House of Lords
Summer Recess 2014
Written Answers and Statements
Academies and Free Schools
Questions
Asked by Lord Grocott
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Lord Nash on 28 July (HL Deb, cols 1416–19), what proportion of the salary costs in free schools is spent on non-teaching staff.[HL1831]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Lord Nash on 28 July (HL Deb, cols 1416–19), what proportion of the salary costs in academies is spent on non-teaching staff.[HL1832]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The proportion of the salary costs in academies spent on non-teaching staff is 27.6%.
The proportion of the salary costs in free schools spent on non-teaching staff is 28.8%.
These figures are based on the last published data for academies’ and free schools’ expenditure, which covers the 2011-2012 financial year.
For comparison, the proportion of the salary costs in maintained schools spent on non-teaching staff is 33.1%.
Andy Coulson
Question
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why Andy Coulson is being held in a top security prison.[HL1793]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Mr Coulson was initially located in the prison that served the court his case was being heard in. Belmarsh is a multi-functional prison; one of its roles is to hold all prisoners remanded or convicted from a number of courts.
Prisoners are assigned a security category once they have been sentenced. A prisoner cannot be allocated to a prison of the appropriate category until their risks and sentence management targets have been assessed. Once this assessment was completed Mr Coulson was allocated to a Category D prison. He was transferred to the Category D establishment on 2 September 2014.
Anjem Choudary
Questions
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Home Office officials have had any discussions with Mr Anjem Choudary.[HL1860]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Home Office officials have not had any discussions with Mr Anjem Choudary.
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Home Office has, in the last 10 years, provided funding for any organisation supported, run or assisted by Mr Anjem Choudary.[HL1861]
Lord Newby (LD): Under this Government, the Home Office has not provided funding for any organisation with a known association with Anjem Choudary. The Home Office has in place strict monitoring to make sure that funding and other support cannot be provided to extremist organisations.
Ashya King
Question
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Attorney General was consulted about the European Arrest Warrant issued for the parents of Ashya King.[HL1829]
The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): Both the police and CPS are independent of Government and save in cases which require his consent to prosecute the Attorney General has no role to play in the decision to apply to a court for a European Arrest Warrant (EAW). The alleged offence in this case did not require Attorney General’s consent and he was not, therefore, consulted prior to the application for a warrant.
After the EAW had been obtained, as superintending Minister for the CPS, the Attorney General did discuss the case with the CPS; but the decision to apply to withdraw the warrant remained entirely that of the CPS.
Asylum: Iraq
Questions
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to resettling in the United Kingdom a proportion of those displaced from ISIS-controlled areas of Iraq.[HL1591]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): There are no current plans to resettle those displaced from ISIS-controlled areas of Iraq. However, we are proud of the UK’s record of offering protection to those genuinely in need, and the Government will of course continue to consider asylum claims, including applications from Iraqi nationals suffering religious persecution, under our normal rules.
Asylum: Northern Ireland
Questions
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers were first registered in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; how many of those were children; and what were the ten most frequent countries of origin and the number of asylum seekers from each of those countries in the last five years.[HL1781]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Home Office does not centrally record information on the location of an asylum seekers point of claim. However we are able to provide the information that you have requested as it stands currently. This has been provided in the following tables.
In line with our data protection principles, data sets with a cohort of fewer than 10 people have been replaced with a *.
The number of cases where the claimant's latest address is in Northern Ireland by year of application is found in Table 1.
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|
Year of Claim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
Total
|
|
Total Number
|
137
|
157
|
208
|
250
|
224
|
113
|
1089
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The number of these cases where the claimant was a minor, by year application is found in Table 2.
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|
Year of Claim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
|
Total Number
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The number of cases where the claimant's latest address is in Northern Ireland, sorted by year of application and by country of origin is found in Table 3.
|
Country of Origin
|
Year of Claim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
|
China
|
44
|
37
|
46
|
49
|
28
|
25
|
|
Somalia
|
11
|
17
|
53
|
66
|
43
|
13
|
|
Sudan
|
*
|
22
|
26
|
41
|
34
|
19
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
18
|
*
|
10
|
11
|
17
|
*
|
|
Nigeria
|
*
|
15
|
10
|
15
|
16
|
*
|
|
Iran
|
*
|
14
|
*
|
12
|
*
|
*
|
|
Pakistan
|
*
|
*
|
10
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Syria Arab Republic
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
14
|
*
|
*
|
|
Bangladesh
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Eritrea
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
The figures quoted relate to main claimants only and have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, as such it should be treated as provisional and subject to change.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers applied for asylum in Northern Ireland after having first sought and been registered for asylum in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years; how many of those applicants were children; and how many overall were returned.[HL1782]
Lord Bates: The data requested is noted below. Figures for children are not recorded separately, and as such have been included in the data table.
The minimum age of those recorded in the data set is 14.
The figures quoted relate to main claimants only and have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, as such it should be treated as provisional and subject to change. In line with our data protection principles, data sets with a cohort of fewer than 10 people have been replaced with a *.
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Year of Claim
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|
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2009
|
2010
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2011
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2012
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2013
|
|
Previously claimed in Republic of Ireland
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15
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21
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28
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32
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34
|
|
Returned to Republic of Ireland under Dublin Regulations
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11
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15
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15
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11
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*
|
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers are currently being housed in Northern Ireland; and how many were granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years, and under which categories.[HL1783]
Lord Bates: The number of asylum seekers who currently reside in Northern Ireland is 545. The number of asylum seekers granted leave to remain whose latest address is in Northern Ireland is shown in the following table.
The figures quoted relate to main claimants only and have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols, as such it should be treated as provisional and subject to change.
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Calendar Year
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Type of Decision
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2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
|
Granted Asylum
|
24
|
31
|
62
|
80
|
56
|
15
|
|
Other Grant
|
2
|
8
|
7
|
4
|
8
|
2
|
|
Total Number
|
26
|
39
|
69
|
84
|
64
|
17
|
Asylum: Syria
Questions
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance is given to the Counter Terrorism Unit concerning its involvement in the reception and integration of Syrian refugees under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.[HL1595]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The safety and security of the UK are our priority. An essential part of delivering this is knowing who is coming to the UK and carrying out all necessary checks in advance of their arrival. We therefore ensure that the necessary checks are undertaken before those accepted on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme arrive in the UK. We have also been working with local partners, including local authorities, the police and healthcare sector, to ensure the safeguarding of individuals on the scheme when they arrive in the UK.
Asked by Baroness Berridge
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Syrian Refugees have arrived in the United Kingdom under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme.[HL1606]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will extend the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme to include Iraqi Refugees fleeing religious persecution.[HL1607]
Lord Bates: The first beneficiaries of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme arrived in March, and by the end of June 50 Syrians had been relocated to the UK. Groups of Syrians are now being brought to the UK on a regular basis under the scheme. We will be publishing the number of people arriving under the VPR scheme each quarter as part of the Home Office’s official migration statistics.
The VPR scheme is a bespoke programme designed to help particularly vulnerable refugees displaced by the Syrian crisis who cannot be supported effectively in the region, particularly survivors of torture and violence, women and children at risk and those in need of medical care. We have no plans to extend the scheme to include Iraqi refugees fleeing religious persecution. However, the Government has already brought a number of Iraqis into the UK under the Gateway Programme where they have been in a protracted refugee situation for five years or more, and who amongst other things are escaping religious persecution.
Furthermore, the Government will of course continue to consider asylum claims, including applications from Iraqi nationals suffering religious persecution, under our normal rules.
British Nationals Abroad: Armed Conflict
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to create a specific, indictable offence with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, for British subjects offering support to, or participating in, any foreign army, organisation or military unit which is not a member of NATO.[HL1739]
Lord Newby (LD): British subjects who travel overseas to participate in armed conflict abroad can potentially be prosecuted under a wide range of terrorism and criminal law offences available under existing UK law. As such, a new offence of participation in foreign military organisations which are not members of NATO, is not currently under consideration.
The Prime Minister has just announced proposals to further strengthen our capability to deal with the increased threat from foreign fighters and British-born jihadists who seek to harm the UK.
Cooperatives
Questions
Asked by Lord Myners
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the Financial Conduct Authority’s responsibilities for the oversight of cooperative societies are sufficient to protect the interests of members and creditors.[HL1800]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last reviewed the responsibilities and authorities of the Financial Conduct Authority to regulate cooperative societies.[HL1801]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Financial Conduct Authority acts as the registrar for cooperative societies; it has no regulatory function in respect of cooperative societies where they are not authorised firms. The Government considers that this role is appropriate. The FCA was given additional powers in relation to this role in April 2014.
Cycleways: Greater London
Question
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current position in respect of the agreement of the Royal Parks to the Mayor of London’s proposed east–west cycle superhighway; whether there has been any delay to that agreement; and if so, why.[HL1828]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Her Majesty’s Government understands that Transport for London (TfL) is continuing to work with The Royal Parks to agree a suitable alignment for the East-West Cycle Superhighway through St James’s Park.
TfL is also working with The Royal Parks to provide physically separated cycle routes on the roads in Hyde Park. Kerb-segregated cycle tracks are proposed for South Carriage Drive and West Carriage Drive to provide a continuous route for cyclists using the East-West Cycle Superhighway. TfL proposes to upgrade the junctions on these roads to make them safer and more convenient for pedestrians and cyclists. A kerb-segregated cycle track is also being considered for North Carriage Drive.
TfL plans to consult on the Hyde Park proposals later in 2014.
Detention Centres: Children
Question
Asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the recommendations made by Barnardo’s in its report of April 2014 on the treatment of children in the Cedars facility; which, if any, of the recommendations have been acted upon; and what actions have been taken.[HL1765]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Home Office welcomed Barnardo’s report which has been carefully considered. Of the five recommendations, family escort teams have been implemented. Of the remainder, what was recommended is largely current policy already including use of force which is subject to review. We are unable to accept the recommendation not to separate families as there will be occasions when this is unavoidable. Such decisions are scrutinised at senior level and by the Independent Family Returns Panel.
Entry Clearances
Questions
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the criteria for giving visas to overseas church representatives in cases where all fares and expenses are guaranteed by a United Kingdom church body.[HL1763]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Applicants for visit visas are required to have adequate funds available to cover the cost of their travel to and stay in the UK, without taking employment or accessing public funds. Entry Clearance Officers take into account the individual’s income and outgoings to see whether they have enough money to fund a trip to the UK as well as having suitable accommodation. Relatives and friends can offer this support by providing evidence to demonstrate they have the financial means to support the applicant, as well as information on where the applicant will be staying in the UK.
Officials will be meeting colleagues from the Church of England soon to discuss the current process for visit visa applications for visitors. This should assist both applicants and United Kingdom church bodies when arranging visits to the UK as we want to ensure that genuine applicants who meet the requirements are able to demonstrate this sufficiently the first time.
Asked by Lord Ashcroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 11 August (HL1352), whether the citizens of the countries referred to in the answer could enter the Republic of Ireland and then enter the United Kingdom without a visa by entering Northern Ireland.[HL1841]
Lord Bates: Citizens of Bolivia, Fiji, Guyana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Taiwan travelling to Northern Ireland, or any part of the UK, from the Republic of Ireland, require a UK visa.
In recognition of the land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, intelligence led operations are conducted to target potential abuse and identify those not in possession of the appropriate UK entry clearance.
Entry Clearances: Chernobyl
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what visa requirements, screening procedures and payments are necessary before an individual suffering from the after-effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is permitted to enter the United Kingdom.[HL1635]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Visa applications are considered under the relevant immigration rules and on the individual merits of the case. A standard visit visa costs £83.
Equal Pay
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that public authorities in England and Scotland have equivalent duties in respect of gender pay differences to those required by the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011.[HL1848]
Lord Newby (LD): The public sector Equality Duty (PSED), at section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (the Act), consists of a general duty which requires public bodies to consider the key aims of eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations when designing policies and delivering services. It commenced in April 2011 and applies equally across Great Britain.
The PSED is underpinned by specific duties which are set out in secondary legislation to provide a framework to help public bodies meet the general duty. England, Scotland and Wales have taken different approaches towards the specific duties. The Scottish and Welsh specific duties, which are determined by the Scottish and Welsh Governments respectively in accordance with section 153(2) and (3) of the Act, adopt a prescriptive approach that places particular requirements on public bodies in respect of equal pay. The English specific duties, which aim to increase transparency and accountability, enable more flexibility for public bodies depending on their size and functions. However, guidance issued by the Government on the English specific duties makes it clear that public bodies should consider any equal pay issues affecting their workforce when reporting on their compliance.
The Government has no current plans to change the specific duties. The Government appointed an independent Steering Group in 2012 to review how the PSED was operating. The Steering Group reported in September 2013 and concluded that it was too early to make a judgment on the overall impact of the PSED and the effectiveness of the specific duties. The Government accepted its recommendation that a further evaluation should be carried out in 2016 as more time is needed to let the legislation bed down.
European Fighter Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 29 July (HL1167), how many fully qualified Typhoon pilots there are in the Royal Air Force.[HL1750]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Extradition
Question
Asked by Lord MacKenzie of Culkein
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 29 July (WA 277), whether any working group or committee within Government is currently giving consideration to issues relating to extradition; and, if so, what matters are being considered.[HL1715]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Both the UK Government and Scottish Government have said that there can be no ‘pre-negotiations’ on independence in advance of the referendum. The question of potential future extradition issues for Scotland would be affected by Scottish independence, so cannot be answered now because it would depend on multiple negotiations that could only take place if people in Scotland vote to leave the UK in September’s referendum.
Financial Services: Zimbabwe
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to co-operating with the United States Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as part of their investigation of the funding of President Mugabe in 2009 by Och-Ziff, BlackRock, GLC Partners and Credit Suisse, in order to establish whether any United Kingdom funding was involved.[HL1858]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): UK regulators and law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with international partners, including those in the United States. Requests for assistance for investigations in the US and elsewhere are made to the UK Central Authority. Her Majesty’s Government does not confirm or deny the existence of such requests and we are unable to comment on any ongoing investigations.
Food Supply Networks Review
Questions
Asked by Lord Rooker
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many meetings have been held by Ministers with representatives of the food industry to discuss the subject matter of the Elliott Review into the Integrity and assurance of the food supply networks since the final draft was received by departments in June; and who was present at such meetings.[HL1811]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): There have been no Ministerial meetings with representatives of the food industry called specifically to discuss the review into the Integrity and Assurance of Food Supply Networks since June 2014. However the action being taken by industry following the horsemeat fraud incident and the Elliott Review interim report will have been discussed in the regular meetings Ministers have held with the food industry during this time.
Professor Elliott submitted his final report to Government in July, and this was published on 4 September.
Asked by Lord Rooker
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost to date of the Elliott Review into the Integrity and assurance of the food supply networks; and when the final report will be published.[HL1812]
Lord De Mauley: Professor Chris Elliott’s Independent Review into the Integrity and Assurance of Food Supply Networks was published on 4 September.
The Review to date has cost £194,000 in payments to Queens University Belfast for Professor Elliott’s time, his Subject Matter Experts, venue hire and associated costs of carrying out the Review.
A number of staff in Defra and on loan from the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency provided secretariat to support the Review. These staff were already part of departments’ existing administration budgets and the associated cost of these positions whilst working on the Review was £288,000, although some staff were also providing support to other areas of work.
Gambling
Questions
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which provisions of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 enable the sharing of information received by the Gambling Commission with overseas regulators, where such information is not required for an overseas criminal investigation or overseas criminal proceedings.[HL1825]
Lord Newby (LD): The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 does not affect existing position in respect of the Gambling Commission’s ability to share information with overseas regulators.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what type of information the Gambling Commission intends to share with overseas regulators.[HL1826]
Lord Newby (LD): The type of information that the Gambling Commission may share with overseas regulators in the course of carrying out its licensing and regulatory functions will depend on the circumstances. Of course, all information is shared subject to generally applicable legal requirements such as those arising under data protection law.
Gambling: Internet
Questions
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether companies providing sound effects, graphics and language translation services for use in the creation of gambling products require a licence.[HL1821]
Lord Newby (LD): The Gambling Commission’s advice note "What is gambling software?" explains that, "Where the third party is only providing part of a game, such as artwork, under the control and design specifications of Company Y, then this indicates Company Y is in control and is the entity to hold a gambling software licence whereas the third party does not" (para 4.13). This equally applies to those that provide other aspects of the overall game for example sound effects and language translation services.
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why intellectual property relating to gambling software, often owned by separate companies which in turn license that software, rather than by the direct software developers or gambling operators, remains a determinant of a gambling licence requirement.[HL1822]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why, in the light of the Gambling Commission’s guidance, a software developer owning intellectual property in gambling software requires a licence if it amends the software, whereas a gambling operator owning the intellectual property in gambling software which sub-contracts the amendment of that software to another company does not.[HL1823]
Lord Newby (LD): Intellectual property relating to gambling software is only one of the factors that is relevant to understanding where control of the product sits. There are also other factors that are relevant when considering who needs a gambling software licence for example who is responsible for the design and functionality of the software and what the contract says in terms of responsibilities and liabilities. One relevant activity caught by Section 41 of the Gambling Act 2005 is adaptation, and so the person who actually undertakes that adaptation will need to be licensed.
Gambling: Licensing
Question
Asked by Lord Mancroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Gambling Commission’s guidance on licensing; and in particular whether they consider that it is clear in respect of who will need a licence and which activities will need to be licensed.[HL1824]
Lord Newby (LD): The Gambling Commission is the expert body on gambling licensing and it is for the Commission to determine the best way to achieve the desired policy outcomes and what advice and guidance it is appropriate to offer the regulated industry.
Glen Parva Young Offender Institution
Questions
Asked by Baroness Stern
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what changes have been made at Glen Parva Young Offenders Institution since the report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons published on 6 August, which concluded that "Glen Parva was not safe."[HL1807]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , in the light of the report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons published on 6 August on Glen Parva Young Offenders Institution, whether they have introduced measures to reduce the use of force, including full control and restraint.[HL1808]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): As with all establishment inspection reports by HMIP, NOMS will produce an action plan responding to all the recommendations made in the report within six months of the date of publication.
HMYOI Glen Parva has already introduced an improvement plan to address the concerns raised. Safety is the Governor’s top priority and the YOI is now providing a safe and decent regime for all offenders. An external safer custody audit in June 2014 found that progress had been made since the inspection.
Hilda Murrell
Question
Asked by Lord Rooker
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 4 August (HL938), they will give the titles and dates of the five files relating to Hilda Murrell which will be referred to the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council.[HL1810]
Lord Newby (LD): Further to the previous answer, the five additional files relating to Hilda Murrell which will be referred to the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council, are as follows:
Death of Miss Murrell - 1985
Death of Miss Murrell - 1985-1994
Death of Miss Murrell - 1985
Death of Miss Murrell - 1985-1986
Murrell Hilda - Murder Enquiry (F4 papers) - 1984-1985.
Hindley Young Offender Institution
Questions
Asked by Baroness Stern
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken in response to the report published on 15 August by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on the lower site at Hindley Young Offenders Institution, and the report’s conclusion that the Institution "struggled to keep the vulnerable boys it held safe".[HL1803]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): As with all establishment inspection reports by HMIP, NOMS will produce an action plan responding to all the recommendations made in the report within six months of the date of publication.
NOMS considers safety a top priority in all of its prisons. The prison will continue to build on its violence reduction strategy and safeguarding policy within the next 12 months to keep those in its care safe. HMYOI Hindley has also recently adopted Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) a new accredited restraint system developed specifically for use with young people (under 18). This provides staff with behaviour management techniques to recognise young people’s behaviour and uses approaches that minimise the need to resort to the use of force.
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 half the boys held on the lower site were sharing cells designed for one and that many of the cells were dirty and lacked basic amenities, what plans they have to refurbish those cells.[HL1804]
Lord Faulks: NOMS is committed to ensuring that prison cells remain in a decent and habitable condition. Every prison cell, including at HMYOI Hindley, is subject to daily and weekly checks for damage. There are currently no plans to refurbish every cell at HMYOI Hindley. However, a number of cells will be upgraded to include new robust furniture, and new windows on a priority basis. A scheduled programme of wing and cell painting is also in place at the establishment, and work is ongoing to improve the toilet screens in a number of cells.
House of Lords: Computer Software
Question
Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
to ask the Chairman of Committees how many Members of the House of Lords have been unable to access features such as their emails and calendars since the switch to Office 365.[HL1766]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel): Between 14 July and 31 August, PICT logged cases from 237 Members which directly related to issues resulting from the migration of their mailboxes to Microsoft Office 365. The cases covered a wide variety of issues including reconfiguration of desktops, laptops and mobile devices; we do not know the number of Members who were unable to access their email or calendar.
PICT apologises for the problems that the implementation of Office 365 caused for some Members of the House of Lords.
Human Trafficking
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Derby
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many child victims of human trafficking were interviewed in 2013 by competent authority staff, as opposed to specialist interviewers.[HL1545]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): "There were 450 potential victims of trafficking who were minors at the time of exploitation referred into the National Referral Mechanism in 2013. These referrals were considered by UK Visas and Immigration and the UK Human Trafficking Centre.
The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) do not conduct interviews with potential victims of trafficking. Interviews may take place with other agencies, for example the Police or Social Services, however UKHTC does not keep a record of who conducts the interviews, or when the interviews take place.
UK Visas and Immigration do conduct interviews where appropriate. Information on the training received by the staff involved in interviewing is not collated centrally and establishing this would incur disproportionate cost. However, all UKVI staff undertaking interviews with children must have undertaken specialist training. In addition, staff may also have received Competent Authority training which includes a two day specialist training course. All reasonable grounds and conclusive ground decisions are taken by trained Competent Authority staff."
Immigrants: Detainees
Question
Asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children of illegal immigrants have been detained in the United Kingdom in each year since 2010.[HL1764]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Home Office publishes periodic data on the numbers of children entering detention under Immigration Act Powers since 2010. This information is located on the GOV.UK website, accessible via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/children-entering-detention-under-immigration-act-powers
The Home Office does not routinely record the immigration status of the parents of those children entering detention under Immigration Act Powers. Whilst this information is held on Home Office systems, extracting the information would require an individual inspection of records, which it is considered would incur a disproportionate cost.
Immigration Controls: Bahrain
Question
Asked by Lord Avebury
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have given any instructions to immigration officials on giving greater scrutiny or priority to Bahraini nationals in carrying out entry clearance, border control and removals functions under paragraph 17(4)(a) of Schedule 3 to the Equality Act 2010.[HL1774]
Lord Newby (LD): Immigration officials are authorised to give greater scrutiny or priority to specific nationalities when carrying out entry clearance, border control and removals functions on the basis of a risk assessment which indicates that those nationalities constitute a greater risk to immigration control. For national security reasons, the nationalities concerned are not disclosed.
Isabella Acevedo
Question
Asked by Lord Beecham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) immigration officers, and (2) police officers, effected the detention of Isabella Acevedo at Haringey Town Hall on 18 July; and what guidance exists as to the circumstances in which immigration officers may effect detentions and the number of officers to be deployed.[HL1300]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): A team of seven immigration officers and one police officer were deployed on this operation. Decisions on the size of an Immigration Enforcement arrest team are made on a risk assessment and intelligence basis. On this occasion, consideration was given to the potential number of guests and indications that there were several subjects of interest who were believed to be unlawfully present.
In total there were two people arrested at the premises, one female and one male.
Islam
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria they apply in selecting members of the Muslim community to consult; and whether the Home Office has employed or consulted advisers who believe in the creation of an Islamic state in the United Kingdom by non-violent means.[HL1740]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): As stated in the Prevent Strategy, and reinforced in the report of the Prime Minister’s Extremism Task Force in December 2013, the Government will not engage with people, from any background, who engage in vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. By contrast, the Government does set great value to the wide range of people from many different British Muslim groups and mosques with whom we do work. Last year, for example, Prevent local coordinators in our 30 Prevent priority areas worked with over 250 mosques, 50 faith groups and 70 community groups as part of their work to help people recognise and challenge extremist propaganda and support those who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.
Israel
Questions
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the case of Ms Khalidah Jarrar, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council; and what assessment they have made of the reasons why Israel seeks to expel her from Ramallah and exile her to Jericho.[HL1853]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Officials in our Embassy in Tel Aviv routinely raise the rights of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails with the Israeli government. We have not raised this particular case, but understand that Khalidah Jarrar has been moved to Jericho under orders from an Israeli military court for security reasons.
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of Palestinian Legislative Council members now imprisoned or detained in Israel; and whether they are making representations about the arrests of Mr Bassem al Za’areer from near Hebron on 22 August and of Mr Hisham Muhammad Abu Zgheib, Secretary-General of Fatah in Tulkarem refugee camp, on 27 August.[HL1854]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government understands that there are 36 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council being detained by the Israeli authorities. While we have not raised the specific cases of Mr al Za'areer and Mr Abu Zghieb with the Israeli authorities, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv last raised the issue of Palestinian prisoners with the Israeli authorities on 7 September.
Max Clifford
Question
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why Max Clifford was handcuffed to a prison officer when he attended his brother’s funeral; and whether he remained so restrained throughout the service.[HL1792]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): NOMS does not comment publicly on matters concerning a named individual’s imprisonment.
Merlin Helicopters
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 6 November 2013 (HL2992–5), on what day 846 Naval Air Squadron will stand up the first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron; and by what date they expect the transition of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force to be complete.[HL1751]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): 846 Naval Air Squadron will stand up as the first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron on 30 September 2014. The transition of the Merlin Mk3 and Mk3a aircraft to the Commando Helicopter Force will be complete in 2016.
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 6 November 2013 (HL 2992–5), whether programme funding has been agreed for ship-optimisation of the Merlin Mk3 helicopter.[HL1752]
Lord Astor of Hever: The Merlin Life Sustainment Programme was approved and contracted in December 2013 with funding to update 25 Merlin MK3/3a helicopters with new avionic systems to overcome obsolescence issues as well as ship optimisation enhancements including the addition of a folding main rotor head and folding tail. The upgrade project will enable embarked operations from Royal Navy ships.
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 25 October 2013 (HL2640), whether Nimrod MRA4 ASW technology has now been incorporated into the Merlin Mk2.[HL1753]
Lord Astor of Hever: The Anti Submarine Warfare capability developed on Nimrod MR2 for the Nimrod MRA4, has been approved and funded and is in the process of being integrated onto the Merlin Mk2 aircraft. The capability is expected to be in service in 2016.
Military Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what differences are required in generic skills in (1) surveillance, (2) anti-submarine warfare, and (3) anti-surface warfare, in respect of aircrew of (a) Merlin Mk2 helicopters, and (b) maritime patrol aircraft.[HL1819]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): There are no differences in the generic surveillance skills required for surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare, in respect of aircrew of Merlin Mk2 helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft.
Navy
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 25 October 2013 (HL2640), what programme of work the Royal Navy is undertaking to establish the best way to replace the maritime capability that was to be provided by the Nimrod MRA4; and whether that programme has included work at the maritime warfare training schools at HMS Collingwood.[HL1754]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): Staff from Navy Command, including from the Maritime Warfare Centre at HMS Collingwood, and Air Command are actively involved in studies on future wide area maritime surveillance, which are being led by the Joint Forces Command. In particular, the Royal Navy is providing submarine, aviation, information superiority and warfare experts to inform the Air Information Superiority Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Optimisation Study (AIOS) and related work. The AIOS is considering a number of options for wide area surveillance, including the use of manned and unmanned aircraft and the use of space-based assets, primarily with a view to informing the forthcoming Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Navy: Military Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Navy pilots are flying (1) F35 aircraft with the US military, (2) F18 aircraft with the US military, (3) Typhoon aircraft, (4) Hawk aircraft, or (5) any other type of fast jet with another nation’s military.[HL1755]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The information requested regarding the number of Royal Navy pilots flying the specific aircraft is as follows:
|
F35 aircraft with the United States (US) military
|
<5
|
|
F18 aircraft with the US military
|
12
|
|
Typhoon aircraft
|
<5
|
|
Hawk aircraft
|
12
|
|
Other types of fast jet with another nation's military
|
<10
|
Nimrod Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any Royal Air Force Nimrod aircrews have been funded since the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 programme in 2010; and if so, how many, and why.[HL1820]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): No Nimrod aircrews have been funded since financial year 2010-11.
Offences against Children
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the report by Professor Jay, Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997 – 2013), they will ask Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to investigate police forces which have large Pakistani communities to establish whether any reports of child rape were systematically ignored or covered up.[HL1737]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The failings in Rotherham exposed by this inquiry are appalling and the Coalition Government is absolutely clear that the lessons of past failure must be learned.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has a key role to ensure that identified weaknesses are addressed, and has several relevant inspection programmes underway. As part of their 2014/15 business plan, the Home Secretary commissioned HMIC to inspect forces to honour based violence and, in particular, how well forces establish and maintain relations with minority communities in a multi-cultural society, identify and assist vulnerable people and victims, and encourage increased reporting of crimes.
This work is scheduled to report in early 2015. Concurrently, HMIC are carrying out an audit of the quality of crime recording in every police force, which includes an examination of when forces are incorrectly 'no-criming' serious offences such as rape and sexual assault. HMIC's full report and conclusions will be published in October. Furthermore, HMIC intends to use its forthcoming all-force PEEL inspection programme to monitor how effective forces are at protecting those at greatest risk of harm, including children. HMIC are currently consulting on the methodology for this programme. There is no question of other sensitivities preventing steps from being taken to ensure both the proper protection of children and the prosecution of those responsible for the sexual abuse of children.
Palestinians
Questions
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the condition of the civilian population of Gaza in relation to hunger, shelter, clean water, sewage disposal, access to medicines and supply of electricity following Israeli military action in Gaza in recent months; and whether they will publish their assessment.[HL1816]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): We are gravely concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza where the damage sustained in the recent conflict has been unprecedented. More than 100,000 people have been left homeless, the UN estimates that only 10% of the population receives clean water daily, and many people face power cuts of up to 20 hours a day. DFID works closely with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA), which manages the process of collecting, analysing and publishing information about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The latest situation reports are published here: http://www.ochaopt.org/. DFID will continue to work with partners on the ground to monitor the situation and adapt our response accordingly.
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the level of humanitarian aid to Gaza from United Kingdom public funds has changed in the current financial year; and, if so, by how much.[HL1817]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): As part of our existing programme in support of Palestinian development, annual DFID funding to Gaza amounts to approximately £30 million year. In addition to this UK has been one of the biggest donors to the Gaza crisis, providing over £17 million in emergency assistance. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep our funding under review.
Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service
Question
Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
to ask the Chairman of Committees what is the mean and maximum time delay for PICT to answer telephone helpline calls from Members of the House of Lords.[HL1767]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel): The mean and maximum time for PICT to answer telephone calls to extension 2001 (the PICT Service Desk) is set out by month in the table below. These figures represent all calls to the Service Desk. Unfortunately, it is not possible to produce figures for specific customer groups.
|
Month
|
Mean wait (minutes: seconds)
|
Maximum time delay (minutes: seconds)
|
|
January 2014
|
01:52
|
24:14
|
|
February 2014
|
01:27
|
21:37
|
|
March 2014
|
01:42
|
17:45
|
|
April 2014
|
01:23
|
20:22
|
|
May 2014
|
01:56
|
19:26
|
|
June 2014
|
02:41
|
35:00
|
|
July 2014
|
03:29
|
29:41
|
|
August 2014
|
02:55
|
27:26
|
PICT aims to answer 80% of calls in 20 seconds or less and 90% of calls in 60 seconds or less.
Pitcairn Islands
Questions
Asked by Lord Ashcroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage immigration to Pitcairn; what are the targets for immigration to Pitcairn; and what they consider to be the obstacles to such immigration.[HL1839]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Her Majesty's Government (HMG) fully supports the economic development of the Pitcairn Islands. The Government of Pitcairn has recently worked up a new Strategic Development Plan and immigration policy, which HMG is currently considering. In 2013, the Government of Pitcairn and HMG commissioned two independent expert reports into attitudes to resettlement amongst the Pitcairn diaspora community, and on the broader economic potential of the islands. Both reports recognised that there are substantial obstacles to immigration to Pitcairn, including its relative isolation, the limited economic opportunities and the legacy of child safety issues. We will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Pitcairn to support the community in Pitcairn as we consider longer-term options for the island.
Asked by Lord Ashcroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the future population of Pitcairn will be large enough to maintain a sustainable community on the island.[HL1840]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: In 2013, the Government of Pitcairn and Her Majesty's Government commissioned two independent pieces of analysis – into the appetite amongst the Pitcairn diaspora for return to the island, and on the broader economic potential of the island. Both reports recognised that unless the population of the island increases, it will be a challenge to maintain the longer-term viability of the community.
Police and Crime Commissioners
Questions
Asked by Lord Hoyle
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidelines, if any, are given to police and crime commissioners upon taking up office.[HL1842]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are subject to statutory duties and are required to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office upon taking office. The respective Offices of the PCC, in conjunction with the Association of PCCs, coordinate individual inductions for newly elected PCCs. The Home Office does not issue guidelines to PCCs upon them taking office.
Asked by Lord Hoyle
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the total cost of police and crime commissioners, including salaries and expenses, for each year since they were established.[HL1843]
Lord Bates: The Home Office does not collect data on salaries and expenses claimed by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). However we have been clear that all Police and Crime Commissioners must be as transparent as possible.
Under paragraph 1(c) and (d) respectively of Schedule one of the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011, PCCs are obliged to publish "the salary of each relevant office holder" and "the allowance paid to each relevant office holder in respect of expenses incurred by the office holder in the exercise of the body’s functions".
Article 1(2) of the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 defines "relevant office holder" as, where the elected local policing body is a police and crime commissioner, the commissioner and deputy police and crime commissioner appointed by the commissioner.
Ragwort Control Act 2003
Question
Asked by Lord Tebbit
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any control orders made under the Ragwort Control Act 2003 currently in force; and whether there are any plans to make any such control orders.[HL1856]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The Ragwort Control Act 2003 makes no provision for control orders. The purpose of the Act is to provide for a code of practice to give guidance on how to prevent the spread of ragwort to be prepared. This resulted in the Code of Practice on How to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort which was published in 2004.
Natural England, the delegated authority for investigating complaints about injurious weeds, can issue enforcement notices under the Weeds Act 1959 where ragwort poses a high risk to grazing livestock or agricultural land.
The number of enforcement notices served under the Weeds Act 1959 in 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
|
Year
|
Enforcement notices served
|
|
2011
|
42
|
|
2012
|
36
|
|
2013
|
37
|
Enforcement is a last resort and where possible we encourage communications between landowners and complainants to try and resolve the issue. In the vast majority of cases this approach is successful.
Religious Freedom
Question
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that a willingness to uphold, and to give due priority to, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the criteria for the selection of the next United Nations Secretary-General.[HL1849]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): As the former Senior Minister of State Baroness Warsi said in the House on 22 July, Her Majesty’s Government does not put forward criteria for candidates. However, we would want to see a proven leader, fully committed to the values of the UN, with sufficient political authority and expertise to lead and manage such a large and complex organisation. The ultimate responsibility to uphold Article 18 lies with states, as it is states that have human rights obligations. However, as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is at the core of UN values we would expect any UN Secretary General to urge all states to uphold them.
Rivers: Somerset
Question
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the progress of the work to dredge the Rivers Barrett and Tone in the Somerset Levels so far during 2014.[HL1786]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The dredging is going well. The Environment Agency remains on target to complete the 8km dredge of the Rivers Parrett and Tone by 31 October 2014. As of 5 September, there is 3.2km of river left to dredge.
Roll-on Roll-off Ships: Safety
Question
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the reasons for their proposal to remove the requirement for on-deck emergency equipment lockers on roll-on roll-off passenger ships, originally specified as a result of the inquiry into the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry disaster; and what is their assessment of the implications of that proposal for safety.[HL1827]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer): These regulations, which only apply to UK roll-on roll-off passenger ships, were introduced following the HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE tragedy in 1987. The proposal to revoke these regulations, which are only applicable to UK ships, is based on a significantly higher level of safety on ships since the tragedy. This is due to the introduction of numerous internationally adopted safety standards such as the International Safety Management Code, SOLAS 90 – an international standard for passenger ship stability, the Stockholm agreement – an international agreement on stability requirements for Ro/Ro Passenger ships; and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. The safety equipment on board ships is more accessible under the current regime of international safety standards than previously under the regulations.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) consultation on this proposal closed on 10 August. A decision on whether the regulations will be revoked will be made in light of a detailed consideration of all comments received during the consultation, but the MCA considers the proposal to remove the UK statutory requirement would have no significant impact.
UK ships would still carry equipment, similar to that found in the lockers, prescribed by the regulations in other parts of the ship. For example, equipment such as axes and glass breaking hammers are held in the ship’s firefighting lockers and first aid kits are part of the lifeboat inventory.
The equipment in the lockers prescribed by the regulation are only intended for use when the ship is lying on her side in shallow water, almost exactly level, in calm seas. The equipment in the lockers is of no additional benefit in other types of emergency situation, bearing in mind that similar equipment is contained elsewhere on board, and is easily accessible.
Russia
Question
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Russia about their returning to Estonia a border official recently detained by them.[HL1850]
Lord Newby (LD): The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), met the Russian Ambassador to London on 11 September and expressed his strong concern about the illegal and unacceptable abduction of an Estonian official from Estonian territory by Russian Security Services on 5 September, and called for his immediate release.
Sexual Offences: Young People
Question
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many girls under the age of 18 have been the victim of gang-related sexual violence since 2010, broken down by police force areas in England and Wales.[HL1450]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Home Office does not hold this information.
There is currently little hard data on the number of women and girls involved in gang violence. However, we know that women and girls who come into contact with street gangs are at greater risk of violence, particularly sexual violence.
The Government report on ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence’ (November 2011) recognised the importance of tackling gang-related violence on girls, and refers to research by Race on the Agenda (2010:11) which exposed the significant harm that girls associated with gangs can experience. Further research has been undertaken by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and Bedfordshire University. This was set out in their Interim Report (2012): "I thought I was the only one. The only one in the world" and the Final Report (2013): "If only someone had listened".
Steps taken to protect girls from becoming involved in gang-related crime are set out in the ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence Report: One Year On’ (November 2012) and ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence Annual Report 2013’ (December 2013) documents.
This includes dedicated funding of £1.2m over three years (April 2012 to March 2015) to improve services for girls under 18 at risk, or victims of, sexual violence and exploitation by gangs.
The reports are available on the GOV.UK website.
South Sudan
Questions
Asked by The Earl of Sandwich
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of South Sudan to ensure that the Voluntary and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations Bill, currently before the South Sudan Parliament, will enable citizens and civil society organisations to engage in humanitarian activity, enjoy freedom of association and engage in monitoring and accountability systems in accordance with democratic principles.[HL1837]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The British Embassy in Juba has, alongside national and international partners, actively lobbied the Government of South Sudan on the Voluntary and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations Bill currently before the South Sudan parliament. The United Kingdom wants to see proportionate and well-designed legislation that provides a clear legal framework within which citizens and civil society organisations can engage in humanitarian activity, enjoy freedom of association and engage in monitoring and accountability systems in accordance with democratic principles. We continue to make clear to the government where the draft legislation might better achieve these aims.
Asked by The Earl of Sandwich
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the peace and reconciliation initiatives launched by the Vice President of South Sudan, James Wani Igga, and of how those initiatives relate to the National Reconciliation Committee for Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, led by Archbishop Daniel Deng.[HL1838]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation, launched on 5 April 2014 by Vice President Igga, includes the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation led by Archbishop Daniel Deng.
The Government is clear that there needs to be a genuine process of reconciliation in South Sudan to help address the impact of the conflict. Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary- Under Secretary of State for the Department for International Development made this point to the Government of South Sudan during her recent visit in September.
Sudan
Questions
Asked by Lord Ashcroft
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether anyone associated with the Liberation and Justice Movement of Sudan has been barred from entering the United Kingdom; and, if so, who and why.[HL1557]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases. This is because the Home Office has obligations in law to protect this information. The Liberation and Justice Movement of Sudan has not been proscribed by the UK. Individuals associated with the Liberation and Justice Movement would not necessarily be denied entry based solely on their association with it.
Asked by Baroness Tonge
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan regarding (1) female genital mutilation not being a criminal offence in Sudan, and (2) UNICEF’s 2013 estimate, included in their report Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change, that 88 per cent of Sudanese women have undergone female genital mutilation.[HL1844]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): We regularly raise Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the Government of Sudan. We worked hard through the Government’s National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW) to ensure that Sudan was represented at the Girl Summit which took place in London in July, and which had a particular focus on FGM and child and early forced marriage (CEFM). We welcome the Government’s subsequent signature of the Girl Summit Charter, which includes a public commitment to ending FGM. We are now in discussion with the NCCW about an event to mark that signature, which would be attended by the Ministry of Social Welfare. On 22 October the Government will host a regional meeting on ending FGM, in which it will showcase its own achievements in changing attitudes.
Advocacy on the need for legislation on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) forms part of a programme supported by DFID and run by UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). More broadly, the programme aims to end FGM by making it socially unacceptable, and supports the country-wide Saleema campaign which is led by the Government of Sudan.
DFID is also providing funding to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which will include data on the percentage of women who have undergone FGM, and will report by the end of 2014. The findings of that survey will inform our discussions with the Government of Sudan and our future programming.
Asked by Baroness Tonge
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan concerning the proportion of births there attended by skilled health personnel; and what discussions they have had regarding Sudan’s maternal mortality ratio.[HL1845]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): While we do not have specific health programmes in Sudan, we are greatly concerned at the levels of maternal mortality in Sudan, and regularly discuss these issues with the Government in the context of wider discussions about the delivery of basic services and poverty reduction. DFID is providing funding to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which will include data on the proportion of skilled health personnel who attend births, and on maternal mortality. The findings of that survey, which will report by the end of 2014, will inform our discussions with the Government of Sudan.
Asked by Baroness Tonge
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan regarding (1) Sudanese laws which allow girls to be married from 10 years old, and (2) the proportion of women in that country aged 20–24 who were married by the time they reached 18.[HL1846]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan about raising the legal age of marriage in that country from 10 to 18 in order to comply with international standards of child rights.[HL1847]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): There is a discrepancy between the Sudanese Child Act of 2010, under which anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child, and religious law, under which anyone under the age of 11 is considered to be a child. Along with the Sudanese National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW), we have lobbied the Government to ensure compliance with the Child Act and the removal of any discrepancies which lead to under-age children being married.
Broader work on child rights forms part of a programme supported by DFID, and run by UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This programme has included a workshop on reaching a national position on the legal age of marriage. DFID is also providing funding to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which will include data on the percentage of women who were married by the time they reached 18. The findings of that survey, which will report by the end of 2014, will inform our discussions with the Government of Sudan.
DFID worked closely with the NCCW to ensure that the Government was represented at the Girl Summit which took place in London in July, and which had a particular focus on FGM and Child and Forced Marriage (CEFM). We welcome the Government of Sudan’s subsequent signature of the Girl Summit Charter, which includes a public commitment to ending CEFM. We are actively following up with the Government of Sudan to ensure that they maintain momentum on these issues.
Syria
Question
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they and their allies are taking to prevent the Syrian town of Mhardeh from falling to attacks by Islamist militants.[HL1851]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We are extremely concerned about the activities of Islamist extremists in Syria and the threat they pose to Christian communities in Mhardeh and elsewhere. Our response is to support the moderate opposition who are fighting both extremism and Assad’s tyranny. We are acting in close coordination with our international allies. We are also pushing for an inclusive political process which is the only long term way to protect Syria’s minority communities.
Terrorism
Questions
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the assessment in David Anderson QC’s annual report that the definition of terrorism is currently too broad.[HL1379]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Government welcomes Mr. David Anderson QC’s fourth annual report on the operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2013, which was laid in Parliament on Tuesday 22nd.
We will consider his recommendations in detail and respond in due course.
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their definition of a terrorist.[HL1596]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their definition of a terrorist group.[HL1597]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The UK definition of terrorism is set out in section one of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Any decision by the Secretary of State to proscribe an organisation under Section three of the Terrorism Act 2000 must be based on a belief that it is concerned in terrorism as defined in the Act, and it must be proportionate. Such decisions are subject to approval by Parliament.
Twitter
Question
Asked by Baroness Deech
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure the cooperation of the authorities in California with United Kingdom law enforcement agencies in securing information from Twitter in respect of alleged online offences.[HL1772]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): HM Government works closely, and has regular discussions, with the US Government to help ensure that UK law enforcement agencies are able to secure the information they need in respect of alleged online offences.
Zimbabwe
Question
Asked by Lord Blencathra
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to presenting a case to the International Criminal Court to bring charges against President Mugabe for genocide and crimes against humanity.[HL1859]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Zimbabwe is not a party to the Rome Statute so the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over events which have taken place in that country.
For the ICC's Prosecutor to be able to initiate an investigation in these circumstances either the Government of Zimbabwe would have to voluntarily accept the ICC’s jurisdiction, or a referral from the UN Security Council would be required.
Under the Rome Statute the Security Council can only refer a situation to the ICC; it cannot refer the case of any specific individual.
