House of Lords
Summer Recess 2014
Written Answers and Statements
A417: A436
Question
Asked by Lord Tyler
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the timetable for the major improvement of the A417/A436 junction at the Air Balloon roundabout in Gloucestershire; and what immediate steps are planned to alleviate the traffic congestion in that area.[HL1799]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Highways Agency is preparing a Route Strategy for the Midlands to Wales and Gloucestershire. This includes the A417/A436 junction at the Air Balloon roundabout, which itself is part of the section of the A417 known as the ‘Missing Link’ and identified as a key issue on this route. The next stage will be to assess options, including major improvements, and to produce indicative business cases as the basis upon which to prioritise investment from 2015. Outcomes from the Route Strategies are expected to be announced in spring 2015. There are no other immediate plans to undertake any works on this route before the Route Strategy is concluded.
Amantadine
Question
Asked by Baroness Gale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people in England with (1) Parkinson’s, and (2) other conditions, have been prescribed Amantadine in each of the last five years.[HL1773]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Information is not collected centrally on the number of people prescribed medicines or the medical condition being treated. However, information is available on the number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England.
The following table shows the number of prescription items dispensed for amantadine hydrochloride in the latest available five year period.
|
Number of prescription items for amantadine hydrochloride written in the United Kingdom and dispensed, in the community, in England
|
|
Year
|
Items (000s)
|
|
2009
|
95.4
|
|
2010
|
99.7
|
|
2011
|
105.5
|
|
2012
|
111.2
|
|
2013
|
113.4
|
Source: Prescription Cost Analysis provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre
Antisemitism
Question
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last conducted an assessment of levels of anti-semitism in the United Kingdom; and what plans they have for future such assessments.[HL1784]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): The Association of Chief Police Officers' National Community Tension Team regularly produces a 'Community Impact Assessment' which contains an assessment on the state of community relations, this includes the level of antisemitism. This material is not shared with the public, as it contains operational policing information. The National Community Tension Team liaises with the Community Security Trust at the national level on behalf of the police service. Police Forces with significant Jewish communities liaise closely at the local level.
The Association of Chief Police Officers’ also publishes its recorded antisemitic crime data annually on the True Vision website at: http://www.report-it.org.uk/hate_crime_data1
Children: Personal Records
Question
Asked by Lord Rooker
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Garden of Frognal on 8 January 2013 (HL4331), on what date Ministers received the report "Information sharing in the Foundation Years"; and what action has been taken to implement the recommended changes.[HL1809]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The final report was submitted to Ministers in March 2013. On 21 November 2013, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare published a joint response welcoming the report, and setting out action underway to address the report’s recommendations. The response is published online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-sharing-in-the-foundation-years-ministerial-letter
Children's Centres
Question
Asked by The Earl of Listowel
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Nash on 30 July (HL1559–62), what assessment they have made of The Children’s Society’s report The Right Start in respect of the number of local authorities that do not routinely share live birth data with children’s centres; and what plans they have to ensure that health services and local authorities share live birth data.[HL1762]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): My officials, and officials at the Department of Health, have reviewed the report and met representatives from The Children’s Society to discuss the issues raised and the work that the Government is taking forward in this area.
The Department for Education’s Sure Start children’s centres statutory guidance says that health services and local authorities should share information (such as live birth data and data on families with children under five who have recently moved into the area) with children’s centres on a regular basis.
The Department of Health is working with NHS England and partners, including the Health and Social Care Information Centre, to explore the practical issues involved in providing regular and timely updates of live birth data to local authorities.
Consumers: Protection
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the comments by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Jenny Willott, on 13 May (HC Deb, col 691), whether they will set out the additional guidance produced by the Trading Standards Institute in relation to the cited consumer regulations of December 2013.[HL1741]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Neville-Rolfe) (Con): Guidance on the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 has been produced by the Trading Standards Institute, and is available at http://www.businesscompanion.info/. This guidance is updated regularly, and we have asked TSI to consider providing clarification on ticket sales as part of these updates.
Diesel Fuel
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what incentives they have put in place over the past 20 years to encourage motorists to switch from petrol to diesel fuel.[HL1735]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Government is committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transport as part of targets set in the carbon budget. Successive governments have been hugely successful in this aim and consumers have benefited from more fuel efficient vehicles, including those with petrol engines.
At various points in time successive governments have put in place different treatments of petrol and diesel vehicles under transport related taxes such as Vehicle Excise Duty and Fuel Duty. Over this Parliament neither Vehicle Excise Duty nor Fuel Duty has distinguished between petrol and diesel vehicles.
Diesel cars and vans have become increasingly popular, reflecting good fuel efficiency and the improvements in engine technology. Diesel engines can produce more air pollution than petrol engines. Successively tighter European emission standards for new diesel vehicles has reduced particulate matter pollution and will address emissions of oxides of nitrogen.
Energy: Meters
Questions
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to encouraging the six largest energy companies to develop and use their own vulnerability checklist as part of a comprehensive assessment process to help determine a household's circumstances before any new pre-payment meters are installed, in accordance with the voluntary code agreed with Consumer Focus in March 2011.[HL1756]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): All the large suppliers have agreed to the 5 key principles set out by Consumer Focus in March 2011. This includes a check of whether a customer is vulnerable before installation of a prepayment meter and offering a different payment method if appropriate. In the 2012 report "Making Progress" Consumer Focus found that most large suppliers use a checklist to help staff identify the best approach. This report is available at this link: http://www.consumerfutures.org.uk/files/2013/07/Making-progress.pdf
Government supports initiatives to ensure that vulnerable pre-payment customers are being treated fairly and receiving appropriate support and is considering areas where Government action could further improve the consumer experience of pre-payment customers.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will work with energy companies to ensure that those using pre-payment meters pay the equivalent tariffs to those paying by direct debit, irrespective of whether smart meters are installed.[HL1758]
Baroness Verma: Energy supplier licence conditions, set by Ofgem, allow suppliers to apply different charges to different payment methods providing the differentials reflect the costs to the supplier of the form of payment. This allowance is made in recognition of the fact that some payment methods are more expensive to administer than others. In May 2014, Ofgem published the results of analysis on this issue which showed that across the market the price on different payment methods reflects the varying costs suppliers face in providing them. This is available at the following link:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/price-differences-between-payment-methods-%E2%80%93-open-letter
Floods: Somerset
Question
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the readiness to deal with possible flooding on the Somerset Levels in the winter of 2014–15.[HL1787]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Repairs to damaged assets in Somerset form part of the large national programme for preparedness ahead of the coming winter. This programme is progressing on time. All of the flood risk assets damaged last winter will either be fully repaired before the coming winter or, for a small number of assets, will have temporary repairs to ensure communities are protected, with permanent works to follow or clear contingency plans in place.
In Somerset the Environment Agency has identified a total of 48 projects, including some improvement projects, which are new works as part of the Somerset Flood Action Plan. As of 3 September, 11 projects were completed, 25 were underway and 12 due to start. We expect all projects to be completed by 31 October.
Gambling: Internet
Questions
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when further guidance will be provided to online poker gambling companies and their software providers in respect of the latest licence conditions and codes of practice guidance relating to the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014, the sharing of information to prevent cheating, money laundering, crime and problem gambling, and the investigation of customer complaints.[HL1742]
Lord Newby (LD): The Gambling Commission has no immediate plans to add to the guidance already given, but will add answers to any specific questions or points that may emerge in the Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions blog.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will clarify which elements of the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards are considered mandatory; and whether they have received any communication from businesses about the clarity of the guidance relating to those Standards.[HL1743]
Lord Newby: The Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards clearly differentiate between requirements which are mandatory and those provisions which are guidance. The Government has not received any communication from businesses about the guidance.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why, in respect of the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards, concessions were granted on compliance times in relation to auto-play and clock display.[HL1744]
Lord Newby: The Gambling Commission has identified significant differences between its own auto-play requirements and those currently available to British consumers from operators based in other jurisdictions where they can currently offer gambling to the British market. The Commission is currently consulting on improvements to auto-play requirements and wanted to avoid unnecessary investment by operators to change their auto-play functionality whilst this is underway. There has been no concession in relation to the technical standard on clock display.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what work has been done to ensure that new compliance rules relating to the Gambling Act 2005 and the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards do not prevent any software businesses from providing services to the gambling industry.[HL1745]
Lord Newby: The Commission has held a number of meetings with software suppliers and users to discuss matters such as the length of time for suppliers to obtain the necessary licences. On current plans the requirement for licensed remote gambling operators to source their gambling software from Commission licensed gambling software businesses has been deferred until 30 January 2015. In addition, the Commission has published an advice note titled ‘What is gambling software?’. The Commission has also demonstrated its awareness of the commercial implications of its requirements by its willingness to contemplate ‘umbrella’ licensing arrangements in some circumstances.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the release in July 2014 of the Gambling Commission’s consultation on amendments to its statement of principles for licensing and enforcement policy, with a closing date of September 2014, they have given consideration to delaying the deadline for applications for gambling software licences pursuant to the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 until the second quarter of 2015.[HL1746]
Lord Newby: The consultation on minor updates and amendments to the Commission’s statement of principles for licensing and compliance ending on 30 September 2014, does not affect the timetable for applications for gambling software licences.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Gambling Commission will publish the reasoning behind each gambling software licence decision.[HL1747]
Lord Newby: The Gambling Commission does not publish the reasoning behind all licence decisions, only those where there is a public interest in doing so. There are no plans to change this process.
Gibraltar: Spain
Question
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 30 July (HL1323), why they accept that the European Commission has a locus in the matter of the border between Spain and Gibraltar; and whether they consider that locus to apply to action by the European Commission concerning incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters by Spanish vessels from Spanish territorial waters.[HL1789]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Gibraltar forms part of the EU and the EU provisions on the free movement of workers, capital and services apply to Gibraltar. Spain is entitled to establish checks at the border with Gibraltar, but these checks must be proportionate and non-discriminatory in order to remain in compliance with EU law. Pursuant to its role as guardian of the EU treaties the European Commission has an important role to play in assessing whether Spain has complied with these EU law obligations. We have made consistently clear to the Commission that we believe Spain has breached EU law in this area and the Commission recently agreed that the checks giving rise to waiting several hours to cross the border were disproportionate.
Incursions by Spanish state vessels into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters raise issues under the international law of the sea rather than under EU law. The UK robustly defends its sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by challenging all unlawful incursions and by making formal protests to the Spanish government.
Hearing Impairment: Health Services
Question
Asked by Lord Elton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish their criteria for the award of contracts for the provision of audiology services to their agencies.[HL1780]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): There are no national criteria for awarding contracts for the provision of audiology services with the exception of a small number of specialised services which are commissioned nationally by NHS England. The specifications, setting out what providers must have in place to deliver specialised audiology services, can be found on the NHS England website at the following link:
www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-d/d09
The national contract for the provision of hearing aids is managed through the NHS Supply Chain and provides for the assessment of patients by National Health Service audiology professionals, as well as the provision and fitting of digital hearing aids. This contract ran from 2010 until 2014, and has subsequently been extended to July 2016. It is currently under review to determine the options for re-procurement after 2016. More information can be found at the NHS Supply Chain website at the following link:
www.supplychain.nhs.uk/product-news/contract-launch-briefs/2014/july/hearing-aids-and-accessories/
Hindley Young Offender Institution
Question
Asked by Baroness Stern
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the report published on 15 August by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on the lower site at Hindley Young Offenders Institution, which found that there were insufficient services for boys with brain injuries, learning disabilities or in need of speech and language therapy, whether they have any plans to improve the health services provided to boys in the lower site at Hindley Young Offenders Institution.[HL1806]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): NHS England and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Hindley have not yet responded to the August 2014 report published by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons. Currently, healthcare services commissioned for the population in YOI Hindley aged under 18 years include treatment for acquired or traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities and difficulties and speech, language and communication needs. These remain an important element of the overall service, which is based on needs identified in the health and wellbeing needs assessment for YOI Hindley.
In Vitro Fertilisation
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 24 July (HL1011), what is the proposed timetable of steps in deciding when mitochondrial donation should be offered in treatment; and what impact each of the separate experiments recommended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s Expert Panel will have on that timetable.[HL1761]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Government has decided to proceed with putting regulations before Parliament, subject to giving further consideration to the Expert Panel’s recommendations, refining the draft regulations to take account of changes identified during the consultation, and discussion with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority about an appropriate approval process. The Government will consider the timing of the regulations in the light of these actions. We aim to provide an update about this soon.
Iran
Question
Asked by Lord Clarke of Hampstead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review their relationship with the government of Iran, including considering firmer sanctions.[HL1791]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Since the election of President Rouhani in 2013, we have been working to improve the UK-Iran relationship for the benefit of both countries. We intend, following Iran’s assurances that UK staff in Iran would be safe and able to carry out their functions, to reopen our Embassy in Tehran as soon as practical arrangements allow. A global diplomatic presence is a key component of UK foreign policy. Nevertheless, there will continue to be range of issues on which the UK and Iran disagree. Restored embassies will enable us to better understand these differences and to work more effectively to tackle them.
Along with our E3+3 partners, the UK remains committed to reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran which ensures that their nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful. Failure to reach a settlement would lead to the re-imposition of sanctions suspended under the interim deal and consideration of further sanctions pressure.
Iraq: Iran
Question
Asked by Lord Clarke of Hampstead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the latest situation in Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty.[HL1790]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We rely on the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) for information about the situation at Camp Liberty, as they monitor the adherence by all parties to applicable human rights standards. On 31 August UNAMI reported that the provision of life support systems such as water, electricity and food continue to be well in excess of basic humanitarian standards.
There are no residents now at Camp Ashraf. The final group of residents were transferred to Camp Liberty on 11 September 2013.
Middle East
Questions
Asked by Baroness Uddin
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the then United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, that "there seems to be a strong possibility that international law has been violated, in a manner that could amount to war crimes," by Israel in Gaza; and whether they have made any representations to the United Nations about that statement.[HL1797]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Government has taken note of the statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We are clear that there must be meaningful investigations into possible violations of international humanitarian law by all sides, including those abuses committed by Hamas and other militant groups. We call on all parties to cooperate with the UN Commission of Inquiry, which must be balanced and impartial. We have not responded directly to the UN on this statement but we have commented publicly on a number of the issues raised in it. The UN Commission of Inquiry has yet to complete its work, so it would be wrong to pre-determine its findings.
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Palestinian civilians, at the time of the latest ceasefire, had been (1) killed, and (2) injured, as a result of Israel’s military action in Gaza; how many of those casualties were children; and what were the comparable figures for Israeli civilian casualties from Palestinian military action in the same period.[HL1814]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: According to UN figures, the number of Palestinian civilians killed as a result of Israel’s military action in Gaza was, by the time of the 26 August ceasefire, 1,462. 495 of them were children. The UN does not provide exact figures for the number of injured Palestinian civilians. However, it estimates that over 5,000 women, children and elderly Palestinians were injured.
According to Israeli government statistics, seven civilians in Israel were killed by rocket/mortar fire from militant groups in Gaza. Six of these were Israeli (including one child) and one was a Thai national. 126 were injured. Further casualties from Hamas rockets were thought to have been prevented by the Israeli Iron Dome system.
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 30 July (HL1482), whether they now consider that the recent military action by Israel in Gaza is proportionate, as defined in the Joint Service Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict; and whether they will publish their assessment of the proportionality of that action.[HL1815]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Prime Minister, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has been clear on the UK’s recognition of Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself and our condemnation of Hamas’s rocket attacks. We have consistently urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, to exercise restraint, and to help find ways to bring this situation to an end. There must now be meaningful, effective and independent investigations into possible violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by all sides, including those abuses committed by Hamas and other militant groups. Both sides should cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry set up by the UN Human Rights Council, which must itself be independent and balanced in its approach.
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 18 August (HL1710), whether they regard that the lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza is a requirement for avoiding "a return to the status quo ante" set out in that answer.[HL1818]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: A durable ceasefire agreement will have to address the underlying causes of the conflict to bring an end to the cycle of violence. Avoiding a return to the status quo ante will require an agreement which: addresses Israel’s legitimate security concerns; allows the Palestinian Government under the leadership of President Abbas to resume control of Gaza to restore effective and accountable governance; and ensures the lifting of Israeli restrictions, to ease the suffering of ordinary Palestinians, and allows Gaza’s economy to grow.
Monetary Policy
Question
Asked by Lord Myners
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have ruled out cancelling the gilt-edged securities bought by the Bank of England under the quantitative easing policy.[HL1802]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England has operational independence for monetary policy. The MPC makes decisions on its policy tools, including quantitative easing (QE), in order to meet the 2% inflation target in the medium term.
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 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.
National Child Measurement Programme
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the cost of the National Child Measurement Programme.[HL1768]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): On 1 April 2013, Public Health England (PHE) took on responsibility for national oversight of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). The total cost of the programme to PHE for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 financial years are shown in the following table.
|
Financial Year
|
Programme costs
|
Capital costs
|
Totals
|
|
2013-14
|
£323,000.00
|
£1,089,419.00
|
£1,412,419.00
|
|
2014-15
|
£340,000.00
|
-
|
£340,000.00
|
|
|
|
|
£1,752,419.00
|
There were exceptional costs in 2013-14 due to the need to develop a new NCMP IT system to enable local authorities to carry out their statutory duty of returning NCMP data to the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
NHS
Question
Asked by Lord Judd
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Ministerial Statement on the NHS Commissioning Board: Annual Assessment and Annual Report and Accounts by Earl Howe on 22 July (WS 124–5), what factors they considered when they decided on which date to make that statement; and what arrangements they have made for parliamentary scrutiny of the NHS mandate for 2015–16.[HL1760]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): We announced on 22 July 2014 in a Written Ministerial Statement on the NHS Commissioning Board: Annual Assessment and Annual Report and Accounts (WS 124-5) that the Government proposes to uphold all of the existing objectives in the current mandate and maintain a stable mandate for 2015-16. This announcement was made on 22 July so the annual assessment could be published before Parliamentary recess and alongside the annual report of the NHS Commissioning Board (known as NHS England). The timing of the publication of NHS England’s Annual Report and Accounts was determined by the annual reporting cycle of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies. The exact date of the Written Ministerial Statement was subject to other Government business.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires the Secretary of State to publish and lay before Parliament its mandate to NHS England. Before specifying any objectives or requirements in the mandate, the Secretary of State must consult NHS England, Healthwatch England and any other persons he considers appropriate.
We have been working closely with NHS England on the approach to the mandate and have been engaging with stakeholders over the summer, ahead of publishing and laying the final mandate before Parliament in the autumn. The mandate for 2015-16 will take effect from April 2015.
Offences against Children: Rotherham
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they are giving to bringing criminal charges for conspiracy and misconduct in a public office against any officials, social workers, councillors and police officers who failed to take action against child abusers and rapists, as outlined in the report by Professor Jay, Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997 – 2013).[HL1736]
The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): South Yorkshire Police is currently conducting a number of investigations which relate to the period covered by the report. As these are ongoing investigations it would be inappropriate to make further comment. The CPS will consider all potential offences referred to it by the police in accordance with the two-stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
Ophthalmic Services
Questions
Asked by Lord Elton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the optometry services provided under contract to their agencies operate in a market in which there are sufficient independent providers to maintain the stimulus of fair commercial competition.[HL1776]
Asked by Lord Elton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish their criteria for the award of contracts for the provision of optometry services to their agencies.[HL1777]
Asked by Lord Elton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their policy for the award of contracts for the provision of optometry and other services to their agencies includes a requirement to assess and compare the net tax revenue that would be provided by each competing bidder; and, if not, why not.[HL1778]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): All Government agencies are subject to European regulations covering both competition and awarding public contracts. Additionally, they apply the Government’s principles of transparency in communicating commercial opportunities, which includes actions to stimulate and attract opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
Standard tender documentation for commercial contracts incorporates a pre-qualification questionnaire that requests information from bidders as part of the Government’s policy, to check compliance with company tax laws. The information requested is proportionate with the value of the contract to be awarded.
In line with Government policy all new procurement tenders and contract awards are published via the Government’s central record system known as ‘Contracts Finder’. It would not be possible to quantify prospectively the net tax revenue likely to be generated by each competing bidder.
Asked by Lord Elton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the terms of the recently awarded contract to supply optometry services to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for a three-year period.[HL1779]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency published an advertisement relating to this contract in the Official Journal of the European Union. This document outlined to prospective bidders the duration of the contract and the categories required for service delivery. Due to the detail and length, I have placed copies of this advertisement as well as copies of the Contract Award Notice, the terms and conditions of the contract and the specifications of the contract in the Libraries of the House.
Palestinians
Question
Asked by Baroness Deech
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 29 July (HL1376), and in the light of the discovery of tunnels from Gaza into Israel, what assessment they have made of the measures put in place by the United Nations to avoid the diversion of materials imported into Gaza, in particular concrete, from humanitarian use.[HL1771]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The discovery of a number of tunnels reaching Israel during Operation Protective Edge is deeply concerning. The UN implement a strict controls system with the Government of Israel for the import of construction materials for use in humanitarian projects in Gaza, in order to mitigate the risk of transfer of materials for use other than that intended. Given the recent conflict in Gaza which has left more than 108,000 people homeless, there is an urgent need for legitimate construction work in Gaza and we are talking to the UN and Israel to support a way forward that addresses Israel’s security concerns whilst meeting the clear humanitarian need.
Parliament: Work Experience
Questions
Asked by Lord Verjee
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend further to support young people from low-income families in accessing government internship and work experience opportunities within the Palace of Westminster.[HL1748]
Asked by Lord Verjee
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the administrations of the House of Commons and House of Lords about supporting young people from low-income families in accessing internship and work experience opportunities within the Palace of Westminster.[HL1749]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Placement schemes are a matter for the House authorities. I encourage the noble Lord to pursue this issue with the House authorities.
Pensions
Question
Asked by Lord Barnett
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to maximise the availability of new pension freedoms.[HL1775]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government response to the consultation "Freedom and Choice in Pensions", which was published in July, sets out how the new pension freedoms will be enacted. The Government estimates that up to 18 million people will be able to benefit from the reforms.
Pharmacy
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis the Department of Health reimburses small independent chemists for NHS prescription drugs; whether they reimburse the full wholesale amount to chemists; and, if the full cost is not reimbursed, on what basis the payment is made.[HL1738]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The National Health Service pays community pharmacies that provide NHS pharmaceutical services a combination of fees and allowances for services provided and reimbursement for the products supplied as laid out in the Drug Tariff. The Drug Tariff is a compilation of determinations made by the Secretary of State and NHS England.
The reimbursement prices for products supplied are set in a number of different ways depending, for example, on whether the product is prescribed as a brand or a generic. For example, reimbursement prices for the most commonly prescribed generic products are set out in Part VIIIA of the Drug Tariff and are placed in categories A, C and M. The reimbursement price is established differently depending on the category in which the product is placed. For example, Category M prices are set using volume and sales data from suppliers.
The total of the reimbursement prices of products supplied by a pharmacy is subjected to a deduction as set out in Part V of the Drug Tariff. The size of the deduction is dependent on the value of the total of the reimbursement prices for that pharmacy. The larger the total, the larger the deduction. Each pharmacy providing NHS services, whether independent or part of a larger company, is paid in this way.
Prisons: Race Relations
Question
Asked by Baroness Young of Hornsey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many race relations posts at a senior level there are currently in prisons; and what were the numbers (1) five, and (2) ten years ago.[HL1798]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Data on the number of Race Relations posts is not collected centrally. In 1997, the Prison Service Order (PSO) 2800 The Race Relations Manual made it compulsory for all Governors to appoint a Race Relations Liaison Officer and recommended that this should be at the Principal Officer (middle manager) grade. In September 2006, a revised PSO 2800 mandated that Prison Governors would recruit a Race Equality Officer (REO) based on competence and the skills needed to perform the role.
In April 2011, Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 32/2011 Ensuring Equality was published, which removed all mandatory orders to have a specific post for race equality. It mandated that all prisons should have a senior manager with lead responsibility for coordinating work on all equality related issues.
Public Libraries
Question
Asked by Lord Rooker
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions are being taken at national level to preserve and enhance a public library system which takes account of the uses and demands of new technology.[HL1813]
Lord Newby (LD): Library services are increasingly thinking of ways to serve the community in the 21st century and are constantly looking at ways they can provide a service to their users using available new technology. WiFi is available in various public libraries, with the number of locations offering this service continuing to increase. Many libraries already provide e-books for their users and the Government recently extended the Public Lending Right to e-books for on-site lending. Various libraries are being equipped with new equipment such as advanced reading technology to enable blind and partially sighted people access to digital and physical information. Libraries are also evolving their services - Exeter library now offers a Fab Lab which is a low-cost digital workshop equipped with laser-cutters, routers, 3D scanners, 3D milling machines, and programming tools, where you can "make almost anything".
Railways: Bridges
Question
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who funded the footbridge at Stodham, near Petersfield, which was recently opened to provide an alternative to a level crossing.[HL1796]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Network Rail is now an arm’s-length public sector body and the funding of the footbridge at Stodham is an operational matter for the company.
Network Rail advises that it funded the footbridge at a cost of £350,000.
Railways: Electrification
Questions
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current estimate of cost overrun on future rail electrification.[HL1794]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The detailed cost estimates for future rail electrification are still being developed by Network Rail and will be evaluated using the Enhancement Cost Adjustment Mechanism set out in the Office Rail Regulation’s Final Determination for Control Period 5. This process is not expected to conclude until early 2016.
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Department for Transport and Office of Rail Regulation staff are investigating Network Rail's costs of electrification; and whether the Department for Transport is planning to take over the responsibility of the Office of Rail Regulation for monitoring Network Rail's costs.[HL1795]
Baroness Kramer (LD): The detailed cost estimates for future rail electrification are still being developed by Network Rail and will be evaluated using the Enhancement Cost Adjustment Mechanism set out in the Office of Rail Regulation’s Final Determination for Control Period 5. This process is not expected to conclude until early 2016. There are no plans for changes to the responsibilities of the three organisations in relation to monitoring costs.
Rivers: Somerset
Question
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the progress in setting up a rivers board better to manage water in the Somerset Levels.[HL1785]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Local partners in Somerset are developing a plan for a new Somerset Rivers Board. Ministers and officials are in close contact with local partners about progress on the formation of the Board.
Turkey
Question
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Popat on 11 August (HL1600), whether their assessment is that British Christian and Jewish visitors to Turkey do or do not have freedom of worship in those countries.[HL1788]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): It is our assessment that British Christian and Jewish visitors to Turkey do have freedom to worship there. The Turkish government is continuing to improve protections for all religious minorities in Turkey and we welcome this.
We and our EU partners assess however that more needs to be done to entrench freedom of religion for all in Turkey and we will continue to encourage the Turkish authorities to make further progress, as part of our wider human rights dialogue.
