Written Answers
Wednesday 31 October 2012
Badgers
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the absence of natural predators of badgers, whether they consider the badger population as unsustainably large; whether a reduction of numbers would improve the health of the badger population; and what scientific research exists on effective contraceptives for badgers.[HL2818]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) has been commissioned to undertake the latest in a series of badger sett surveys, in order to estimate badger abundance nationally, how much it has changed since previous surveys, and to investigate how badger populations vary from region to region. This survey is being funded as a research project, SE3129: Badger Survey of England and Wales, and is expected to report next summer. The size of the badger population is naturally constrained by a range of factors such as food supply and suitable habitat; in this context it is unlikely that it can be considered unsustainably large.
A reduction in numbers would not necessarily improve or harm the health of the badger population. However, in certain circumstances reductions may be needed, for instance to protect properties from the damage caused by setts, or to reduce the spread of disease.
In light of these concerns Defra is currently funding research relevant to contraceptive treatment for badgers. There are three ongoing projects: SE3277: Fertility control in badgers; WM0324: Evaluation of fertility control to resolve conflicts between urban badgers and human interests; and WM0414: Establish proof of concept of an immunocontraceptive vaccine for oral delivery to mammals.
Further details of these research projects are available on the Defra website at: http://randd.defra.gov.uk.
Bank of England
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when interviews will take place for the position of Governor of the Bank of England; who will sit on the interviewing panel; and what the panel’s terms of reference will be.[HL2676]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): As the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 11 September 2012, the process for appointing the
next Governor of the Bank of England is under way and the appointment will be announced by the end of the year.
The interview panel will be chaired by Sir Nicholas Macpherson (Permanent Secretary to the Treasury) and will also comprise Sir David Lees (Chairman of Court), John Kingman (Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury) and Tom Scholar (Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury). The panel will assess candidates against the criteria set out in the published role profile.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer will consider giving the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England a monetary target based on nominal gross domestic product.[HL2730]
Lord Sassoon: The Bank of England Act 1998 states that the objectives of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) are to maintain price stability, and, subject to that, support the economic policy of the Government.
The Chancellor reaffirmed at Budget 2012 that the MPC will continue to target 2% inflation as defined by the 12-month increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Birds: Lead Shot
Questions
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the health risks of eating game containing lead shot; and whether they have plans to ban lead shot.[HL2659]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): In response to concerns, both in the UK and internationally, over the level of toxic effects of lead from ammunition, Defra and the Food Standards Agency convened an independent group—the Lead Ammunition Group (LAG)—to look at the issues.
The LAG is considering the evidence to assess what risks may exist to human health and wildlife from lead ammunition and will report later this year to Defra and the Food Standards Agency. Any regulatory changes considered necessary would be subject to public consultation and need to be proportionate to the risks identified.
Defra currently has no plans to extend the existing restrictions under the Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 to include a ban on the use of lead shot.
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report from the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust that many birds they have inspected have ingested lead shot.[HL2660]
Lord De Mauley: In response to concerns, both in the UK and internationally, over the level of toxic effects of lead from ammunition, Defra and the Food Standards Agency convened an independent group—the Lead Ammunition Group (LAG)—to look at the issues. This will include consideration of the report, Poisoning from Lead Gunshot: Still a Threat to Wild Waterbirds in Britain, published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research. The LAG will report later this year to Defra and the Food Standards Agency.
Co-operatives
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the legislative framework for the establishment and functioning of co-operatives, especially those used by the agricultural sector; and whether they plan to make any changes to the legislation.[HL2698]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): In January 2012, the Prime Minister announced that the Government would bring forward a Co-operatives Consolidation Bill, which is due to be implemented by the end of 2013. This will bring all of the industrial and provident society legislation together in one place, making it easier for potential users to access, including those from the agricultural sector. It will also support the use of the industrial and provident society as a workable, modern corporate form.
The Government are committed to promoting mutuals and appreciate the contribution co-operatives make to the economy and will keep all legislation under review.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with European Union and World Bank staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding their support to the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) following reports that ICCN has signed an agreement allowing a United Kingdom oil company access to Virunga National Park; and what is their policy on this matter. [HL2667]
Baroness Northover: The UK Government have not had any discussions with European Union and World Bank staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the specific issue of their support to the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) following reports that ICCN has signed an agreement allowing a United Kingdom oil company access to Virunga National Park.
In response to a press enquiry in September 2012, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) noted the UK's concerns about the prospect of oil exploration within Virunga National Park, a World Heritage site listed by UNESCO as being in danger. They urged any
company involved and the Government of the DRC fully to respect the international standards and conventions to which the Government of the DRC is a signatory.
The UK remains committed to supporting UK companies in the DRC and throughout the world. Foreign investment in sectors such as hydrocarbons and the extractive industries can play a vital role in boosting the development of the DRC, lifting people out of poverty. Such investment needs to be carried out responsibly and sustainably, in compliance with local law and conforming to international standards.
EU: Commissioner for Economic and Currency Affairs
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the plan outlined by the German Finance Minister on 16 October to create a European Union commissioner for economic and currency affairs with the power to regulate national budgets. [HL2787]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): There have been no formal proposals for a European Union (EU) commissioner for economic and currency affairs with the power to regulate national budgets. Were a proposal to create a EU commissioner put forward, the Government would need to make a careful assessment, taking into account the national interest of the UK.
Eurozone Treasury
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact of the creation of a Eurozone treasury on the United Kingdom. [HL2788]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The suggestion of a euro area treasury office or treasury function was raised in the 25 June preliminary report and 12 October interim report, of the four Presidents, entitled Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union. However, no agreement has been made to take this suggestion forward. The Government would, therefore, want to see more detailed proposals before providing an assessment of the possible impact on the United Kingdom.
Fishing: English Channel
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of France about recent tensions between British and French fishing vessels in the English Channel. [HL2685]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): We have made it clear to French counterparts at a high level including a conversation between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment, Water and Rural Affairs and the French Minister, that UK fishermen have a legitimate right to fish the Baie de Seine and that France has a responsibility to protect UK vessels that choose to do so. Since being notified of the incident on 8 October 2012, the Marine Management Organisation has worked closely with the French authorities and continues to do so.
Food: Commodity Markets
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord De Mauley on 16 October (WA 459), who are the regulators exercising oversight and supervision over food commodities markets in the United Kingdom, including commodity derivatives; and what action they will take to implement the G20 commitment to improve the system.[HL2653]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The major commodity derivative market operators have position management regimes in place to safeguard the integrity of their markets within the United Kingdom. The Financial Services Authority oversees these controls and supervises their application by ensuring commodity market operators continue to meet the recognition requirements.
Throughout 2010 and 2011, the G20 emphasised the importance of effective regulation and supervision of commodity derivatives markets, notably to strengthen transparency and address the potential for market abuse. The International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) was tasked with producing principles for the regulation and supervision of commodity derivatives markets, which it published in 2011. IOSCO is reporting to the G20 on the effectiveness of the implementation of the principles by the end of 2012.
In addition, the UK is working on the current revisions to the European markets in financial instruments directive and the regulation on over the counter derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories, in order to fulfil the G20 obligations to improve the regulation, functioning and transparency of financial and commodity markets.
Food: Family Budgets
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the percentage of family budgets spent on food in each of the past five years.[HL2697]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): The percentage of spend going on food and
non-alcoholic drinks by UK households collected through the Family Spending Survey are shown in the table below. Data for 2011 will be available in December 2012.
| Percentage of spend going on food and non-alcoholic drinks | |||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
Government Departments: Staff
Question
Asked by Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many personnel who are not currently employed within the civil service have been appointed by them to government-supported or affiliated bodies such as advisory groups, or are currently advising them in an official or unofficial capacity; under what selection criteria they were chosen; whether background security checks were undertaken on those personnel before their appointment; and what are the names of the personnel appointed, and to which bodies.[HL2811]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested is not held centrally.
Health: Contraception
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have classified the five-day-after pill, marketed as ellaOne, as an abortifacient or as a contraceptive; and what is the basis for that classification.[HL2797]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): EllaOne is classified as a female emergency contraceptive, it is not an abortifacient. It should be noted that the clinical development programme for EllaOne (ulipristal acetate) focused on women seeking emergency contraception and it has not been studied as an abortifacient.
EllaOne is classified as a contraceptive because of its mode of action on the sex hormone progesterone. Progesterone plays a major role in ovulation and preparing the lining of the womb for implantation after fertilisation. EllaOne acts by binding to the receptor that progesterone normally attaches to, thereby preventing progesterone from working so that ovulation is prevented or delayed.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the anticipated impact on national and regional abortion rates of the availability of a five-day-after pill over the counter; and what consideration they have given to the ethical issues involved and the potential impact on women’s health.[HL2798]
Earl Howe: There has been no assessment of the anticipated national or regional impact on abortion rates from the availability of emergency contraception that can be used up to five days after unprotected sex or if another form of contraception fails. This is because of the difficulties in assessing the impact of one intervention to prevent unwanted pregnancy in isolation from the range of contraception services and information that are already widely available. The decision to use emergency contraception rests with individual women.
Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way of preventing unwanted pregnancy. A recent review by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Induced Abortion and Mental Health, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, concluded that unwanted pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of mental health problems.
Health: Tuberculosis
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps have been taken to advise medical practitioners of the threat to life caused by tuberculosis, in the light of the report by the Health Protection Agency that tuberculosis cases are increasing.[HL2725]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they provide to medical practitioners on testing for active tuberculosis if a patient has a recorded history of latent tuberculosis and they fall ill with another significant illness and remain ill despite treatment. [HL2726]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The department recognises the public health importance of tuberculosis (TB) and is currently funding TB Alert, the United Kingdom's
national TB charity, to raise awareness among general practitioners and other primary care professionals. TB Alert is also developing an online learning module in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and a training pack for TB nurses to use in running training sessions with primary care professionals.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) plays a significant role in advising medical practitioners about trends in TB in the population. They are involved in raising awareness through the National Knowledge Service for TB. This was set up to provide information that would be directly relevant to people who need to be aware of, and take action about, treatment, prevention and management of TB.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published clinical and public health guidance to support the National Health Service in commissioning and providing effective services to prevent, diagnose and treat TB, including in relation to raising awareness. This guidance is promoted both by the HPA and TB Alert as part of raising awareness. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 will require clinical commissioning groups to act with a view to securing continuous improvement in the quality of services provided to individuals in relation to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness, including TB.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom were screened positive for active tuberculosis in each of the last five years; from which countries those persons originated; and what action they have taken to enhance co-operation with those countries in combating the spread of tuberculosis.[HL2727]
Earl Howe: Information on numbers screened positive by country of origin is not available in the format requested. However, information on the number of United Kingdom visa applicants screened for tuberculosis (TB) is shown in the following table.
| Number of visa applicants from the United Kingdom screened for TB, 2005-10 | |||||||
| Country | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Total |
Source: International Organisation for Migration
In relation to those screened at our ports, currently on entry screening for TB is undertaken at Heathrow Airport by chest X-ray. Screening stopped at Gatwick Airport because numbers screened were very low. As a chest X-ray is not considered sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis of TB, any entrant who is suspected of having TB is referred to a local chest clinic or hospital at their intended destination in the UK.
The department liaises with the Department for International Development (DfID) on World Health Organisation reports, resolutions and guidance on global TB. DfID's support to the product development of new vaccines, diagnostics and treatment will have a direct benefit to control TB in the UK.
The Home Office is responsible for managing pre-entry screening for TB, working closely with the Health Protection Agency to providing medical and scientific input. The Home Office requires screening providers to provide treatment referral letters, results of drug susceptibility testing as well as to comply with any reporting on TB strategies in these countries.
Internet: Mobile Infrastructure Project
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what stage has been reached in the procurement for the Mobile Infrastructure Project; what outcomes there have been to date; and when the project will be implemented. [HL2747]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: Following publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union in May, the department now have five shortlisted potential providers for the Mobile Infrastructure Project. We are finalising the date for release of a formal invitation to tender to those shortlisted. Once the provider has been appointed early in the new year, project implementation will begin, with the aim for the project to be completed by spring 2015.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have reached an agreement with the European Commission over state aid issues in respect of the Mobile Infrastructure Project.[HL2748]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been in contact with the European Commission since January, both through discussions and the pre-notification process. We have now formally notified the Mobile Infrastructure Project to the Commission and await their response
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Mobile Infrastructure Project will support mobile broadband, the transmission of data and future 4G services.[HL2749]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Mobile Infrastructure Project is directed at remedying identified gaps in mobile voice and basic data coverage. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working to ensure that technical solutions are compatible with future technological developments, such as 4G.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all mobile operators will have access to deliver their networks through the new masts that are to be installed under the Mobile Infrastructure Project, or whether access will be restricted to one operator. [HL2750]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The infrastructure installed under the Mobile Infrastructure Project will be available to all mobile network operators.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that the delivery of the Mobile Infrastructure Project will be coordinated with the delivery of broadband access to all rural areas; and, if so, how. [HL2751]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Mobile Infrastructure Project team are located within Broadband Delivery UK, the unit within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport responsible for managing the Government's broadband funding, and works closely with them to ensure that available synergies are captured.
Milk
Question
Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they will be providing to the United Kingdom agricultural sector to prepare for the end of the milk quotas and maintain a sustainable dairy industry. [HL2700]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): The forthcoming abolition of quotas coupled with growing global demand for dairy products creates a window of opportunity for UK dairying.
The Government are supporting the UK dairy industry to capitalise on these opportunities through the ministerial-led Dairy Supply Chain Forum and our strong support for the industry's Dairy 2020 initiative. The aim is to focus on issues and opportunities, the health and future of the dairy sector, and how the industry might exploit domestic and export markets and secure its own sustainability and long-term British milk supply.
The Government are encouraging dairy farmers and processors to sign up to the recently published industry code of practice so that they can start to see the many beneficial terms of the code translated into milk supply contracts. The Government will consult on the implementation of the EU Dairy Package this
autumn, which will provide an opportunity for industry to innovate and build collaboration through the supply chain.
The Government have announced £5 million in additional funds under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Rural Economy Grant scheme for high quality projects from the dairy industry, which can help producers to increase their competitiveness and added value to boost their market returns.
The industry and the Government are both investing substantial sums in research in the sector.
NHS: Unsuitable Providers
Question
Asked by Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many NHS trusts are currently under consideration for inclusion in the NHS Unsustainable Provider Regime. [HL2782]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The Unsustainable Provider Regime is a mechanism to effect changes in National Health Service organisations where the sustainable delivery of healthcare services is at serious risk.
The regime was applied to South London Healthcare NHS Trust earlier this year. There are currently no other NHS trusts to which application of the regime is formally being considered, although it remains an option to apply where the sustainability of any of these organisations is at serious risk and actions to remedy this are required quickly.
Railways: Franchises
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the expiry dates for the C2C, Great Western and Thameslink franchises; whether the franchises allow an extension of the franchise beyond those dates; and how and when they expect to deal with any franchise extension.[HL2850]
Earl Attlee: The published expiry dates of existing franchises are provided on the Department for Transport website at: http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-franchising-timetable/rail-franchising-timetable.pdf.
The department is currently assessing the impact of the current pause in the programme for all rail franchises, including those listed, and the implications for the timescales for awarding of contracts. This will ensure continuity of services while establishing the right approach in terms of affordability and value for money. Once this has been finalised and agreed we will provide an update to the House.
Future franchise competitions will incorporate the findings of the Brown review which will report by the end of December. The terms of reference for the review have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the decision to award compensation to the bidders for the West Coast Main Line franchise, whether they have a policy of compensating bidding companies who have not won a procurement contract; and if such a policy exists, under what circumstances they compensate unsuccessful bidders, and how the amount of compensation is calculated.[HL2854]
Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport’s procurement policy is that bidders for franchises consent to meet their own costs of bidding. For this reason, we do not have a policy of meeting the costs incurred by bidders who participate in franchise competitions.
The bidders involved in the InterCity West Coast franchise competition are being compensated for their reasonable bidding costs because this particular competition had to be cancelled due to errors made by department officials. The Secretary of State for Transport is satisfied that all of the bidders involved in this competition acted in good faith during the whole bidding process and therefore should not be penalised for mistakes made by the department.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have agreed not to seek to influence or amend Richard Brown’s Review of the Rail Franchising Programme; and whether they will publish that review without amendments.[HL2856]
Earl Attlee: I refer the noble Lord to the Statement made by the Secretary of State for Transport on 15 October 2012 (Official Report, cols. 46-47) and the terms of reference of the Brown review which have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked Richard Brown, Chairman of Eurostar, to lead an independent review into the wider rail franchising programme. This review will look in detail at whether changes are needed to the way risk is assessed and to the bidding and evaluation processes, and at how to get the other franchise competitions back on track as soon as possible. This will report by the end of December and will be published thereafter.
The Department for Transport has no intention of influencing the findings of the independent Brown review. The department will, of course, take into account commercial confidentiality and its obligations under the Data Protection Act when deciding upon what can be published.
Railways: West Coast Franchise
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 23 October (WA 58), whether the statement made on 15 October
and the terms of reference for the Laidlaw inquiry into the InterCity West Coast franchise competition were intended either to provide for or to enable the Laidlaw inquiry to include an investigation of the role of the Department for Transport's Department Board, including the non-executive directors, in considering, examining and overseeing the adequacy and appropriateness of the governance arrangements for the franchising process used for the West Coast main line.[HL2873]
Earl Attlee: The Laidlaw inquiry will look at the roles and responsibilities of different advisory and decision making parties within the Department for Transport and externally in relation to this competition, including the Board Investment and Commercial Committee, the Contract Awards Committee and the Rail Refranchising Programme Board; how well these committees performed their roles, and what can be learned from this about the appropriate structure for governance and assurance of major contract awards.
The Department for Transport’s board was not responsible for approving the award of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition. The department’s governance procedures for major contract awards did not require the board to be consulted.
Sport: Racism
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about tackling racism and homophobia in football following the Prime Minister’s anti-discrimination summit last spring.[HL2711]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: Several discussions have taken place with the Football Association following the Prime Minister's antidiscrimination summit. At the summit, the football authorities committed to continue their work on tackling discrimination in the game, including racism and homophobia. Their report, which will provide further details of this, will be submitted in the near future.
Taxation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they will introduce to ensure that United Kingdom-based foreign-owned companies pay appropriate corporate and other commercial taxes on profits and sales occurring within the United Kingdom. [HL2770]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Sassoon): The Government are alert to the risk that some companies may try to structure their affairs so that profits from UK-based economic activity are not taxed here. The UK system of taxing multinational business is based on internationally agreed principles that determine how much profit each country should tax. The UK works closely with other jurisdictions to share information and ensure a more effective approach to cross-border tax avoidance.
The UK has specific tax rules to combat tax avoidance by international companies and supports international action on base erosion and profit-shifting, which has been endorsed by the G20.
Telephone Calls: Unsolicited Calls
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect citizens from unsolicited telephone calls offering financial or other benefits. [HL2632]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003, citizens are protected from receiving such unsolicited telephone marketing calls, through the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has enforcement responsibility for the regulations and considers complaints about breaches. The ICO can take formal action against those who have wilfully or negligently breached the regulations and can issue civil monetary penalties of up to £500,000 for the most serious breaches. The ICO works closely with the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and the Claims Management Regulator (CMR), which regulates financial companies, to identify those responsible for such calls. Also, the ICO has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the CMR, to facilitate the sharing of information about breaches of the regulations by claims management companies.
Tourism: Funding
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the level of grant from the Regional Growth Fund for VisitEngland in each of the financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12; what is the anticipated level for 2012-13; and what is the planned level for 2013-14.[HL2595]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Regional Growth Fund was not granted for all the years requested as its first year of operation is 2012-13.
For the year 2012-13, a total figure of £6,900,000 has been granted, and for 2013-14, £8,900,000.
Transport: Guide Dogs
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered the feasibility of allowing people who train guide dogs to use public transport free of charge in the course of that training; what representations they have received for or against such a policy; and what was the outcome, if any, of those considerations.[HL2857]
Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport has received no representations regarding free travel on public transport for people who train guide dogs. No consideration has been given to the feasibility of such a proposal.