007–08 0.7 1.3 2008–09 0.8 1.5 2009–10 1.0 1.8 2010–11 1.1 2.1 2011–12 1.3 2.3 2012–13 1.5 2.6 2013–14 1.8 3.0 2014–15 2.0 3.3 2015–16 2.3 3.7 Notes: 1. All costs are rounded to the nearest £100 million and are in 2003–04 price terms. 2. Gross costs are calculated by the Government Actuary's Department and are consistent with Budget 2003 assumptions. 3. The net costs are calculated using the DWP policy simulation model for 2005–06. The net cost represents the cost after allowing for any offsetting savings in income-related benefits only. Housing Benefit Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government: What has been the cost of housing benefit paid to tenants of (a) housing associations; (b) local authorities; and (c) private landlords, in each of the past three years. Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The available information is in the table. Housing Benefit Expenditure by tenure -- £ millions Tenure 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Rent Rebate (local authority tenants) 5,259 5,283 5,216 Rent Allowance (housing associations) 3,018 3,450 4,016 Rent Allowance (remainder of private rental sector) 2,889 2,859 2,986 Total 11,166 11,591 12,218 Source: Subsidy returns from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Executive. Notes: 1. Figures for 2000–01 and 2001-02 are final audited expenditure figures provided by local authorities. 2. The 2002–03 figures are an estimated outturn, consistent with Budget 2003 forecasts. 3. Figures may not sum due to rounding. Tax Credits Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why, after the tax credit scheme was launched in April, more than 200,000 applicants are still waiting for their money. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: As the Paymaster General said at the Treasury Committee hearing in the House of Commons on 2 July, there were 220,000 claims being worked on at the end of June, over 98 per cent of which have now either been resolved, or the Inland Revenue is awaiting further information from the claimants involved. Currently there are around 20,000 claims being worked on by Inland Revenue, half of which have been received in the past four weeks. FSA: Market Misconduct and Enforcement Action Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the Financial Services Authority will announce the results of the first enforcement actions covering stock market abuse. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The chief executive of the Financial Services Authority has said that there are several cases of market misconduct reaching their final stages. The timing of an announcement of enforcement action depends on completion of the proper procedures for taking action against a person under Part VIII of the Financial Services and Markets Act. Business Banking Code Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the new banking regulations, designed to protect small businesses, will be incorporated into the voluntary banking code and adopted by banks. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Business Banking Code sets standards of good banking practice for banks and building societies for their services to small businesses with a turnover of up to £1 million a year. The Banking Code Standards Board is responsible for the development, production and continuing revision of both the Business Banking Code and the Banking Code, which relates to personal banking. The codes are reviewed every two years. The Competition Commission reported on banking services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in March 2002. It made a number of adverse findings and the Office of Fair Trading has subsequently agreed a series of legally binding undertakings with the main clearing banks to remedy the problems identified. Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds TSB and Royal Bank of Scotland Group have agreed to either pay interest on SME current accounts (at least Bank of England base rate less 2.5 per cent) or provide free money transmission services. The main eight clearing groups have also signed behavioural undertakings to cover a range of issues, including measures to increase transparency of bank charges; and, most recently they have agreed measures that will make it easier for SMEs to switch bank accounts. The commission also recommended a series of informal remedies. These did not arise from adverse findings and so cannot be enforced under the Fair Trading Act. They cover issues such as the provision of services at agreed cost and compensation for errors. The British Bankers Association has agreed that amendments should be made to the code to cover most of these areas. Licensing Act 2003: National Guidance Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why there has been a delay in bringing forward the national guidance to the Licensing Act 2003; and What impact the delay in laying before the House of Lords the national guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 will have on the timetable for implementation of the Act. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There has been no delay. We are carefully considering the views of a wide range of stakeholders on a draft of the proposed guidance as we undertook to do and will shortly be presenting the guidance to both Houses for approval. As there has been no delay there will be no resultant impact on the timetable for implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. The start of the transitional period, during which existing licence holders may apply to convert their licences into premises licences and club premises certificates, is expected to be approximately six months after the date on which Parliament approves the guidance. During this period of six months, licensing authorities will prepare and publish their statements of licensing policy. The transitional period is expected to last for nine months and, as a result, the Licensing Act is expected to be fully implemented by early 2005. Licensing Act 2003: National Guidance Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they intend to clarify in the national guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 that the new law does not change the liability of the licensee (that is, the designated premises supervisor) for any problems that may arise at their licensed premises in their absence. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The role of the designated premises supervisor under the Licensing Act 2003 is different from that of the licensee under the Licensing Act 1964. The 2003 Act introduced the roles of the designated premises supervisor and personal licence holder, in addition to the holder of the premises licence, for those premises authorised by a premises licence to supply alcohol. The 2003 Act sets out the duties, responsibilities and liabilities of such persons and their roles will be described in the guidance issued to licensing authorities. The guidance will not, however, alter the liabilities of the various roles as set out in the 2003 Act. The term "designated premises supervisor" as used in the Licensing Act 2003, does not equate or seek to replicate the term "licensee" as commonly understood when discussing the Licensing Act 1964. Liquor Licences: Brewster Sessions 2004 Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why they are proceeding with the renewal of liquor licences at the Brewster's Sessions, in February 2004, when such licences will have only a short duration and are soon to be replaced with new style licences under the Licensing Act 2003; and Further to their estimate that the cost to the licensed trade of the renewals licence at the Brewster's Sessions in February 2004 will be £11 million, why they are imposing this cost on the industry when these licences will be replaced in 2005 by new licences under the Licensing Act 2003. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Under the Licensing Act 1964 the triennial sessions, the Brewster Sessions, are required to be held to renew existing liquor licences. This is not therefore a new burden being imposed by the Government. We will not abolish the Brewster Sessions until the Licensing Act 2003 is fully implemented. This is because liquor licences will remain in effect until the second appointed day, at the end of the transitional period, which is likely to be at least one year after the Brewster Sessions held in February 2004. If we had agreed to abolish the Brewster Sessions in February 2004 and make provision for liquor licences to be automatically extended until the end of the transitional period, this would have resulted in a small number of premises causing serious problems to the community being permitted to continue trading for at least a year longer than necessary. Brewster Sessions, more generally, also provide an important forum for people to make objections and oppose applications for renewal and are used to make orders cancelling licences which are currently suspended. The Government agreed to provide grandfather rights for holders of liquor licences on the basis that it accepted the industry's argument that all the holders of existing alcohol licences would have been judged to be "fit and proper" by the licensing justices under the existing regime. Such judgments are subject to regular review at the Brewster Sessions. Under the "grandfather rights" established in the 2003 Act interested parties and responsible authorities (with the exception of the police) are not entitled to object to the grant of a premises licence when applications are made to convert existing licences with the result that it is important that the opportunity to object at the review at the Brewster Session in 2004 is retained. Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions have taken place between officials of HM Treasury and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in relation to a possible report on the Observance of Standards and Codes in the United Kingdom; if such a report is produced, what would be the estimated cost; and who would meet the cost. Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROCSs) summarise countries' observance of internationally recognised standards and are prepared and published at the request of the member country. IMF and World Bank staff collaborate on the ROSC programme. ROSCs are currently resourced from the IMF and World Bank administrative budgets. The UK's financial contribution to the IMF is detailed in Annex II of Stability Growth and Poverty Reduction—the UK and the IMF 2002. NHS Trusts: Private Patients Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: How they ensure that the charges made by National Health Service trusts for services offered to private patients cover the full costs of those services; and How they define cross-subsidy for the purpose of ensuring that charges for services offered to private patients are not cross-subsidised by National Health Service resources. Lord Warner: Paragraph 14 of Schedule 2 to the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 sets out the responsibility for National Health Service trusts to determine their own charges as follows: "According to its functions, an NHS trust may make accommodation or services or both available for patients who give undertakings (or for whom undertakings are given) to pay, in respect of the accommodation or services (or both) such charges as the trust may determine." NHS Trusts: Private Patients Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether National Health Service trusts are required to keep any records showing the financial result of the services offered to private patients; and, if so, what form those records take. Lord Warner: National Health Service trusts are required to include their income from private patients in their audited accounts and the amount of bad debt written off for private patients. The Department of Health has not, for some years, required NHS trusts to submit trading accounts for their private patient services. NHS Foundation Trusts: Reimbursement Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government: What refinements are planned to the health resource group system of evaluating the costs of surgical and other procedures to ensure that those National Health Service foundation trusts with a high proportion of more complex cases can be reimbursed on a fair basis. Lord Warner: Health resource groups (HRGs) will be periodically revised to reflect changes in clinical practice and to make them more resource-homogeneous. A proportion of very specialised services will continue to be commissioned outside of payment by results, either by regional or national specialised services commissioning consortia. First-wave National Health Service foundation trusts can choose to have their baseline income guaranteed from 2004–05 to the end of the tariff transition period in 2007–08. In the mean time, in developing the tariff we are considering a policy of outlier payments for complex patients within HRGs. NHS Foundation Trusts: Reimbursement Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they believe that the long-term contracts to be entered into by National Health Service foundation trusts are capable of providing an adequate level of reimbursement to those trusts which have a higher than average proportion of complex treatments and procedures. Lord Warner: The contracts for National Health Service foundation trusts will be based on the national tariff, which aims to reflect the higher costs associated with a more complex case mix and should therefore be capable of providing an adequate level of reimbursement to those trusts. However, first-wave NHS foundation trusts can choose to have their baseline income guaranteed from 2004–05 to the end of the tariff transition period in 2007–08. In the mean time, in developing the tariff we are considering a policy of outlier payments for complex patients with health resource groups. Honey Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Why the Honey (England) Regulations (S.I. 2003/2243) state that filtered honey or baker's honey may not be sold if it is marked with "information relating to floral or vegetable origin, regional, territorial or topographical origin or specific quality criteria". Lord Warner: The Honey (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2243) transpose Council Directive 2001/110/EC on the labelling and specification of honey. The directive prohibits filtered and baker's honey from including supplementary information referring to its floral or vegetable origin, regional, territorial or topological origin or specific quality criteria. "Filtered" honey consists of a blend of different honeys, which is subjected to a fine filtration process removing virtually all the characterising pollen needed to authenticate such claims. Baker's honey is not sold directly to consumers. It is used primarily in processed foods containing honey as an ingredient. There were no objections to this provision in consultations during negotiation of the directive and transposition. Nuclear Waste: Disposal Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they agree with the recommendation of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology report Managing of Nuclear Waste (HL Paper 41, Section 1998–99) that phased disposal in a deep repository is the most feasible option for disposing of nuclear waste; and Whether they have engaged any outside consultants regarding possible options for the disposal of nuclear wastes; and what ongoing consultations they are conducting with regard to the long-term storage of nuclear waste. Lord Whitty: Under the "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" programme, the UK Government and devolved administrations have asked the new independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to oversee a review of the options for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive wastes. This review will involve an extensive programme of public and stakeholder engagement. The kinds of management options to be considered were discussed in Appendix 1 of the original Managing Radioactive Waste Safely consultation document published in September 2001, and include various forms of disposal and long-term storage. As part of its programme, CoRWM will evaluate all the options for long-term management against a set of common criteria that take into account public and stakeholder group views so as to recommend the best future policy. The committee has been asked to aim to provide its recommendations to government around the end of 2005. One of its first tasks will be to submit a detailed work plan for agreement with its sponsoring Ministers in Defra and the devolved administrations. It will be for CoRWM to decide whether or not it wishes to employ consultants to support them in their option assessment work. To date none has been engaged by the committee. Countryside Agency: Access Rights and Maps Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 21 October (WA 173), whether errors corrected by the Countryside Agency in its provisional or conclusive maps will provide sufficient reason to allow the correction of definitive maps drawn up by the local authorities; and whether the Government have any plans to issue guidelines on that subject. Lord Whitty: The Countryside Agency's maps do not show the same information as local authorities' definitive maps. The Countryside Agency's maps show open country (mountain, moor, heath and down) and registered common land. Definitive maps show linear rights of way such as footpaths and bridleways. Changes to the Countryside Agency's maps will therefore not have implications for definitive maps. We do not plan to issue guidance specifically on this point but will make the purpose of the maps clear in general information produced on rights of access.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2003-11-17a

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Absent Voting: Proof of Identity Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the requirementin the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 for electors to possess photo identification in order to vote, how electors participating using a postal vote will be required toprove theiridentity when completing their ballot paper. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: There are longstanding security measures focused on the security of the postal voting process, including requiring postal voters to provide personal identifiers at the time of applying for a postal vote and which are checked at the time of a poll. In addition, other measures are available to electoral administrators can apply around the process to ensure security, such as monitoring numbers of postal voters and locations for unusual activity.The Elections Act 2022 introduces additional safeguards against the potential abuse of postal voting including extending the secrecy provisions, which had previously only applied in polling stations, to postal votes and therefore making anyone coercing someone completing a postal vote liable to further criminal sanctions. The Act also requires those registered for a postal vote to re-apply for a postal vote every three years; imposes a ban on political campaigners handling postal votes (with some limited exceptions), supported by the creation of a new offence; and provides a power to limit the number of postal votes that a person may hand-in to a polling station or to the Returning Officer on behalf of others.The Elections Act 2022 introduces an identity check at the point of application for a postal vote, whereby an applicant will need to provide their National Insurance number (or other documents or attestations where the applicant cannot provide a national insurance number) to be checked against HMG records. This process mirrors the current practice for Register to Vote. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Energy: Meters Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the severe cold weather on (1) vulnerable households, and (2) the ability of those residents on pre-payment meters to access Government help with household bills; and what steps they will take to facilitate access to support for the most vulnerable households. Lord Callanan: The Government is delivering the Energy Bills Support Scheme, a £400 non-repayable grant to support all families with their energy bills. Additionally, the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will save a typical household in Great Britain £900 this Winter. The Government is currently reviewing the EPG. This consultation will ensure that vulnerable high energy users, such as those with medical requirements, are not put at risk of having to pay more. Customers with smart prepayment meters have the credit applied to their meter automatically, and those with traditional prepayment meters should have received discount vouchers sent via SMS text, email, post or a Special Action Message. Electricity suppliers have reported that, as of 1 December, they had issued 4,044,554 vouchers to customers with traditional prepayment meters. Energy Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to strengthen Britain’s reputation as an international partner in the energy industry. Lord Callanan: The United Kingdom became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. Its Net Zero Strategy will secure 480,000 well-paid jobs and unlock £100 billion in investment in 2030. The North Sea Transition Deal sets out how the Government will partner with industry to transition the UK Continental Shelf to a net zero basin by 2050. The UK works closely with international energy partners through the G7, G20 and International Energy Agency. The Government led the way to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels in order to starve Putin’s war machine, including through energy sanctions, and maintain stable energy markets and prices. The Government will also continue to support Ukraine and has committed a total of £22 million and additional guarantees to support Ukraine’s energy sector. Energy Supply Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the current operation of the UK energy market; and what plans they have, if any, to propose alternatives to the current operation. Lord Callanan: The Government has launched the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), following a commitment in the British Energy Security Strategy. The consultation closed on 10th October. REMA is a major review into Britain’s electricity market design, and is considering a broad range of reforms, from changes to existing arrangements that can be delivered from the mid-2020s, to enduring transformational reforms. Great British Nuclear Lord Haworth: To ask His Majesty's Government when Great British Nuclear will be (1) established, and (2) fully operational. Lord Callanan: The Government will make an announcement on the set up of GBN early in the new year. The Government will provide funding for GBN to help projects get investment ready and support them through the construction phase. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Finland and Sweden: NATO Enlargement Lord Marlesford: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with other NATO members concerning the reasons why (1) Finland, and (2) Sweden, have not yet been granted full membership of NATO; and when they expect full membership for those countries to be achieved. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government has engaged regularly with NATO Allies to advance the NATO accession process for Sweden and Finland. Once the Accession Protocols were signed, we expedited our ratification, recognising the importance of bringing both countries quickly into NATO. We continue to encourage all Allies to also ratify swiftly. Rapid integration into NATO will make both countries safer, the Alliance stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure. Armed Conflict: Offences against Children Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that children who have experienced sexual violence in conflict are prioritised in the implementation of their new Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Strategy; and what steps they are taking to strengthen the effectiveness of the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence against children in conflict. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Strategy prioritises justice for survivors, including children, as one of four key objectives. As part of strategy implementation, the UK is delivering a new £8.6 million initiative - A.C.T (Accountability Commission & Taskforce) for Survivors - that will support national authorities deliver justice. The initiative aims to bring together expertise and best practice, build capacity, improve national implementation, and increase support to survivorsWe continue to use our permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) membership to ensure conflict-related child protection issues remain a key part of UNSC discussions and that UN operations address child protection issues, including conflict-related sexual violence. Israel: Palestinians Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support further dialogue between the peoples of Israel and Palestine; and in particular between (1) those active in civil society, and (2) others who influence public opinion; and what discussions they have held with other countries in support of such dialogue. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have a regular dialogue with both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel in which we reiterate the need for both sides to prepare their populations for peaceful coexistence, including by promoting a more positive portrayal of one another to contribute to building the conditions needed for peace. We also continue to engage with civil society organisations in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We believe that negotiations will only succeed when they are conducted between Israelis and Palestinians, supported by the international community. We will continue to press the parties strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions that make peace more difficult. Israel: Palestinians Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Resolution of the UN General Assembly on 2 December calling for renewed peace talks between Israel and Palestine, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1850. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. We believe that negotiations will only succeed when they are conducted between Israelis and Palestinians, supported by the international community. We will continue to press the parties strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions that make peace more difficult. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs High Speed 2 Line: Polymers Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Benyon on 10 November (HL2965), which stated that thepolymerebased product "is used in treatment of the solid wastes, which have a waste water component that receives further treatment prior to discharge", how the further treatmentremoves the acrylamide which is water soluble; and whether they can confirm that polymeres are not tested to check if this has been successful. Lord Benyon: In the solid slurry stabilisation process, only the minimum amount of polymer product is used to achieve the required result. The polymer will be preferentially bound within the solid waste with negligible, if any, carry over into the waste water from the slurry treatment process. This water then undergoes further treatment in the water treatment plant, including settlement of fine solids, reverse osmosis, and activated carbon filtration, which further reduce the risk of any polymer or constituents reaching the discharge point and therefore the environment. Due to the low potential for the polymer to be present in the slurry treatment process, waste water, and the further treatment provided by the water treatment plant, no testing was required as part of the permit for the presence of polymer or constituents.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2022-12-29

Animal Welfare Act 2006 Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask her Majesty's Government how many prosecutions have been brought under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for actual harm caused to an animal by use of an electronic training collar; and how many of those have resulted in convictions. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Centrally held statistics on prosecutions and convictions brought under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 do not record this level of detail. Armed Forces: Aircraft Lord Judd: To ask her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the intervention in Libya and their perception of the threats ahead, they will review the policy of providing no aircraft carrier capability for the next 10 years. Lord Astor of Hever: Events in Libya showed that we were correct in our decision to maintain Tornado instead of Harrier so that we could conduct contingent operations and maintain support to operations in Afghanistan, something we could not have done with Harrier alone. It also demonstrated that we could in the short term make alternative arrangements for overseas basing. However, we do not believe that we can take that for granted in the longer term and this was why we are not prepared to accept a delay in regenerating Britain's carrier strike capability beyond the timetable set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review and intend to start flying from the Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier in 2018. Aviation: Flight Time Limitations Lord Empey: To ask her Majesty's Government what proposals they have for the implementation of new flight time limitation rules as proposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency. To ask her Majesty's Government how many additional hours commercial airline pilots may be required to work in any given duty period under the new rules proposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency compared to the present system under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority. To ask her Majesty's Government whether the relevant trades unions representing airline pilots in the United Kingdom have agreed to the implementation of new rules on flight time limitations as proposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency. To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how the new rules on flight time limitations proposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency compare to rules governing flight time limitations in the United States. To ask her Majesty's Government whether they have ascertained whether there is a medical consensus that the new rules on flight time limitations proposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency will ensure the same level of safety for the travelling public as the existing Civil Aviation Authority rules. Earl Attlee: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is still considering the responses to its consultation. We do not yet know what the final proposal will contain. We will consider our position, taking into account advice from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), once a final set of rules has been proposed. We will not support EASA's proposals if they do not provide an adequate level of protection against fatigue. The relevant trades unions representing airlines pilots in the United Kingdom have responded to EASA's consultation; we are aware that they have some concerns on the proposals, which we have discussed with them. Rules on flight time limitations in the United States differ on certain aspects from EASA's proposals. For example the US rules set lower flight duty periods at certain times of the day while the EASA proposals require significantly higher rest periods. We have not seen evidence that EASA's proposed requirements are less protective than those adopted in the US. The CAA has reviewed the latest draft of the proposals published by EASA on 18 January and has advised that they would provide a level of safety that is broadly equivalent to that provided by the current UK rules. I am satisfied with the CAA's advice, which takes into account relevant operational, scientific and medical opinion. Aviation: London Airports Lord Laird: To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 April (WA 296-7) (1) whether they expect the number of flight departures from London airports over the next five years to continue to decline, (2) how they assess the value of new runways without centrally held information on the current numbers of transit flights into London, and (3) whether they will maintain such statistics in future. Earl Attlee: (1) The Department for Transport (DfT) aviation forecasts are primarily prepared to inform long-term strategic aviation policy rather than provide detailed forecasts at individual airports. However these forecasts do include some airport level forecasts. Further detail can be found in the report, UK Aviation Forecasts, published in August 2011 on the DfT website at: http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/uk-aviation-forecasts-2011/uk-aviation-forecasts.pdf. (2) The DfT uses an option appraisal framework consistent with other transport appraisal schemes, tailored to aviation to capture the costs and benefits of options being considered. This framework uses forecasts from the DfT's Aviation Demand Forecasting model to assess the level of demand at UK airports. One component of the forecasts is the number of passengers expected to transfer from one flight to another at UK airports. Further detail on the appraisal approach can be found on the DfT website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/webtag/documents/expert/unit3.18d.php. (3) The DfT uses a range of data sources to inform aviation policy. This includes detailed data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), including flights, passengers and freight by airport as well as estimates of the number of transfer passengers. The CAA does not publish data on the number of transit flights, but data on the number of transit passengers can be found on its website at: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80& pagetype=90. Banking Lord Myners: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Bank of England to produce and publish a paper on the economic and social consequences of cancelling the gilt edge securities acquired under the programme of quantitative easing; and what is their estimate as to the impact of such an action in reducing public sector debt as a percentage of gross domestic product and achieving their fiscal objectives. Lord Sassoon: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has operational responsibility for monetary policy. The MPC makes decisions on its policy tools, including Quantitative Easing, or the stock of asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves, in order to meet the 2 per cent inflation target in the medium term. The MPC is not being required to create money to finance the fiscal deficit or reduce the stock of outstanding government debt. The separation of fiscal and monetary policy is a key feature of the UK's economic policy framework. To use monetary policy tools to meet fiscal objectives, such as financing government borrowing, could conflict with the MPC's objective of price stability and undermine confidence in the UK's monetary policy framework. Additionally, government borrowing from the central bank is illegal under Article 123 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Burma The Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask her Majesty's Government whether trade sanctions against Burma will be lifted in light of recent democratic progress. Lord Howell of Guildford: On 23 April, the European Union Foreign Affairs Council agreed to suspend all sanctions against Burma for 12 months, except for the arms embargo, which remains in place. In recognition of the progress that has been made in Burma, and after careful consideration, the Government lifted their policy of discouraging trade with Burma on 26 April. We believe that at this moment in time the right kind of responsible trade and investment can aid Burma's transition. Carers Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to increase support to carers. Earl Howe: The Government recognise the vital contribution that carers make to society, and have taken strong action to support them. The cross Government Carers' Strategy, Recognised, Valued and Supported: Next Steps for the Carers' Strategy sets out the Government's vision and priorities for action over the next four years, focusing on what will have the biggest impact on carers' lives, including their health, social care, education and employment. We have provided an additional £400 million to the National Health Service over four years from 2011, to provide carers with breaks from their caring responsibilities to sustain them in their caring role. We also made almost £1 million available in 2011-12 to increase awareness and understanding of carers' needs for support, among those working in primary health care. Through this funding, the Royal College of General Practitioners, Carers UK and the Carers Trust are developing a range of training and awareness raising programmes for early identification of carers. We will be building on this in 2012-13. Charity Emblems Lord Rogan: To ask her Majesty's Government which, if any, prison authorities in the United Kingdom are instructing staff not to wear poppies or charity wristbands, including those for Help for Heroes. Lord McNally: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is responsible for private and public sector prisons in England and Wales. NOMS as an authority has never issued any instruction to staff that restricts the wearing of poppies or charity wrist bands by staff when they are on duty. The Scottish Prison Service has confirmed that no instruction has been issued to their staff restricting the wearing of these items. The Northern Ireland Prison Service will respond to you directly. Children: Neglect Lord Storey: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to review the definition of neglect in the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 to include emotional and educational concerns. Lord Hill of Oareford: The earlier that help is given to vulnerable children and families, the more chance there is of turning lives around and protecting children from harm. The Government's vision is for a child-centred system that includes providing effective help when a problem arises at any stage in a child's life. This is one reason why we asked Professor Munro to carry out an independent review of child protection. She identified that services are often too reactive, and we are now helping children's services, the police and the NHS to work together and focus on early identification before problems escalate. We are also working with Ofsted to make sure their inspections look at whether children are getting the help they need. Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 is not restricted solely to a child's physical needs and as such there are no plans to change the law in this area. Local authorities have a statutory duty under Section 47 of the Children Act to investigate when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child in their area is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm. This would include the emotional abuse of a child, or the failure to provide him with suitable education. The Children Act 1989 imposes further duties on local authorities and courts to act to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are being neglected, which would include failing to provide the child with an education, and emotionally abused. The statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010) sets out the processes to be followed when there are concerns about a child's safety and welfare. These concerns may be serious enough to justify initiating action in the family court. The threshold criteria set out in the Section 31 of the Children Act 1989 is used by judges when deciding whether a child has suffered significant harm and should be the subject of a statutory care or supervision order. Through revisions to the statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children, andtheFramework for the Assessment of Vulnerable Children and their Families, we are exploring how best to reduce central prescription to give local areas more freedom to determine how assessments are carried out. Our aim is to free social workers and other professionals from unnecessary bureaucracy so they have more time for better quality work with children and families. However, statutory guidance itself is not sufficient to effect the change needed. We are undertaking a number of reforms to strengthen social work practice. This includes improving the social work degree and developing further the skills of existing social workers in critical areas such as child protection. We have advertised for and intend to appoint a chief social worker, who will work with the new College of Social Work and the newly designated principal child and family social workers in local authorities to drive improvement and raise standards. The department has also commissioned Action for Children and the University of Stirling to produce training materials to help equip the workforce to respond effectively to children who are likely to be, or have been, neglected. These materials will be published soon. Children: Parenting Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask her Majesty's Government whether Octavius Black discussed the Government's new parenting advice voucher scheme with (1) the Secretary of State for Education, (2) the Prime Minister, or (3) Steve Hilton, before the announcement was made. To ask her Majesty's Government whether Octavius Black discussed the tendering process for the Government's new parenting advice voucher scheme with (1) the Secretary of State for Education, (2) the Prime Minister, or (3) Steve Hilton, before or during the tendering process. To ask her Majesty's Government whether (1) the Secretary of State for Education, (2) the Prime Minister, or (3) Steve Hilton, met Octavius Black in an official meeting or at a social event during the tendering process for the Government's new parenting advice voucher scheme. To ask her Majesty's Government what reassurances they have received that Parent Gym is a philanthropic programme, in the light of its inclusion as a provider of parenting classes in the Government's new voucher scheme. To ask her Majesty's Government what were the details of the tendering process that Parent Gym went through to become one of the organisations delivering the Government's new parenting advice voucher scheme. Lord Hill of Oareford: All tender applications from organisations seeking to provide parenting classes as part of the CANparent trial were evaluated in a fair, open and competitive procurement process. Tender applications were submitted in response to an invitation to tender and associated evaluation criteria, which were published in the Official Journal of the European Union and made widely available. Tenders were evaluated in two stages, the first assessing bidders' past experience and capacity to deliver and the second assessing their specific proposals to deliver parenting classes. Evaluation was carried out by officials against the published criteria, and advice on proposals was sought from independent experts. Bidders, including Parent Gym, were invited as appropriate, to attend clarification meetings, which further scrutinised their proposals. Parent Gym's tender application was accepted solely on the basis of its scores against the published evaluation criteria. Ministers and special advisers were not directly involved in tendering or the evaluation process and contract award decisions were made by the officials on the Tender Board, on the basis of recommendations from the Tender Evaluation Panel. Organisations bidding in the tender process were not required to be philanthropic or charitable organisations; this was not part of the evaluation criteria. Parent Gym's status as a philanthropic programme therefore had no bearing on its success in the tendering process. Parent Gym's philanthropic nature was made clear to the Department for Education in information provided as part of its tender application and in the subsequent clarification meeting. Compensation: Pleural Plaques Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they intend to restore compensation to pleural plaques sufferers following the decisions by the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly to do so. Lord McNally: The Government understand that it could be seen as unfair for compensation to be available in one part of the United Kingdom but not in another. However, in the light of the current medical evidence, the Government do not consider it appropriate to overturn the House of Lords' judgment that the condition of pleural plaques is not compensatable under the civil law. Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask her Majesty's Government how many awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme were made to applicants with unspent criminal convictions in (1) 2008-09, (2) 2009-10, (3) 2010-11, and (4) 2011-12. To ask her Majesty's Government how many awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme were withheld on the basis of applicants' unspent criminal convictions in (1) 2008-09, (2) 2009-10, (3) 2010-11 and (4) 2011-12. To ask her Majesty's Government how many awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme were reduced on the basis of applicants' unspent criminal convictions in (1) 2008-09, (2) 2009-10, (3) 2010-11 and (4) 2011-12. Lord McNally: The figures are given in the table below. These figures reflect only cases where a claims officer reduced or withheld an award due to unspent convictions because that is the only data CICA's central database holds regarding criminal records. The current (2008) compensation scheme says that claims officers must refuse or reduce compensation where the applicant has unspent convictions unless there are exceptional reasons not do so. However, there are cases still being considered under previous schemes that did not make such reductions compulsory. The number of awards paid to those with unspent convictions is therefore likely to be higher. Financial Year Number of awards reduced Number of awards withheld 2008-09 1,952 3,544 2009-10 2,837 4,674 2010-11 3,604 4,048 2011-12 2,775 3,989 David Simpson Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made regarding the arrest and imprisonment of David Simpson in the Central African Republic after he reported finding 18 mutilated bodies in that country; and what is their response to complaints made by Mr Simpson's family regarding the conduct of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office following that imprisonment. Lord Howell of Guildford: We have been providing consular assistance to Mr Simpson, since the day of his arrest and have been in regular contact with his family in the UK. Consular officials are consulting with Mr Simpson's legal representatives to ensure that the local legal procedures are correctly followed and have asked Central African Republic authorities for assurances in this regard. We recognise that this is a difficult and frustrating time for Mr Simpson's family. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) my honourable friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), has personally spoken to the Mr Simpson's family to offer assurances that the FCO is committed to seeing Mr Simpson's situation resolved. Department for Transport: Executive Agencies Lord Berkeley: To ask her Majesty's Government, for each of (1) the Highways Agency, (2) the Vehicle Certification Agency, (3) the Government Car and Despatch Agency, (4) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (5) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, (6) the Driving Standards Agency, (7) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (8) the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, and (9) the General Lighthouse Authorities, (a) what was the budget reduction target in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and (b) by what margin the target has been met or missed. Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport is allocated a budget settlement by HM Treasury through the Comprehensive Spending Review process. The settlement is a net budget figure inclusive of many factors such as growth funding, impact of new policies (increases and decreases), efficiency savings, inflation etc. As such it is not possible to provide a definitive "budget reduction target". Some of the business units listed are trading funds (i.e. the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, and the Driving Standards Agency) and are funded by income generated for the services they provide; this also applies to the General Lighthouse Authorities. Fees are set so that fee income covers expenditure. For the other entities which are funded (wholly or partly) through departmental budgets, the budget settlement figures and net outturn expenditure for 2010-11 and 2011-12 are as follows: 2010-11 Budget Outturn Variance £'000 £'000 £'000 Highways Agency 3,502,185 3,316,629 185,556 Vehicle Certification Agency 91 224 (133) Government Car and Despatch Agency 700 3,580 (2,880) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 240,319 190,396 49,923 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 142,567 130,778 11,789 Marine Accident Investigation Branch 4,173 3,892 281 2011-12 Budget Outturn Variance £'000 £'000 £'000 Highways Agency 3,302,874 3,171,801 131,073 Vehicle Certification Agency 240 142 98 Government Car and Despatch Agency 3,600 7,604 (4,004) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 247,300 222,658 24,642 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 153,707 141,864 11,843 Marine Accident Investigation Branch 3,632 3,780 (148) Digital Economy Act 2010 Lord Whitty: To ask her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the costs to universities, public libraries and wi-fi providers of implementing the provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2010. To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the effects of the Digital Economy Act 2010 on the ability of public intermediaries to provide internet access to the public, with particular reference to public libraries and universities. To ask her Majesty's Government what clarification will be provided in the Initial Obligations Code for universities, public libraries and wi-fi providers on their responsibilities and obligations under the Digital Economy Act 2010. Baroness Rawlings: The Government have undertaken an impact assessment for implementation of the Initial Obligations Code, which considers the potential impact on organisations that provide internet access as a core part of their services. The actual obligations on these organisations will be known when Ofcom publishes its code for consultation later this year. However, the Digital Economy Act 2010 was introduced with the clear policy intention that there should be no category of organisations exempt from the obligations and the Government have not therefore singled out universities, public libraries and wi-fi providers for any special consideration in the code. As with any organisation, we expect libraries, universities and wi-fi providers to take their own measures to protect their networks from misuse. Disabled People: Blue Badges The Countess of Mar: To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 15 May (WA 3-4) in view of the statement that "eligibility for a badge under the 'with further assessment' criteria is not condition specific", whether they will remove those sections of the guidance that specify particular conditions in order to avoid discrimination. Earl Attlee: The guidance issued by the Department for Transport for local authorities is non-statutory. It makes it clear that each badge application should be treated on a case by case basis and that decisions about whether or not a person meets the eligibility criteria set out in the regulations are for the issuing local authority to make. The conditions quoted in the guidance are examples that are intended to improve consistency and to assist local authorities in ensuring that badges are issued to those people who are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty walking. The guidance is based on research that was carried out with a range of disabled people's representatives, health care professionals and local authorities. Disabled people's representatives were also consulted on a draft of the guidance before it was published. Education: Cyberbullying Lord Storey: To ask her Majesty's Government what procedures are in place, nationally and at school level, to protect teachers who are victims of cyberbullying. Lord Hill of Oareford: It is for school governing bodies, and local authorities, as the employers of teaching staff, to ensure procedures are in place to protect teachers from cyberbullying. In carrying out these duties they can draw on a range of advice and guidance to help them make sure they have up to date policies, including material sign posted by the department on its website: http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/advice/f0076899/preventing-and-tackling-bullying. Education: English Lord Quirk: To ask her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to increase the number of specialist English teachers in primary schools in response to the Ofsted report Moving English Forward. To ask her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to improve the subject knowledge of English co-ordinators in primary schools in response to the Ofsted report Moving English Forward. To ask her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to strengthen whole-school literacy work across the teaching in all subjects in response to the Ofsted report Moving English Forward. Lord Hill of Oareford: We endorse the view that good subject knowledge is important for English teachers. We intend to allocate more initial teacher training places to primary generalist courses with an additional specialism. Typically a trainee on one of these spends 80% of their time preparing for general primary teaching and 20% specialising in a subject, which could be English. Good head teachers know the value of a whole-school, cross-subject approach to literacy work. We are supporting this through our review of the National Curriculum and changes to the syllabus and requirements for GCSE examinations. Ofsted's new school inspection framework also places a stronger emphasis on pupils' literacy skills across subjects at both primary and secondary level. Education: English Lord Quirk: To ask her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to improve transition and continuity in curriculum and assessment between key stages 2 and 3 in response to the Ofsted report Moving English Forward. Lord Hill of Oareford: This year, the Government are providing £50 million to fund summer schools for disadvantaged children (those eligible for free school meals or in public care). These schools will ease the transition between primary and secondary school for eligible pupils by allowing pupils to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Specific activities will vary according to the needs of the children involved, but may cover catch-up in English and mathematics and enrichment activity such as trips to museums or sports venues. The Deputy Prime Minister announced on 14 May 2012 that the Education Endowment Foundation will shortly be inviting groups of schools to bid for additional funding for literacy catch up for disadvantaged Year 7 pupils who did not achieve the expected level (Level 4) at Key Stage 2. An additional £10 million will be provided for these projects. The projects will be evaluated and the results shared with all schools. Lord Bew's 2011 review into Key Stage 2 testing, assessment and accountability acknowledged the importance of providing information about attainment at the time of transition. We will encourage secondary schools to make wider use of this data to support new Year 7 pupils. The new national curriculum for English will ensure that teachers prepare pupils for secondary school by ensuring their reading is sufficiently fluent and effortless, and that they have a conscious control over their writing in order to manage the general demands of the curriculum in Year 7, across all subjects. Education: English Lord Quirk: To ask her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve the teaching of handwriting, especially amongst boys, in the light of the Ofsted report Moving English Forward. Lord Hill of Oareford: We agree with Ofsted's recommendation to publish research on writing. We are drawing together the current research and plan to publish an overview in the coming months. Mastering accurate and proficient handwriting is a vital part of all pupils' education and the Government are keen to strengthen the approach to this essential skill within the new National Curriculum. We expect to publish draft programmes of study for public consultation, including those for primary English, later this year. Following a recommendation from Lord Bew's report into Key Stage 2 testing, assessment and accountability, we are introducing a new grammar, punctuation and spelling test at Key Stage 2 in 2013. We are considering whether to include an assessment of handwriting in the test and a decision on this will be made in the summer. Elections: Returning Officers Lord Rennard: To ask her Majesty's Government what was the cost of fees paid to returning officers for the general election in 2010 and the European parliamentary elections of 2009. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The maximum recoverable amounts which returning officers were entitled to claim for their services and expenses in conducting the general election in 2010 and the European parliamentary elections of 2009 are set out in Statutory Orders that are made by the Secretary of State prior to the date of the poll. The relevant orders are the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers' Charges) Order 2010, the European Parliamentary Elections (Local Returning Officer's Charges) England, Wales and Gibraltar Order 2009 and the European Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer's Charges) Order 2009. The orders can be found at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/830/contents/made http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1077/contents/made http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1069/contents/made The overall maximum recoverable amounts that could be claimed by returning officers in England and Wales were £2,019,680 for the 2010 UK parliamentary election, and a total of £2,152,046, which was allocated for local and regional returning officers for their services at the 2009 European parliamentary elections. However, as the figures listed in the Charges Order are maximum recoverable amounts, we will only know the actual totals claimed once all claims from returning officers have been settled for both polls. Although it can be noted that following the settlement of 90% claims from the 2010 UK parliamentary election and 99% for the 2009 European parliamentary election the respective amounts of £1,763,130 and £12,036,265 have been paid out to date to returning officers for their services in running the polls. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 22 November 2011 (WA 222) and 30 November 2011 (WA 69), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's compliance and enforcement policy requires an individual who is neither employed nor licensed by the authority to personally identify a sperm donor whose sperm was used in research without his consent and to contact that person, so that the authority could then check the donor register and inform the centre concerned of the donor's identity, so that the centre concerned could then check their records to ascertain whether the sperm donor was retrospectively contacted and inform the authority accordingly, such that the authority might be able to confirm whether the sperm donor was contacted regarding the use of his sperm in research; and, if so, which part does so. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that its compliance and enforcement policy applies to all cases where the authority has become aware of a centre's non-compliance, whether through an inspection or otherwise. The compliance policy does not explicitly deal with the example described by the noble Lord. Finance: Transparency The Lord Bishop of Derby: To ask her Majesty's Government what measures are in place to encourage financial transparency through the disclosure of profits and payable tax by multinational companies in the United Kingdom. Lord Sassoon: The Government welcomes efforts by UK businesses to increase transparency on how much tax they pay and encourages efforts to go further to help build public support for, and confidence in, a fair and competitive tax system. In the UK, all incorporated businesses (companies) are required to publish their financial statements annually and to file these with Companies House. The financial statements include details of a company's profit for the accounting period in question. Health: Diabetes Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Diabetes UK report State of the Nation 2012. Earl Howe: We welcome the Diabetes UK publication State of the Nation 2012. The report has highlighted areas of achievement and for improvement. The National Health Service should take note of the recommendations and look to reduce the significant variation that exists in some of the care processes that are key for the effective management of people with diabetes. We are developing an outcomes strategy for long-term conditions. A companion document will be published on diabetes alongside the strategy at the end of 2012. We are also developing a cardiovascular outcome strategy and that will set out the important links between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Health: Podiatry Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they will be meeting the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists to discuss the variation across the National Health Service in both the incidence of lower limb amputations and the number of podiatrists employed. To ask her Majesty's Government how many home visits by podiatrists were commissioned by the National Health Service in each of the past five years; and whether they regard the provision of such services to be an essential part of the National Health Service. Earl Howe: The Minister of State, Mr Paul Burstow, has agreed to meet with the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists to discuss foot care. The information requested is not collected centrally. It is the responsibility of local National Health Service organisations to commission services to meet the needs of their community including the provision of podiatry services. Higher Education: Funding Lord Laird: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they will adjust the Scottish block grant relating to spending on universities when free tuition is granted in Scotland to Northern Ireland students on production of an Irish passport and not through ascertaining the student's country of residence. Lord Sassoon: Education is a matter devolved to the Scottish Government. Once overall public expenditure budgets have been determined, the devolved Administrations have freedom to make their own spending decisions on devolved programmes within their overall totals. Homosexuality Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with governments in the Commonwealth nations that have not reformed legislation banning homosexuality. Lord Howell of Guildford: In Uganda, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my honourable friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham) raised with President Museveni our concerns about a Private Members Bill to strengthen anti-homosexuality legislation, and we will continue to raise this at the most senior levels of the Ugandan Government. In Nigeria, our High Commission in Abuja raised our objection to the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill with the Chief of Staff to the President of the Senate and directly with the House of Representatives. We also supported a demarche by the European Union working group on human rights who raised with the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Affairs concerns about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. In Jamaica, our High Commission has raised the issue of Jamaica's legislation regarding homosexuality with the new government, including the Prime Minister. The Commonwealth is a valuable partner in promoting human rights globally, and in helping to deliver UK human rights policy. We are committed to working with the Commonwealth and its partners to help them uphold values of human rights, rule of law, democracy and development. We regularly raise human rights issues with the Commonwealth Secretariat and with member states. We seek to increase debate on these issues, including on sexual orientation or gender identity, within and among Commonwealth countries. Housing Lord Whitty: To ask her Majesty's Government, in the light of their policy on Right to Buy, what is their assessment of the likely average revenue per unit to local authorities from additional Right to Buy sales which would then be available for investment in new social housing. Baroness Hanham: We have estimated that on average around £40,000 of receipts will be available from additional Right to Buy sales for investment in new homes at affordable rent. The actual receipt will vary for each property, depending on the value of the property and the length of tenancy. Housing Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the adequacy of the options available to first-time home buyers in London. Baroness Hanham: Across England, the Government have committed to supporting people to achieve their aspirations and feel the pride of home ownership. From 1 April 2012, the Mayor of London has been responsible for strategic housing, regeneration and economic development in London. We recognise the particular challenges faced by first-time buyers, and we are providing a range of options intended to help them and others into home ownership, including: shared ownership, which helps people unable to buy a home without assistance to purchase a minimum 25% share paying rent on the remainder;the FirstBuy equity loan scheme, jointly funded by the Government and participating developers, which will help almost 10,500 aspiring home owners by spring 2013. The 20% equity loan can reduce the deposit needed to just 5%; andthe NewBuy Guarantee Scheme, which will provide up to 100,000 prospective buyers-including first time buyers-with access to 95% loan to value mortgages on new build properties, delivering a significant boost to housing supply;the reinvigorated Right to Buy scheme, with the new discount cap of £75,000, which will also help more people-including first time buyers-to realise their aspiration for home ownership. The Government are committed to reducing the UK's burden of debt and abolishing the structural deficit. This will help to keep interest rates low and improve credit availability, freeing up lending for first-time buyers. Housing Lord Myners: To ask her Majesty's Government how many home purchases have been completed under the NewBuy Scheme announced in the Autumn Statement. Baroness Hanham: Quality assured data on the total number of completions under the industry-led NewBuy Guarantee scheme is not yet available to Government. Government expect to make this information available from September 2012. The Home Builders Federation suggests that around 400 people have reserved new homes through the scheme in its first nine weeks of operation: http://www.hbf.co.uk/media-centre/news/view/newbuy-scheme-early-success-new-stats-reveal-400-reservations-since-launch/. In addition, the purchase of a newly built home is normally completed up to six months after reservation; the NewBuy Guarantee scheme is only two months old. Housing: Health and Safety Lord Harrison: To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the take up of residual current devices in homes rented through (1) local authorities, (2) registered social landlords and (3) private landlords. Baroness Hanham: The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. It was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and came into effect on 6 April 2006 and applies to all residential properties in England. Whilst not a legal requirement, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System Operating Guidance states that if electrical equipment operating at 230 volts or higher is used, a residual current device (RCD) can provide additional safety. Since 2005 Part P of the Building Regulations (Electrical safety in dwellings) has required all new and rewired homes to be fitted with residual current devices in accordance with the rules in British Standard BS 7671, "requirements for electrical installations", or an equivalent standard. The English Housing Survey estimated that in 2009, in the private rented sector, 62% of dwellings had RCDs installed. For local authority properties the proportion was 74%, and for registered social landlords it was 80%. There is a small amount of uncertainty around these figures due to sampling effects. These estimates exclude a small number of cases where the presence or absence of RCDs could not be determined by inspection. Immigration Lord Laird: To ask her Majesty's Government whether those applying for leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom on the basis of being the unmarried partner of a United Kingdom national are eligible to obtain such leave if the United Kingdom national is married to another person. Lord Henley: A person can qualify for leave to remain in the United Kingdom as the unmarried partner of a UK national who is married to someone else, provided that the sponsor can show that the marriage has permanently broken down. Imports and Exports Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Office for National Statistics Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, April 2011 edition, table G2 (top 30 export and import commodities in 2010), how the value, in millions of pounds, of each of the 30 imports commodity categories divides between (1) imports from countries outside the European Union, and (2) imports from other countries within the European Union. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Pearson of Rannoch, dated May 2012. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking further to the ONS Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, April 2011 edition, table G2 (top 30 export and import commodities in 2010), how the value in millions of pounds of each of the 30 imports commodity categories divides between (1) imports from countries outside the European Union, and (2) imports from other countries within the European Union. [CO] HL296 I attach two tables, which list the UK's top 30 commodity imports in 2010 in EU and non EU countries. The data are extracted from the March 2012 UK trade dataset, and are consistent with the most recent monthly ONS UK trade publication. UK's Top 30 Import Commodities in 2010, by EU, and Non-EU area £ million Seasonally Adjusted, Current Prices, Balance of Payments basis Table 1: EU Imports-2010 Commodity Value £ million % of Total T Total 186065 100.0 7E Electrical machinery 27363 14.7 78M Cars 18288 9.8 7M Mechanical machinery 14746 7.9 54 Medicinal & pharmaceutical products 9698 5.2 33 Oil 8235 4.4 78I Road vehicles other than cars 7153 3.8 51 Organic chemicals 6534 3.5 05 Vegetables & fruit 4730 2.5 64 Paper & paperboard 4630 2.5 01 Meat & meat preparations 3873 2.1 67 Iron & steel 3637 2.0 69 Miscellaneous metal manufactures 3587 1.9 84 Clothing 3400 1.8 11 Beverages 3326 1.8 55 Toilet & cleansing preparations 3321 1.8 68minusS Non-ferrous metals less silver 3133 1.7 02 Dairy products & eggs 2374 1.3 66 Mineral manufactures 2212 1.2 65 Textile fabrics 2089 1.1 04 Cereals 1866 1.0 793 Ships 1830 1.0 09 Miscellaneous foods 1772 1.0 62 Rubber manufactures 1679 0.9 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa etc 1503 0.8 52 Inorganic chemicals 1378 0.7 792 Aircraft 1311 0.7 85 Footwear 1203 0.6 24 Wood & cork 1043 0.6 53 Dyeing, tanning & colouring materials 929 0.5 08 Animal feeding stuffs 913 0.5 UK's Top 30 Import Commodities in 2010, by EU, and Non-EU area £ million Seasonally Adjusted, Current Prices, Balance of Payments basis Table 2: Non-EU Imports-2010 Commodity Value £ million % of Total T Total 178157 100.0 33 Oil 27814 15.6 7E Electrical machinery 23636 13.3 7M Mechanical machinery 14032 7.9 792 Aircraft 11722 6.6 84 Clothing 11446 6.4 66 Mineral manufactures 5879 3.3 54 Medicinal & pharmaceutical products 5544 3.1 68minusS Non-ferrous metals less silver 3966 2.2 69 Miscellaneous metal manufactures 3290 1.8 28 Metal ores & scrap 3055 1.7 51 Organic chemicals 2863 1.6 05 Vegetables & fruit 2725 1.5 9 Unspecified goods 2542 1.4 85 Footwear 2403 1.3 65 Textile fabrics 2201 1.2 78I Road vehicles other than cars (i) 2023 1.1 78M Cars 1710 1.0 52 Inorganic chemicals 1574 0.9 67 Iron & steel 1525 0.9 03 Fish & shellfish 1500 0.8 11 Beverages 1287 0.7 64 Paper & paperboard 1267 0.7 01 Meat & meat preparations 1133 0.6 55 Toilet & cleansing preparations 1095 0.6 68S Silver 1055 0.6 62 Rubber manufactures 1052 0.6 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa etc 934 0.5 12 Tobacco 880 0.5 63 Wood & cork manufactures 756 0.4 08 Animal feeding stuffs 749 0.4 Source: Office for National Statistics (UK Trade, March 2012 Datasets) Imports and Exports Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Office for National Statistics Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, April 2011 edition, table G2 (top 30 export and import commodities in 2010), how the value, in millions of pounds, of each of the 30 exports commodity categories divides between (1) exports to countries outside the European Union, and (2) exports to other countries within the European Union. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Pearson of Rannoch, dated May 2012. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking further to the ONS Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, April 2011 edition, table G2 (top 30 export and import commodities in 2010), how the value in millions of pounds of each of the 30 exports commodity categories divides between (1) exports from countries outside the European Union, and (2) exports from other countries within the European Union. [CO] HL298 I attach two tables, which list the UK's top 30 commodity exports in 2010 in EU and non EU countries. The data are extracted from the March 2012 UK Trade dataset, and are consistent with the most recent monthly ONS UK trade publication. UK's top 30 Export Commodities in 2010, by EU, and Non-EU area £ million Seasonally Adjusted, Current Prices, Balance of Payments basis Table 1: EU Exports-2010 Commodity Value £ million % of Total T Total 142207 100.0 33 Oil 21478 15.1 7E Electrical machinery 14856 10.4 7M Mechanical machinery 11322 8.0 54 Medicinal & pharmaceutical products 11298 7.9 78M Cars 7757 5.5 51 Organic chemicals 4456 3.1 792 Aircraft 3894 2.7 66 Mineral manufactures 3370 2.4 67 Iron & steel 3163 2.2 55 Toilet & cleansing preparations 2792 2.0 84 Clothing 2744 1.9 78I Road vehicles other than cars 2594 1.8 68minusS Non-ferrous metals less silver 2557 1.8 69 Miscellaneous metal manufactures 2557 1.8 11 Beverages 2553 1.8 52 Inorganic chemicals 1917 1.3 65 Textile fabrics 1728 1.2 64 Paper & paperboard 1578 1.1 04 Cereals 1495 1.1 28 Metal ores & scrap 1468 1.0 01 Meat & meat preparations 1282 0.9 53 Dyeing, tanning & colouring materials 1178 0.8 62 Rubber manufactures 1167 0.8 9 Unspecified goods 1018 0.7 03 Fish & shellfish 1016 0.7 793 Ships 967 0.7 02 Dairy products & eggs 845 0.6 85 Footwear 729 0.5 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa etc 706 0.5 09 Miscellaneous foods 700 0.5 UK's top 30 Export Commodities in 2010, by EU, and Non-EU area £ million Seasonally Adjusted, Current Prices, Balance of Payments basis Table 1: EU Exports-2010 Commodity Value £ million % of Total T Total 123501 100.0 7M Mechanical machinery 21528 17.4 54 Medicinal & pharmaceutical products 11069 9.0 7E Electrical machinery 10928 8.8 33 Oil 9830 8.0 78M Cars 9488 7.7 792 Aircraft 4975 4.0 51 Organic chemicals 4407 3.6 66 Mineral manufactures 3471 2.8 11 Beverages 3084 2.5 28 Metal ores & scrap 2655 2.1 69 Miscellaneous metal manufactures 1970 1.6 67 Iron & steel 1882 1.5 68minusS Non-ferrous metals less silver 1815 1.5 9 Unspecified goods 1749 1.4 52 Inorganic chemicals 1565 1.3 55 Toilet & cleansing preparations 1510 1.2 68S Silver 1294 1.0 78I Road vehicles other than cars (i) 1285 1.0 84 Clothing 926 0.7 65 Textile fabrics 868 0.7 53 Dyeing, tanning & colouring mate 774 0.6 64 Paper & paperboard 760 0.6 793 Ships 754 0.6 62 Rubber manufactures 487 0.4 04 Cereals 460 0.4 09 Miscellaneous foods 402 0.3 25 Pulp & waste paper 390 0.3 26 Textile fibres 344 0.3 03 Fish & shellfish 338 0.3 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa etc 305 0.2 Source: Office for National Statistics (UK Trade, March 2012 Datasets) Israel and Palestine The Lord Bishop of Exeter: To ask her Majesty's Government which religious leaders they have been in discussion with over finding ways to ensure access to and protection of the holy sites of Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Lord Howell of Guildford: We place real importance on the right to freedom of religion for all. It remains difficult for Palestinians, including Christians and Muslims, to enter East Jerusalem or other places of pilgrimage in Israel. We remain deeply concerned about access to and the protection of holy sites within Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We discuss this issue with religious leaders of all faiths, and with the relevant authorities, including raising specific cases as appropriate and discussing ways of protecting the holy sites of Jerusalem, Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories. At a conference last year at Lancaster House I spoke about the importance of ensuring Jerusalem remains a holy city for all faiths at the International Conference on Christians in the Holy Land, organised by the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster. The conference was attended by religious leaders from various faiths including the Catholic Patriarch and the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem as well as significant Jewish and Muslim figures. Nuclear Weapons Lord Browne of Ladyton: To ask her Majesty's Government when they became aware of the intention of the Government of the United States to replace and modernise the B61 nuclear weapons stationed in Europe. To ask her Majesty's Government what consultation, if any, they had with the Government of the United States about the planned replacement between 2018 and 2022 of B61 nuclear weapons stationed in Europe by newer B61-12 weapons and the resulting modernisation and life extension programme, as reported by the United States Government Accountability Office. To ask her Majesty's Government what consultation, if any, they had with any NATO allies about the planned replacement between 2018 and 2022 of B61 nuclear weapons stationed in Europe by newer B61-12 weapons and the resulting modernisation and life extension programme, as reported by the US Government Accountability Office. To ask her Majesty's Government when and in what forum the planned replacement between 2018 and 2022 of B61 nuclear weapons stationed in Europe by newer B61-12 weapons was the subject of NATO deliberations. To ask Her Majesty's Government whether and to what extent, if any, the planned modernisation of the B61 nuclear weapons stationed in Europe affected the Government's contributions to the Deterrence and Defence Posture Review discussions in NATO. To ask her Majesty's Government whether the planned modernisation of the B61 nuclear weapons stationed in Europe will create a new capability. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The B61 is a United States (US) nuclear weapon and as such a US national programme. The US officially informed NATO in June 2008 of the planned life extension programme (LEP) for this weapon system, as part of NATO's overall capabilities for deterrence and defence alongside conventional and missile defence forces. Discussion of this programme took place amongst the 27 nations of the NATO nuclear community across a range of routine NATO nuclear meetings and during routine UK-US nuclear bilateral exchanges. The B61 LEP was not a factor in the formulation of the UK's input into the Deterrence Defence Posture Review. The US is clear that the B61 does not constitute a new capability. The US 2010 Nuclear Posture Review states that "life extension programmes will use only nuclear components based on previously tested designs, and will not support new military missions or provide for new military capabilities". Pensions Lord Laird: To ask her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 30 April (WA 419), what is their assessment of the proposal by the Northern Ireland Executive not to implement similar increases in employee contributions in the local government pension scheme, and whether they will draw to the Executive's attention the amounts by which HM Treasury will reduce the Northern Ireland block grant. Lord Sassoon: Her Majesty's Government have not been notified by the Northern Ireland Executive of any such proposal. Pensions Lord Bradley: To ask her Majesty's Government what is (1) the median level, (2) the mean level, and (3) the mode level, of current public sector pension payments. Lord Sassoon: The Treasury has responsibility for setting overarching public service pensions policy. Individual public service schemes are the responsibility of the relevant Secretaries of State and the data on payments to members are held by the relevant individual department. Police: Risk Assessments Lord Clement-Jones: To ask her Majesty's Government how many promotion event risk assessment form 696 submissions were received by the Metropolitan Police clubs focus desk in each of 2009, 2010 and 2011. Lord Henley: This Government do not request or collect this information centrally. Police: Risk Assessments Lord Clement-Jones: To ask her Majesty's Government how many performers' personal details submitted by way of a promotion event risk assessment form 696 were recorded by the Metropolitan Police clubs focus desk in each of 2009, 2010 and 2011. Lord Henley: The Government do not request or collect this information centrally. Police: Risk Assessments Lord Clement-Jones: To ask her Majesty's Government how many Licensing Authorities in England and Wales outside the Metropolitan Police area have imposed conditions on premises licences relating to the completion of promotion event risk assessment form 696 for music events. Lord Henley: The Government do not request or collect this information centrally. Prisoners: Transfers Lord Avebury: To ask her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in including provision for reduced sentences for prisoners transferred to the United Kingdom in a renegotiated prisoner transfer agreement with Thailand; and whether they will ensure that the new agreement will apply to prisoners already transferred. Lord McNally: Proposed amendments to the prisoner transfer agreement with Thailand have been presented to the Thai authorities for their consideration. We have not yet had a response to these proposals. Any changes to the prisoner transfer agreement will require the consent of the Thai authorities. The position of those prisoners already transferred to the UK will be considered in any future negotiations. Schools: Split Sites Lord Ashcroft: To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hill of Oareford on 7 February (WA 57), whether it is possible to have a split site of a single school in an adjacent town, bordering county or different area of the country, so long as the original name and single admissions criteria are retained. To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hill of Oareford on 30 April (WA 427), whether "more than one site" means that the school's split site can be anywhere. To ask her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hill of Oareford on 30 April (WA 427), whether "a continuance of the original school" means that the same name and admissions criteria are retained in the split site, with the same governing body overseeing the whole enterprise, or whether it means that the organisation is developed by retaining the same core mission, admissions policies and school naming convention, but within an umbrella organisation; and, if the latter, whether the original school could become an umbrella organisation with a number of satellites operating with the same basic structures and philosophy but with individual governing bodies reporting to the over-arching governing body. Lord Hill of Oareford: Any state-funded school can seek to operate on additional sites, and many have done so with great success for many years. As previous answers have indicated, current legislation prohibits the introduction of a new wholly selective maintained school or Academy, so any proposal must comply with the law. In considering whether to approve any proposal, the local authority, or the Secretary of State in the case of Academy expansion, will have to be satisfied that the proposed expansion onto another site is a continuance of the original school. Sudan The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the extent of any state-incited or state-orchestrated religious persecution and discrimination against Christians in Sudan. Lord Howell of Guildford: We have no evidence that there is a state orchestrated campaign against Christians. However, recent rhetoric by government leaders on the north-south conflict has led to tension between communities and fear of attacks against South Sudanese in Sudan, many of whom are Christians. We were very concerned by a recent attack on a church in Khartoum, although there was no evidence of state involvement. We welcome the announcement from the Ministry of Religious Guidance and Endowments of an investigation into the incident and urge them to ensure this enquiry is thorough, independent and timely. We continue to remind the Government of Sudan of their obligation to protect all of their civilians, including those in religious groups. Our Embassy in Khartoum holds regular meetings with representatives of faith-based groups and has funded civil society groups promoting human rights and diversity in Sudan. Sudan and South Sudan The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells: To ask her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to assist in ensuring an early and peaceful resolution of the unimplemented provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan, and in particular the resolution of outstanding issues affecting South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei. Lord Howell of Guildford: We continue to make clear to both countries that they must commit themselves to negotiation of all outstanding issues, in the context of the mediation by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel. We are also encouraging the Government in Sudan to put in place a political process of constitutional reform that will address the needs and views of all its people, including those in the conflict affected states of Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei. The UK worked hard to ensure United Nations Security Council Resolution 2046, which supports the roadmap, dealt with Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile State under a Chapter VII mandate. We continue to remind the Government of Sudan of their obligation to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access to both states. I welcomed the news that South Sudan have withdrawn their remaining security forces from Abyei on 11 May, and we now urge the Sudanese security forces to do the same. Ticks The Countess of Mar: To ask her Majesty's Government what epidemiology data exist for the historic and current population densities of Ixodes ricinus ticks in England and Wales; whether it shows an increase in tick numbers; what proportion of ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; and what measures are in place for future monitoring. Earl Howe: The Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Medical Entomology group has historical data on tick distribution in the United Kingdom (UK) for the last 100 years and has been running an enhanced tick surveillance programme for the UK since 2005. This monitoring work will continue and the latest findings, published in 2011, conclude that compared to historical data Ixodes ricinus ticks are expanding their geographic UK range, particularly in south-west England. Since 2010, the HPA has conducted studies of tick numbers at 10 sites across the UK as part of the Environmental Change Network; it is too early to say whether tick abundance has increased. Ticks collected in these studies are not currently routinely tested for levels of any pathogens, except within specific funded research projects. Ticks The Countess of Mar: To ask her Majesty's Government, with regard to the freedom of household pets to travel in Europe, what surveillance measures exist to detect the arrival of tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases that are not currently endemic in the United Kingdom; and what measures exist to inform United Kingdom residents of the risks of those diseases when they travel to Europe and the United States and the need for vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis. Earl Howe: Suspected cases of tick-borne encephalitis are referred to the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory at Porton Down for diagnosis. Acute suspected encephalitis of any cause is statutorily notifiable and infection with any species of Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease, reportable under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010. Testing is performed on the basis of symptoms and travel history to cover the principal differential diagnoses when combined with routine tests undertaken in National Health Service hospitals. Data from these tests are used for epidemiological monitoring by the HPA's Health Protection Services at Colindale. Information to travellers and clinicians about tick-borne encephalitis, including vaccination, is provided by general practitioners and through the National Travel Health Network and Centre which is funded through the HPA. Ticks The Countess of Mar: To ask her Majesty's Government what testing is carried out in addition to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia afzelii for tick-borne diseases including Bartonellosis, Ehrlichiosis, Borrelia garinii, Babesiosis, Louping ill and Q-fever, that occur in the United Kingdom, and for other zoonoses such as tick-borne encephalitis, Boutonneuse fever, Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to which United Kingdom residents can be exposed when travelling to Europe and the United States. Earl Howe: Testing is available for a wide range of zoonotic agents through the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory and other laboratories. The selection of tests used depends on the history and travel details of the patient, and a panel of assays is performed to cover the principal differential diagnoses. If this includes a disease not available currently through the HPA's Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, samples are referred to another appropriate centre for analysis. Tests are available for a wide variety of tick-borne diseases including: Rickettsia (spotted fevers including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Mediterranean Spotted Fever (Boutonneuse Fever), African Tick Typhus; Epidemic Typhus and Murine Typhus), Orientia (Scrub Typhus), Tularemia, Q-fever, Tick-borne Encephalitis (including Louping Ill), Rift Valley fever, Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Babesiosis. Such tests may include those for relevant diseases with a similar presentation that are spread by other vectors, eg sandfly fever. Transport: Intelligent Transport Systems Lord Berkeley: To ask her Majesty's Government whether they are taking action to ensure that United Kingdom representatives at the European Commission Expert Group relating to the intelligent transport systems directive have advice and technical briefing from industry and professional organisations, and if so how. Earl Attlee: Work to develop specifications for the six priority action areas, identified in the European Union's intelligent transport system directive, is now under way through expert groups established by the European Commission. This Department for Transport is engaging with a wide range of interested parties on each of the priority areas to ensure its representatives on the expert groups secure the best interests of the United Kingdom. Unemployment Lord Ouseley: To ask her Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the reasons for the levels of unemployment affecting black and Asian people aged under 24 years; whether racial discrimination is a contributing factor; what remedial actions are proposed; and what advice has been provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Lord Freud: The Equality Strategy, Building a Fairer Britain, sets out the Government's approach to tackling inequality-recognising that we are a nation of 62 million individuals. This is built into the Government's individualised approach to increasing employment among ethnic minorities. The coalition has put in place, notably through Jobcentre Plus and through the network of contracted Work Programme providers, employment support that offers flexible tailored support to meet the needs of each individual jobseeker. The support available includes the new Youth Contract, worth almost £1 billion, which includes a range of additional help for unemployed young people. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is represented on the Ethnic Minority Advisory Group, which provides advice to the Department for Work and Pensions to help increase ethnic minority employment. Young Offender Institutions: Restraint Baroness Stern: To ask her Majesty's Government when they expect to make a decision on a new system of restraint for use in the under-18 secure estate following the work of the Restraint Advisory Board. Lord McNally: An announcement regarding the new system of restraint-minimising and managing physical restraint-for use in secure training centres and under-18 young offender institutions will be made via Written Ministerial Statement before the House rises for Summer Recess.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2012-05-23a

Department for Transport *No heading* lord lester of herne hill: Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the benefits and costs to the UK of membership of the European Maritime Safety Agency. lord callanan: The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) hosts a range of information systems that are used by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch More broadly, EMSA’s supporting role is broadly in line with the Government’s vision of a maritime transport system driving forward economic growth and market efficiencies. With regard to the Government’s contribution to the EMSA budget, the UK makes a contribution to the EU Budget as a whole, and not to individual spending programmes within it. However, the Government is represented on EMSA’s Administration Board the EMSA management takes full account of better regulation and value for money principles in its ongoing delivery of its services. The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for the continued participation in the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). As part of the exit negotiations the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States how best to continue cooperation in the field of maritime safety, pollution and security. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy *No heading* lord teverson: Her Majesty's Government whatdiscussions they havehad with the International Atomic Energy Authority following, and in connection with,their decision to withdraw from the Euratom Treaty. lord prior of brampton: The Department engages regularly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to ensure that the UK continues to meet international standards for nuclear safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation. In addition, my officials have held discussions in London and Vienna with the IAEA to discuss the arrangements that need to be put in place ahead of the UK’s withdrawal from Euratom. *No heading* lord teverson: Her Majesty's Government when they expect to have a UK safeguarding authority that is authorised and approved by the International Atomic Energy Authority to replace the responsibilities undertaken on the UK’s behalf by Euratom. lord prior of brampton: The Government announced in the Queen’s Speech its intention to introduce legislation to establish a domestic nuclear safeguards regime, to enable the UK to meet international safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation obligations after we leave Euratom. This primary and secondary legislation will provide the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) with the powers needed to take on the role and responsibilities required to meet our international safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation obligations. The ONR is taking its preparatory work forward as a top priority in parallel with the legislative programme. Northern Ireland Office *No heading* lord eames: Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to deal with issues connected with thelegacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland should political parties there fail to reach agreement on the formation of an Executive. lord bourne of aberystwyth: As set out in the Government’s General Election manifesto we are committed to the implementation of the legacy bodies in the Stormont House Agreement. Much progress has been made on taking these forward and the next phase is to move to public consultation. Following developments in the recent talks, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is reflecting carefully on the next steps for taking forward the legacy consultation. *No heading* lord laird: Her Majesty's Government how many proxy votes were (1) applied for, and (2) granted, in each Northern Ireland constituency in (a) the 2015general election, (b) the2017 general election, (c) the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election, and (d) the 2017 Northern IrelandAssembly election. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland does not have a readily accessible record of the number of proxy votes applied for the 2015 Parliamentary election, or the Northern Ireland Assembly elections in 2016 and 2017. It would not be possible to provide the information for the number of proxy votes applied for at any election, other than the 2017 UK Parliamentary General Election, other than at disproportionate cost. The number of proxy votes granted in each of the elections requested are set out below. Table - UIN HL672 (Word Document, 17.84 KB) *No heading* lord laird: Her Majesty's Government how many of the proxy votes granted in Northern Ireland in the 2017 general election were applied for by (1)someone who was a close relative of the elector, and (2)a non–relative; how a close relative is defined for the purposes of the proxy vote system; and whether the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland has a computer system able to record and statistically analyse that data. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Proxy votes must be applied for by the individual themselves; it is not possible for any other person to apply on their behalf. Under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1985, a person is not entitled to vote as proxy at the same parliamentary election in any constituency on behalf of more than two electors for whom that person is not the spouse or civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild. The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland does not keep a record of the relationships between the registered voter and their successfully appointed proxy. *No heading* lord laird: Her Majesty's Government How many EU nationals, other than Irish, Cypriot, Maltese and UK citizens, are on the electoral register in Northern Ireland, broken down by constituency; what is the distinction between the G and K markings placed against EU citizens on the electoral register; and what are the differences in the eligibility to votebetween such EU nationals and UK citizens. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The G markings placed against EU citizens on the electoral register denotes their eligibility to vote at local and Assembly elections. The K marking denotes an EU citizen who has confirmed that they intend to vote in Northern Ireland, rather than their home state, at a specific European Parliamentary election. The K designation only lasts for one year and consequently there are currently no individuals with a K marking on the Northern Ireland register. UK, Irish and Commonwealth citizens are eligible to register to vote in UK General Parliamentary Elections. Citizens of EU countries other than the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta (the latter of which are Commonwealth as well as EU countries) cannot vote in UK General Parliamentary Elections, although they can register to vote at local government, and Northern Ireland Assembly elections. The number of EU nationals, other than Irish, Cypriot, Maltese and UK citizens, on the electoral register are shown below. ConstituencyEU nationals on the electoral register (other than Irish, Cypriot, Maltese and UK citizens)Belfast East1943Belfast North1617Belfast South2857Belfast West462East Antrim597East Londonderry1044Fermanagh & South Tyrone3801Foyle636Lagan Valley1330Mid Ulster1919Newry & Armagh3017North Antrim1928North Down708South Antrim1233South Down1165Strangford591Upper Bann4563West Tyrone1114Total30,525 *No heading* lord laird: Her Majesty's Government how many people are registered to vote in more than one constituency in Northern Ireland; and, in relation to each constituency in Northern Ireland, how many people are also registered to vote in one or more other constituency. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The total number of registered electors in Northern Ireland registered to vote in more than one constituency is 23. The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland holds data in relation to each constituency on how many people are also registered to vote in another constituency. In some constituencies this applies to fewer than five people. A full answer would risk the identification of individuals and is therefore not provided. *No heading* lord laird: Her Majesty's Government what methods are used by the Electoral Office in Northern Ireland to ascertain (1)whether someone applying for a proxy voteis a close relation of the voter, and (2) the validity of proxy vote applications. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Any individual wishing to appoint a proxy to vote in their place must complete an application form providing all the personal details given at registration, including their national insurance number and signature, which are checked against the register. Only those applications passing scrutiny are accepted. Voters are required to state the nature of their relationship to the individual they are nominating as their proxy and all forms contain the warning that making a false statement is a criminal offense. Written confirmation of successful applications is sent to both the applicant and the registered proxy at their registered addresses. *No heading* lord laird: Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to require those voting by proxy to provide their national insurance number, in order to facilitate checks that proxies are not voting on behalf of more thantwo close relatives. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Individuals are entitled to vote as a proxy for an unlimited number of close relatives but may not vote as proxy at the same election in any constituency on behalf of more than two electors to whom they are not a closely related. The administration of proxy voting is an operational matter for the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland who will, following the Parliamentary election in June, conduct a routine post-election review of all administrative procedures. The Government will carefully consider any recommendations it receives concerning proxy voting from both the independent Electoral Commission as well as from the Chief Electoral Officer. The Government will also consider what, if any, of the changes recommended by Sir Eric Pickles in his report on tackling electoral fraud may also be appropriate for Northern Ireland. Department for Education *No heading* lord fearn: Her Majesty's Government how many academies there are in North-West England. lord nash: As at 1 July 2017 there were 566 academies, free schools, studio schools and University Technical Colleges (UTCs) in the North West region of England. The breakdown of these is as follows: North WestAcademy Converter361Sponsor Led Academy151Free School39Studio School6UTC9Total566As at 1 July 2017 there were 6,925 academies, free schools, studio schools and UTCs in England EnglandAcademy Converter4,615Sponsor Led Academy1,878Free School346Studio School38UTC48Total6,925 *No heading* baroness stowell of beeston: Her Majesty's Government what provision is made in the National Curriculum for England for pupils to be taught basic financial literacy, with the purpose of learning how to manage personal finances and household budgets. lord nash: In 2014, financial literacy was made statutory within the National Curriculum and it is now taught as part of the citizenship curriculum for 11 to 16 year olds. Pupils are taught the functions and uses of money, the importance of personal budgeting, money management and the need to understand financial risk. The National Curriculum for mathematics has also been strengthened to give pupils from 5 to 16 the necessary maths they need to make important financial decisions. Many schools include the teaching of financial education in their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum, drawing on available resources such as the PSHE Association’s non-statutory programme of study. The programme of study sets out that pupils should have the opportunity to learn about how personal financial choices can affect oneself and others and about rights and responsibilities as consumers. *No heading* lord storey: Her Majesty's Government what is the average capital cost of free school placeswith regard to (1) the proposed number of places, and (2) the number of places filled. lord nash: The most recent national analysis of the free schools programme and specifically the costs of free schools was published by National Audit Office (NAO) in its report on Capital Funding for Schools in February this year, which can be accessed via https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Capital-funding-for-schools.pdf.The NAO reported that the average capital costs of a place in a primary free school opening in 2013-14 or 2014-15 was £14,400, while a place in a secondary free school was £19,100.The Department does not calculate nor use the cost per place filled. Many Free Schools open one year group at a time. Therefore the average costs per place filled would not be comparable to other types of schools on this basis nor reflective of the true cost of the school places. Department for Communities and Local Government *No heading* lord storey: Her Majesty's Government what procedures and actions are in place to check the cladding of private multi-storey residential buildings and public buildings. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Testing is underway for social housing providers, private landlords and across the public sector in relation to cladding on tower blocks over 18 metres in height. Testing is being undertaken by the Building Research Establishment where Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding is identified. If the screening tests indicate that such cladding would not meet the limited combustibility requirements of the current Building Regulations guidance, local authorities and housing associations, in conjunction with the fire and rescue service, will determine the best course of action, communicating closely with residents. Where we have results for specific areas, and tenants have been informed of the action to be taken, then further details are being released publicly. *No heading* lord kennedy of southwark: Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken to improve fire safety since the inquest into the 2009 Lakanal House fire. lord bourne of aberystwyth: Following the Lakanal House fire the Coroner made a number of recommendations and DCLG followed up on all of them, including priority funding for new fire safety guidance and commissioning new research. Other action which has been taken since 2013 to improve fire safety has included: the introduction of new regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in 2015; the continuing Fire Kills communications campaign; and research which was commissioned into fire safety issues.An independent expert panel has been set up to provide advice to the Government on any immediate measures needed to make buildings safe following the Grenfell Tower fire. The panel will be led by Sir Ken Knight, former London Fire Commissioner and former Government Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser. It will consider safety measures, policies, inspection and regulation, taking account of both the Grenfell Tower fire and ongoing fire safety inspections. It will look at any immediate action required to ensure public confidence that everything possible is being done to make all public and private buildings safe as quickly as possible. *No heading* lord storey: Her Majesty's Government what guidance is available for local authorities on the arrangements they should make in the event that a chief executive stands down temporarily. lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Government has not issued guidance for local authorities on this matter. It is for each local authority to decide for itself what arrangements it should put in place. HM Treasury *No heading* lord taylor of warwick: Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the state of the UK economy and of whether it is growing or shrinking; and in the light of that assessment, whether they intend to continue with Brexit. lord bates: The fundamentals of the economy remain strong. The UK was the second fastest growing major advanced economy last year and since the start of 2010 the UK has grown by more than Germany and nearly twice as fast as France. The deficit has been cut by three quarters from its pre-crisis peak and the employment rate is the highest on record. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility provide the government with economic and fiscal forecasts for the UK economy twice a year. In their most recent forecast in March of this year, they forecast that growth would be 2.0% in 2017, 1.6% in 2018 and 1.7% in 2019. The public wants the Government to provide certainty and stability and get on with the immediate job of securing a new partnership with the EU which guarantees our long term prosperity. *No heading* baroness armstrong of hill top: Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered the introduction offiscal incentives to encourage more philanthropic giving from wealthier members of society. lord bates: The Government already provides a range of generous tax reliefs for the charity sector, worth over £5 billion including £1.5 billion of relief to individuals in the tax year 2016-2017. This includes higher rate tax relief on donations by higher and additional rate taxpayers, worth £520 million, and relief on gifts of shares and property, worth £70 million. Individuals can also get generous tax reliefs if they invest in a social enterprise including a charity, using the social investment tax relief scheme. Department for Exiting the European Union *No heading* lord higgins: Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of theextent to which the effect on the UK economy of no deal on Brexit would be better or worse than the UK remaining in the EU. baroness anelay of st johns: This Government is determined to deliver on the decision taken by the people of the UK in last year’s Referendum. The Government is undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work to assess, across a range of scenarios, the economic impacts of exiting the European Union. It would not be appropriate, however, to publish details that could undermine the UK's negotiating position with the EU. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport *No heading* lord birt: Her Majesty's Government what is the percentage of premises reached by ultrafast broadband in the UK; and how thatpenetration compares with (1) Japan, (2) South Korea, (3) the US, (4) France, and (5) Germany. lord ashton of hyde: Ultrafast broadband - referring to speeds of 100 megabits per second and above - is currently available to around 52% of premises in the UK, according to thinkbroadband.com. Internationally, this compares to coverage in: South Korea: 100%; Japan: 98%; USA: 68%; Germany: 64%, and; France: 28%. As well as growing ultrafast coverage the UK has the has the cheapest available fixed broadband services at superfast speeds compared to major European competitors. The UK’s average being quoted at £45 per month, compared to £68 per month in Italy, who were the most expensive. We are keen to support further investment in ultrafast services and facilitate the expansion of full fibre networks. This is why, at Autumn Statement 2016, we announced £1.1 billion to funding to boost the UK’s digital infrastructure. Department of Health *No heading* lord hunt of kings heath: Her Majesty's Government which hospitals havebeeninspected by the Care Quality Commission since 2012 when there was a visit to the paediatric audiology department as part of the inspection process; andin which yearsthose inspections took place. baroness chisholm of owlpen: This information is not held centrally. The Care Quality Commission looks at a wide range of services when inspecting hospitals. *No heading* baroness finlay of llandaff: Her Majesty's Government how many times a hospital doctor has been required to be present during a patient transfer to another NHS Trust in the last 12 months; in each case, what was (1)the medical specialty of the doctor involved, and (2) the grade of the doctor involved; and in how many of those cases was a hospital department left without a consultant available within 30 minutes as a result of that transfer. baroness chisholm of owlpen: The data requested are not held centrally. Trusts are responsible for staffing arrangements including for ensuring appropriate arrangements and for procedures concerning the transfer of patients to other hospitals. *No heading* baroness finlay of llandaff: Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to regulate (1) physician assistants in anaesthesia, (2) physicians' associates, (3) advance critical care practitioners, and (4) surgical care practitioners; and if so, when. baroness chisholm of owlpen: The Government is committed to supporting the development of a modern health and care workforce as part of the continuing drive to provide safe, accessible and high quality care for patients and service users. The extension of statutory regulation to currently unregulated groups will only be considered where there is a solid body of evidence demonstrating a level of risk to the public which cannot be addressed through other means of assurance, including Accredited Voluntary Registers. As the Secretary of State announced in his speech to NHS Providers in November 2016, the Department is developing proposals for a public consultation to consider whether physician associates should be regulated.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2017-07-21

Home Office Electronic Surveillance Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of their stated intention to require both ministerial and judicial authorisation for warrants under the Investigatory Powers Bill, why they consider it necessary to include a provision limiting judicial scrutiny to judicial review principles. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Investigatory Powers Bill creates a “double lock” for the use of the most intrusive in-vestigatory powers such that a decision to issue a warrant must be approved by a Judicial Commissioner.As the Secretary of State for the Home Department set out last November, this system balances Parliamentary accountability with independent consideration by a judicial authority. The application of judicial review principles is a robust, yet flexible, approach that the judiciary have significant experience in applying as the framework for independent scrutiny of Executive decision making. The ‘double-lock’, including the use of judicial review principles, was considered in detail by the Joint Committee that scrutinised the draft Bill. The Committee concluded that they were satisfied with the use of judicial review principles and that they would afford the Judicial Commissioners considerable flexibility in reviewing decisions to authorise the use of investigatory powers.In response to concerns expressed during Commons Committee Stage, the Government tabled an amendment to the test at report. That amendment makes it clear that when carrying out their review of the decision to issue the warrant, the Judicial Commissioner must do so with a sufficient degree of care so as to ensure that the Commissioner complies with their duties under clause 5 (General duties in relation to privacy). There was strong support from across the House for this amendment. Visas: Iran Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Iranian citizens have applied for (1) visitor, (2) student, and (3) settlement, visas since the opening of the British Embassy in Tehran; and how many of those applications in each category were successful. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The number of visa applications made in Iran since the opening of the British Embassy in Tehran for 1) visitor, 2) student, and 3) settlement and the number of successful applications made in each of these categories is contained in the attached Table: Table 1 - No. of Applications Processed in Abu Dhabi where Mobile Biometrics have been taken in Tehran between 01/01/16 and 31/03/2016 for Iranian Nationals Number of applications by Iranian nationals under Visitor Category made in Tehran 175Of which issued 50 Number of applications by Iranian nationals under Student Category made in Tehran 10of which issued 5 Number of applications by Iranian nationals under Settlement Category made in Tehran 20of which issued5 NotesApplications considered as made in Tehran when biometrics taken by Abu Dhabi Mobile Biometrics Units in TehranApplications submitted to Tehran have a decision made by a different postFor the purpose of this data Iranian Citizens have been classed as Iranian by nationalityThe figures reported are based only on considerations made against the specific named nationality requested, this does not account for applications made by non-nationals at this postFor the purpose of this data successful applications have been classed as those issuedThe figures reported are calculated based on the number of application outcome events, rather than the number of individuals consideredAll figures rounded to nearest 5. This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics. PQ HL387 - Table (Excel SpreadSheet, 14.4 KB) Immigration: Middle East Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria they use to decide the requirements for entry to the UK for (1) Israelis, and (2) Palestinians. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Non-EEA nationals seeking entry to the UK for any purpose must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. The Rules set out the criteria that applications for entry clearance, leave to enter and leave to remain must meet to qualify for entry or to remain. Applicants must produce either a valid passport or travel document that satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality or citizenship. Nationals or citizens of Israel who hold a full Israeli passport, do not require a visa to come to the UK as a visitor or for any other purpose, for less than six months. Holders of Palestinian travel documents require a visa to come to the UK for any purpose in the Immigration Rules Visas: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Home Office refused visas to two marathon runners from Palestine who were due to compete in the Derry Walled City marathon on 5 June. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the Immigration Rules. In order to safeguard an individual’s personal information and comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 the Home Office is limited in what information it can provide when the request is made by someone who is not the applicant. The Home Office is therefore unable to provide the information requested. Refugees: Children Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to co-operate with voluntary organisations in bringing unaccompanied minors to the UK from refugee camps in Europe. Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a timetable has been established for bringing unaccompanied minors to the UK from refugee camps in Europe; and if so, how many children are anticipated to arrive during each stage. Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to ensure the proper provision of safe housing for unaccompanied minors brought to the UK from refugee camps in Europe. Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to establish social services and psychosocial support for unaccompanied minors brought to the UK from refugee camps in Europe. Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what process they plan to follow to identify eligible unaccompanied minors and bring them to the UK from refugee camps in Europe. Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the unaccompanied minors brought to the UK from refugee camps in Europe will be assigned to families through the usual system of allocation to foster carers. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As announced by the Prime Minister on 4 May and now reflected in the Immigration Act 2016, we will work to admit unaccompanied refugee children to the UK from elsewhere in the EU, where this is considered to be in the child’s best interests.The legislation is clear that consultation with local authorities is needed before any figure is set. We are working closely with local authorities and consulting NGOs, the UNHCR, UNICEF and relevant Member States to establish suitable processes to im-plement this initiative.We are committed to act as quickly as we can but we must take the necessary time to ensure we have the capacity to resettle and support those who are resettled.We must also ensure that we fulfil our obligations to children who are already in the UK. We will be working closely with local authorities to find suitable placements within the UK. Statutory agencies at a local level are best placed to understand and meet the needs of all children and will continue to make decisions about the right accommodation and support services for those who are looked after. Unaccompanied children will be eligible for foster care if it is considered that that this placement type will provide appropriate support and best meet their individual needs.The UK has well-established and effective safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety of children who come to the UK. All children brought to the UK will be given the care, support and education they require. Asylum: Visas Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in family reunion cases, they are considering providing entry visas valid for longer than 30 days, to enable visa holders to complete all the required exit procedures and necessary travel arrangements. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We issue a flexible 30-day visa to non-EEA nationals coming from overseas to stay in the UK for over six months to enable them to collect their biometric residence permits (BRP) shortly after they arrive in the UK.When a family reunion application is made, individuals can specify the date they would like the 30-day visa to start to enable them to make any necessary travel arrangements, including obtaining exit visas. The start date of the visa can be deferred for up to three months from the date of application. If there is any delay expected in the processing time of the application, the individual will be contacted by UKVI and informed about the delay. Where someone is unable to make arrangements to travel to the UK within the 30 day period, they can apply for a replacement visa. Police: Boats Lord Condon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which police forces in areas with North Sea coastlines or English Channel coastlines from Norfolk south and west to Devon and Cornwall have marine or boat units capable of patrolling estuaries or inshore sea waters; and what is the maximum range in which those police forces' units are licensed to operate. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Home Office does not collect this information. Decisions on the local deployment of assets and resources, including marine units, are for individual chief constables working with their police and crime commissioner. UK Border Force: Boats The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Border Force vessels patrol UK territorial waters at any one time; and how many are needed to ensure the required levels of surveillance and security of the UK's coastline. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Border Force is committed to operating three cutters in UK waters at any given time. We currently have a total of four available for use in UK waters, with one rotated into use where required. These figures only include the number of cutters currently deployed in UK territorial waters and do not include the additional military and law enforcement vessels available. Border Force takes a multi-layered approach to maritime security; using a combination of cutters, radar and aerial surveillance to detect efforts to smuggle guns and drugs or facilitate illegal entry into the country. They also work closely with domestic and international partners on an intelligence-led approach, allowing us to tackle the criminals involved before they leave for the UK. Border Force is also investing in a new fleet of rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) as part of a new maritime security strategy. The vessels will patrol the UK coast, helping to intercept attempts to smuggle migrants, drugs and dangerous weapons into the country. Undocumented Migrants The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many illegal maritime arrivals have reached the UK in each year since 2010. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Specific details on numbers or locations of suspected illegal maritime arrivals are not disclosed for security reasons. Migrant Workers: Entry Clearances Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in relation to certificates of sponsorship used to support immigrants' entry clearance or extension of stay applications, (1) how many sponsoring employers are currently registered, (2) where those employers are listed, (3) how many certificates of sponsorship are granted to each sponsoring employer, (4) whether such figures are available on application, and (5) what was the total number of those sponsored in the last two years. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There are currently 30,181 sponsoring employers on the register of licensed sponsors.The register is published on the “www.gov.uk” website and can be found on the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workersThe number of certificates granted to sponsoring employers differ depending on their recruitment requirements. Sponsoring employers may submit a request at the point their licence application is submitted. A sponsor can submit a further request to increase their allocation once licensed.A sponsor is not granted a pre determined allocation of Certificates of sponsorship (CoS) at licensing stage.The total number of CoS assigned to individuals in 2014 is 133,820.The total number of CoS assigned to individuals in 2015 is 131,617 Emigration Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to tackle the decline in the number of UK citizens moving to live overseas. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has no legal basis to influence where UK citizens choose to live. College of Policing: Saudi Arabia Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the warnings by Reprieve that the College of Policing training programmes in Saudi Arabia could lead to the arrest and torture of human rights activists, whether they intend to suspend such programmes. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The College of Policing's work in Saudi Arabia supports the development of international policing on the model of the British model of policing by consent.The College ensures that respect for human rights and dignity is integral to each programme, with course developers and trainers required to include a bespoke human rights and ethical decision-making element in each course. All its programmes are kept under review, but it currently has no intention of withdrawing its services. Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many detainees have reportedly been sexually assaulted or raped inside Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre since Serco took over its operation. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Serco, the private supplier at Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre (IRC), took over the centre’s operation in February 2007. Since 2008, the date from which local records have been collated centrally, there have been twenty three allegations of sexual assault or rape made by detainees against staff. This includes two allegations of rape, of which one was unsubstantiated and one is subject to continuing criminal proceedings. This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics.All complaints made by detainees at an IRC are investigated by the IRC supplier in accordance with Detention Services Order 03/2015. Any allegations of serious misconduct made by a detainee against staff at an IRC are also referred to the Home Office Professional Standards Unit for investigation. Where a detainee, or someone on behalf of a detainee, alleges that a member of staff has committed a sexual offence against them the police will automatically be notified, even if the detainee does not wish the matter to be reported or to make a formal complaint. Foreign and Commonwealth Office North Korea: Rape Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of North Korea on reports of widespread rape committed by its military; and whether the UK defence attaché to North Korea will raise this issue with their counterpart. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of the disturbing reports of sexual violence within the Korean People’s Army. We consistently raise our concerns about the appalling human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) directly with the regime. In June, our Ambassador to North Korea made clear the UK’s position on human rights in a speech in Pyongyang attended by DPRK senior officials. We regularly raise North Korean human rights issues in multilateral fora such as the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council, and will continue to do so. North Korea: Refugees Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of stateless children living in China with one North Korean parent. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government has not made an assessment of the number of stateless children living in China with one North Korean parent. North Korea: Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the British Embassy in North Korea has presented a copy of the report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to North Korean officials; and whether the UK Ambassador to North Korea has held discussions on that report with his North Korean counterparts. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our Embassy in Pyongyang continues to raise the Commission of Inquiry report in bilateral discussions with the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and urges them to engage with the international community on the human rights situation in the DPRK. Our Embassy has not specifically presented a copy of the report to North Korean officials, but we have presented North Korean officials with a supporting Written Statement by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire). Colombia: Human Rights Baroness Hooper: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Colombia about the dangers faced by defenders of human rights and leaders of land restitution claims, and the case for enhancing their protection. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned by the increase in violence towards human rights defenders (HRDs) in Colombia. Reports from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Somos Defensores indicate that 63 HRDs were killed in 2015, a 13 per cent increase from 2014. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), raised this issue during his meeting with President Santos on 12 May. During his visit to Colombia in April, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), also raised human rights concerns with the Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister, Patti Londoño-Jaramillo. Ensuring protection and support for HRDs, including leaders of land restitution claims, is a priority area for our Embassy in Bogotá. As well as monitoring specific cases, the UK raises our concerns with the Colombian government at every possible opportunity. Our Ambassador to Colombia recently joined an international community initiative called “Ambassadors with Defenders” that aims to raise awareness of the situation of HRDs and follow up on specific cases. Earlier this year, the Ambassador accompanied the Colombian Minister of Interior to a regional human rights roundtable, where the role of local authorities in taking effective action on HRD cases was discussed. The UK was the only member of the international community invited to this event. With regards to increased protection, on 26 April, President Santos announced the creation of a high level group in charge of investigating threats and killings against HRDs. He invited human rights organisations to appoint five representatives to participate in this group. The Attorney General’s Office has prioritised the investigations of these cases. Ivory Coast: Political Prisoners Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Ivory Coast about the number of prisoners being held for political reasons following the elections of 2010; what responses, if any, they have had; and whether they are in touch with local Roman Catholic bishops about that issue. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK has worked closely with the UN Special Representative for Côte D’Ivoire, and international partners to ensure that, as part of the national reconciliation process, those held in detention since the 2010/11 post-electoral crisis without formal criminal charges, or no charges to answer, were released. We welcome President Ouattara’s release of the final 3,100 such prisoners in January 2016. A further 265 prisoners remain on remand: all have been charged with criminal offences committed during the crisis. Following the visit of the UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Abidjan Prison on 10 June and subsequent meeting with President Ouattara, the Justice Minister has given an assurance that the trials will be completed by the end of December 2016. The UK continues to urge for the trials to be held in a timely manner. To promote national reconciliation, the UK and other international partners continue to press for the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to ensure that all parties responsible for human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law are brought to justice, no matter what their political affiliation. Whilst local Roman Catholic bishops have not directly contacted us, officials from our Embassy in Abidjan will engage with them on this issue. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the property ownership laws that require a Palestinian family that has inhabited a house in Jaffa continually since 1920 to pay the Israeli government 40 per cent of its present value to avoid eviction. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities. Conflict Prevention Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other EU member states about the role of international law in conflict prevention. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: International law underpins all of the UK’s work on conflict prevention, as a fundamental part of the rules based international order. As such it is regularly discussed with EU partners both bilaterally and in the EU. In addition, preventing conflicts, in accordance with international law, is a primary objective of the EU's external action, which is discussed regularly with our European partners and the European External Action Service. Israel: Palestinians Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take with regard to Israeli demolition notices on Palestinian water wells funded through the UN water development programme in the town of Beit Ummar. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are concerned at the increase in the demolition of structures funded partly or fully by international donors. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns on demolitions with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 7 June, and urged them to provide a legal route for Palestinians to obtain building permits. The UK position on demolitions is clear: demolitions cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; are harmful to the peace process; and are, in all but the most exceptional of cases, contrary to international humanitarian law. Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the risk that President Joseph Kabila may attempt to change the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to remain in power and not hold the elections scheduled for November. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is clear: a President may serve two terms of five years. In 2015 President Kabila made a tentative attempt to change the Constitution to enable him to stay on beyond the end of his current, final term of office but was rebuffed by the Congolese Parliament. The risk that he will attempt to do so again remains, but the UK position is clear: we do not believe that constitutions should be amended for the benefit of incumbent leaders. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge), has repeatedly urged Foreign Minister Tshibanda to do all in his power to ensure the DRC government enables elections to take place in line with the Constitution. We remain concerned by the lack of progress towards elections in the DRC. Primary responsibility for organising the elections rests with the government and institutions of the state of the DRC. The UK stands ready to support elections. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for International Development, my Hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), announced in March that the UK would make up to £11.4million available to support the election process, provided certain conditions were met. But we have also been clear that individuals responsible for repression and human rights violations in the run-up to the election period will have to face the consequences of their actions. Khurram Zaki Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have raised the recent murder of Khurram Zaki, and his campaign work, with the government of Pakistan. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We condemn the murder of Khurram Zaki in Karachi on 7 May. As a journalist and human rights activist, Khurram Zaki campaigned against sectarian violence and religious extremism in Pakistan. His murder is a sad reminder of the hostile climate in which Pakistani campaigners and journalists operate. Under its National Action Plan, the Government of Pakistan is taking steps to improve security by tackling terrorist and extremist elements. We continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice all its human rights obligations and uphold the rule of law. During his visit to Pakistan in March, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised the importance we attach to safeguarding the rights of all Pakistan citizens regardless of ethnicity, faith or political views. Iraq: Islamic State Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the government of Iraq and the regional government of Kurdistan about the protection needs of people likely to be displaced by current, and proposed, offensives against Daesh, in particular women and children. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional government, and regularly raises with them the protection needs of internally displaced persons arising from the conflict – including the protection needs of girls and women. We continue to urge the Government of Iraq to fulfil its commitments to develop and implement plans to stabilise areas which have been liberated from Daesh by providing the governance, services and security necessary to enable the safe return of people to their homes.The UK has committed £79.5 million of humanitarian assistance to Iraq since summer 2014. This includes cash assistance for vulnerable displaced Iraqis, allowing them to prioritise what they need most. Through the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, we fund a number of projects designed to meet the most urgent needs of displaced Iraqis including emergency healthcare, water and sanitation, and protection services for girls and women. Our partners consider gender related differences in needs when developing all Department for International Development funded projects. Iraq: Islamic State Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to encourage Kurdish Iraqis, Sunnis and Shia Muslims to live together after defeating ISIS in Iraq. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to unite Iraq’s communities against Daesh and extremism, rebuild public trust in the Iraqi state and deliver the services and opportunities which all Iraqis want and deserve. We welcome the commitments that the Government of Iraq has made to inclusivity, to protecting Iraqi citizens, to addressing human rights abuses and holding those responsible to account. There are now more than 3 million internally displaced people in Iraq. We have committed £79.5 million to the humanitarian effort in Iraq to help those who have fled Daesh’s brutality, and are the largest donor to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs-managed Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund. We are contributing £6 million to the UN’s Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilisation, to help the Iraqi government stabilise areas recently liberated from Daesh and re-establish security, basic services and inclusive local governance. We will provide funding for a number of projects designed to support community cohesion and encourage reconciliation, acceptance and tolerance between communities at a grass roots level. Iraq: Armed Conflict Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the total number of Iraqi civilians killed since the start of the 2003 Iraq war. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government has not made an estimate of the number of Iraqis killed as a result of terrorism and war-related violence since 2003. While the security situation in Iraq has greatly improved since violence peaked in 2006-2007, Iraqi civilians have been victim to Daesh’s atrocities since the summer of 2014. We utterly condemn such violence and call for those responsible to be brought to justice. The UK is committed to supporting the Government of Iraq as it works to defeat Daesh and put Iraq on the path to long-term peace and stability. Iraq: Iran Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have gathered any evidence of Iranian fighters in Iraq. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is on the ground in both advisory and combat roles in Iraq and that Iran is providing significant funding, training and equipment to elements of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces. Along with our international partners, the UK has consistently made clear that there is a role for all of Iraq’s neighbours in helping defeat Daesh. We have no difficulty with contributions from around the region to the goal of ridding Iraq of the Daesh threat, provided that those contributions are authorised by the Iraqi government. We will continue to work closely with our international partners to encourage all of Iraq’s neighbours to play a transparent and constructive role in its affairs. Department for Culture, Media and Sport Broadband Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Institute of Director’s call in February for a broadband target of 10 gigabits a second by 2030. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government welcomes the Institute of Directors’ Ultrafast Britain: Broadband Report published in February and is committed to working with the market to deliver a digital infrastructure that meets the current and future needs for high speeds, as well as security and resilience. The Government will be setting out its plans for realising this in its upcoming Digital Strategy. Broadband Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to change the broadband target of 10 megabits per second by 2020 to a higher one, in the light of the progress made by other countries. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government’s ambition for the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) is that it should be set initially at 10 megabits per second. The rationale for the USO is to provide a ‘digital safety net’ to ensure that every home and business is able to access a fast broadband. A broadband USO set at 10 megabits per second is higher than anywhere else in Europe. Spain, for example, has set their USO at 1 megabit per second, and Finland and Malta at 2 and 4 megabits per second respectively. We expect that the USO speed will need to increase over time beyond 10 megabits per second and are committed to keeping this under review to make sure that it keeps pace with consumers’ needs. Broadband Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UK’s future position in the league table of broadband targets in the EU and OECD countries if a target of 10 megabits per second were achieved by 2020. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It is too early to assess what the impact of the proposed 10 megabit Universal Service Obligation (USO) will have on the UK’s future position in EU and OECD broadband league tables. The contracts we have put in place with Openreach mean that the more homes and businesses that sign up for superfast broadband, the more money Openreach has to return to local authorities to extend the roll out of superfast broadband further. So far, Openreach has confirmed more than £200 million of savings that can be reinvested, over and above the £1.7bn of public funding already allocated. We expect more funding to be confirmed in due course. We will be reinvesting that funding in order to extend superfast broadband to as many additional homes and businesses as possible. Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press Inquiry Baroness Hollins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 26 January (HL Deb, col 1152), whether it is their policy that the trial of Mazher Mahmood would need to be completed before Part 2 of the Leveson Inquiry could take place. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Criminal proceedings connected to the subject matter of the Leveson Inquiry, including the appeals process, have not yet been completed. We‎ have always been clear that these cases must conclude before we consider Part 2 of the Inquiry. Broadband: Business Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the minimum broadband speeds required to help British businesses remain competitive in a global economy. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government recognises the importance of broadband access throughout the UK for businesses in remaining globally competitive. That is why the Review into Business Broadband, jointly led by BIS and DCMS, was announced on 24 February to explore the barriers faced by businesses in accessing the affordable, high-speed broadband they need. That Review is ongoing and will report later this year. Department for Work and Pensions Pension Protection Fund Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many companies required to pay levies to the Pension Protection Fund had put in place a contingent asset that replaced the Pension Protection Fund’s Failure Score for the company with that of a different company in each of the three years to 2012–13; and what are the names of those companies. Baroness Altmann: We are unable to supply the information requested as to do so would incur disproportionate cost. Furthermore, the names of the companies concerned are classed as ‘Restricted Information’ under the Pensions Act 2004. Personal Independence Payment: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what form of evidence of incapacity is acceptable for Personal Independence Payments claims when a person suffering from severe myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome, for which there is currently no treatment, has had no contact with any medical professionals or auxiliary practitioners for a considerable length of time. Baroness Altmann: The Department encourages claimants to provide as much relevant evidence as necessary to support their claim. The “How your disability affects you” form and accompanying guidance sets out the range of information that can help the Department reach a decision. The guidance for Health Professionals also sets out sources of further evidence which could help inform their advice to the Department, this includes family members, carers or anyone else who supports them. Before claimants are invited for a face-to-face consultation, all of the evidence held is reviewed and if, at that stage, a decision can be made on the paper evidence alone, then claimants will not be required to attend a face-to-face consultation. Alternatively, further evidence that might help inform the Department’s decision on the claim can be requested by the Health Professional. If the Health Professional cannot provide advice to the Department at this stage, or where there is insufficient or no other suitable sources of evidence on which to make an assessment, claimants will be invited to attend a face-to-face consultation. This gives claimants the opportunity to put across their own views of the impact of their health condition on their everyday lives, ensuring that decisions reflect the best evidence. In some cases we carry out consultations in the claimant’s home. British Home Stores: Pensions Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 6 June (HL Deb, col 627), whether they have the necessary power to pursue pension contribution payments from companies where the parent company is based in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, or Monaco. Baroness Altmann: Each case will need to be considered on its own merits but the Pensions Regulator can use its anti-avoidance powers against targets that are based abroad. Section 303 of the Pensions Act 2004, governing the service of documents abroad, is intended to operate outside the UK jurisdiction The power to enforce any regulatory action against a non-UK company is likely to require the approval or cooperation of the relevant overseas authorities. By and large, these provisions should be enforceable in other EU and Commonwealth jurisdictions. The Pensions Regulator has demonstrated that it is prepared to use its anti-avoidance powers against targets that are based abroad, as was shown in its handling of the cases involving Sea Containers and the Lehman Brothers group and a complex investigation into the Carrington Wire Defined Benefit Pension Scheme resulted in a £8.5m settlement with two Russian companies. Personal Independence Payment The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is any provision for people claiming Personal Independence Payments who have difficulty in completing questions by hand to be able to complete the forms electronically; and if not, whether they plan to introduce such a facility. Baroness Altmann: We are developing a digital service for claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which brings the current PIP telephony claim and paper form together.We have tested a number of different design approaches with users and, based on feedback, are developing an application process that is more tailored to individual needs. From April 2016 we started making the online PIP claim available to a small number of PIP claimants on a voluntary basis. This will allow us to get direct feedback, make ongoing improvements and ensure this new service is effective and secure before it is available nationally. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Global Challenges Research Fund Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the process by which Global Challenge Research Fund programmes will be agreed; and whether final decisions will be determined by reference to the Haldane principle. Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what involvement ministers will have in determining the areas of global challenge before monies from the Global Challenge Research Fund are allocated to Research Councils. Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the process for agreeing cross-research council proposals before accessing Global Challenge Research Fund monies. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: As stated in the recent White Paper, Government is committed to the Haldane principle, including with respect to Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As with other areas of science and research activity, Research Councils will work with other delivery partners to prepare a high-level research strategy for the GCRF, which they will agree with Ministers. The specific approach to be taken to currently unallocated funds will be developed with delivery partners over the coming months, and will include using the funding to promote multidisciplinary research, in line with Sir Paul Nurse’s recommendations. Students: Loans Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider linking the interest rate on student loans to the Consumer Price Index rather than the Retail Price Index. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government has no plans to link the interest rate on student loans to the Consumer Prices Index, rather than the Retail Prices Index. The Retail Prices Index has been used as the basis for calculating the interest rates applied to income-contingent student loans since they were introduced in 1998. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Labour Turnover Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civil servants within the Department for Business Innovation and Skills have (1) been recruited into the department (a) from within the civil service, or (b) from outside the civil service, and (2) left to (a) other posts within the civil service, and (b) other roles outside of the civil service, in each of the last five years. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The total number of civil servants within the Department for Business Innovation and Skills HQ (BIS) who have (1) been recruited into the department (a) from within the civil service, or (b) from outside the civil service, and (2) left to (a) other posts within the civil service, and (b) other roles outside of the civil service, in each of the last five years are shown in the tables below. Recruited to BIS Year of joiningJoined from outside the Civil ServiceJoined from within the Civil ServiceGrand Total2011-121851903752012-132432084512013-141861863722014-151581983562015-16170145315Grand Total9429271869Left BIS Year of leavingLeft the Civil ServiceMoved to another part of the Civil ServiceTotal2011-123381544922012-132531013542013-142051203252014-152441574012015-16364273637Grand Total14048052209 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Labour Turnover Baroness Burt of Solihull: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average duration of employment for civil servants within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in each of the last five years. Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The length of service for employees of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills HQ, in each of the last five years, is shown in the table below.Period endingAverage length of service (Years)31 March 201616.331 March 201515.831 March 201415.631 March 201315.631 March 201215.6 The data above relates to the total length of their employment within the Civil Service.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2016-06-16

Roads: Roundabouts Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many roundabouts are still in existence between London and the Scottish border on the A1 road; where they are; and what plans exist to eliminate the five between Biggleswade and Huntingdon. Earl Attlee: The Highways Agency has responsibility for the A1 between the Scottish border and just south of the M25 at the Rowley Lane Junction at Borehamwood (Barnet Bypass). Between these two points, the A1 has a total of eight roundabouts. The table below shows the names and locations of these. Name Nearest town Black Cat roundabout St Neots Sandy roundabout Sandy Biggleswade North roundabout Biggleswade Biggleswade South roundabout Biggleswade Buckden roundabout Huntingdon Scremerston roundabout (A1167) Berwick-upon-Tweed Berwick/Coldstream roundabout (A698) Berwick-upon-Tweed Highfields roundabout Berwick-upon-Tweed Neither the Highways Agency nor the Department for Transport has any current plans to eliminate the five roundabouts between Biggleswade and Huntingdon.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2011-06-10a

Wales Office Floods: Wales lord murphy of torfaen: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any extra funding has been allocated to the Welsh Government to deal with recent flooding in Wales. the earl of courtown: The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales and others are determined to ensure that all of those affected by flooding are supported in the best way possible. Flood response in Wales is a devolved matter. It was announced in March Budget that the UK Government will fund assistance for flood relief. For 2020-21, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £17m in Barnett consequentials from additional spending on flood prevention in England. If the Welsh Government matches our spending per head on flood prevention then this would see over £300m spent in Wales by 2026-27. Floods: Wales lord murphy of torfaen: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Wales has met the First Minister of Wales to discuss the provision of financial help for flood victims in Wales. the earl of courtown: Flood response in Wales is a devolved matter. The First Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales met at the start of the flooding, on 24 February, and have been in regular contact since. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales will work with the Welsh Government to ensure that all of those affected by flooding are supported in the best way possible, including consideration of any request from the Welsh Government for additional support and finances for assistance for flood relief. Department for Education Special Educational Needs lord lingfield: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to address the concerns raised by the report by Special Needs JungleEducation, Health & Care Plan annual review,published 10 December 2019, and in particular the findings relating to the low completion rates of statutory Education Health and Care Plan annual reviews by local authorities. baroness berridge: The annual review process for Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the special educational needs and disability (SEND) Code of Practice, requires local authorities to ensure reviews are conducted within twelve months from the final EHC plan being in place, or within 12 months of the last review of the plan. The department has sought to strengthen local area’s knowledge and understanding of their duties in relation to the completion of annual reviews. Between January and April this year, a series of regional workshops have been planned. A number of have already been delivered, with good levels of attendance from local authority education and social care teams, health teams from clinical commissioning groups, and parents. Part of the workshops include planning for improvements and this will be followed up through the department’s team of SEND advisers. More broadly, we recognise that there are a range of concerns with the SEND system. We announced the SEND Review in September 2019 to ensure the system is working best for all families, and that support in different areas is consistent, available and joined up across health, care and education services. Languages: Primary Education baroness smith of gilmorehill: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many primary schools in England and Wales have modern language assistants teaching (1) French, (2) Spanish, and (3) German. baroness berridge: The requested information is not held by the department.The School Workforce Census is the department’s main source of information on teacher and support staff numbers and the subjects taught by teachers. However, this census does not collect information on the subjects taught by primary school teaching staff or support staff.The reformed National Curriculum in England makes it compulsory for pupils in maintained schools to be taught a foreign language in Key Stage 2.Education in Wales is a devolved matter for the Welsh Government. Woodworking: Training baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the national skills fund is fully accessible to SMEs in the woodworking and joinery sector on a (1) national, (2) regional, and (3) local basis. baroness garden of frognal: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that resources allocated by the nationalskills fund fully support the provision of (1) trainingfor specialist technical trainers, (2) training for assessors, and (3) machinery and materials, in the woodworking and joinery sector. baroness berridge: Over the course of this parliament, the government will provide an extra £3 billion for a new National Skills Fund. The Fund is part of a dramatic rebooting of our skills system and will help workers to have the skills they need to flourish and fulfil their potential.To decide how best to develop the National Skills Fund, the government are planning to consult widely on the Fund, to ensure the Fund provides the best return on investment.The insights gained will help to build an understanding how to target the National Skills Fund to ensure it best supports people to learn new skills and prepare for future changes to the economy. Ministry of Justice Special Educational Needs: Appeals lord lingfield: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of cancellations of first hearings in Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals. lord keen of elie: The Ministry of Justice recognises that there is a high level of postponements in the Special Educational Needs and Disability jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal (“the SEND Tribunal”). Statistics show that 77% of cases listed for hearing in 2018/19 were postponed, compared with 76% in 2017/18. The number of postponements (2,900 in 2018/19) is due to two factors. The first is that there has been a significant increase in the number of appeals received (an increase of more than in the last three years); and the second is related to the listing policy currently in place where cases are listed for hearing upon receipt and hearings have to be postponed if the date is unsuitable to the parties involved. The SEND Tribunal has increased the number of administrative staff, legal advisers, salaried and fee-paid judges in the course of the past year. A campaign to recruit a further 50 fee-paid judges and 100 specialist members is being taken forward by the Judicial Appointments Commission. The posts will be filled in the next financial year. The tribunal will introduce a revised listing process in April 2020 under which parties will be asked to identify, in a two-week window, dates on which they will be able to attend. This will enable a mutually convenient date to be identified in advance of the hearing being fixed. These two measures will reduce the number of cases which are postponed after they have been listed for hearing. Employment: Offenders baroness wheatcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage employers to take on ex-offenders. lord keen of elie: The Ministry of Justice is committed to increasing the number of employers that provide employment for ex-offenders. The New Futures Network (NFN) was established as a specialist part of the prison service that brokers partnerships between prisons and employers. These partnerships help businesses fill skills gaps and prisoners to find employment on release. NFN continues to work across England and Wales to engage employers to employ ex-offenders and support them to do so. We also understand that employers want ex-offenders to leave custody job-ready and so this Government committed in its 2019 Manifesto to deliver a Prison Education Service, with a key priority being to enable more prisoners to find employment on release. Prisoners: Gender Recognition lord lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on housing people with (1) functioningmale sexual organs in the female prison estate, and (2) functioning female sexual organs in the male prison estate. lord keen of elie: In 2019 the Ministry of Justice conducted a review into the care and management of individuals who are transgender, and this led to the publication of a revised Policy Framework which strengthens the risk and safeguarding process. This was fully implemented on 31st October 2019 across all men’s and women’s prisons. The Policy Framework provides staff with clear direction in the care and management of transgender individuals, including managing potential risks both to and presented by transgender individuals. Part of this process ensures that a complex case board must be held for an individual to transfer between the male and female estates. This decision is made by taking into account a wide range of individual factors such as risk, offending history and an individual’s personal circumstances, medical history and what stage they are at in their transgender status. The Policy Framework also enables risk to be managed when an individual is placed into a prison which is different to that of their legal gender. The policy can be found on the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-care-and-management-of-individuals-who-are-transgender. The safety of all prisoners is of paramount concern and it is our priority and commitment to ensuring that those under our care and management are treated fairly, lawfully and decently, with their rights properly respected. Sexual Offences: Trials lord lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether female victims of sexual assault who refuse to use their attacker's preferred pronouns in court are denied compensation. lord keen of elie: Under the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, courts are required to consider making a compensation order in cases involving personal injury, loss or damage, and to give reasons where no such order is made. Sentencing in individual cases is entirely a matter for the independent courts taking into account the circumstances of the case. Prisoners: Islam lord pearson of rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Keen of Elie on 3 March (HL Deb, cols 507–9), what estimate they have made of the percentage of Muslim managing chaplains in prisons in England and Wales (1) currently, and (2) 10 years ago;andwhat percentage of current prisoners are Muslim. lord keen of elie: As of 6 March 2020, 29% of Managing Chaplains in prisons in England and Wales were Muslim. No information is held centrally of the faith adherence ten years ago of managing chaplains (or their then equivalent). As of 31 December 2019, 16% of prisoners in England Wales declared that they were Muslim. Data on prisoner religion up to December 2019 is shown below. These figures are regularly published on gov.uk under table 1.5 of the prison statistics information. Table 1.5: Prison population by religion and sex 31-Dec-1831-Mar-1930-Jun-1930-Sep-1931-Dec-19Percentage change December 2018 to 2019Males and Females82,23682,63482,71083,81082,8681%All Christian39,29339,51539,25739,73139,1760%Anglican13,49613,48013,27313,38913,225-2%Free Church758737739770753-1%Roman Catholic14,09414,16014,19414,35014,1831%Other Christian10,94511,13811,05111,22211,0151%Muslim12,89413,00813,34113,47413,4244%Hindu361343341354342-5%Sikh638611601588571-11%Buddhist1,5751,6191,6031,6271,6615%Jewish4824774945024953%Other religious group1,8381,8761,9101,9551,9657%Non recognised67657**No religion25,05325,03425,02325,45525,0990%Not recorded9614413411912833%Males78,47678,80278,94079,94379,1651%All Christian37,11937,33637,16737,60737,1020%Anglican12,82712,78912,63212,76312,604-2%Free Church7036856937167071%Roman Catholic13,37713,43813,47313,60613,4701%Other Christian10,21210,42410,36910,52210,3211%Muslim12,65912,78213,09813,22213,1834%Hindu350329327337326-7%Sikh618589581571555-10%Buddhist1,5001,5341,5241,5481,5866%Jewish4764694844954872%Other religious group1,7351,7741,8061,8501,8557%Non recognised67656**No religion23,91923,84623,82724,20423,9440%Not recorded9413612010412129%Females3,7603,8323,7703,8673,703-2%All Christian2,1742,1792,0902,1242,074-5%Anglican669691641626621-7%Free Church5552465446**Roman Catholic717722721744713-1%Other Christian733714682700694-5%Muslim2352262432522413%Hindu1114141716**Sikh2022201716**Buddhist75857979750%Jewish681078**Other religious group1031021041051107%Non recognised00001**No religion1,1341,1881,1961,2511,1552%Not recorded2814157** The role of Managing Chaplain is predominantly managerial rather than faith based and posts are filled through fair and open competition in line with Civil Service guidelines. Magistrates: Retirement lord burnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise the compulsory retirement age for magistrates. lord keen of elie: On 25th February, the Minister for Courts confirmed the government’s intention to consult this spring on a change to the mandatory retirement age for all judicial office holders. Any change to the mandatory retirement age would require primary legislation. Department of Health and Social Care Allergies: Medical Equipment baroness royall of blaisdon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to add colleges and universities to the list of institutions set out in Regulation 22 of the Human Medicines (No. 2) Regulations 2014 so that those institutions may obtain, without a prescription, adrenaline auto-injector devices for use in emergencies. lord bethell: We have no current plans to add colleges and universities to the list of institutions set out in Regulation 22 of the Human Medicines (No. 2) Regulations 2014.In the Regulations, ‘Schools’ are defined in accordance with Education Acts. It is the Department’s understanding that educational establishments so defined would not immediately extend to all colleges and universities. However, the provisions within the current legislation may offer scope for some higher education institutions to be included. We will consider if we can provide a more definitive – and easily understood - list of educational establishments that would fall within the scope of the present legislation. NHS: Amazon lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford on 21 January (HL127), whether the contract signed with Amazon to provide health data from the NHS specifies whether Amazon has liability for (1) the loss, (2) the destruction, (3) the corruption, (4) the desegregation, or (5) the damage, of health data. lord bethell: No patient data is being shared with Amazon as part of this agreement. The collaboration with Amazon simply connects people to medically verified information on a range of different medical conditions, symptoms and treatments which is already freely available online through the National Health Service website. Use of Amazon Alexa is just an alternative mechanism for accessing that information.The agreement with Amazon clearly stipulates that neither party is liable for any loss of data. The data referred to in this agreement is the medically verified NHS information that is already freely available on the NHS website. It does not concern patient data, as this is not being shared with Amazon. There is no significant risk for the NHS concerning the loss, destruction, corruption, desegregation or damage of this data.This agreement with Amazon will help people manage their own healthcare more effectively, reaching a far greater number of citizens. This will enable people to take better control of their own healthcare needs, thereby potentially helping with prevention and early diagnosis. Health Services: Artificial Intelligence lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to create a single, online regulatory advice and information platform for the healthcare artificial intelligence sector. lord bethell: Smarter regulation can help make the United Kingdom the best place in the world to develop artificial intelligence (AI) in health. NHSX convened the Chief Executive Officers and heads of all the health regulators on 28 January 2020, where they committed to a more joined up approach to regulation, in which innovators do not have to navigate between multiple bodies and sets of rules. In particular, there was agreement on the need for a single platform, bringing all the regulatory strands together to create a single point of contact, advice and engagement. NHSX is now working with regulators to simplify access to support within the regulatory environment for anyone wishing to develop the pipeline of potential AI which could be scaled into the National Health Service. This will be an area of continuing focus for the AI Programme being delivered by NHSX.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2020-03-13

Department of Health and Social Care Mental Health Services: Children Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the current waiting times for NHS child and adolescent mental health services in each region of England. Lord Bethell: The information is not currently held in the format requested. A national access and waiting times standard for children and adolescent people’s mental health services has not yet been defined. Coronavirus: Vaccination The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to guarantee that all adults in the UK will be offered a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Lord Bethell: The National Health Service across the United Kingdom will prioritise giving the first dose of the vaccine to those in the most high-risk groups but everyone will still receive their second dose and this will be within 12 weeks of their first. The second dose completes the course and is important for longer term protection.When an appointment is booked at a vaccination centre, two appointments will be made at the same time. Coronavirus: Vaccination Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens will be given a choice of COVID-19 vaccine. Lord Bethell: Both vaccines give very high protection against severe disease, which is the primary aim of the first phase of the programme, and both vaccines have good safety profiles. The logistical challenges posed by the storage and distribution requirements for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine mean that in some populations, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is the only vaccine which can be deployed rapidly, and without substantial vaccine wastage. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation does not advise a preference for either vaccine in any specific population. For operational and programmatic reasons, such as to enable more extensive and timely vaccine coverage, one vaccine may be offered in certain settings in preference over another vaccine. Care Homes: Coronavirus Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many care home residents tested positive for COVID-19 in each week from 1 Aprilto1 September. Lord Bethell: This information is not held in the format requested. Data on the total number of positive cases is published in an online only format. Coronavirus: Disease Control Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations since August have been influenced by (1) the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, (2) the return of schools, colleges and universities in September, and (3) the deteriorating weather conditions and reduced hours of daylight; and what research, if any, they have commissioned into the influence of each of these elements. Lord Bethell: While we have not made a specific assessment of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, we would not hesitate to act in response to an increase in infections. We worked closely with businesses to ensure they were COVID-19 secure.Currently, the impact of COVID-19 on the education sector is being explored by the Government through various studies with the Office for National Statistics, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Public Health England.We have not made an assessment of the specific influence of weather on the transmission of COVID-19. However, as people to spend more time indoors during the winter which increases the time spent in close proximity to others, the risks of has led to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations. Coronavirus: Watton Baroness Hayman: To ask Her Majesty's Government what help and support they are providing to authorities in Norfolk dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak at a meat processing plant in Watton. Lord Bethell: Regional officials worked closely with the local and district authorities, the Director of Public Health for Norfolk and the company in Watton to support the Incident Management Team’s (IMT) meetings and facilitate the deployment of mobile testing units (MTU) to enable testing of the workforce to take place.The outbreak was escalated by the Norfolk local authorities to the Joint Biosecurity Centre Regional Lead for the East of England and to the Escalation and Response Unit.The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs set up an animal welfare cell as part of the IMT to mitigate the impact of the public health measures on animal welfare where possible. The factory is being supported to participate in the lateral flow testing scheme. This will allow the company to carrying out routine testing and help reduce the risk of further workforce outbreaks at the factory. Coronavirus: Vaccination Baroness Brady: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to increase the number of independent pharmacies that are able to offer COVID-19 vaccination on-site; and what steps they are taking to ensure that such pharmacies (1) receive delivery of, and (2) can administer, COVID-19 vaccinations, promptly. Lord Bethell: Since 14 January 2021, over 100 community pharmacies, including some independent pharmacies, have started to offer the COVID-19 vaccination service, with more pharmacies joining over the coming months.Community pharmacies in England, who are or will be providing the COVID-19 vaccination service are required to deliver 1,000 vaccines per week and to achieve this they are supported in the form of training, funding for the service and non-monetary support, including delivery of vaccines, consumables, personal protective equipment and other equipment to operate the site. NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with all the national pharmacy organisations on plans to ensure that community pharmacies, including independent pharmacies, are used to optimal effect in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, starting with the sites that can do this at scale. Coronavirus: Vaccination Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that vulnerable patients who cannot travel to vaccination hubs are vaccinated for COVID-19 in the community. Lord Bethell: Local vaccination services are led by Primary Care Networks and are well placed to support the specific needs of the highest risk individuals. They also coordinate and deliver vaccinations to people who are unable to attend a vaccination site, including visiting care homes, the homes of housebound individuals and other settings to reach the most vulnerable groups. Coronavirus: Vaccination Baroness Barker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what resources theyhave providedto local authorities to assist in (1) identifying, (2) finding appropriate local vaccination settings in, and (3) administering COVID-19 vaccinations in, hard to reach communities. Lord Bethell: Local authorities are involved in planning locally and have been working closely with National Health Service regional teams and the national programme in support of the vaccine deployment. Key areas of collaboration include the selection of appropriate vaccination sites, local communications on vaccine messaging and engaging with vulnerable/ hard to reach communities or disproportionately impacted groups. At a national level, there are a range of platforms in which local government and NHS partners are brought together to discuss this in greater detail, such as the National Vaccine Deployment Steering Group. At the same time, as part of an extensive communications campaign, the Government has brought in local trusted voices to invite an open dialogue and ensure a joined-up approach to encourage uptake by vulnerable people in local communities. Hospitals: Coronavirus Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to track the number of patients who tested negative for COVID-19 on admission to hospital in England but then contracted COVID-19 whilst in hospital. Lord Bethell: NHS England and NHS Improvement collect and publish data relating to the numbers of patients diagnosed in the community with COVID-19 and subsequently admitted to hospital or admitted to hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19 within eight days of admission. However, due to the incubation period of the virus and local differences in application of testing protocols, it is not possible to definitively determine how many of these patients contracted the virus whilst in hospital. Department for Education Students: Coronavirus Baroness Neville-Rolfe: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) emotional, and (2) social, impact on university students of remote learning; whether they plan to prioritise the return of such students to classrooms or other physical settings within the next six weeks; and if not, why not. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Protecting student wellbeing is vital, and we recognise that many students are facing additional mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why we have asked providers to prioritise student mental health during this period. The Student Mental Health and Wellbeing working group, convened by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Universities, has discussed the emotional and social impact of the pandemic on students in detail and has created a resources document for higher education providers, collating the guidance, tools, and services available to support students’ mental health. This information is now being spread through the networks of the working group members, including university and student representatives, to raise awareness of the support available and enable people to seek help. The Minister of State for Universities also established the Higher Education Taskforce on 18 August 2020, which is formed of various sector representatives to work through challenges that students are facing.Alongside this, the Office for Students (OfS) has been working closely with the government throughout the pandemic to support students – funding mental health support, monitoring quality, and issuing guidance. We have worked with the OfS to provide Student Space, a mental health and wellbeing platform, which has been funded by up to £3 million. We are pleased that they have been able to extend the platform to support students for the whole 2020/21 academic year, because no student should be left behind at this challenging time.In the current national lockdown, we have had to take additional steps to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including by significantly reducing the number of students returning to university after the Christmas holidays, and limiting the number of people travelling to and from university facilities. We are now advising providers that they can resume in-person teaching and education for students who are studying practical or practice-based subjects (including creative arts) and who require specialist equipment and facilities from 8 March 2021. Providers should not ask students to return if their course can reasonably be continued online. The government will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for the timing of the return of remaining students. This review will take account of the latest data and will be a key part of the wider roadmap steps. Apprentices: Ethnic Groups Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase participation rates of people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities in apprenticeship programmes. Baroness Berridge: Apprenticeships benefit people of all ages and backgrounds, and we want to ensure that more people from underrepresented backgrounds can undertake them, particularly those that offer higher wage returns and progression opportunities.We are pleased to have seen positive outcomes in the representation of people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background in apprenticeships, with a particular increase in the proportion of higher-level apprenticeship starts. In the 2019/20 academic year apprentices from BAME backgrounds accounted for 13.3% starts compared to 12.5% starts in 2018/19. At higher levels, level 4 and above, BAME representation exceeds the national working age population, sitting at 16% for 2019/20 academic year.During National Apprenticeship Week 2021, we announced the new chair of the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network, my hon. Friend, the Member for Great Grimsby, Lia Nici, who will be responsible for setting and shaping the network’s objectives, working alongside the department.The network champions apprenticeships and diversity amongst employers and encourages people from underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities, women and people from BAME backgrounds, to consider apprenticeships. It currently has 88 members including Channel 4, Siemens Plc, Lloyds Banking Group and several NHS Trusts.We are building on this work to ensure that we continue to see improved representation of people from BAME backgrounds starting apprenticeships, especially in sectors that carry historic under-representation. We will work closely with these sectors to understand why this is the case, and to co-develop targeted solutions. We will also be working extensively with employers, with a particular focus on small to medium sized businesses, to understand what barriers they face in taking on apprentices and how they can support apprentices from different backgrounds. We will also be working closely with BAME representative groups to further understand how to retain and support progress for people from BAME backgrounds.To encourage those from underrepresented groups to consider apprenticeships, we are promoting apprenticeships in schools across England through our Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme. This free service provides schools and teachers with resources and interventions to help better educate young people about apprenticeships and traineeships. National Skills Fund Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend National Skills Fund allocations beyond July 2021. Baroness Berridge: We are investing £375 million in the financial year 2021-22 for the National Skills Fund, as announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the Spending Review in November 2020. This includes £95 million funding for a new level 3 adult offer and £43 million for Skills Bootcamps.The new level 3 adult offer will support any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification – equivalent to two A levels, or an advanced technical certificate or diploma – to access around 400 fully funded courses. This offer will be available from April 2021.Funding for this national offer will be delivered to providers via the Adult Education Budget process. It will be administered through the Education Skills Funding Agency for residents of non-devolved areas, and by Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Greater London Authority for residents in those areas.Adult funding allocations for the academic year starting August 2021, for providers funded through a grant funding agreement, are expected to be issued by the end of March 2021 and will include the National Skills Fund level 3 adult offer for learners resident in non-devolved areas. For providers who do not receive an up-front allocation funding for April 2021 to July 2021, arrangements about how to access this funding will be included in the 2021-22 funding and performance management rules (when published in the spring).To access funding from August 2021 onwards, Independent Learning Providers with a contract for service and providers that wish to bid for a contract for service to supplement any grant funding can submit a bid under the Education and Skills Funding Agency tender which was launched on 5 February 2021 and closes on 22 March 2021. It will award Adult Education Budget contracts for services for the delivery of education and training, and will also include the level 3 adult offer, to learners resident in non-devolved areas. The contracts will start on 1 August 2021 and run for the 2021-22 academic year.We plan to consult on the future of the National Skills Fund in spring 2021 to ensure that the fund helps adults learn valuable skills and prepares them for the economy of the future. Ministry of Justice Prisons: Visits Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in the last 12 months to maintain visiting rights for prisoners while there have been restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic; how many visits were permitted for each category of prisoner each month; what estimate they have made of the percentage of all prisoners who have received visitors since March 2020; and whether all prison visitors are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test. Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: In response to COVID-19, the MoJ/HMPPS took decisive action to protect staff and prisoners. These changes are set out in ‘COVID-19: National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services’, available attached and here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-national-framework-for-prison-regimes-and-services. In line with this framework and public health advice, at different times during the pandemic social face-to-face visits in the adult estate have had to be temporarily suspended (other than on exceptional compassionate grounds which need to be agreed in advance with the prison). Visits to children in the Youth Custody Estate (YCS) have continued. Official/ legal visits have continued, conducted remotely where possible. Social visits during the pandemic have taken place in line with the National Framework and a regime Exception Delivery Model with additional measures put in place to ensure that they can do so in a COVID-19 secure manner. These have had to include restricting the numbers of visits, length of visits and numbers of visitors in each session. We do not require evidence of a negative test as a pre-cursor to visiting. Decisions as to how visits operate at each establishment within this framework are determined through locally led assessments informed by Public Health advice. Information on how visits operate is set out on each establishment’s information page on GOV.UK, available here; https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prisons-in-england-and-wales, and communicated to those wishing to visit as part of the local booking arrangements. In line with the National Framework, arrangements for social visits remain under constant review in light of public health guidance. Data on the numbers of visits is not collated and held nationally. This information cannot therefore be provided without disproportionate cost. As part of a wider package of measures to enable those in prison and the YCS to maintain contact with families and significant others throughout the pandemic, we also introduced circa 1,500 additional mobile PIN phones, have provided additional PIN credit and have introduced an emergency secure Video Calling service which to date has supported over 100,000 calls.PDF (pdf, 849.4KB) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office China: Uighurs Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States about the previous US administration’s determination that China has committed genocide in its repression of Uighurs and other minority groups; and what plans they have to make a similar determination. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In a call on 27 January 2021, the Foreign Secretary and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed cooperation to hold China to its international commitments. The government remains gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. We regularly discuss these concerns and related questions of policy with the US. The UK plays a leading role in holding China to account for its human rights violations in the region, working closely with international partners, including the US.It is the long-standing policy of the British Government that any judgment as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent court, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. Competent courts include international courts, such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and national criminal courts that meet international standards of due process. China: Uighurs Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the legal opinion by Alison Macdonald QC, Jackie McArthur, Naomi Hart and Lorraine Aboagye on International criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity and genocide against the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, published on 26 January. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has taken careful note of the recently published legal opinion by Alison Macdonald QC et al. Our deep concern about the serious and widespread human rights violations in Xinjiang is a matter of record. The UK has led international efforts to hold China to account, and on 12 January the Foreign Secretary announced a package of measures to help ensure that British organisations, whether public or private sector, are not complicit in, nor profiting from, the human rights violations in Xinjiang. Occupied Territories: British Nationals Abroad Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that UK citizens have been accused of involvement in the deaths of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government is aware of the high numbers of Palestinians, including children, killed by Israel Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza. We have urged Israel to ensure that its investigation is swift and comprehensive. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, in particular the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we advocate transparent investigations. Zimbabwe: Sanctions Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report byMaverick CitizenCartel Power Dynamics in Zimbabwe, published on 9 February,what plans they have to impose further sanctions on ministers and officials in the government of Zimbabwe. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of the report on 'Cartel Power Dynamics in Zimbabwe', published on 9 February by South Africa's Maverick Citizen. The UK is deeply worried about the state of the Zimbabwean economy, which continues to face unprecedented challenges largely due to corruption, and poor fiscal policies and economic mismanagement by the Government. The UK remains committed to reducing poverty and helping the people of Zimbabwe secure their constitutional freedoms.On 1 February, we announced sanctions against four Zimbabwean security sector chiefs responsible for serious human rights violations under President Mnangagwa. These measures will be maintained as long as the situation on the ground justifies them. We will continue to look at how all the tools available to the UK, including the full range of sanctions regimes, can be used to encourage accountability and reform in Zimbabwe. It is longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations. Libya: Freezing of Assets Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Belgium about the treatment of frozen Libyan assets in Belgium. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The treatment of Libyan assets frozen in Belgium is a matter for the Belgian competent authorities within the framework of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. All exemption requests require full and careful compliance with relevant processes and procedures outlined in UNSCR 1970 (2011). Libya: Freezing of Assets Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the dispute between the government of Belgium and the Libyan Investment Authority over access to frozen Libyan assets in Belgium. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011) decided that all Member States shall freeze assets owned or controlled by individuals or entities listed by the Libya Sanctions Committee. The Resolution also expresses the Council's intention to ensure that assets frozen shall at a later stage be made available to and for the benefit of the people of the Libya. UNSCR 1970 sets out exemptions to the asset freeze. All exemption requests require full and careful compliance with relevant processes and procedures outlined in UNSCR 1970. Private Military and Security Companies Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens are permitted (1) to act as mercenaries, and (2) to train with foreign militaries; and if so, (a) under what legislative or other framework such activity is permitted, and (b) in what countries they permit such activity. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK government notes Article 47 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, of which the UK is a party, which sets out the definition of a mercenary. There is no licensing system or permission process in UK law for a UK citizen who intends to act as a mercenary to follow. UK law focusses on the activities of UK citizens abroad, which may be prosecuted in the UK where UK law makes such provision. For example, under the International Criminal Courts Acts of 2001, UK courts have jurisdiction to prosecute acts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by UK nationals either inside or outside of the United Kingdom, and offences of murder committed outside the jurisdiction may be prosecuted in the UK. Additionally, the direct or indirect provision of armed personnel, where it enables or facilitates the conduct of armed hostilities, may constitute an offence under UK sanctions regimes. This legislation enables the UK to prosecute a UK citizen accused of committing such crimes overseas as a mercenary or whilst working for a private security company.We draw a clear distinction between mercenaries and private security companies (PSCs). We promote high standards for PSCs internationally through voluntary regulation of the sector and played a leading role in the drafting of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (2010), which sets out principles for security providers, and related standards, governance, and oversight mechanisms, and the launch of its oversight mechanism to monitor compliance with the Code, the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) (2013).Members of UK Armed Forces regularly undertake training and engage in exercises with a wide range of international partners in that professional capacity, where this best supports the development of UK military capability, contributes to the development of international defence relationships and supports wider government objectives. Palestinians: Human Rights Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the human rights of Palestinians of the decision by the government of Israel to classify a nature reserve near the Ainun area in Tubas as a military zone. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of the continued expropriation of land by Israel in the West Bank. We regularly call on Israel to halt such counterproductive activity and instead urgently commit to creating a better environment for a just and lasting peace. We continue to call on Israel to improve Palestinians' route to securing building permissions for homes and infrastructure, including agriculture and farming, in Area C. North Korea: Borders Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that (1) the number of people trying to leave North Korea over the border rivers of Yalu and Tumen has risen since the beginning of January, and (2) many would-be defectors have been shot and killed by border guards. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are not aware of recent specific reports concerning North Koreans attempting to leave the country over the Yalu and Tumen rivers. We will continue to monitor the situation. We remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in North Korea, following a year of lockdown, and continue to call on North Korea to restore international access for humanitarian assistance. Tigray: Humanitarian Aid Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the President of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society that 80 per cent of Tigray is currently unreachable for aid access and that people are at risk of starvation. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note recent assessments that there are still significant restrictions to access in Tigray and are concerned about the impact of the conflict on food security and nutrition in the region. The Foreign Secretary raised the need for humanitarian access to Tigray with President Abiy during his recent visit to Ethiopia and pressed for a political dialogue to bring lasting peace to the region. In this context we welcome the recent visits to Ethiopia by senior UN officials and hope that they will deliver a sustained step-change in humanitarian access. The UK is working closely with humanitarian and development agencies, including the Ethiopian Red Cross, to make sure aid reaches civilians affected by the fighting. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are working hard to deliver support in challenging circumstances, including food, shelter, water and healthcare. The Foreign Secretary visited Gondar, in the neighbouring Amhara region on 22 January and saw first-hand how £11m of UK Aid is supporting the World Food Programme and NGOs to ensure the delivery of aid to those affected by the conflict. Developing Countries: Coronavirus Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from (1) NGOs, and (2) others, about (a) the World Trade Organization’s proposed ‘Waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19’ (IP/C/W/669), and (b) the need of developing countries for immediate access to the COVID-19 vaccines currently available; what assessment they have made of any such representations; and what assessment they have made of (i) the humanitarian needs of people in developing countries, and (ii) the need to avoid new opportunities for the development and spread of COVID-19 mutations. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, and has committed £548 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to ensure COVID-19 vaccine access for low- and middle-income countries. We do not consider waiving intellectual property (IP) rights to be an appropriate course of action in boosting the manufacturing of safe, effective, and quality vaccines. The existing intellectual property framework has mobilised research and development to deliver a host of new medicines and technologies to detect, treat, and defend against COVID-19.According to the UN Global Humanitarian Overview, 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2021. Humanitarian needs are the largest on record, driven in large part by the direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK is a major humanitarian donor, providing over £2 billion in assistance to humanitarian crises in the last financial year. The emergence of new COVID-19 variants serves as a powerful reminder that viruses mutate by their very nature. As a result, over 4000 SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified across the globe. The UK's world-leading genomic sequencing continues to monitor these variants as they arise and develop, and we will offer this expertise to identify new variants to countries who do not have the resources to do so. Ministry of Defence Armed Forces: Coronavirus Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to ensure that armed forces personnel receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Baroness Goldie: Defence is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and other Government Departments to ensure that Armed Forces personnel receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the earliest practical opportunity, in line with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Those in healthcare roles and individuals most at risk from complications of COVID-19 are being offered the vaccine first. Department for Work and Pensions Universal Credit Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have tomaintain the additional £20 per week to recipients of Universal Credit while the restrictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic remain in place;and, if they have no such plans, why not. Baroness Stedman-Scott: The £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit was announced by the Chancellor as a temporary measure in March 2020 to support those facing the most financial disruption as a result of the public health emergency. This measure remains in place until March 2021. As the Government has done throughout this pandemic, it will continue to assess how best to support low-income families, which is why we will look at the economic and health context before making any decisions. Unemployment: Older People Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the unemployment rate of those aged 65 years old and over; and what steps they are taking to reduce that rate. Baroness Stedman-Scott: The employment rate for people aged 65 and over has dropped from 11.6 per cent at the start of the pandemic to 10.9 per cent in November 2020. To support people aged 65 and over to return to work, the Government’s Plan for Jobs provides new funding to ensure more people, get tailored Jobcentre Plus support to help them find work and to build the skills they need to get into work. This includes £895 million to recruit an additional 13,500 Work Coaches which the Department is on track to achieve by March 2021; a £150 million increase in the Flexible Support Fund which will also boost the capacity of the Rapid Response Service to help those facing redundancy move into other jobs; and £10 million for a new online support service that will provide tailored one-to-one job finding support to the recently unemployed.The Government also aims to triple the number of sector-based work academy programme placements, supporting unemployed claimants of all ages through training and work experience to find a job. We are also investing £238 million into Job Entry: Targeted Support (JETS) to offer new support to those who have been made unemployed for three months.To support the long term unemployed, in the Spending Review 2020, Government has also announced the Restart programme that will provide intensive and tailored support to over one million people and help them find work. The Department also has a network of 50 PLUS Champions throughout all of the 34 Jobcentre Plus districts. These Jobcentre Plus staff work collaboratively with Work Coaches to raise the profile of over 50s claimants, highlighting the benefits of employing them and sharing best practice. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Fisheries Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enforce the UK’s fishing rights. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: As an independent coastal state, the UK has full responsibility over how it ensures compliance in its fisheries. All fishing vessels in UK waters are required to fish in accordance with UK laws and the conditions of their licences. As control and enforcement is a devolved matter, Defra, the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive work together to share information and ensure a coordinated approach to monitoring, compliance and enforcement across UK waters.In England, the Government has undertaken a significant increase in the number of personnel and surveillance assets relating to fisheries protection with a sizeable increase in personnel, an increase in the number of planes available for aerial surveillance and an increase in the level of at-sea surveillance. This strong presence will deter against fisheries infringements, while also enabling our agencies to take robust action where they may occur. In addition, the Joint Maritime Security Centre has been established to enhance joint working between maritime agencies, increase information sharing across Government and maximise benefit from surveillance assets. This enables a more efficient, effective and prioritised maritime patrol enforcement. Cats: Tagging Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local councils scan cats collected as a result of road traffic accidents for microchips. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: It is established good practice for local authorities to scan any cat or dog found on the streets so that the owner can be informed. Cats Protection report that 80% of councils in England routinely scan cats involved in accidents. Additionally, Highways England has clear guidelines for contractors to follow when they find a deceased cat or dog. This process is designed with owners in mind, giving them the best chance of being informed of the incident to allow closure. The process is laid out in the Network Management Manual and in 2015 the necessary arrangements were made in all Highways England’s contracts to collect and identify cats and dogs killed on the strategic road network and to contact their owners. Animals: Tagging Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that (1) non-compliant, and (2) non-DEFRA-approved, animal microchip databases are shut down. Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to inform cat owners of (1) the need to be aware of (a) non-compliant, and (b) non-DEFRA-approved, microchip databases, and (2) the implications of registering their details on such a database. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015, the Defra Secretary of State has powers to ensure database operators meet the requirements under the regulations. The Secretary of State may also authorise in writing "an authorised person", such as a local authority or police constable, to act for the purpose of enforcing these regulations. Defra can therefore work with authorised persons and enforcement agencies, such as Trading Standards, to deal with non-compliant databases.The Government is committed to improving the welfare of cats and is committed to introducing the compulsory microchipping of cats. Cat owners can ensure that they register with a compliant database by using any of the microchipping databases listed on GOV.UK.Defra is also conducting a Post Implementation Review of The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 which will consider the operation of the microchip databases. Cats: Tagging Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage cat owners (1) to microchip their cats, and (2) to keep registered microchip contact details up to date. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Government is committed to improving the welfare of cats and has a manifesto commitment to introduce compulsory microchipping of cats. Defra launched a consultation in December 2020 on the compulsory microchipping and scanning of cats, and scanning of dogs in England which ended on 17 February. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and we will issue our response to it later this year.The Government advises owners to follow the statutory welfare code for cats which advises that microchipping a cat gives them the best chance of being identified, and reunited with their owner if injured or lost. The code of practice for the welfare of cats can be found in the attached document.Cat owners can ensure that they register with a compliant database by using any of the microchipping databases listed on GOV.UK.Cat Welfare Code (pdf, 4254.3KB) Fisheries: Finance Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much of the £23 million promised for the fishing industry affected by disruption following the UK’s departure from the EU has so far been distributed. Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government has provided up to £23 million to deliver the Seafood Disruption Support Scheme. This will provide financial support to seafood businesses that have experienced a verifiable loss due to disruption during the movement of goods to the single market. The scheme opened for applications on 9 February and will close on 28 February, after which we will begin communicating the outcome of applications to applicants and processing payments. Data on the amount of funding distributed through this scheme will therefore not be available until mid to late March.Drawing on the existing £23 million, the Government announced enhanced support on 21 February to provide cash grants for more fishing and shellfish aquaculture businesses affected by a reduction in demand from the hospitality sector in the UK and abroad. Home Office Asylum: Crime The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers given leave to remain in the UK over the last five years have committed (1) minor, and (2) serious, offences; and of this number, how many ultimately applied for and received indefinite leave to remain. Baroness Williams of Trafford: Asylum seekers who are granted refugee status or humanitarian protection will usually be granted a period of limited leave (for 5 years) along with any dependants included on the claim. When their leave is due to expire, they must apply for further leave for themselves and any qualifying dependants if they want to remain in the UK.After 5 years limited leave, an individual becomes eligible to apply for settlement in the UK (which constitutes indefinite leave to remain) but this is a privilege and not an automatic right.Settlement may be refused where protection is no longer required; or where there is evidence of criminality or concerns about their character, conduct or associations such that they should be denied the benefits of permanent residence in the UK. Those who no longer need protection can return home in safety or apply to stay under other provisions of the Immigration Rules. Those who are still at risk of serious harm in their country are not expected to return there and where appropriate they will be granted limited leave if they do not qualify for settlement.The available published data on asylum-related grants of settlement (indefinite leave to remain) are published in settlement tables se_02_q and se_02 in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. The published data do not show whether the applicant had previously committed 1) minor, and (2) serious, offences.To capture the numbers requested would require a manual trawl of data and to do so would incur disproportionate cost. There are no plans to identify these individuals separately within our published statistics.Settlement Tables (xlsx, 1381.2KB) Police: Cameras Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of (1) the efficacy in aiding police investigations, and (2) the number of successful prosecutions resulting from the use, of body-worn camera footage. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government is committed to empowering police to use new technologies, like body-worn cameras, which equip officers with the tools they need for modern policing. Its deployment is an operational matter for each police force and decisions will be made based on local priorities.There is no centrally held data on its efficacy in investigations or prosecutions, however the benefits are recognised widely in policing. Police: Coronavirus Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional support theyhave provided to frontline police officers during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government has been clear that it will provide police forces with the support they need to continue protecting the public and keep communities safe through the coronavirus pandemic.In October 2020 the Government announced an additional £30m of funding for police forces in England and Wales to step up their enforcement of coronavirus rules.In addition, we have provided the police the powers and guidance they need to support compliance with covid-19 social distancing and lockdown restrictions. This includes the powers to issue FPNs against offences breaching the Coronavirus regulationsThe Home Office continues to work closely with the policing sector to monitor and respond to their needs in these challenging circumstances. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Parliamentary Consultants Lord Krebs: To ask Her Majesty's Government who are the official advisors on (1) the natural environment, and (2) climate change, within the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. Lord Greenhalgh: Government is advised by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) – the independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008 – whose role is to advise the UK and devolved Governments, including MHCLG. The Department also seeks the relevant advice from executive non-departmental bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency. Woodhouse Colliery Lord Krebs: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they (1) sought, or (2) received, advice from the Climate Change Committee before deciding not to refuse planning permission for the proposed coal mine in Cumbria. Lord Krebs: To ask Her Majesty's Government what expert advice on climate change impacts they received before deciding not to refuse planning permission for the proposed coal mine in Cumbria. Lord Greenhalgh: In the decision of 6 January, the Secretary of State decided not to call in the planning application for the proposed West Cumbria Coal mine. In that decision, the Secretary of State carefully considered this case against his published policy on calling in planning applications, as set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012. Further representations to MHCLG when received are carefully considered. Council Tax The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether current council tax bands in England adequately reflect changes to property prices since 1991. Lord Greenhalgh: Council tax bands in England reflect the sale value of properties at 1 April 1991 and provide a proxy for relative ability to pay. This banding system is well understood and provides a stable income stream to local authorities and predictable annual bills for taxpayers. National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service: Location Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recommendation was made by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation about the location of the proposed National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. Lord Greenhalgh: Following an extensive search of central London locations, the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation recommended Victoria Tower Gardens as the most fitting site for the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. The Government agreed with the Foundation's recommendation. Treasury Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland Executive Minister of Finance has asked to roll over unspent resources from the current financial year into the next financial year; and if so, (1) when they received this request, and (2) what, if any, indication the Minister gave of the amount of unspent resources. Lord Agnew of Oulton: As set out in the Statement of Funding Policy, the Northern Ireland Executive are able to move funding between financial years through Budget Exchange. The total level of 2020-21 underspends will not be known until the end of the financial year and normal practice would be for the NIE to notify HMT of how it intends to use it’s budget exchange flexibilities at Supplementary Estimates 2021-22. However, due to the exceptional circumstances this year, HM Treasury has worked closely with all three devolved administrations to provide additional flexibility. As a result the Northern Ireland Executive can now carry forward into 2021-22 over £300m of Barnett-based funding, as well as any business rates relief repaid, on top of Budget Exchange. Occupational Pensions: Tax Allowances Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people recorded by HMRC as earning below the Personal Allowance for taxable income who contributed to a workplace pension using ‘net pay’ tax relief in all tax years since 2017; and of this number, how many were (1) women, and (2) men. Lord Agnew of Oulton: HMRC estimates that 1.5m individuals earning below the personal allowance in 2017-18 made workplace pension contributions via Real Time Information (RTI) using net pay arrangements. Around 75% of these individuals are estimated to be female and 25% are estimated to be male. The personal allowance in 2017-18 was £11,500. HMRC’s Survey of Personal Income (SPI) and administrative data was used to produce the estimates. The 2017-18 SPI data (published in March 2020) is the latest year available. The SPI is updated annually. As indicated in HMRC’s statistics announcement, the 2018-19 Personal Incomes Statistics (Distributional analysis) is expected to be published on 31 March 2021 and the Personal Incomes Statistics (Regional analysis) is expected to be published on 28 April 2021. Occupational Pensions: Tax Allowances Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the results of their call for evidence on pensions tax relief administration, and in particular those relating to the issue of low earners paying 25 per cent extra for their pension if their employer chooses to use a ‘net pay’ auto-enrolment pension scheme. Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government recognises the different impacts of the two systems of paying pension tax relief on pension contributions for workers earning below the personal allowance. At Budget 2020, the Government announced it would launch a Call for Evidence on pensions tax relief administration, in line with its manifesto commitment to undertake a comprehensive review of this issue. This Call for Evidence set out the Government’s views on proposals already put forward by stakeholders, invited further proposals, and sought views on the operation of the RAS method. The Call for Evidence is now closed. The Government is analysing the responses and will respond in due course. Small Businesses: Non-domestic Rates Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce the rates relief threshold for small businesses. Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government has no immediate plans to change the eligibility criteria for Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR). Properties with a rateable value of £12,000 or less pay no business rates under SBRR. For properties with a rateable value above £12,000 and less than £15,000, SBRR tapers from 100% relief to 0%. The fundamental review of business rates will consider all parts of the business rates system, including reliefs and any eligibility criteria. Occupational Pensions: Tax Allowances Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people recorded by HMRC as earning below the Personal Allowance for taxable income who contributed to a workplace pension using ‘relief at source’ tax relief in all tax years since 2017; and of this number, how many were (1) women, and (2) men. Lord Agnew of Oulton: HMRC estimate that 1.3m individuals earning below the personal allowance in 2017-18 made workplace pension contributions via Real Time Information (RTI) using relief at source arrangements. About 65% of these individuals are estimated to be female and 35% are estimated to be male. The personal allowance in 2017-18 was £11,500. HMRC’s Survey of Personal Income (SPI) and administrative data was used to produce the estimates. The 2017-18 SPI data (published in March 2020) is the latest year available. As indicated in HMRC’s statistics announcement, the 2018-19 Personal Incomes Statistics (Distributional analysis) is expected to be published on 31 March 2021 and the Personal Incomes Statistics (Regional analysis) is expected to be published on 28 April 2021. Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Lord Stevenson of Balmacara: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies Who is excluded from the government's Self Employment Income Support Scheme and what could the government do about it?, published on 27 January;andwhat plans they have to introduce targeted support to freelance workers in the creative industries who do not qualify for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme(1) who becameself-employed after 2019,and (2) who are on zero-hour contracts. Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has provided and will continue to provide generous support to self-employed people who meet the eligibility criteria.The Government has recognised taxpayers have faced immense challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has prioritised delivering support to as many people as possible while guarding against the risk of fraud or abuse.The design of the SEISS, including the eligibility requirement that an individual’s trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to their non-trading income, means it is targeted at those who most need it, and who are most reliant on their self-employment income.The SEISS is among the most generous schemes for the self-employed in the world. The claims window for the third grant closed on 29 January 2021. As of 31 December, it received claims from 1.9 million individuals so far, amounting to £5.4bn.The fourth grant will cover February to April 2021. The Government will set out further details at the Budget in March.The SEISS continues to be just one element of a substantial package of support for the self-employed which includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, self-isolation support payments and other business support grants. The Government recognises the value of the cultural sector and creative professionals and has announced a £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to protect the cultural sectors through the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than £790m of grants and loans have been allocated to over 3,000 cultural organisations in England. Organisations supported include galleries, theatres, museums, orchestras, music venues, comedy clubs and festivals. This funding will help to support jobs and organisations across the country. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Culture Recovery Fund Lord Smith of Finsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the national restrictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic introduced in England on 4 January, and the impact on the cultural sector of those restrictions, what plans they have to establish a third round of the Cultural Recovery Fund, and whether they plan to offer more than the £1.57 billion that they announced for that fund on 5 July 2020. Baroness Barran: DCMS is fully committed to supporting the culture and heritage sectors to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over £1bn of funding has already been allocated across arts, heritage and independent cinemas, and we are working hard to ensure that the £400m of round two funding supports as many culturally significant organisations as possible.We continue to work closely with our Arms Length Bodies to understand the need in the sector and how best to support them as we transition out of lockdown over the coming months. Royal Parks: Buildings Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy concerning permission for new buildings, not connected with open spaces' or leisure purposes, to be built in Royal Parks. Baroness Barran: Any decisions concerning permission for new buildings, not connected with open spaces or leisure purposes to be built in the Royal Parks will be made in line with relevant planning legislation and will be the subject of the usual consent procedures. The Royal Parks are Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens. The Senior Deputy Speaker Anti-semitism Baroness Deech: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what steps can be taken against members of the House of Lords who express anti-Semitic opinions falling within the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism in the course of their parliamentary duties and activities (1) during, and (2) outside, Parliamentary proceedings. Lord McFall of Alcluith: The Code of Conduct requires members to treat those with whom they come into contact in the course of their parliamentary duties and activities (including parliamentary proceedings) with respect and courtesy. Behaviour that amounts to bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct is a breach of the Code. Under the definitions appended to the Code, harassment is unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct that has the purpose or effect of either violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them and is related to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010, including religion or belief. Anti-Semitic behaviour that amounts to harassment would thus be liable to sanction under the Code. In relation to parliamentary proceedings, however, the Code of Conduct recognises the constitutional principle of freedom of speech and excludes members’ views and opinions from the Commissioner for Standards’ remit. It is open to all members to address offensive behaviour or language used in the course of proceedings.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2021-02-24

Department for Transport Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Tachographs Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the letter fromBaroness Vere of Norbiton to all members of the House of Lords on 24 November regarding smart 2 tachographs, when their installation will become mandatory in (1) new, and (2) existing, vehicles, for use in (a) the UK, or (b) the EU. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: A smart 2 tachograph will need to be installed and used in vehicles (in-scope of the retained EU drivers’ hours regulations) registered for the first time on or after 21st August 2023. This applies to UK and EU registered vehicles used in the UK and the EU. For vehicles registered before 21 August 2023 and used for international journeys between the UK and EU, a smart 2 tachograph will need to be installed in three cases. All cases apply to vehicles registered in the UK and also the EU. These are: on or after 31st December 2024, for vehicles equipped with an analogue tachograph or a digital tachograph;on or after 19th August 2025, for vehicles equipped with a smart tachograph 1; and,on or after 1st July 2026, for vehicles with a maximum permissible mass, including any trailer or semi-trailer, between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, used for hire or reward transport. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Energy Charter Treaty Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to leave the Energy Charter Treaty; and if so, when. Lord Callanan: The Government is closely monitoring developments in the Energy Charter Treaty as part of its engagement with the Treaty’s modernisation process. Aviation: Carbon Emissions Baroness Scott of Needham Market: To ask His Majesty's Government what financial assistance they have given to (1) businesses, or (2) academic institutions, in connection with low carbon aviation in the form of (a) grants, (b) loans, (c) guarantees or indemnities, (d) acquisitions of shares or securities, (e) undertakings or assets, or (f) incurring expenditure, for the benefit of the body assisted in the creation of (i) hydrogen fuel cells, (ii) other electric battery technologies, (iii) hydrogen combustion, (iv) synthetic liquid fuels, and (v) biofuels. Lord Callanan: The Government co-invests in mid-stage R&D, with industry, to develop new ultra-efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technologies through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme. Since 2013, the ATI Programme has committed R&D grants to 29 industry-led collaborative projects on new forms of propulsion or fuels totalling £194m. Industry will co-invest £178m alongside these grants. The R&D projects cover a range of technologies but are primarily focused on aircraft propulsion systems involving hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and electric motors and machines. Each project involves a range of collaborators including industry partners, universities and research organisations. Grants through the ATI Programme have also been provided to develop aircraft gas turbine engines, which have included work packages to test synthetic fuels or biofuels. We have not been able to isolate the cost of this element of research within large projects, so have not included it in the figures set out above. In order to explore the potential for zero-carbon emission flight, the Government also provided a £15m grant to the ATI-led FlyZero project. This in-depth research study, which was completed in March 2022, found green liquid hydrogen offers the greatest potential to power future zero-carbon emission aircraft. To kickstart a domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, the Government has made £227m available, since 2014, to support the development of advanced fuel plants. This includes investing in 8 SAF plants through the Green Fuels, Green Skies competition and more recently launching the £165m Advanced Fuels Fund. The Government has separately committed £12m to establish a UK SAF Clearing House to support the testing and certification of new SAF and £1m to run the first-ever passenger aircraft flight powered by 100% SAF, between the UK and the US, through the Net Zero Transatlantic Flight Fund. These investments are coupled with the £400m UK Government partnership with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst into emerging climate technologies, including SAF. Department of Health and Social Care NHS: Protective Clothing Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 17 November (HL Deb cols 207GC to 215GC), who took the decision to spend £770,000 a day to store 120 million items of PPE in China. Lord Markham: The Government is not spending £770,000 a day to store personal protective equipment (PPE) in China. The average daily cost of storing PPE in China is £106,000 and we are working to further reduce this cost. The business case for this storage was approved in October 2020 by the Department’s relevant accounting officer and was consistent with the governance routes for expenditure on PPE. Midwives: Apprentices Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government which institutions in England offer midwifery apprenticeships. Lord Markham: The following table shows the sites of nine approved midwifery degree apprenticeship programmes in England.LocationDescriptionUniversity of BedfordshireThis is a shortened programmeUniversity of BirminghamThis is a shortened programme which is approved but not currently runningBuckingham New UniversityThis is a three year programme which is approved but not currently runningUniversity of CumbriaThis is a three year programme which is integrated with the fee paying programme and runs in September each yearUniversity of GreenwichThis is a three year programme which is integrated with the fee paying programme and runs in September and January each yearHuddersfield UniversityThis is a three year programme which is approved but not currently runningUniversity of West of EnglandThis is a three year programme which is approved but not currently runningUniversity of West LondonThis is a three year programme which is integrated with the fee paying programme and runs in September and April each yearWolverhampton UniversityThis is a three year programme which is integrated with the fee paying programme and runs in September each year Medicine: Education Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government how many British citizens trained as doctors in Eastern European medical schools, including in countries outside the EU, in each year from 2015 to date; and how many have registered as medical practitioners with the General Medical Council. Lord Markham: The information requested is not held centrally. NHS: Pay Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government, what was the annual pay increase provided to (1) medical consultants, (2) GPs, (3) nurses, (4) porters, and (5) NHS Chief Executives, for each year since 2009; and how this compared to the RPI rate in each of those years. Lord Markham: The Pay Review Body process is the established mechanism for determining pay increases in the public sector, outside of negotiating multi-year pay and contract reform deals.A table showing annual increases to basic pay for National Health Service consultants, salaried general practitioners (GPs) and GP partners, nurses and health visitors and NHS Chief Executives in each year from 2009/10 to 2022/23 compared with the average Retail Price Index inflation is attached, due to the size of the data.Information on pay increases for porters is not held in the format requested.NHS annual pay increases (docx, 24.3KB) Medicine: Education Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government how many British applicants trained as medical students in each year from 2015 to 2021; and how many of those applicants were accepted to train as doctors in each of those years. Lord Markham: The information requested on the nationality of students on medical courses in England or the United Kingdom is not held centrally. However, the Office for Students (OFS) reports the intake of medical students at UK medical schools by ‘home fees’ and ‘other fees’ status. ‘Home’ fee status refers to students eligible to pay the ‘home’ level of tuition fees, where individuals must be resident and ‘settled’ in the UK on ‘the first day of the first academic year’ of their course. With some exceptions, they must also have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for the three years prior to that date. The following table shows the number of starters in English medical schools by ‘home’ fees status in each year since 2015/16.2015/165,4452016/175,4952017/185,4602018/196,1202019/206,8852020/217,5702021/227,780Source: OFS medical and dental intakesThe information requested on the number of British nationals or the number of ‘home fees’ students who subsequently join the Foundation Programme of training in UK hospitals is not held centrally. Doctors: Labour Turnover and Recruitment Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government how many registered medical practitioners have (1) left, and (2) joined, NHS employment, in each year since 2015. Lord Markham: The following table shows the number of Hospital and Community Health Service doctors which have joined and left active service in the National Health Service hospital trusts and commissioning bodies in June of each year since 2014.PeriodNumber of leaversNumber of joinersJune 2014 to June 201515,50717,963June 2015 to June 201617,22217,950June 2016 to June 201716,10919,164June 2017 to June 201816,58019,524June 2018 to June 201918,41321,670June 2019 to June 202017,11426,243June 2020 to June 202117,80620,915June 2021 to June 202219,84624,207 Source: NHS Digital workforce statisticsThis includes those staff moving to or joining from settings such as primary care and general practice. This movement is commonplace with the rotations of placements undertaken by doctors in training grades. It will also include staff who choose to take breaks from active service such as career breaks and maternity or paternity leave. Midwives: Apprentices Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which midwifery apprenticeships are an effective route into the profession in England. Lord Markham: Health Education England has commissioned the Royal College of Midwives to undertake an evaluation of midwifery degree apprenticeship programmes. This will undertake a cost/benefit analysis of the programme and evaluate the experience of delivery. The outcomes are expected in April 2023. Prescription Drugs Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) pharmacists, (2) registered nurses, (3) physiotherapists, (4) occupational therapists, (5) radiographers, (6) and paramedics, are registered to prescribe medicines; what proportion of each of those professions are licensed; and what plans they have to expand the numbers of each of those groups registered and the range of medicines covered. Lord Markham: This information is not held centrally. Pharmacists, registered nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and paramedics are subject to statutory regulation and must be registered with the relevant healthcare regulatory body to practise in the United Kingdom. Pharmacists are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, registered nurses are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and paramedics are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council.Pharmacists, registered nurses, physiotherapists, therapeutic radiographers and paramedics are legally entitled to be independent prescribers. Diagnostic radiographers are legally entitled to be supplementary prescribers. Individuals must have completed an approved post-registration training course and have an annotation placed against their name in the professional register to state that they have completed this course before this entitlement can be utilised. Occupational therapists are currently able to supply and/or administer medicines under a Patient-Specific Direction or Patient Group Direction within local clinical governance arrangements.The Department is responsible for providing the legal framework for allowing registered health professionals to train as independent prescribers. Healthcare providers are responsible for utilising the legal framework to increase local capacity according to clinical need and the desired service configuration. The medicines which may be prescribed is dependent on the individual’s clinical competence and scope of practice. Where any controlled drugs are to be prescribed, there must be specific provision in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Physician Associates Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of physician assistants currently employed in the NHS; and what plans they have to expand the number of physician assistants in England. Lord Markham: As of June 2022, there were 1,261 full time equivalent (FTE) physician associates (PAs) employed in National Health Service hospital trusts and commissioning bodies. This is an increase of 18% from the previous year. In September 2002, there were also 1,362 FTE PAs employed in general practice and Primary Care Networks, an increase of 51% from the previous year.There are approximately 1,800 students on a PA programme. Health Education England offers a £5,000 preceptorship allowance paid to employers to support the supervision and educational needs for newly qualified PAs working in primary care. Electronic Cigarettes and Tobacco: Young People Baroness Redfern: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to tackle illicit (1) tobacco, and (2) vape, sales to underage young people. Lord Markham: Tackling illicit tobacco: From leaf to light The HMRC and Border Force strategy to tackle tobacco smuggling was published in May 2015. This strategy implements an approach to address illicit tobacco across the Government through agencies such as the Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs, local Trading Standards and working with other enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom and overseas to disrupt, deter and punish those involved. A copy of the strategy is attached.In 2019, HM Revenue and Customs introduced the UK system for the tracking and tracing of legitimate cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco manufactured in or imported into the UK and through the supply chain to retail. There are plans to legislate to introduce greater sanctions for non-compliance, which includes a civil penalty of up to £10,000 for serious breaches. In 2020, the Government introduced funding for HM Revenue and Customs and National Trading Standards to address the trade in illicit tobacco through Project CeCe and support regional co-operation.We have a strong regulatory framework to deter the appeal of vaping to children by restricting product advertising, limits on nicotine strength, labelling and safety requirements, a duty to notify products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and making it illegal to sell vapes and tobacco to those aged under 18 years old. The Department continues to work with enforcement agencies to ensure these regulations are enforced in England. The Government is currently considering recommendations on illicit tobacco and measures to deter children from vaping and further information will be available in due course.Tackling illicit tobacco: From leaf to light (pdf, 276.9KB) Patient Choice Schemes Lord Warner: To ask His Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the proportion of patients who were offered a choice of where they received their NHS consultant-led treatment in each year since 2015. Lord Markham: This information is not held in the format requested. However, NHS Digital has collected data on the proportion of patients offered a choice of provider for elective referrals from those who responded to the Manage Your Referral (MYR) NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) Survey. The MYR e-RS Survey enables patients who have used e-RS for elective referrals for directly bookable services to record their experience of being offered a choice of elective care provider. These results are available to integrated care boards and NHS England to review, assure and improve in order to meet its responsibilities related to patient choice.The following table shows the responses received to the question “When you agreed to be referred to a specialist, did you talk about the different hospitals or services you could go to?” in each year since 2018.YearYesNoDon’t knowSample size201839%59%2%6,962201938%60%3%4,722202035%62%3%8,099202132%65%2%6,158202231%66%3%5,045 The following table shows the responses received to the question “Did you feel that you were able to make choices that met your needs?” in each year since 2018.YearYesNoDon’t knowSample size201839%59%2%6,962201977%15%9%4,722202077%14%9%8,099202174%16%10%6,158202271%18%11%5,045 Neural Tube Defects Lord Rooker: To ask His Majesty's Government how many pregnancies affected by neural tube defects were second or subsequent pregnancies, in each of the last five years. Lord Markham: The information is not collected in the format requested. Folic Acid Lord Rooker: To ask His Majesty's Government whether allmeasures of (1) whole blood folate, and (2) serum folate, in the UK are conducted by mass spectrometry-based methods. Lord Markham: The information is not collected centrally. Neural Tube Defects: Blood Tests Lord Rooker: To ask His Majesty's Government how many blood samples connected to neural tube defects have been sent for analysis to the Centre for Disease Control in the United States in each of the last five years. Lord Markham: The NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme aims to detect neural tube defects through the 20-week screening scan rather than a blood sample. Health Services: Prisoners Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that prisoners in England and Wales have access to healthcare of equivalent quality to that received by the general public. Lord Markham: As a signatory to the National Partnership Agreement for Prison Healthcare, the Department of Health and Social Care is committed to working with the Ministry of Justice, HM Prison and Probation Service, NHS England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities to ensure safe, legal, decent and effective care which improves health outcomes and reduces health inequalities for prisoners. As of October 2022, 96% of new arrivals in the adult custodial estate, excluding Immigration Removal Centres and short-term holding facilities, received an initial health screening and 83% received a further health assessment within seven days. Health: Disadvantaged Baroness Redfern: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to commission further research into smoking related health disparities. Lord Markham: While there are no specific plans to do so, we continue to work with researchers on smoking related health disparities. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is a partner in the SPECTRUM research consortium, which undertakes research on unhealthy products such as tobacco, alcohol and food and health disparities. Gambling: Rehabilitation The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers byLord Markham on 16 November (HL3261) and 17 November (HL3260),what data they can provide on patient numbers at (1) NHS gambling clinics, and (2) the NHS national children and young person’s pilot gambling clinic. Lord Markham: While the information requested is not held by clinic, the following table shows the number of referrals to the NHS London Gambling Service via the National Problem Gambling Clinic and Children and Young Person’s Clinic and the Northern Gambling Service in Leeds, Manchester and Sunderland in each year since 2020/21. 2020/217752021/221,013April to September 2022599 Data from the Children and Young Person’s Clinic includes referrals for gaming. Gambling: Rehabilitation The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers byLord Markham on 16 November (HL3261) and 17 November (HL3260),why they do not have the data requested; and what plans they have to collect such data. Lord Markham: The information requested is currently collected by service rather than by clinic. In 2023/24, NHS England plans to report data from all National Health Service gambling services through the Mental Health Services Dataset. Ophthalmic Services: Special Educational Needs Lord Blunkett: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to renew the NHS contract for the Special Schools Eye Care service; and what timetable has been laid out for a decision on the future of this service. Lord Markham: The NHS Long Term Plan committed to ensure that children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism in special residential schools have access to eyesight, hearing and dental checks. In 2021, NHS England commenced a proof of concept programme to pilot and evaluate a potential sight testing service model in residential schools. The pilot is currently being evaluated and we expect this to conclude early in 2023.NHS England has confirmed that existing contracts in day schools will continue until 31 March 2023. The evaluation of the proof of concept pilot will also inform whether this service should continue. Social Services: Finance Lord Blunkett: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's autumn statement on 17 November, whether they will provide a breakdown of the funding available for social care in England in the years (1) 2023, (2) 2024, and (3) 2025, and how much of this funding will be provided by (a) central government, and (b) local authorities from council tax. Lord Markham: Up to an additional £2.8 billion will be available for social care in 2023/24 and £4.7 billion in 2024/25. This is further to previous grant funding agreed at the Spending Review 2021. We are also providing £500 million in winter 2022/23 to support local areas to accelerate safe discharge from hospital. Funding available for social care in England beyond 2024/25 will be determined at a future Spending Review. Heart Diseases: Primary Health Care Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 11 July (HL1644), what steps they are taking to roll out the ‘Managing Heart Failure @home’ scheme across the NHS following its successful pilot in July. Lord Markham: NHS England is selecting early adopter sites to trial a ‘Managing Heart Failure@home’ approach and is working with clinical cardiac networks on local plans for systems to support patients with managing heart failure and raising awareness. Heart Diseases: Health Education Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 11 July (HL1645), what steps they are taking to raise awareness of heart failure, particularly among those most at risk. Lord Markham: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is addressing the factors which increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke, including working with local government to modernise the NHS Health Check programme and delivering social marketing and behavioural interventions. Neural Tube Defects Lord Rooker: To ask His Majesty's Government how many births there have been in each of the last five years that were classed as (1) spina bifida, (2) hydrocephalus, and (3) anencephaly, caused by neural tube defects. Lord Markham: The following table shows the number of births and birth prevalence for spina bifida, hydrocephalus and anencephaly caused by neural tube defects in 2018 and 2019. Data prior to 2018 is not available in the format requested. Data for 2020 will be published in December. Number of births in 2019Prevalence per 10,000 total births and 95% confidence interval in 2019Number of births in 2018Prevalence per 10,000 total births and 95% confidence interval in 2018Spina bifida3355.4 (4.9-6.1)3365.3 (4.8-6)Hydrocephalus2664.3 (3.8-4.9)2423.9 (3.4-4.4)Anencephalus and similar3175.2 (4.6-5.8)2774.4 (3.9-5) Source: The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration ServiceNote:The denominator used to calculate prevalence is obtained from the Office for National Statistics and reflects all live and still births in 2018 and 2019. These figures are for England and the crown dependencies. Ministry of Justice Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review Lord Macdonald of River Glaven: To ask His Majesty's Government when they will respond to the remainder of the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid, published on 29 November 2021; and in particular, the recommendation to raise the rates of pay for prison law work. Lord Stewart of Dirleton: The Government published its full response to the consultation on the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review on 30 November; this included the recommendation to raise the rates of pay for prison law work. The response can be found here: Response to Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Brazil: Foreign Relations The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to strengthen bilateral relations with Brazil, particularly regarding climate change; and what discussions they (1) are having, or (2) plan to have, with the government of that country. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK welcomed Brazil's commitments at COP26 to eliminate illegal deforestation by 2028 and restore 18 million hectares of forest by 2030. We look forward to working with the current and incoming Brazilian Government to protect Earth's natural resources. At COP27, I, Climate Envoy John Murton, DEFRA Secretary of State Therese Coffey and BEIS Minister Stuart met current and incoming ministerial and Congress representatives from Brazil. They discussed potential cooperation with the UK, including on trade policies that reflect climate and nature. We are keen to develop a partnership with Brazil to implement commitments made in Glasgow that deliver green growth for both countries. Libya: Politics and Government The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current (1) political, and (2) security, situation in Libya; and what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to improve the current political situation and prevent a return to civil war. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Almost a year since failed elections in Libya, the political impasse continues without a clear route to elections and with an on-going risk of increased violence and insecurity. The UK is committed to supporting Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to reinvigorate the UN-facilitated, Libyan-led and owned political process, including parliamentary and presidential elections, in order to secure peace, stability and prosperity in Libya. In October, we hosted senior officials from Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and the US to discuss supporting UN efforts to get Libya back on a credible electoral footing. Anush Apetyan Baroness Cox: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan following allegations about the torture and murder of Anush Apetyan by Azerbaijani forces. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK government continue to raise our concerns regarding alleged atrocities committed during the conflict directly with the relevant authorities. During a meeting with the Azerbaijani Ambassador on 9 November, the Minister for Europe raised allegations that atrocities had been committed during fighting along the international border in September. On 3 October the British Embassy in Baku issued a statement regarding allegations of mistreatment and abuses following fighting in September. On 6 October, the UK Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe highlighted UK concerns over the reports and noted that the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office have launched an investigation. China: Uyghurs The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner reportOHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China, published on 31 August, which found that human rights violations against the Uyghur population "may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity", what steps they are taking in response to that finding. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights provides new evidence of the extent of China's efforts to silence and repress Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. It includes a broad range of evidence, including first-hand accounts from victims.The UK has led international efforts to pressure China to change its behaviour. We have imposed sanctions, led joint statements at the UN, taken action to tackle forced labour in supply chains, funded research to expose China's actions, and consistently raised China's human rights violations at the highest levels in Beijing. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary did so in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on 20 September.Given the seriousness of the report's findings, on 6 October we supported formal action at the UN Human Rights Council that requested a Council Debate on the situation in Xinjiang. While this vote didn't pass, China's attempts to stifle debate and hide the truth will not succeed. We will continue to work with our partners to hold the Chinese authorities to account and continue to shine a spotlight on China's human rights violations. Vladimir Kara-Murza Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Russia concerning the imprisonment of British citizen, Vladimir Kara-Murza, in Russia. Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to impose the Magnitsky sanctions on those responsible for the arrest of Vladimir Kara-Murza. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: British Embassy officials have attended Vladimir Kara-Murza's court hearings with other international partners, the last hearing being 24 October. We remain vigilant to attempts by the Russian Government to exclude diplomats from future court hearings following Mr Kara-Murza's additional treason charge. Our Ambassador in Moscow raised the issue of consular access with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In May, the Foreign Secretary met Mr Kara-Murza's wife, in his previous role as Minister for Europe, and emphasised his determination to continue raising Mr Kara-Murza's case at multilateral fora, including the OSCE. We note the Canadian Government's sanctions relating to Mr Kara-Murza. We do not comment on future sanctions designations. Ukraine: Electricity Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with NATO allies to send all available (1) volunteer electrical engineers, and (2) electrical generators, to Ukraine. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Under NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine, the UK and NATO Allies are working to provide urgent non-lethal support to Ukraine to meet specific requests, including practical support for the winter months. The UK recently announced a £10 million contribution to the CAP to ensure it has the resources required to respond to requests. Bilaterally, the UK has provided £22 million of support: £7 million for 856 generators to reconnect vital facilities; £10 million to the Energy Community's support fund to repair infrastructure; and £5 million for safety equipment for the civil nuclear sector. We work in close coordination with NATO Allies on support. Refugee Convention Lord Green of Deddington: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to withdraw from (1) the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and (2) the 1966 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees; and if they have any such plans, what assessment they have made of the need for parliament to have a role in such withdrawals. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government does not have plans to withdraw from the Refugee Convention and its Protocol. Algeria: Refugees Lord Hylton: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Algeria following reports of the expulsion of more than 60 Syrian and Palestinian refugees from Algeria into a desert region of Niger. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of reports regarding the deportation of refugees of multiple nationalities to Niger by the Algerian authorities. We hold regular discussions with the Algerian Government on human rights, judicial, and home affairs issues. Bahrain: Capital Punishment Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance Guidance, published on 26 January 2017, on what dates in (1) 2021, and (2) 2022, they sought an assurance from the government of Bahrain that the practice of the death penalty would no longer be carried out; and why they continue to provide funding to the government of Bahrain despite the death penalty still being in place in that country. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: I refer the noble Lord to my replies to HL2553 of 26 October and HL2983 of 10 November. The UK's long-standing policy is to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, in all countries, as a matter of principle, which we have made clear on a regular basis to the Government of Bahrain. Mohammed Ramadhan Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer fromLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 9 November (HL2934), when were the last five occasions they raised the case of Mohammed Ramadhan with the government of Bahrain; what was the job title of the UK representative who raised the case; and what was the job title of the Bahraini representative or authority with whom the case was raised. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: I refer the noble Lord to my answers to HL2556 of 26 October and HL2934 of 9 November. The UK's long-standing policy is to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, in all countries, as a matter of principle, which we have made clear on a regular basis to the Government of Bahrain. This includes regarding the case of Mohammed Ramadhan and others. Department for Work and Pensions Carers: Finance Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide financial support to unpaid carers in response to the impact of the increased cost of living. Baroness Stedman-Scott: The Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers every day in providing significant care and continuity of support to family and friends, including pensioners and those with disabilities. Depending on personal circumstances, carers may be eligible for means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit. Means-tested benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the Carer Element and the additional amount for carers respectively. Nearly 60% of carers on low incomes who are of working age and on Carer’s Allowance, also claim a means-tested benefit through which they may be entitled to receive a Cost of Living Payment. We would encourage anyone who is providing unpaid care, and who is not already in receipt of a means-tested benefit, to check on Gov.UK to confirm whether there are other benefits they may be entitled to. Advice can also be sought from organisations such as Carers UK and Citizen’s Advice. Means tested benefits can provide extra weekly income and trigger extra support with the cost of living. To ensure stability and certainty for households, in the Autumn Statement the Government has announced £26 billion in cost of living support for 2023/24. This includes Cost of Living Payments for the most vulnerable households, an additional £1 billion to help with the cost of household essentials next year and the amended Energy Price Guarantee, which will save the average UK household £500 in 2023-24. In addition, we are uprating benefits for working age households and disabled people, as well as the basic and new State Pensions, all by 10.1%. Other cost of living support available to unpaid carers includes a non-repayable £400 discount on energy bills available for all domestic electricity customers in Great Britain. For those who require additional support with the cost of household essentials, we have provided an extension to the Household Support Fund in England backed by £421 million, running from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. Devolved administrations will receive £79 million through the Barnett formula. Home Office Asylum: Applications The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of figures by the Refugee Council on 14 October, how many applications for asylum have not had an initial decision reached for more than five years; and what factors have led to delays of that length. Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office is unable to state how many applications for asylum have not had an initial decision reached for more than five years because the Home Office does not publish this information.However, the Home Office does publish data on the number asylum applications awaiting an initial decision by duration, for main applicants only. This data can be found at Asy_04 of the published Immigration Statistics: List of tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)The Home Office also publish data on the percentage of asylum applications processed within 6 months of the date of claim. Data showing the number of asylum claims received from 2014 – 2022 that were processed within 6 months can be found at Asy_01 of the Asylum Transparency Data: Migration transparency data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)The asylum system has been under mounting pressure for several years. Increased and sustained intake and a growing number of people awaiting a decision has led to significant delays in concluding asylum claims.However, there are many factors that can delay and contribute to the length of time to process asylum claims; some applications have complex needs, safeguarding issues, are extremely vulnerable or where they have had a modern slavery claim attached to their claim. We therefore take full consideration of these facts when prioritising and progressing outstanding asylum claims and that can lead to longer waiting times for some. Asylum: Applications Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany asylum seekers were waiting for a decision on their application in each of the last five years Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’ on gov.uk. Data on asylum applications awaiting a decision can be found in table Asy_D03 of the ‘asylum and resettlement detailed datasets’. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.At the end of September 2022, there were 117,400 cases awaiting an initial decision. Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Listed Buildings: Energy Performance Certificates Lord Truscott: To ask His Majesty's Government in which circumstances, and under what conditions, listed properties will be exempt from Energy Performance Certificates requirements; and whether they will issue guidelines to that effect. Baroness Scott of Bybrook: In setting the regulations that mandate Energy Performance Certificates, the government recognised that not all owners of listed buildings should be required to obtain an Energy Performance Certificates and an exemption is available where compliance with minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance.The government has issued guidelines to that effect in the published guidance, 'A guide to Energy Performance Certificates for the marketing, sale and let of dwellingsEnergy Performance Certificates (pdf, 345.4KB) Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Football Governance Fan-led Review Lord Pendry: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their response to the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance which concluded there is a significant risk of financialfailure at football clubs, what steps they are taking to address this risk pending the publication of their White Paper. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: His Majesty’s Government published its response to the recommendations made by the Independent Fan-Led Review of Football Governance in April 2022. We fully recognise the need for football to be reformed to ensure the game’s long-term sustainability. We are now taking the time to consider the policy response, and are continuing to engage with the football authorities and fan groups in the development of this policy. We remain committed to publishing a White Paper, setting out our detailed response to the fan-led review of football governance, and will set this out in due course. In the meantime, football authorities can take forward some of the reforms themselves, including financial redistribution, which we continue to urge them to do. BBC Board: Northern Ireland Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect the BBC Member for Northern Ireland to be appointed to the BBC Board. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Interviews for this campaign were held on 31 October, and an appointment will be made in due course, in line with the Code of Governance for Public Appointments and the BBC Royal Charter. Data Protection: Codes of Practice Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the report by the Information Commissioner's Office,Anonymisation: managing data protection risk code of practice, published in November 2012, (1) is still a statutory code of practice, and (2) if anonymising data only in line with the 2012 code, removesall of a data controller’s obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The ICO Code of Practice on Anonymisation published in November 2012 was issued under the Data Protection Act 1998. That legislation was repealed and replaced by the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 in May 2018. The 2012 report is therefore no longer a valid code of practice, although information which is anonymous continues to fall outside the scope of the UK’s data protection legislation.The ICO is currently carrying out a call for views on its new, draft guidance on anonymisation, pseudonymisation, and privacy-enhancing technologies, due to finish on 31 December 2022. This new guidance includes key considerations organisations should undertake when determining whether information can be safely considered anonymous, and therefore outside the scope of data protection legislation. Musicians: EU Countries Lord Kamall: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in their work to help UK musicians to tour EU countries after the UK's departure from the EU. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: His Majesty’s Government is committed to supporting the UK’s world-class creative industries to adapt to new arrangements following our departure from the European Union.We have worked extensively with the sector and directly with EU Member States, and have clarified arrangements on the movement of people, goods, and haulage. We have taken steps to support specialist concert hauliers, and have worked across Government and with the sector to develop guidance including ‘landing pages’ on GOV.UK specifically for touring musicians and other professionals from the creative sectors.Through this work, we have confirmed that:nearly all EU Member States offer visa- and work-permit-free routes for musicians and creative performers. This includes – following extensive engagement by the Government and the creative sector – Spain and, most recently, Greece, which announced a visa- and work-permit-free route in June 2022;portable musical instruments, carried or in a vehicle, can be transported cost-free and should not require ATA Carnets; andsmall ‘splitter vans’ are not subject to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement limits on ‘haulage for the creative sectors’ and ‘cross trade’. In addition, the Government has introduced dual registration to support specialist hauliers, meaning they can benefit from more generous market access arrangements in Great Britain and the EU.We continue to work closely with the sector to support musicians and other creative professionals to tour internationally, both in the European Union and more widely. English National Opera: Finance Lord Freyberg: To ask His Majesty's Government with whom Arts Council England consulted prior to their decision to withdraw all national programme funding from English National Opera. Lord Freyberg: To ask His Majesty's Government whether Arts Council England discussed with English National Opera a plan of transition from their base in London, prior to their decision to withdraw all national programme funding from the organisation. Lord Freyberg: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the London Coliseum is under public (1) ownership, or (2) control; and if so, (a) what is its legal status, and (b) whether Arts Council England or any other public body retain any residual control or ownership rights, including the power to sell the venue. Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, through its Investment Programme are taken by Arts Council England at arm’s length from His Majesty’s Government.Arts Council England has a robust process to determine how funding decisions are made. The decisions were made in line with its published guidance and in response to its ten-year strategy, ‘Let’s Create’. Assessments were carried out by Arts Council England, and decisions were made by its Area and National Councils, which include both local representatives and people who work in the sector.The London Coliseum is owned freehold by English National Opera and is not under public ownership or control. The property can be used according to the terms as set out in agreements between English National Opera and each of its funders. This includes Arts Council England.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2022-12-01

Leader of the House of Lords House of Lords Composition Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 26 October (HL2541), whether they will publish the latest figures on the number of members of each party in the House, and the ratio of government to opposition members, including all those peers whose introduction has been scheduled. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: Including all those peers whose introduction or retirement has been advertised in House of Lords Business, and assuming no other changes to the membership of the House, as of 19 January 2016 there will be 249 members on the Conservative benches, 212 members on the Labour benches, and 112 members on the Liberal Democrat benches. This means that there will be 75 more peers on the benches of the largest two opposition parties than on the Government benches.That will be 29 more peers than at the end of the 2009-10 session, when there were only 46 more peers on the benches of the largest two opposition parties than on the Government benches. Northern Ireland Office Northern Ireland Government Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 27 October (HL2879) concerning the 1998 Belfast Agreement, whether any change to the name of a town or city in Northern Ireland requires the majority support of both communities. Lord Dunlop: I refer the Noble Lord to my previous answer of 29 October 2015 (HL2879). The Government remains fully committed to supporting the institutions and principles established under the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Northern Ireland Government Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 27 October (HL2714) concerning activity under the 1998 Belfast Agreement, whether any representatives of the government of the Republic of Ireland were present at the most recent talks under Section 1 of the Belfast Agreement. Lord Dunlop: I refer the Noble Lord to my previous answers on this subject. The involvement of the Irish Government is in accordance with the established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs and the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Enterprise Zones: Northern Ireland Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what communications they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the creation of Enterprise Zones in Northern Ireland. Lord Dunlop: The Government communicates with the Northern Ireland Executive frequently on a wide range of issues.In ‘Building a United and Prosperous Community’ (the ‘Economic Pact’) signed in June 2013, the Government made a commitment to consider any Executive-nominated sites to be designated as an Enterprise Zone. Budget 2014 announced that businesses located within the Executive’s proposed pilot Enterprise Zone near Coleraine could benefit from enhanced capital allowances until 2020.I understand the Executive continues to work towards the implementation of this pilot Enterprise Zone. Local Government: Devolution Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what communications they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the establishment of City Deals in Northern Ireland. Lord Dunlop: The Government communicates with the Northern Ireland Executive frequently on a wide range of issues.The Economic Pact between the Executive and the Government was modelled on some of the approaches the Government takes with City Deals but many of the policies included in City Deals in Great Britain are devolved in Northern Ireland and are the responsibility of the Executive. Northern Ireland Government Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what process is in place to monitor the actions of the government of the Republic of Ireland relating to the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Lord Dunlop: The Government remains in regular contact with the Irish Government relating to the Belfast Agreement in accordance with the established three-stranded approach. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills STEM Subjects: Graduates Lord Wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduates who were not in education or employment one year after graduation, in each of the last five years. Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on the destinations of leavers from UK Higher Education Institutions six months after graduation. The information requested is provided in the table.UK Domiciled full-time first degree leavers from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Subjects (STEM)[1] not in employment or further study 6 months after graduation[2][3][4]2009/102010/112011/12[5]2012/132013/14Percentage not in employment or further study8.9%8.7%8.4%7.2%6.2%Base Population81,29085,59587,91095,390101,465[1] STEM subjects are defined by HESA as Subject Groups A to K under the JACS3 classification. Further information can be located at this link https://www.hesa.ac.uk/component/content/article?id=1787.[2] Figures are taken from Supplementary Table SE1 of HESA's Performance Indicators (https://hesa.ac.uk/pis/emp)[3] Statistics are expressed as a percentage of UK domiciled graduates who were working, studying or seeking work.[4] In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest 5.[5] Due to changes on the DLHE questionnaire in 2011/12 and hence changes to the derivation of the activity categories, the employment indicator for 2011/12 onwards is not strictly comparable with the indicator prior to 2011/12. UK Trade With EU Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the United Kingdom's three largest (1) exports to, and (2) imports from, the European Union. Lord Maude of Horsham: The three largest UK exports to, and imports from, the European Union in 2014 are set out in the table below. These data are on a balance of payments basis.Three largest UK exports to the European Union in 2014 Value (£ billion)Finished manufactures (SITC 7+8) 63Semi-manufactures (SITC 5+6) 43Fuels (SITC 3) 27 Three largest UK imports from the European Union in 2014 Value (£ billion)Finished manufactures (SITC 7+8) 114Semi-manufactures (SITC 5+6) 66Food, beverages and tobacco (SITC 0+1) 27Source: ONS UK Trade August 2015 release Note: the assessment of the top three was made across goods and services, but services categories do not rank in the top three Wales Office Legislation: Wales Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions since the National Assembly for Wales acquired full legislative powers (1) the Welsh Government has sought permission under Minister of the Crown functions for proposals within Welsh bills, and (2) such permission was refused. Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Secretary of State consent to amend Minister of the Crown functions has been sought in relation to seven of the Acts passed by the Assembly since 2011. The Government has refused such consent once, in relation to the Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012, having suggested an amendment to the drafting which would have enabled the UK Government to give consent but was rejected by the Welsh Government. Department for Education Castes: Discrimination Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they next plan to consider the case for further consultation on caste discrimination. Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are currently considering the need for a consultation on caste discrimination. This is part of our wider consideration of the implications of the Tirkey v Chandok tribunal judgments. Academies: Finance Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much funding has been allocated via the academy conversion grant in each of the last five financial years. Lord Nash: There have been 3,327 converter academies opened during the current and preceding four financial years, each receiving the standard conversion support grant of £25,000 to spend on the conversion process.Further details are in the table below:Financial YearConverter academies opened2014-156082013-145732012-137862011-121,100Total3,327Figures for 2015-16 are not available at this stage. Department for Work and Pensions Social Mobility Baroness Manzoor: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what definitions of social mobility are used by the new Social Mobility Commission, and whether they refer to changes in income. Lord Freud: Provisions to reform the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission as the Social Mobility Commission are currently under consideration by Parliament as part of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill. Until these receive Royal Assent, the Commission will continue to operate under its existing statutory framework. Operating arrangements for the reformed Commission will be set in due course, subject to Royal Assent. Social Security Benefits Baroness Manzoor: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) whether the proposed new, lower benefit cap has a gendered effect, and (2) whether any such effect would be mitigated by excluding certain child benefits from that cap. Lord Freud: Her Majesty’s Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July, a copy of which is attached.Like other welfare benefits, child related benefits are taken into account when applying the cap. Removing them from the cap would effectively mean that there would be no upper limit on the amount of benefit that out of work households could receive. Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing Baroness Quin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what evidence they have to support the statement in the 2012 impact assessment Housing Benefit: Under-occupation of social housing that the introduction of the under-occupancy charge would have no impact on health and well-being. Lord Freud: Following on from the 2012 impact assessment an independent two year evaluation was commissioned that looked at the effects of this policy.The report is due to be published by the end of the year. Home Office Police Community Support Officers Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many police community support officers there were in each police force in England and Wales in each year since 2010. Lord Bates: The attached tablecontains statistics on the number of full-time equivalent police community support officers in each police force area in England and Wales as at 31 March 2010 to 31 March 2015.Number of full-time equivalent1 police community support officers by police force area, England and Wales, as at 31 March 2010 to 31 March 2015231-Mar-1031-Mar-1131-Mar-1231-Mar-1331-Mar-1431-Mar-15Avon & Somerset430416365356334331Bedfordshire1161251129496105Cambridgeshire209200193174141148Cheshire237221218208190225Cleveland193178167161150123Cumbria111104102768386Derbyshire181177171183160163Devon & Cornwall363353357421382346Dorset164164153140154163Durham175174173171152157Dyfed-Powys838097143150147Essex445404380331298262Gloucestershire148139132138118128Greater Manchester842837818793789804Gwent143142191234206185Hampshire347344340341323302Hertfordshire262252257238190210Humberside317309290298294273Kent387364333297345352Lancashire428386411368301331Leicestershire233232236222235234Lincolnshire149144152151145138London, City of524438391211Merseyside468440426378316353Metropolitan Police4,6454,0092,7602,6842,0871,787Norfolk275264254250247197Northamptonshire164166161127134122Northumbria438433424391234211North Wales157159219262267243North Yorkshire198182186173185196Nottinghamshire268273264300332318South Wales335304308430477411South Yorkshire328311290335334314Staffordshire237228209213215208Suffolk173162164163181167Surrey224229228210153123Sussex377351335358349325Thames Valley500506508483485459Warwickshire1381361091139586West Mercia279273271248237209West Midlands811758711681676620West Yorkshire763713728689679625Wiltshire126133152140132129England and Wales16,91815,82014,39314,20513,06612,3311. This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been presented to the nearest whole number but are actually provided unrounded.2. These figures are published in the 'Police Workforce, England and Wales' statistical releases: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales. FTE police community support officers (Excel SpreadSheet, 11.65 KB) Crime: Older People Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of (1) crime against older people, and (2) fear of crime amongst older people; and what steps they are taking to address both the incidence and fear of crime against older people. Lord Bates: The Home Office has made no specific assessment of the level of crime against older people, and fear of crime amongst older people. The attached tablesshow figures from the independent Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) for the year to March 2015 for (1) the percentage of adults in each age group who were victims of crime, and (2) the percentage of adults in each age group who had high levels of worry about crime.Police reform is working and the Crime Survey shows that overall crime is down by more than a quarter since 2010. We continue to develop the role of our elected and accountable Police and Crime Commissioners to shape policing services to local needs and priorities, as they are now doing in commissioning victims’ services, setting policing priorities and driving reform. Figures from CSEW (Word Document, 15.46 KB) Refugees: Iraq Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 22 October (HL2920), how many Iraqis have been granted refugee status in the United Kingdom in each year since 2010. Lord Bates: The numbers of Iraqi nationals (main applicants and dependants) granted asylum or another form of protection in the UK, in each year since 2010 were as follows:Number of Iraqi nationals granted asylum or another form of protection in the UK (for main applicants and dependants), based on initial decisions1 YearTotal grants2 2010169201111320129520131092014208(1) Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period and exclude the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.(2) Total grants include grants of Asylum, Humanitarian Protection, Discretionary Leave, grants under family and private life rules, Leave Outside the Rules and UASC leave Number of Iraqi nationals (Excel SpreadSheet, 13.92 KB) Police: Biometrics Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 2 November (HL2849) on the review of retention of custody images by police forces, what are the specific operational and legal issues raised in the evidence-gathering stage, how they plan to address each issue, and what is the timescale for the completion of each of those actions. Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 2 November (HL2849) on the review of retention of custody images by police forces, with which specific stakeholders they have discussed that issue and whether each has submitted evidence. Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 2 November (HL2849) on the review of retention of custody images by police forces, whether they have carried out legal and risk assessments; if so, whether they will publish those assessments; and if not, why not. Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 2 November (HL2849) on the review of retention of custody images by police forces, when the review will be completed, and when the guidance will be published. Lord Bates: The review is ongoing, and is anticipated to report before the Christmas recess. Specific stakeholders consulted as part of the review include the Biometrics Commissioner, the Information Commissioner, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, the National DNA Database Ethics Group, the National Police Chiefs Council , the College of Policing and local police forces. The report can be expected to address the operational and legal issues and risks, and set out plans for implementation. Cabinet Office Orders and Regulations Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many statutory instruments were made in the first five months of (1) the 2010–15 Parliament, and (2) this Parliament. Lord Bridges of Headley: For the period 18 May 2010 to 18 October 2010, 290 statutory instruments were made or laid in draft. For the period 18 May 2015 to 18 October 2015, 268 statutory instruments were made or laid in draft. Orders and Regulations Lord Grocott: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define (1) a fatal, and (2) a non-fatal, motion, or amendment to a motion, relating to a statutory instrument. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: The Companion to the Standing Orders distinguishes between amendments to approval motions whose effect is to withhold the agreement of the House to an affirmative instrument, and amendments or motions that do not prevent approval of the instrument (Companion to the Standing Orders, Para. 10.14). The terms “fatal” and “non-fatal” do not appear. The amendments in the name of Baroness Meacher and Baroness Hollis of Heigham passed by the House on 26 October withheld the House’s agreement to the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) Regulations 2015. English Votes for English Laws Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the new rules for English Votes for English Laws relating to votes on matters that have been returned from the House of Lords to the House of Commons during parliamentary ping-pong will allow for amendments to, and substitution of, Lords amendments, as well as the rejection of Lords amendments. Baroness Stowell of Beeston: Members of the House of Commons will continue to be able to table amendments to, and suggest the substitution or rejection of, Lords amendments, as they can now. Department of Health Spina Bifida Lord Rooker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the lifetime direct medical costs associated with spina bifida, compared to births without spina bifida. Lord Prior of Brampton: The Department has not made an assessment of the lifetime direct medical costs associated with spina bifida, compared to births without spina bifida.We are however aware of research from 2011 in the European Journal of Pediatrics which shows the costs to be significant. A copy is attached and can be found at:http://www.researchgate.net/publication/51148532_Economic_burden_of_neural_tube_defects_and_impact_of_prevention_with_folic_acid_A_literature_review European Journal of Pediatrics (PDF Document, 256.35 KB) Salt The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to emerging evidence relating to the appropriate level of dietary sodium intake; what meetings Ministers have had with scientists and others about that issue; and what representations they have received regarding dietary sodium intake. Lord Prior of Brampton: The evidence base relating to dietary sodium intake was extensively reviewed in the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s (SACN) report ‘Salt and Health’, published in 2003. In reviewing the evidence, SACN noted that the greatest benefits were likely to be achieved by taking a population approach to reducing salt intakes rather than through individual targeted advice. SACN continues to monitor average salt intakes through a programme of dietary survey work.New voluntary salt reduction targets have been developed for 76 specific food groups that contribute most to people’s salt intakes and major retailers, manufacturers and caterers are working to meet these targets by December 2017.SACN has also reviewed the evidence around the impact of low sodium intakes. It found no basis for changing the existing recommendation for a target reduction in average salt intake to 6 grammes per day for the adult population, equivalent to an average reduction of 2.4 grammes per day of sodium.SACN’s ‘Salt and Health’ report is attached and can be found at:www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-salt-and-health-reportBaroness Masham of Ilton has recently asked three questions about dietary sodium intake. Further representations have been received from the Salt Association. Ministers have not met with scientists and others about this issue. Salt and Health Report (PDF Document, 372.42 KB) Stem Cells Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the 2014 report of the UK Stem Cell Strategy Oversight Committee on the future of unrelated donor stem cell transplantation in the United Kingdom. Lord Prior of Brampton: The Government continues to take forward work to deliver the recommendations in the 2014 report. We remain committed to improving stem cell transplantation services and doing all we can to help those in need of a transplant to find a suitable donor.Since 2011, the Department has provided its delivery partners, NHS Blood and Transplant and the Anthony Nolan, a total of £16 million in additional, new funding to improve stem cell transplantation services in the United Kingdom. A further £3 million investment was announced in March 2015.This funding has led to a tangible improvement in the availability of stem cells in the UK and the achievements include:- More UK patients received a stem cell transplant in 2014 than ever before;- Over 60% of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) patients are now able to find a well matched donor compared to only 40% in 2010;- A single unified bone marrow donor registry has been created streamlining the provision of stem cells and reducing the time to provide cells from adult donors;- The proportion of patients receiving cord blood from UK donors has significantly increased; and- An increase in UK patients receiving a transplant from 802 in 2010/11 to 1,060 in 1013/14. The increased use of UK-sourced stem cells has meant that more donors than ever are available to donate leading to a significant cost saving by reducing the need to import stem cells. Cancer: Diagnosis Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve rates of early diagnosis of cancer. Lord Prior of Brampton: Improving early diagnosis of cancer is a priority for this Government. We will continue to work with NHS England, Public Health England and other partners to achieve early diagnosis through improved screening programmes, Be Clear on Cancer campaigns to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer to encourage people with signs and symptoms to present promptly to their general practitioner (GP), and help for GPs to refer more accurately.We have committed to implementing recommendation 24 of the Independent Cancer Taskforce’s report that by 2020, everyone referred with a suspicion of cancer will receive either a definitive diagnosis or the all-clear within four weeks. NHS England is working with partners across the health system to consider how best to take this forward. A copy of the Taskforce’s report Achieving World-Class Outcomes: A Strategy for England 2015-2020, is attached.NHS England has launched a major early diagnosis programme, Accelerate, Co-ordinate, Evaluate (ACE), working jointly with Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to test new innovative approaches to identifying cancer more quickly. Outputs from the first wave of test sites, which commenced in April 2015, will be delivered on a phased basis, with the majority falling between September 2015 and December 2016. It is expected that ACE Wave 1 evaluation will be complete by mid-2017. An ACE Wave 2 is being planned.In June this year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published an updated guideline ‘Suspected cancer: recognition and referral’. The guideline focuses on key symptoms, to make it easier to use and will continue to support GPs to identify patients with signs and symptoms of suspected cancer, and urgently refer them as appropriate. The guideline recommends a lower referral threshold for urgent referrals where cancer is suspected. A copy of the guideline is also attached. Achieving World Class Outcomes (PDF Document, 4.91 MB) Suspected cancer (PDF Document, 306.04 KB) NHS Improvement Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what legislative changes they propose in order to bring together Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority within NHS Improvement. Lord Prior of Brampton: We are bringing together Monitor, the Trust Development Authority (TDA), and patient safety and improvement functions from across the health system, under one single leadership and operating model – known as NHS Improvement.A number of changes to secondary legislation, covering directions and regulations to the TDA, will be required to support this work. Work is ongoing to bring forward a set of proposals which will be laid before the House in the new year. Mental Patients Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Prior of Brampton on 2 November (HL2863 and HL2866), and in the light of the fact that data about the detention of different groups of mental health patients under different segregated regimes, and the number of police call-outs to mental patient wards to deal with incidents involving different groups of mental health patients, are not collected centrally, whether they have any plans to change the way in which they collect data about patients in mental health wards. Lord Prior of Brampton: The Department of Health and Care Quality Commission (CQC) currently use a range of processes to monitor the quality of mental health services, including inspections, surveys, notification of the CQC by providers of certain events and analysis of national data collections. As part of this process the Health and Social Care Information Centre reviews of the content and frequency of data collection through the Mental Health and Learning Disability Minimums Data Set.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2015-11-12

Home Office Asylum: North Korea Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 8 June (HL179), whether they will continue to deport North Korean asylum seekers to South Korea, as detailed in the United Kingdom-South Korea Readmission Agreement; and whether North Korean asylum seekers can claim asylum in the United Kingdom if they co-operate with the South Korean Embassy in London to establish that they do not seek South Korean citizenship. Lord Bates: All asylum claims made by those from North Korea are carefully considered on their individual merits. A factor in that consideration will be whether the person is unable to exercise their right to South Korea citizenship and avail themselves of the protection of South Korea. Those found to be in need of international protection are provided with it. Those who have been found by the Home Office and the appeals process not to be in need of international protection and have no legal basis of stay in the UK are expected to leave. If they do not do so voluntarily they may have their removal enforced including where relevant under the terms of the United Kingdom-South Korea Readmission Agreement. Refugees: Syria Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the remarks by the Syrian Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart on the BBC Radio Four programme Sunday that European countries taking in Syrian refugees are harming Syria. Lord Bates: The Government has been leading the way for a comprehensive and sustainable response to the conflict in Syria. The Government believes that the best way to help the majority of the many displaced Syrians across the globe is through practical and political action within affected regions. That is why the Government has prioritised humanitarian assistance in crisis regions and supports regional protection programmes which will improve the conditions for refugees seeking protection in their region of origin until they are able to return to their homes.The Government recognises, however, that not all displaced Syrians can be supported effectively in the region and that is why we have committed to granting protection to 20,000 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees under our Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme over the course of this Parliament.The Government shares Archbishop Jean-Clement’s view that we must actively seek an end to the conflict as it is the best way to ensure that the UK’s help has the greatest impact for Syrian refugees, as opposed to larger scale relocation or resettlement. Narendra Modi Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether restrictions were imposed on the travel of Narendra Modi; if so, whether such restrictions have been lifted; and if so, why. Lord Bates: The Home Office do not routinely comment on individual cases. The Home Office has obligations in law to protect this information. Gangmasters: Licensing Baroness Suttie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to increasing the Gangmasters Licensing Authority fees for licence applications, renewal and inspection for the top two bands of businesses, in order to raise income to cover that Authority's expenditure. Lord Bates: We are currently consulting on the future role and remit of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, including the licensing regime and its operation. Any changes made to the GLA’s licensing regime would be undertaken in line with the principles of Managing Public Money and would be subject to Her Majesty's Treasury and Home Office Ministers’ approval. Refugees: Visas Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been their response to calls from UNICEF for the United Kingdom to allow refugees to apply for humanitarian visas in countries of origin and transit at United Kingdom embassies. Lord Bates: There is no provision in our Immigration Rules for someone to be given permission to travel to the UK to seek asylum or humanitarian protection and Her Majesty’s Government has no plans to extend the Immigration Rules to allow refugees to apply for humanitarian visas at any UK embassies.We are focusing our efforts on resettling vulnerable people in need of international protection from the region, including 20,000 Syrians by the end of the Parliament. This provides refugees with a direct and safe route to the UK and uses established UNHCR processes. This is of course in addition to the £1.12 billion in humanitarian aid provided by the UK for those most in need in the region – more than any other country in the world except the United States. Ministry of Justice Courts: Debt Collection Lord Falconer of Thoroton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Faulks on 15 October (HLWS229), how much they have spent to date on the process for procurement of a new criminal court compliance and enforcement services provider; and how much will now be written off. Lord Faulks: As the Minister for Courts told the House on 15 October 2015, we took the decision not to outsource HMCTS compliance and enforcement services to a single supplier because of the need to ensure that any contract we let provided the best value for the taxpayer.The total cost of the Compliance and Enforcement Service Project as of end of September 2015 was £8,723,645. Public Inquiries Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what public inquiries they have instigated into the death of a single individual since 1988; who were those individuals; why they were referred for a public inquiry in each case; and on which dates they were referred. Lord Faulks: The table below lists each public inquiry launched by the Government to investigate the death of a single individual since 1988. It shows the purpose of the inquiry and the timing of the inquiry from its launch to publication of the inquiry report.Individual PurposeDurationStephen LawrenceTo inquire into the matters arising from his death on 22 April 1993, in order particularly to identify the lessons to be learned for the investigation and prosecution of racially motivated crimes.July 1997 – February 1999Victoria ClimbiéTo establish the circumstances leading to and surrounding her death.May 2001 – January 2003Dr David KellyTo conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.July 2003 – January 2004Zahid MubarekTo investigate his death and the events leading up to the attack on him, and make recommendations about the prevention of such attacks in the future.April 2004 – June 2006Robert HamillTo investigate whether any wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary facilitated his death or obstructed the investigation of it, or whether attempts were made to do so; whether any such act or omission was intentional or negligent; and whether the investigation of his death was carried out with due diligence. (This followed a recommendation of the Cory Collusion Inquiry.)November 2004 – February 2011Billy WrightTo investigate whether any wrongful act or omission by or within the prison authorities or other state agencies facilitated his death, or whether attempts were made to do so; and whether any such act or omission was intentional or negligent. (This followed a recommendation of the Cory Collusion Inquiry.)November 2004 – October 2010Rosemary NelsonTo investigate whether any wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Office, Army or other state agency facilitated her death or obstructed the investigation of it, or whether attempts were made to do so; whether any such act or omission was intentional or negligent; and whether the investigation of her death was carried out with due diligence. (This followed a recommendation of the Cory Collusion Inquiry.)November 2004 – May 2011Baha MousaTo investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Baha Mousa, an Iraqi civilian who died in Iraq in 2003 and the treatment of others detained with him by the British armed forces.August 2008 – September 2011Bernard (Sonny) LodgeTo investigate his death at HMP Manchester in August 1998. (An ad hoc investigation began in September 2008 and was converted into a 2005 Act inquiry.)February 2009 – December 2009Azelle RodneyTo investigate the death of Azelle Rodney who was shot by a police marksman in North London on 30 April 2005.June 2010 – July 2013Alexander LitvinenkoTo investigate his death on 23 November 2006. (The inquest was converted into a 2005 Act inquiry following a judicial review.)July 2014 – present Criminal Injuries Compensation: Offences against Children Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why former foster children cannot claim for criminal injuries compensation against foster parents who have been abusive. Lord Faulks: Former foster children can apply to the publically funded criminal injuries compensation scheme if they have suffered serious physical or mental injury as the direct result of a violent crime. Awards made under the scheme are paid for by tax payers and not the perpetrator of the violent crime.If former foster parents were convicted of an offence that resulted in personal injury, loss or damage, when sentencing the court would consider making an order for compensation in favour of the victim which would be paid by the perpetrators. Criminal Injuries Compensation: Offences against Children Baroness Pinnock: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they give to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board about best practice with respect to keeping open indefinitely cases relating to claimants who allege that they have been abused as children. Lord Faulks: The criminal injuries compensation scheme recognises that children who have suffered injuries as a result of crime may require greater support in making an application for compensation. The scheme allows those injured as children to make an application up to their 20th birthday, or if the crime was reported after their 18th birthday a period of 2 years from that report in which to do so, providing the applicant includes supporting evidence which allows the case to be concluded without further extensive enquiries. These periods may be extended in exceptional circumstances, also subject to sufficient supporting evidence in respect of the claim being provided.In addition, an applicant can also apply at any point to have their case medically reopened, should their condition change to such an extent that it would be unjust not to make a further award. A request to medically reopen the case should be made within 2 years of the case being finalised, but can be considered after this time, providing the applicant includes supporting evidence which allows the case to be concluded without further extensive enquiries.This Government is committed to supporting victims of sexual abuse. As part of this the Ministry of Justice has instructed the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to abide by an embargo on the destruction of files to ensure retention of anything that might be of relevance to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Prisoners: Gender Recognition Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what rules they have put in place to ensure that transgender persons are placed in prisons that are appropriate for them based on their gender identity. Lord Faulks: Prison Service Instruction 07/2011 sets out NOMS policy on the care and management of prisoners who live or propose to live in a gender other than the one assigned at birth. Prisoners are normally placed according to their legally recognised gender. However, the guidelines allow room for discretion and senior prison staff will review the circumstances of every case in consultation with medical and other experts in order to protect the physical and emotional wellbeing of the person concerned along with the safety and wellbeing of other prisoners.A review of the current policy on transgender and transsexual prisoners began earlier this year and revised policy guidance will be issued to reflect NOMS' responsibilties to transgender offenders in the community as well as in custody. The intention is to implement the guidance early in the New Year. Coroners Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what circumstances a coroner's investigation and court hearing is not necessary in the case of a sudden death. Lord Faulks: Sudden deaths are always investigated by coroners in England and Wales.Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 the coroner has a duty to investigate a death that is reported to him or her if it appears that the death was violent or unnatural, the cause of the death is unknown, or the person died in state detention. If the investigation does not disclose the cause of death, indicates that the death was unnatural, or the coroner considers that there is good reason to continue the investigation, he or she has a duty to hold an inquest.Where someone is to be prosecuted for causing a death, the coroner’s investigation must be suspended and any inquest adjourned, until the criminal trial is over. The coroner may only resume the investigation after the trial if he or she considers there is sufficient reason for doing so. The coroner must also suspend an investigation where an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 is to be held into the death. Again, the coroner may only resume the investigation after the inquiry has reported if he or she considers there is sufficient reason for doing so. Carbon Monoxide: Poisoning Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish their response to the report of the coroner David Hinchcliff, Inquests Touching the deaths of Christianne Shepherd and Robert Shepherd(Deceased), published on 18 September. Lord Faulks: The decision whether or not to publish any responses is a matter for the Chief Coroner. Foreign and Commonwealth Office India: British Nationals Abroad Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to raise with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the case of three British citizens murdered in Gujarat in 2002 when he visits the United Kingdom in November. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs , my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), has previously raised this case with Prime Minister Modi in his former role as Chief Minister of Gujarat. We continue to raise consular matters with the Indian authorities at all levels. Our officials have provided consular support to the families since 2002 and will continue to provide assistance to them as needed. EU Immigration Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether an invitation was extended to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina to participate in the European Union leaders’ meeting of 25 October to discuss the Western Balkans migratory route, and whether it is their policy that the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina should be invited to participate in future EU meetings on this subject. Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The decision on which parties attended the Summit on 25 October to discuss the refugee flows along the Western Balkans route was taken by Commission President Juncker. The British Government supports the inclusion of affected countries in such meetings and considers it important that decisions which affect all Member States are taken by all 28 Member States. Department of Health Air Pollution: Lambeth Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the impact of air pollution on the lung function of children in the London Borough of Lambeth. Lord Prior of Brampton: Public Health England has not made any estimate of the impact of air pollution on the lung function of children in the London Borough of Lambeth. Cancer: Meat Products Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the World Health Organization research showing that eating processed meat increases the risk of cancer. Lord Prior of Brampton: The World Health Organization published its conclusions on the carcinogenicity of eating red and processed meat on 26 October. The detailed evaluations will be published in the future; until these are available, we cannot assess them in detail. Health Hazards: Meat Products Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they are giving to consumers about the health risks of eating processed meat. Lord Prior of Brampton: Public Health England’s advice is that, on average, people should be eating no more than 70 grammes of red and processed meat a day. People who eat a lot of these meats are at higher risk of bowel cancer than those who eat small amounts. Therefore, people who eat more than 90 grammes of red or processed meat a day are advised to cut down. Salt Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last reviewed the evidence base relating to dietary sodium intake as part of a balanced diet. Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to new evidence suggesting that their current campaign to reduce salt intake could be too generalised. Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to the potential negative effects of restricting dietary sodium intake. Lord Prior of Brampton: The evidence base relating to dietary sodium intake was extensively reviewed in the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s (SACN) report ‘Salt and Health’, published in 2003. In reviewing the evidence, SACN noted that the greatest benefits were likely to be achieved by taking a population approach to reducing salt intakes rather than through individual targeted advice.The SACN continues to monitor average salt intakes through a programme of dietary survey work.New voluntary salt reduction targets have been developed for 76 specific food groups that contribute most to people’s salt intakes and major retailers, manufacturers and caterers are working to meet these targets by December 2017.The SACN has also reviewed the evidence around the impact of low sodium intakes. It found no basis for changing the existing recommendation for a target reduction in average salt intake to 6 grammes per day for the adult population, equivalent to 2.4 grammes per day of sodium.The SACN ‘Salt and Health’ report is attached and can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-salt-and-health-report Salt and Health (PDF Document, 354.33 KB) Ministry of Defence Syria: Military Intervention Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what circumstances they would consider using British military assets to prevent President Assad from using barrel bombs against civilians in Syria. Earl Howe: We have repeatedly demanded that Assad ceases the use of barrel bombs and called on his allies, Russia and Iran, to apply pressure to that end. Ultimately, a negotiated political transition is the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria's humanitarian crisis. Any decision to commit UK military assets in order to prevent Assad's use of these indiscriminate weapons would be subject to appropriate legal consideration, close consultation with allies and the endorsement of the House of Commons. Syria: Armed Conflict Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the numerical strength of the moderate forces fighting against President Assad in Syria. Earl Howe: Estimating the numerical strength of armed groups in Syria is challenging given the lack of data, the fluidity of the situation on the ground, and the multiplicity of groups. Nevertheless, we estimate that fighters loyal to the Free Syrian Army, which has close links to the Syrian National Coalition, which is the heart of the political opposition, run into tens of thousands.

uk-hansard-lords-written-answers

lordswrans2015-11-06

Apprenticeships Lord Addington: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a comprehensive guide for those with dyslexia and other special educational needs wishing to take an apprenticeship qualification is available; and, if so, where the guide is published. Baroness Garden of Frognal: The National Apprenticeship Service provides advice for those with dyslexia and other special educational needs wishing to take an apprenticeship, and its website has a section about learners with learning difficulties or disabilities including resources and case studies. Other resources are available on the LSIS Excellence Gateway. Resources include a dyslexia starter kit: http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/dyslexia-starter-kit and a resource pack: Raising Aspirations: Creating opportunities to enable more young people with LDD to access Apprenticeships: http://www.exellencegateway. org.uk/node/23469. Civil Service: Redundancy Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 19 December 2012 (WA 307-8), whether the administrators of the principal Civil Service Pension Scheme can extrapolate and accumulate the numbers and annual costs of civil servants made redundant each year; and how the Cabinet Office assess the efficacy of making civil servants redundant in the absence of that information. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: It is for individual departments to effectively manage their resources so as to remain within their budgets. As each department is responsible for meeting the costs of any redundancy compensation to be paid to their staff it is right, and appropriate, for them to assess the efficacy of making any of their employees redundant in the light of their business needs and financial situation. The Cabinet Office exercises oversight of the operation of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme so as to ensure that departments are operating within scheme rules. This does not extend to monitoring the numbers of staff departing under the scheme. The role of the scheme administrator appointed by the Cabinet Office is to calculate and pay compensation in accordance with the scheme rules, and ensure that the full costs are charged to departments. It is then for individual departments to report these costs in their resource accounts each year. Embryology Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many full-time equivalent staff are currently employed by (1) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, (2) the Human Tissue Authority, (3) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and (4) the Health Research Authority; and what is the planned establishment for each in the year 2013-14. Earl Howe: The information requested is shown in the following table: Body Current number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) Planned FTE establishment for 2013-14 Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority 1 62 64 2 Human Tissue Authority 3 43.4 44.4 4 Medicine & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency 5 945 1,283 6 Health Research Authority 7 124.6 134 8 Notes: 1. Source of information, the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. 2. This figure reflects the budgeted number of full time equivalent staff in 2013-14. The HFEA it is currently carrying vacancies. 3. Source of information, the Human Tissue Authority. 4. A business critical post of Regulation Manager currently being advertised. 5. Source of information, the Medicine & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. 6. The increase reflects the transfer of the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control from the Health Protection Agency to the MHRA on 1 April 2013. 7. Source of information, the Health Research Authority 8. Addition reflects a new function in relation to ethics and confidentiality. Embryology Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions in (1) 2010-11, (2) 2011-12, and (3) 2012-13, the chief executives and chairs of (1) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, (2) the Human Tissue Authority, (3) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and (4) the Health Research Authority, formally met to discuss integrated regulatory pathways; and what was the outcome of each meeting. Earl Howe: All four bodies maintain regular contact at different levels. These discussions have included issues relating to the regulatory pathway between the respective organisations. The number of formal meetings, involving the chairs and/or chief executives of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Health Research Authority (HRA), at which these issues were discussed, is shown in the following table: Bodies 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 HFEA & HTA 3 3 3 HFEA & HRA1 - - 22 HFEA & MHRA - - - HTA & HRA1 See 2012-13 See 2012-13 23 HTA & MHRA - - - MHRA & HRA1 See 2012-13 See 2012-13 64 Notes: 1. The HRA was established as a special health authority on 1 December 2011 and its chair was appointed on 12 June 2012. 2. This includes one occasion where the HFEA chief executive attended a meeting of the HRA Steering Group. 3. Meetings since the current HTA chair was appointed in January 2010 and the current HTA chief executive was appointed in September 2011. 4. The chief executive of the MHRA (or the director of policy acting as his deputy) attended six meetings of the HRA Steering Group between December 2011 and July 2012. Source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Human Tissue Authority, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and Health Research Authority. There have been a number of positive outcomes that have integrated the regulatory pathways though collaborative working. Some examples of this are: the HTA has carried out joint inspections with the MHRA and has also issued joint position statements on advanced therapy medicinal products and held joint training events to ensure that regulation in this area is enabling. The HTA coordinates any relevant notifications of serious adverse events and reactions with the MHRA;there are four centres that use human embryos to derive embryonic stem cell lines for human application that need to be regulated by both the HFEA and the HTA. In addition there are five centres that store ovarian tissue for potential human application; these centres also have to be regulated by both the HFEA and the HTA. In both of these areas both bodies are working closely to ensure a single regulatory approach on guidance and inspection. A joint working protocol and memorandum of understanding have also been drawn up;the HFEA and HRA have developed a memorandum of understanding in relation to the assessment of applications from research bodies to receive identifying information held on the HFEA's register of fertility treatments, patients and offspring;the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) Board is chaired by the HRA chief executive. The MHRA and HFEA are represented on the board as IRAS partners (HFEA since June 2012); the National Research Ethics Service, as part of HRA, has memoranda of understanding with both the HTA and the MHRA;the HRA chief executive is a member of the European Union Clinical Trials Revision Steering Group with MHRA;the HRA chief executive also chairs the new HRA UK Collaboration and Development Steering Group (which the chair also attends). The group includes membership from HFEA, HTA and MHRA; andthe HRA and MHRA are members of the Medical Devices Steering Group and the Clinical Trials Collaboration Steering Group. Embryology Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 8 January (WA 22-3), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) code of practice currently requires all clinics to give women seeking treatment any applicable information about the possible side effects and risks to the woman being treated and any resulting child, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); and, if so, (1) when that requirement was first included in the HFEA code of practice, and (2) what guidance the HFEA has provided to clinics regarding how all relevant data about such adverse outcomes should be obtained without monitoring patients, particularly whenever a treatment cycle has not been abandoned. Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, requires centres licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to provide patients with such relevant information as is proper before providing treatment services. The HFEA has advised that it provides clinics with guidance regarding what this information should include, which is outlined in its code of practice. This includes information about the possible side effects and risks to the woman being treated and any resulting child, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The code of practice has, since its first edition, advised licensed centres to provide people seeking treatment with information about the possible side effects and risks of the treatment to the woman and any resulting child. Guidance regarding information provision specifically about OHSS was first included in the third edition, which was issued in 1995. The HFEA has advised that its current guidance on OHSS and incident reporting can be found on its website at: www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/2011_OCT_27_ adverse.pdf. Government Departments: Catering Facilities Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost of the subsidy for catering facilities in the Whitehall offices of (1) HM Treasury, (2) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (3) the Home Office, (4) the Department of Health, (5) the Department for International Development, (6) the Cabinet Office, (7) 10 Downing Street, (8) the Ministry of Defence, (9) the Ministry of Justice, and (10) the Department for Education. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Cabinet Office estate, including 10 Downing Street, does not subsidise its catering facilities. My department does not hold information relating to other government departments' catering facilities. Government Departments: Publications Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Department for Transport produces a staff magazine. Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport and its agencies produce a number of staff magazines in the interests of good internal communications. The majority are electronic publications produced in-house to reduce costs and paper consumption. The table below gives the titles and frequency. Department/Agency Magazine Frequency Central Department a2c (electronic) monthly Driving Standards Agency None Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Licence (electronic with small print run) monthly Highways Agency Major Project News (electronic) monthly Our TMD (electronic) monthly NDD News (electronic) every other month Communications Chronicle (electronic) every other month Maritime and Coastguard Agency Coast to Coast (electronic) monthly Vehicle Certification Agency Nuts & Bolts (electronic) monthly Vehicle and Operator Services Agency VOSAlink (electronic) weekly Government Departments: Training Lord Norton of Louth: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 9 January (WA 97), who will be responsible in each government department for determining the training needs of civil servants pursuant to Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 until such time as a capabilities plan is published. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Departments with dedicated HR staff will oversee the demands and requirements for training from Civil Service Learning. A capabilities plan will be published in due course containing further information on key priorities for building the capability of the civil service. Publication of the plan is unlikely to change these responsibilities. Health: Accident and Emergency Departments Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of closures of NHS accident and emergency departments across the United Kingdom. Earl Howe: This information is not collected centrally. The reconfiguration of urgent and emergency care services, including accident and emergency departments, is a matter for the National Health Service locally. What matters is that strategic decisions are taken at the appropriate level, that service change is clinically driven, and that patients and the public are involved in the process. Health: Oesophageal Doppler Monitoring Lord Walton of Detchant: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will expedite the availability of oesophageal Doppler monitoring during surgery in the National Health Service, in the light of advice from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Earl Howe: Oesophageal Doppler monitoring, along with other National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) approved fluid management monitoring technology, has been chosen as a high impact innovation for the National Health Service. It is for individual commissioners, working with their providers, to determine when and where they should be used in line with NICE guidance. The NHS Technology Adoption Centre has produced a technology adoption pack, generically labelled "Intra-Operative Fluid Management", which includes clarity on the competing technologies in the marketplace, together with the evidence that supports their use. Health: Pathology Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made in terms of any increase or reduction in (1) costs, and (2) time from blood taking and testing to receiving results, of the proposals to move pathology services from Southend and Basildon hospitals to Bedford Hospital. To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they, the regional health authority and NHS Midlands and East have received in response to the proposals to move pathology services from Basildon and Southend hospitals to Bedford Hospital. Earl Howe: Information about the cost and time implications of the proposals to move pathology services from Southend and Basildon hospitals to Bedford Hospital are not collected centrally. Decisions about the local configuration of pathology services are for local National Health Service commissioners. We are aware that the Royal College of Pathologists has supported the decision making process in the East of England region by giving advice on all the bids submitted to NHS Midlands and East. We understand that the preferred bidder for the Basildon and Southend areas is currently working with all trusts in the area to finalise how the service will operate. Although it is intended that the service will be provided under a hub and spoke model, the location of hubs and spokes for this area is yet to be confirmed. The Independent Review of NHS Pathology Services in England, chaired by Lord Carter of Coles, undertook an extensive cost and activity data collection and analysis exercise in order to establish a robust evidence base on which to found its recommendations. The review forecast that up to £500 million could be saved through consolidation of NHS pathology services into managed networks. All decisions on how service changes will be implemented are for local determination. Nevertheless, these changes are vital to the NHS. The current pathology arrangements are unsustainable and, in light of the robust evidence available, commissioners will be seeking high quality services that represent best value for money. Ministers' offices have received no representations on this subject. A search of the department's ministerial correspondence database has identified two items of correspondence received since 12 December 2012, when the preferred bidders to take forward the new community pathology services across the East of England region were announced. This figure represents correspondence received by the department's ministerial correspondence unit only. Information about representations received by the local NHS is not collected centrally. Health: Surgery Lord Walton of Detchant: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the impact of oesophageal Doppler monitoring during surgery on complications, patient outcomes and the length of hospital stays. Earl Howe: The Department has made no such assessment. However the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published medical technologies guidance on the CardioQ-ODM oesophageal Doppler monitor. This guidance is available on NICE's website at: www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13312/52624/52624.pdf Higher Education: Student Enrolment Baroness Brinton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many students in England studying (1) full-time, and (2) part-time, are aged (a) 19-21, (b) 22-24, and (c) 24 and over. Baroness Garden of Frognal: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on student enrolments at English higher education institutions (HEIs). Latest statistics on higher education enrolments by age and mode of study, for the academic year 2011-12 are provided in the table. Student enrolments (1) from all domiciles by age (2) and mode of study. Academic year 2011-12 English Higher Education Institutions Age Full-time Part-time Total Aged 18 and under 192,665 11,950 204.615 Aged 19 to 21 705,180 44,310 749.490 Aged 22 to 24 255.715 68.995 324.710 Aged 25 and over 270.280 547.345 817,625 Not specified 30 760 790 Total 1,423.870 673,360 1097,230 Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record. Notes: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, so components may not sum to totals (1) Enrolments refers to students in all years of study (2) Age refers to age at the start of the academic year Hillsborough Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the comments by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 11 December (Official Report, col. 1027) that further documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 had been discovered, what is in those documents; where they were held; when their existence was discovered; who discovered them; and whether they will be made public. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: I met the noble Lord on 16 January and the Bishop of Liverpool, in his capacity as the Home Secretary's adviser on Hillsborough, was also present. It was explained that there are a limited number of documents in this category and with the Bishop of Liverpool's agreement these have been catalogued within the Home Office and are being made available to the IPCC. House of Lords: Members' Allowances Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask the Chairman of Committees what was the average daily total claim per member attending the House of Lords in (1) 2009-10, (2) 2010-11, (3) 2011-12, and (4) the first quarter of 2012-13. Lord Sewel: The average daily total claim per member attending the House of Lords was: 2009-10-£270;2010-11-£284;2011-12-£281; andfirst quarter 2012-13-£287. These figures include travel costs and other costs claimed under the Members' finance scheme, full details of which can be found at www.parliament.uk. House of Lords: Members' Attendance Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask the Chairman of Committees what was the average daily attendance in the House of Lords in (1) 2009-10, (2) 2010-11, (3) 2011-12, and (4) the first quarter of 2012-13. Lord Sewel: The average daily attendance for the periods in question is given below. The figures exclude attendances at Select Committee meetings, which do not relate directly to sitting days. Period Average daily attendance 1April 2009 to 31 March 2010 397 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 451 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 492 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012 488 House of Lords: Staff Pay Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask the Chairman of Committees what grades or other classifications of staff employed by the House of Lords have been subject to a pay freeze in each of the past three years. Lord Sewel: Senior-band staff have been subject to a pay freeze since April 2009. All other staff were subject to pay freezes in 2010-11 and 2011-12, except for those earning less than £21,000 pa who received an increase of £250 on basic pay in each of those years. Israel Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Warsi on 19 December (WA 316-7) concerning Israel's nuclear facilities, what measures are available to persuade Israel to co-operate with the International Atomic Energy Authority. Baroness Warsi: Israel is an active member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and committed to its objectives, in particular Article 2: to seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. Israel is not, however, a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty. Accordingly it is under no legal obligation to agree to a full scope comprehensive safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Government have regular dialogue with the Government of Israel on nuclear issues, support the objective of a weapons of mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East and encourage Israel to participate in discussions to that end. Justice: Non-payment of Fines Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 17 December 2012 (WA 270-1), what is their estimate of the cost of proceedings for failure to pay a television licence fee in 2011; which of the options for reform of the system of enforcement published in Swift and Sure Justice: the Government's Plans for Reform of the Criminal Justice System they consider likely to be efficacious; and whether they have recently considered the compliance of punishment for failure to pay such a fee with human rights standards. Lord McNally: The Ministry of Justice does not collect data on the cost of proceedings for specific offences in magistrates' courts and therefore is not able to estimate the cost of proceedings for failure to pay a television licence fee in 2011 with sufficient reliability within the time and cost available. Paragraph 122 of the White Paper on Swift and Sure Justice outlined the Government's thoughts on reform of TV licensing enforcement. We are continuing to examine the efficacy of the various measures. When the Communications Bill was introduced to Parliament in 2002, the terms of the statement signed under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act demonstrate that the Government were of the view that the enforcement regime for TV licensing complied with the European Convention on Human Rights. That view has not changed. NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many clinical commissioning groups have been authorised by the NHS Commissioning Board; and how many remain to be authorised. Earl Howe: A total of 211 aspiring clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have applied to the NHS Commissioning Board (the board) for authorisation. The board is authorising CCGs in four waves. Thirty-four CCGs were authorised and established in the first wave in December 2012, and 67 have been authorised and established in the second wave in January. The remaining 110 aspiring CCGs are preparing for authorisation in February and March. NHS: Foundation Trusts Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government which NHS trusts that are currently the responsibility of the NHS Development Agency have been passed to Monitor for approval as foundation trusts; which of those have been approved or rejected by Monitor; which NHS trusts are scheduled for submission for approval to Monitor in 2013; and which NHS trusts are no longer expected to be approved as foundation trusts by April 2014. Earl Howe: To date, the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) has referred no foundation trust (FT) applications to Monitor. NHS trusts are required to submit their plans for 2013-14 to the NHS TDA for sign off by the end of March 2013. Any plans where the trajectory to achieve FT status is not deliverable or credible will not be signed off by the NHS TDA. Further discussions between the local NHS trust and the TDA will then take place. Population Movement Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the findings of the Electoral Commission's November 2012 report Continuous Electoral Registration in Northern Ireland that, "changes of address are the key change that needs to be managed by the registration system", and that "continuous registration is not keeping pace with population movement in Northern Ireland", whether they will set out the average rates of population movement in Northern Ireland in comparison with (1) England, (2) Wales and (3) Scotland. Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Baroness Hayter, dated January 2013. As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking in the light of the findings of the Electoral Commission's November 2012 report Continuous Electoral Registration in Northern Ireland that changes of address are the key change that needs to be managed by the registration system', and that -continuous registration is not keeping pace with population movement in Northern Ireland'', whether they will set out the average rates of population movement in Northern Ireland in comparison with (1) England, (2) Wales and (3) Scotland. HL4394 A measure of population movement based on this definition can be derived for local authority areas in England and Wales from the ONS's Mid-Year Population Estimates. The table below contains the relevant data. It shows that an estimated 5.5% of the population of England at mid-2010 had moved out of their local authority area (to elsewhere in England, elsewhere in the UK, or to another country) by mid-2011. The corresponding percentage for Wales was 4.0%. Similar measures for Scotland and Northern Ireland would be a matter for the respective statistical authorities. Table 1: Population Movement: England and Wales, 2010-11 Population at Mid-2010 Internal Migration within area 2010-11* Other within-UK flows from area 2010-11** International Emigration from area 2010-11 "Population Movement" (Total migration outflows as a proportion of starting population) England 52,234,045 2,464,094 102,795 301,012 5.5% Wales 3,0006,430 53,161 54,590 11,232 4.0% Source: ONS Ports Lord Fearn: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many passenger liners have anchored in the Mersey in 2011 and 2012; and how many have stayed for more than two days in that port. Earl Attlee: Information is not held centrally in the form requested. It would normally be better to address detailed enquiries of this kind directly to the port-in this case, Peel Ports and/or Liverpool City Council. Some related figures can be found in the Department for Transport's port statistics at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/10102/port0601.xls. In this table, a total of 140 ships in the category "passenger vessels" is shown to have called at Liverpool in 2011. This includes cruise vessels but is predominantly passenger ferries. Other passenger-carrying ships could be included in the "ro-ro" and "other" categories. Railways: East Coast Mainline Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for improving the journey times on the east coast main line. Earl Attlee: The Government recognise the importance of the east coast main line in linking Scotland, the north-east, Yorkshire and eastern England with London. A total of £428 million (in 2012-13 prices) is currently being invested in a series of schemes designed to improve capacity and performance on this critical route. A further £240 million of funding has been allocated to the route for enhancement expenditure between 2014 and 2019 on schemes that improve capacity and reduce journey times. The rail industry will be working together to determine how this funding is spent. New rolling stock under the InterCity Express programme will enable reductions in journey times, and the first of these trains are due to enter revenue service on the east coast main line during 2018. Continued improvement in service quality is a key objective for the current operator, East Coast, and will be for the next intercity east coast franchise, the timing of which will need to be determined in light of Richard Brown's independent review of the rail franchising programme. In the meantime, the Department for Transport will be working with East Coast, Network Rail and others to ensure that the Government's substantial investment in the east coast main line delivers real benefits for passengers, striking an appropriate balance between journey time, reliability and other potential improvements. Railways: Heathrow Airport Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to promote a rail link between Heathrow Airport and the great western main line. Earl Attlee: The July 2012 high-level output specification asks the rail industry to develop and, subject to business case and agreement of terms with the Heathrow aviation industry, deliver a new western rail access to Heathrow Airport. Railways: High Speed 2 Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) top speed, and (2) average speed, projected for trains on the HS2 London to Birmingham route. Earl Attlee: HS2 Ltd is continuing to finalise the design of the infrastructure but the aspiration is to have a top-speed capability of 249 miles per hour (400 kph) in the longer term. The line is intended to open with services at a maximum speed of 224 mph (360 kph), but in many sections such as tunnels and urban areas it will be less, leading to an anticipated average running speed for services on the HS2 London to Birmingham route of 205 mph (330 kph). Schools: National Curriculum Lord Northbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish their proposals for the new curriculum of all subjects to be introduced from September 2014; whether this curriculum includes the new curriculum for personal social and health education (PSHE); and, if not, when the PSHE syllabus will be published. Lord Nash: We will be publishing our proposed new national curriculum for consultation very shortly. The separate PSHE review has been extended to take account of the outcomes of the national curriculum review. We will set out our proposals for PSHE in due course. Schools: Ofsted Lord Northbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how many, and (2) what percentage of, (a) primary schools, and (b) secondary schools, achieved each Ofsted grade in the last year for which figures are available. Lord Nash: This question is a matter for Ofsted and the Deputy Chief Inspector, Education, Children's Services and Skills, John Goldup. He has written to the noble Lord, and a copy of his response has been placed in the House Libraries. Schools: Teachers Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they offer to teachers who consider leaving the profession. Lord Nash: The Government are not the employer of the teaching workforce in our schools. We expect schools and local authorities as the employers of the workforce to provide appropriate levels of pastoral and professional support to teachers who are considering leaving the profession. The Government have set out to make teaching a more attractive career, encouraging outstanding individuals to stay in the profession. We have put teachers back in charge of the classroom with powers to deal effectively with poor pupil behaviour. We are slimming down the national curriculum and reducing bureaucracy so that teachers have professional autonomy to determine how to teach. We are also reforming pay so that heads have more flexibility to reward good teachers. Giving heads greater freedom over the way they deploy their teachers also affords them greater flexibility in adapting working conditions to respond more effectively to local and individual circumstances. Schools: Teachers Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many trainee teachers were awarded (1) tuition fee loans, (2) bursaries, (3) School Direct bursary top-ups, and (4) scholarships, in the last five years. Lord Nash: The number of applicants on initial teacher training courses domiciled in England and the EU (outside UK) and who were awarded tuition fee loans was 22,800 at 9 December in academic year (AY) 2012-13. The equivalent figures in previous academic years were 23,600 (in AY 2008-09), 28,600 (in AY 2009-10), 25,900 (in AY 2010-11) and 21,100 (in AY 2011-12). In the past 5 years a total of 99,652 trainees recruited were eligible for a training bursary award*. This breaks down by academic year as follows: AY 2008-09 23,534, AY 2009-10 25,114, AY 2010-11 24,240, AY 2011-12 5,992 and AY 2012-13 20,772. School Direct was introduced in academic year 2012-13. In order to be eligible for a bursary top up, a trainee must spend the majority of his or her time at a school that has 25% or more of their students eligible for free school meals. This data will not be available until February 2013 and I have asked my officials to write to you then with this information. Scholarships for trainees in physics, run in partnership between DfE and the Institute of Physics, were introduced in AY 2012-13. A total of 105 scholarships were awarded. * Subjects that attract bursaries and amounts payable change from year to year to reflect Government policies and priorities. In AY 2011-12 the number of subjects that attracted a bursary award was reduced hence the reduction in the numbers of trainees eligible for a bursary award in this year. In AY 2012-13 new tuition fees were introduced which Is why high value bursaries were introduced to acknowledge the academic achievements of the trainee and their potential to teach. Trainees must have at least a 2:2 to access a bursary in a shortage subject, chemistry, physics, mathematics and modem foreign languages, and at least a 2:1 for non-shortage subjects. Syria Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation of minorities in Syria; and what discussions they have had with opposition groups in that country about safeguarding minorities from jihadist attacks. Baroness Warsi: The situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, inflicting a heavy cost on the country's population, including its minority groups. There are credible reports and video footage of human rights abuses and sectarian attacks by armed opposition fighters in Syria, which we utterly condemn. We urge all opposition groups to observe human rights and international humanitarian law norms. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), said on 10 January (Official Report, col. 483), he has urged the leadership of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) to show a clear commitment to human rights and international humanitarian law, including the protection of all religious communities and unfettered and safe access for humanitarian agencies. The SNC has stressed their intention not to repeat the violations of the Assad regime. We regularly meet representatives and members of minority groups and we continue to encourage the SNC to reassure all Syrians that they are working towards a Syria which is democratic, inclusive, representative, respectful of its ethnic and religious minorities and which adheres to international human rights conventions. We remain resolute in our support of the Syrian people's demands for a peaceful and democratic transition to a more open society, one that respects the rights of all its citizens, Allawite or Sunni, Christian or Kurd. Taxation: Income Tax Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many employed persons in the current year do not earn enough to pay any income tax in the United Kingdom, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and each English region respectively; what proportion of the number of employed persons in each area this represents; and in each case what proportion of such people are (1) women, (2) under the age of 25, and (3) over the age of 55. To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of employed persons in 2013-14 who will not earn enough to pay any income tax in the United Kingdom, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and each English region respectively; what is their estimate of the proportion of the expected number of employed persons in each area that that will represent; and, in each case what proportion of such people are expected to be (1) women, (2) under the age of 25 , and (3) over the age of 55. Lord Deighton: The following table sets out the available estimates for the number of adults in employment or self-employment with employment income at or below the personal allowance in 2012-13 and 2013-14 by country and region. 2012-13 2013-14 Thousands1 as % all employed % female thousands as % all employed % female England 4,300 18 63 4,900 20 64 North East 200 18 64 200 21 65 North West and Merseyside 600 20 58 700 23 59 Yorkshire and the Humber 500 19 64 500 22 66 East Midlands 400 19 65 500 22 66 West Midlands 400 19 63 500 22 64 East of England 500 18 68 500 19 69 London 500 15 61 600 16 60 South East 600 16 64 700 18 63 South West 500 21 64 600 24 64 Wales 200 19 58 300 23 60 Scotland 400 17 68 500 19 68 Northern Ireland 100 17 62 100 19 63 United Kingdom 5,100 18 63 5,800 20 64 The Government have announced the largest ever cash increase in the personal allowance, from £8,105, in April 2012, to £9,440 in April 2013. The percentage of the United Kingdom adult working population with employment income below the personal allowance is estimated to rise from 18% in 2012-13 to 20% in 2013-14. As a result of all changes to the personal allowance made by the Government since 2010, 2.2 million individuals under the age of 65 will have been taken out of income tax by 2013-14. These estimates are based on the Family Resources Survey data for 2010-112, projected to 2012-13 and 2013-14, using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's December 2012 economic and fiscal outlook. Estimates of the proportion of adults in employment or self-employment with employment income at or below the personal allowance who are aged under 25 or aged over 55 are not available at the national and region level, due to small sample sizes. 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000 and whole percentage points 2 http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/frs/2010_11/frs_2010_11_report.pdf Territorial Army and Reservists The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what protection exists for continuity of employment, pension and service rights for members of the Territorial Army and reservists who are required to present their P45 forms when called upon for military duty, in view of the fact that a request for a P45 from an employer would normally indicate termination of a contract of employment with that employer. Baroness Garden of Frognal: The Government take the continuity of employment and pension and service rights of members of the Territorial Army and other reservists as a matter of great importance. That is why they are provided with legal protection of their civilian employment through the Reserve Forces safeguard of the Employment Act 1985. This gives the reservist the right to be reinstated in the same job in which they were employed before they were mobilised or, if it is not reasonable and practicable, to be re-employed by their civilian employer in the most favourable job and on the most favourable terms and conditions to the reservist. Regarding the protection of pensions, reservists are eligible to become an active member of the Reserve Forces pension scheme (RFPS) when mobilised under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 or a corresponding power in the Reserve Forces Act 1980. When at the mobilisation centre they make a choice and complete a declaration that they wish to have the period of permanent service counted under the RFPS, or to remain in any civilian occupational or personal pension scheme or to join the state second pension. Members of the Reserve Forces are asked to report to the mobilisation centres with either a P60 or P45 (not solely a P45), whichever is relevant, to confirm their civilian earnings and, if required, their employment status. This document can also be used to assist in the administration of any financial assistance award that they or their employer may claim.

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lordswrans2013-01-24a