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Infrastructure Investment

Questions

Asked by Lord Hollick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was their forecast of total infrastructure investment for the following year at the start of the financial years (1) 2011-12, and (2) 2012-13.[HL5934]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government do not formally forecast infrastructure investment from both the public and private sectors. An infrastructure pipeline providing an indicative estimate of planned infrastructure investment from both the public and private sector was provided by the Government as part of the update of the national infrastructure plan at Autumn Statement 2012 and is available on the Treasury website.1 This pipeline showed that total infrastructure investment for the period 2011-12 was £33 billion.

1

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/infrastructure_pipeline_data.htm

Asked by Lord Hollick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what planning measures they have introduced since 2010 to facilitate infrastructure investment; and what assessment they have made of the impact of those measures.[HL5935]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The Government have introduced a number of crucial reforms to the planning system to support business and investment since 2010. We have abolished the Infrastructure Planning Commission to ensure that decisions under the Planning Act on major infrastructure projects are now taken by democratically accountable Ministers. In addition, we are taking forward further planning measures on infrastructure in the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. These include extending the principle of a one-stop shop for non-planning consents for major infrastructure, bringing a new category of commercial and business development into the regime, and reforming special parliamentary procedure.

The publication of the National Planning Policy Framework in 2012 cut over 1,300 pages of guidance down to around 50, and requires local authorities to adopt a positive approach to growth and delivering infrastructure. Our reforms to the community infrastructure levy, including preventing double charging, have improved its operation and increased its ability to make a significant contribution to the provision of essential local infrastructure.

The Government are also putting in place a whole range of other planning measures to incentivise growth and investment. Progress on these is set out in the planning section of the Plan for Growth implementation update which can be accessed from the Following link: http://cdn.hmtreasury.gov.uk/growth_implementation_update_dec2012.pdf

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Asked by Lord Hollick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what agreement, if any, they have reached with pension and other investment funds to finance infrastructure investment.[HL5936]

Lord Deighton: The Government have taken steps and continue to encourage investment in infrastructure from investment funds, specifically pension funds. In November 2011, the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) and HM Treasury signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate investment in infrastructure through the development of a platform or conduit, leading to the development of the Pension Infrastructure Platform (PIP).

Insurance: Fraud

Question

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to reduce the costs associated with whiplash injuries, particularly fraudulent or exaggerated cases.[HL5984]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The Government are determined to tackle fraudulent and exaggerated whiplash claims, while ensuring that people who have suffered a genuine injury can continue to get appropriate compensation. Following the Prime Minister’s insurance summit on 14 February 2012, the Government committed to identify options and implement changes to reduce the number and cost of whiplash claims.

In response to this commitment the Ministry of Justice has carried out a consultation on measures to address the rising number and cost of whiplash claims. The consultation closed on 8 March 2013 and the Government will publish a response outlining the way forward in due course.

Internet: 4G Spectrum

Question

Asked by Lord Myners

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reasons the proceeds from the sale of 4G spectrum fell short of the figure forecast by Her Majesty’s Government and audited by the Office for Budget Responsibility.[HL5893]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The £3.5 billion costing of the spectrum auction revenues published by the Government at Autumn Statement 2012 was certified by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility as representing a reasonable and central view given the information available at the time. The Government have made no assessment of the difference between the certified and actual level of proceeds from the 4G spectrum auction.

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Internet: Broadband

Question

Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest estimate of when the rollout of superfast fibre broadband will be complete.[HL6073]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government aims to deliver a transformation of broadband services by 2015 to support economic growth and maintain the UK’s position as a leading internet economy. Through an investment programme of £1.2 billion of public money, and through working in partnership with industry, the Government is ensuring that more homes and businesses are getting superfast broadband availability each week and more superfast connections are being taken up. Alongside the record investments this Government is making, the recent 4G auctions will see a transformation of mobile broadband services. The delivery times will vary, but by the end of this parliament an increased number of faster digital services will be available to more people and at more competitive prices.

Iraq

Question

Asked by Lord Dobbs

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Iraqis they estimate to have died as a result of terrorist and war-related violence since the invasion of that country in 2003.[HL6052]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government have not produced any estimate for the number of Iraqis killed as a result of terrorism and war-related violence since 2003. While the security situation in Iraq has greatly improved since the violence of 2006-07, the threat from terrorism remains high and attacks do sadly continue. We utterly condemn such violence and call for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Iraq: Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty

Question

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the United Nations about Martin Kobler’s role as special adviser to Ban Ki-moon on refugee camps Ashraf and Liberty.[HL5941]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We support the UN’s efforts to broker a peaceful solution to the situation at Camps Ashraf and Liberty. We have made no representations to the UN Secretary-General about the role of his special representative.

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Iraq: Camp Liberty

Question

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the expulsion from Iraq of members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq organisation, currently residing in Camp Liberty; and whether they have made representations to the government of Germany regarding reports that the German ambassador to Iraq, Britta Wagner, had issued a statement of support for that policy.[HL5940]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We support the UN’s efforts to relocate residents of Camp Liberty in third countries, as outlined by the memorandum of understanding signed between the Government of Iraq and the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq. We have made no representations to the government of Germany about this issue.

Israel

Questions

Asked by Lord Turnberg

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the implications of the recent closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza by Hamas.[HL5986]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv raised the issue of Israel closing the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Israeli National Security Council on 27 February. The Kerem Shalem commercial crossing was reopened a few days later.

Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 26 February (WA 302), what action they propose to ensure that cosmetics produced in settlements are not sold in the United Kingdom labelled as originating in Israel.[HL6030]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): We continue to work to take forward the commitment made by EU Foreign Ministers at the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 14 May 2012, reaffirmed on 10 December 2012, to fully and effectively implement existing EU legislation and the bilateral arrangements applicable to settlement products. We will continue to work with the EU and European Commission in this regard, alongside the relevant government departments and UK enforcement authorities. If consumers have any concerns about the mislabelling of products, these can be brought to the attention of local trading standards services.

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Ivory Trade

Question

Asked by Lord St John of Bletso

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage countries, particularly China, in supporting and enforcing a complete ban on the domestic trade in ivory.[HL6065]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley): The Government are committed to maintaining the ban on international trade in ivory that has been in place since 1989. Domestic trade in ivory is allowed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as long as it is strictly regulated and those controls are enforced. Illegal trade in elephant ivory is of particular concern to the UK and we look for opportunities to urge countries with unregulated domestic ivory markets to comply with CITES provisions.

Libya

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Libya about (1) the attack by armed men on 28 February on the Coptic Orthodox church in Benghazi, (2) the attempted shooting of a Catholic priest in Tripoli on 2 March, and (3) the imprisonment of Egyptian Christians in Libya.[HL5974]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government are yet to make representations to the Government of Libya on these specific cases. Our embassy in Tripoli, along with international partners there, is monitoring developments closely and establishing further details. The EU has issued a statement expressing concerns around those being detained on alleged charges of proselytism in Libya and reaffirming the importance of the Libyan authorities ensuring that detainees are treated in accordance with international standards.

The Libyan Government have condemned the attack on the Egyptian Coptic church in Benghazi. While we do speak out against violence against Christians in particular, our approach generally is to stress the importance of rule of law and human rights for all. The Government continue to underline with the Libyan authorities at the highest level the importance of respecting human rights, in particular the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Maldives

Question

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent events in the Maldives. [HL5999]

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The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government remain concerned about the political situation in the Maldives, including allegations of physical and political intimidation of parliamentarians and arrests which appear to be politically motivated. As a result of protests following former President Nasheed’s detention on 5 March, we understand that over 30 members of the Maldivian Democratic Party were arrested. We urge all parties to remain calm, and to avoid taking action which could lead to doubt over the integrity of the electoral process and contribute to continuing instability.

During his visit to Maldives in February, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), raised with the Maldivian Government the importance of ensuring inclusive presidential elections, fully investigating allegations of police brutality, and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice. We will continue to encourage all parties to engage in discussions to find a way through current difficulties, and ensure that free, fair and inclusive elections will be held in September. We note that former President Nasheed was released on 6 March and his trial has been postponed for four weeks. We believe that presidential elections should include the participation of the chosen candidates of all parties, including former President Nasheed, should he be selected as a candidate by his party.

Media: Press Regulation

Question

Asked by Lord Dykes

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the all-party consultations on new press regulations will consider how to ensure that vulnerable members of the public, especially minors, are protected from press intrusion.[HL5881]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Cross-party talks are currently under way to consider the best way to implement a tough new self-regulatory framework for the press, in line with the Leveson principles. All parties are agreed that this framework must deliver public confidence and justice for victims of press misconduct, so as the problems of the past cannot happen again.

NHS PropCo

Questions

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the remit of NHS PropCo in relation to the disposal or other use of land they hold and which is (1) surplus to present requirements, or (2) being held for potential future requirements; where funds obtained from such disposals will be held; for what purposes they may be used; and for what purposes NHS PropCo will be able to acquire properties.[HL5894]

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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated cost of the audit of properties held by strategic health authorities and primary care trusts; and what is the estimated total value of the estate that will be managed by NHS PropCo.[HL5895]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government who (1) proposed, and (2) decided, to call NHS Property Services “PropCo”; whether consultants were paid as part of that decision; and, if so, how much.[HL5898]

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the system of accountability to Ministers and to Parliament of NHS PropCo.[HL5899]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): As my noble friend is aware, primary care trusts (PCTs) will shortly cease to exist. As there is no single successor body, this necessitated alternative arrangements for the future ownership and management of the existing estate. The department announced in August 2011 that National Health Service providers would have the opportunity to acquire ‘service critical clinical infrastructure’, subject to certain criteria being met.

The creation of NHS Property Services Limited (NHS PS), a limited company wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Health, to take that part of the estate not transferring to NHS providers was announced on 25 January 2012.

The company’s objectives will be to: hold property for use by community and primary care services, including for use by social enterprises; deliver value for money property services; cut costs of administering the estate by consolidating the management of over 150 estates; deliver and develop cost-effective property solutions for community health services; and dispose of property surplus to NHS requirements.

The key benefit of the new model will be the opportunities offered by consolidating assets, skills and experience from 151 PCTs to create an organisation of increased scale and standing, which is more professionally specialised and commercially focused. This will free up resources to improve properties and front-line services.

The key short-term objective behind the creation of NHS PS is to ensure a smooth transition into the new NHS system, ensuring that properties remain safe, clean and available for use by the NHS.

The majority of services will be commissioned by local clinical commissioning groups, with the interests of patients a priority. It is only properties that are surplus to NHS requirements that are disposed of now, and this will continue to be the case after 1 April. There will be a number of properties that have already been declared surplus by the NHS locally which will transfer to the company for disposal. Any rationalisation of services to make further properties surplus to requirements will need to be supported by local commissioners.

All sale proceeds will be reinvested to support front-line healthcare services.

With regard to the audit of properties held by strategic health authorities and PCTs, i.e. the due diligence exercise, the approximate cost is £1.6 million.

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This figure constitutes the carrying out of the legal due diligence work, i.e. reviewing the title information and due diligence enquiries and preparing freehold and lease reports in respect of properties that will transfer to NHS PS and community health partnerships (CHP). This is work undertaken by lawyers on behalf of the department, NHS PS and CHP. This is a significant cost, but it must be considered in context. The company will manage a national portfolio of approximately 3,500 properties, worth circa £3 billion.

NHS Property Services Limited is the registered name of the company, although it has colloquially been referred to in some instances as “PropCo”. No consultants were involved or cost incurred in choosing the name of the company.

Finally, with regard to the system of accountability, the sole shareholder of the company is the Secretary of State and a departmental official sits on the company board as a representative of the Secretary of State.

Accountability for the actions and expenditure of NHS PS is via the department, and its Permanent Secretary to Parliament. As such, the company can be held to account via the department through the parliamentary committee system, and parliamentary Questions in both Houses. As a public sector body (100% owned by Secretary of State) it is subject to requests for information made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

As a limited company, NHS PS is required to file an annual report and accounts in Companies House. The department’s group of accounts will also reflect the company's operations. A copy of the company's articles of association, which gives more detail, has already been placed in the Library.

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the role of NHS PropCo in respect of NHS private finance initiative and local improvement finance trust schemes.[HL5948]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): With regard to private finance initiative (PFI) schemes, NHS Property Services Limited (NHS PS) and National Health Service providers, such as NHS trusts, foundation trusts and aspirant community foundation trusts, will take over the role of primary care trusts (PCTs) in relation to existing PCT PFI schemes. This means taking over the contractual responsibilities for payment of the unitary charge, contract monitoring and management, and also taking over the PCT role as landlord where space is sublet to other service providers.

NHS PS’s objectives will include holding property for use by community and primary care services, and except for their interests in local improvement finance trust (LIFT) schemes, PCTs will transfer to NHS PS premises that are not transferred to NHS providers.

Turning to LIFT schemes, in December 2012, the department confirmed that PCTs’ LIFT interests are to be transferred to community health partnerships (CHP), a limited company wholly owned by the department, from 1 April 2013. As the department’s LIFT delivery arm, CHP has specific expertise in

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managing these public/private partnerships, has developed strong relationships with the individual LIFT companies, and already holds a 20% shareholding in each of the 49 companies.

NHS PS will assume responsibility for the day-to-day running of the LIFT estate, under a service contract with CHP. Associated staff will therefore transfer to NHS PS under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment).

Finally, as regards taking LIFT forward in the future, CHP and NHS PS will work with the NHS Commissioning Board and local commissioners to agree property requirements and ensure that they are delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Northern Ireland Parades Commission

Question

Asked by Lord Laird

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to amend the statute governing the Parades Commission; and what political and community involvement have been declared by the current members of the Parades Commission.[HL6042]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson): We have no current plans to amend the statute governing the Parades Commission, but such matters are kept under review. Maintaining the register of interests is a matter for the commission and the noble Lord may wish to write to it directly.

Ombudsmen

Question

Asked by Lord Framlingham

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Ombudsmen there are in the United Kingdom. [HL5811]

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The main public service ombudsmen in the United Kingdom are the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Local Government Ombudsman, the Housing Ombudsman Service, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

There is a list on the Ombudsman Association website at http://www.ombudsman-association.org/ of all those ombudsmen schemes operating in both the public and private sectors that are members of the Ombudsman Association.

Planning

Question

Asked by Lord Clement-Jones

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on creators and creative industries of changes in planning regulation to allow the conversion of office space to housing.[HL5900]

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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The introduction of permitted development rights for change of use from commercial to residential uses will help get empty and underused buildings back into productive use. An impact assessment was published as part of the 2011 consultation, Relaxation of Planning Rules for Change of Use from Commercial to Residential. The impact assessment did not identify any specific impact on creators and creative industries as a result of these changes to planning regulations.

We recognise that there may be unique local impacts and we have therefore given local planning authorities the opportunity to seek a local exemption where this can be justified on economic grounds in exceptional circumstances.

Schools: Work Experience

Question

Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to encourage more work experience by school children.[HL6026]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash): From September 2013 funding reforms will make it easier for schools to offer students work experience by funding per student, not per qualification. The introduction of 16-19 study programmes will set clearer expectations on schools to arrange work experience or other work-related learning such as student enterprise projects.

Studio schools and university technical colleges are already pioneering work with employers to develop students’ specialist skills. BIS and DfE also encourage links between employers and schools through its work with local enterprise partnerships and employer organisations.

Serious Fraud Office

Question

Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how their supervision of the Serious Fraud Office is exercised; how many meetings have taken place between the Attorney-General and the director of the Serious Fraud Office since May 2010; and what assessment they have made of the performance of the Serious Fraud Office.[HL5975]

The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness): The Law Officers may be informed or consulted via regular briefings from the director of the Serious Fraud Office (DSFO) about matters of prosecution policy, practice or law; and individual cases of particular sensitivity or difficulty. The Attorney-General meets the DSFO both for routine meetings and as matters arise and has done so 43 times since May 2010. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s report on the SFO’s casework handling in November 2012 found that the SFO does many things well and that the direction in which the SFO is now headed

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under its new director is the right one. However, the Attorney-General and the DSFO of course continue to keep the performance of the SFO under review.

Syria

Question

Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they discussed supplying arms to Syria, or the possibility of military intervention in Syria either by NATO or by a joint operation between the United Kingdom and the United States, with the United States Secretary of State during his recent visit to Britain.[HL5932]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): During his visit to the UK on 25 February, US Secretary of State John Kerry held meetings with both the Prime Minister, my right honourable friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), at which they discussed a number of issues, including a wide-ranging exchange on Syria. Discussions on Syria focussed on how to do more to speed up the prospect of a political solution, as well as increase non-lethal support to the Syrian Opposition National Coalition. There was no discussion concerning the supply of arms or the possibility of military intervention either by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or by a joint operation between the UK and the US. We continue to work with our partners, including the US, to achieve a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

Taxation

Question

Asked by Lord Myners

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much has been collected to date under the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility; when they next intend to revisit the forecast of proceeds of £3 billion by 2016; and whether that figure will be audited by the Office for Budget Responsibility.[HL5892]

The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Details of the cumulative yield generated from the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF) settlements and payments made in LDF cases not yet settled are published on a monthly basis on the LDF pages of the HM Revenue & Customs website (HMRC)1. By the end of January 2013, total settlements had generated £455 million and a further £78 million had been paid in cases not yet settled.

HMRC’s forecasts are kept under constant review as part of the usual fiscal and budgetary process. The Office for Budget Responsibility is responsible for all fiscal forecasts and the next one will be published alongside the forthcoming Budget on 20 March. The LDF forecast will be audited as part of that process.

1

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/disclosureildf-yield.pdf

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Universal Credit

Question

Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of children who will be lifted out of poverty following the introduction of universal credit due to an anticipated increase in take-up; and what proportion of the total number expected to be lifted out of poverty that represents. [HL6015]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): It is not possible to attribute specific proportions of the impacts of universal credit on households to increases in take-up. The increases in take-up are driven both by direct structural changes and by expected behavioural responses to universal credit.

Unlike the current system where households have to make multiple claims for means tested benefits and tax credits, universal credit will consist of a single payment applied for through a single claim.

This structural change to the delivery of support eliminates partial take-up of benefits and tax credits. This effect cannot be isolated from the impacts of entitlement changes.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Question

Asked by Baroness Stern

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will seek the inclusion of unmanned aerial vehicles in discussions at the United Nations conference on the arms trade treaty.[HL5887]

The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government has consistently argued for the arms trade treaty to cover all conventional arms—which in our view would include military unmanned aerial vehicles— and to keep pace with technological change so that it retains its relevance over time. We will continue to argue for this at the negotiations to conclude the treaty from 18 to 28 March.

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Young Offenders: Strip Searches

Questions

Asked by Lord Beecham

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take steps to end the routine strip-searching of children in custodial institutions; and, if so, what steps.[HL5901]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Full searching is necessary to ensure the safety and security of young people in custody and will only take place when there is an identified risk. We have a duty to keep any item that could endanger the safety of young people out of secure establishments and use a number of measures to disrupt their supply—full searches are an important part of this.

Following a review by the Youth Justice Board, a new risk-based approach was introduced in secure children’s homes and secure training centres. This ended the routine full searching of young people in these establishments. A predominantly risk and intelligence-led approach to full searching of young people held in young offender institutions has been taken since April 2012, but there continues to be a mandatory requirement to routinely full search all young people in certain circumstances where it is considered there is heightened risk of contraband being smuggled into a secure environment.

Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will end the routine strip-searching of children in custody.[HL6005]

Lord McNally: Full searching is necessary to ensure the safety and security of young people in custody and will take place only when there is an identified risk. We have a duty to keep any item that could endanger the safety of young people out of secure establishments and use a number of measures to disrupt their supply—full searches are an important part of this.

Following a review by the Youth Justice Board, a new risk-based approach was introduced in secure children’s homes and secure training centres. This ended the routine full searching of young people in these establishments. A predominantly risk and intelligence-led approach to full searching of young people held in young offender institutions has been taken since April 2012, but there continues to be a mandatory requirement to routinely full search all young people in certain circumstances where it is considered there is heightened risk of contraband being smuggled into a secure environment.