Written Answers
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Banks: Funding for Lending
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to see an increase in net lending by United Kingdom banks to small and medium-sized enterprises; whether they will publish a review of the impact on such lending of the Funding for Lending Scheme; and, if so, when.[HL671]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The extensions made to the Funding for Lending scheme in April 2013 focus particularly on strengthening incentives to lend towards SMEs.
As part of the monitoring of the Funding for Lending scheme, the Bank of England publishes the net lending data of individual banks on a quarterly basis. A sector-level break down is currently unavailable. However, the Bank of England will publish net lending figures, by sector, once the extension element to scheme is in place from 2014.
Banks: Shareholdings
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to sell publicly owned shares in (1) Lloyds TSB, and (2) the Royal Bank of Scotland; and when they expect to announce that sale.[HL784]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government’s objective remains to sell its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) when it is right to do so.
The Government’s shareholdings in the banks are managed on a commercial and arm’s length basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI).
Children: Looked-after Children
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in reducing the number of looked-after children from London boroughs who are placed in East Kent.[HL780]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash): Children should only be placed out of the local authority responsible for their care when such a placement is in the child’s best interests and meets their identified needs.
The number of looked after children placed in out of area placements is published annually and figures for 31 March 2013 will be published in the autumn.
On 23 April 2013, we published the Report of the Expert Group on the quality of children’s homes, which includes the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group’s work on out of area placements, and announced our plans for reform.
These plans include a consultation later this month on making significant changes to regulations in respect of children placed in children’s homes. We are seeking to strengthen the regulations so that any decision to place a looked after child in a distant placement outside of the local authority responsible for their care can only be made by a senior official in consultation with the authority where they intend to place the child.
Furthermore, our plans for reform include a new duty on children’s homes to notify local authorities when children move in from other local authority areas and when they leave the home.
Communities: Community Tensions
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of civilian deaths, including those of children, in Palestine and Muslim countries on community tensions in the United Kingdom.[HL620]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Government regularly discusses a range of issues with diaspora communities and others with an interest in Muslim countries, including the impact of events in those countries on communities in the UK.
In terms of assessing impact on community tensions relating to events and incidents abroad, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Home Office also funds the National Community Tension Team (NCTT), part of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The NCTT collates and assesses local police community tension reporting, which includes tension generated by events abroad.
Crime: Perverting the Course of Justice
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many convictions for perverting the course of justice resulted in the imposition of (1) an immediate, and (2) a suspended, custodial sentence, in each of the last five years.[HL200]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The number of offenders found guilty and sentence at all courts for attempting to pervert the
course of justice broken down by sentence outcome, in England and Wales, from 2008 to 2012, can be viewed in the table.
| Offenders found guilty and sentence breakdown at all courts for attempting to pervert the course of justice (1), England and Wales, 2008 to 2012 (2) (3) | |||||
| Outcome | 2008 (4) | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
(1) An offence under Common Law of England and Wales – “Attempting to pervert the course of public justice - fabrication of false evidence; causing person to be wrongly convicted; interference with witness, etc”.
(2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
(3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
(4) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates’ court for April, July and August 2008.
(5) The number of offenders sentenced can differ from those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty in a particular year, and committed for sentence at the Crown Court, may be sentenced in the following year.
Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.
Egypt
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Newby on 3 June (HL205), what is their assessment of the human rights situation of the Copts in Egypt.[HL554]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We are concerned about the human rights situation and sectarian violence in Egypt.
In response to events of 7 April at the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), issued a statement, including our concerns about the safety and protection of religious buildings.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have stated clearly throughout events in Egypt since the revolution that freedom of religious belief needs to be protected and the ability to worship in peace is a vital component of a democratic society. Mr Burt discussed this issue with contacts in the Muslim Brotherhood several times this year. I attended the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on 6-7 February in Cairo and delivered a speech on the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief and tackling religious intolerance. We are also in regular contact with representatives of the Coptic Church and other religious groups. I discussed the issue of freedom of religion with Pope Tawadros II when I visited Cairo. We are in regular contact with the Egyptian authorities about the protection of minorities.
Embryology
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 3 June (WA 114) regarding the consultation on mitochondrial replacement by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), whether the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee will evaluate the practicality of somatic cell nuclear transfer being used to correct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and rescuing the metabolic function of pluripotent cells from existing patients with inherited mtDNA diseases; if so, when the HFEA intend to consult the general public on this matter; and why this was not previously considered. [HL634]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that its Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee considered a paper entitled “Update on alternate methods to derive embryonic stem cells and embryonic stem-like cells” at its most recent meeting on 12 June 2013, the papers for which are available on the HFEA’s website at:
The HFEA will be evaluating developments into somatic cell nuclear transfer and its use as an alternative to induced pluripotent stem cells.
The HFEA has also advised that it has no plans to consult the general public on the matter raised by the noble Lord.
EU: Budget
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what provisions the European Union Council of Ministers was able to decide by majority an increase of £770 million to the United Kingdom’s contribution to the European Union budget for 2013; and whether, and by what means, they will seek the agreement of the House of Commons to that increase.[HL690]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for all EU Annual Budget proposals, within Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) ceilings, to be agreed by Qualified Majority Voting. ECOFIN reached political agreement, through Qualified Majority, on an amendment of €7.3 billion to the General Budget 2013. This position will be formalised contingent on and, in parallel, with the conclusion of talks on the EU’s MFF for 2014-2020. The UK opposed the amendment.
The Government fulfilled its Parliamentary obligations by seeking the views of Parliament on DAB No 2 to the General Budget 2013 through the usual Parliamentary scrutiny process (submission to Scrutiny Committees in both Houses of Explanatory Memorandum on 23 April).
Financial Policy Committee
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any restrictions placed on the commercial employment in the financial sector of members of the Financial Policy Committee (FPC); and whether those members receive information via the FPC which is commercially sensitive.[HL809]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Before appointing a member of the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), the Chancellor considers whether a person has any interests, including from commercial employment, that could substantially restrict his/her ability to discharge the functions required of a member of the Committee. The commercially sensitive information seen by FPC members is also taken into consideration. The acceptability of particular appointments and interests is assessed on a case-by-case basis prior to appointment.
Fostering: Foster Parents
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the Staying Put: 18 Plus Family Placement Programme, whether they will consider extending the financial support given to foster parents to enable them to
foster young people beyond their 18th birthday to enable a more successful transition to further education, employment or adulthood generally.[HL781]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash): Local authorities should provide young people with placements that are safe and suitable and meet their individual needs. We recognise that for many young people, ‘staying put’ is the right option. That is why we revised the statutory guidance in April 2011 to encourage local authorities to provide this type of placement, including by providing financial support to foster carers.
My hon. Friend, the Children’s Minister Edward Timpson, wrote in October 2012 to all directors of children’s services asking them to prioritise ‘staying put’ arrangements. We have also recently issued practical guidance on tax and benefits issues for foster carers who wish for support young people in this way.
We are monitoring how many care leavers are on ‘staying put’ arrangements and the figures for April 2012- March 2013 will be published in the autumn. We hope to see progress made across the country.
Health: Cancer Drugs Fund
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessments they have undertaken of the changes in clinical involvement in decisions about the availability of cancer medicines since the introduction of the Cancer Drugs Fund.[HL862]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to continue from 2014 onward the principle of clinically-led decision-making that has been implemented through the Cancer Drugs Fund, if the current Cancer Drugs Fund arrangements are not retained.[HL863]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): NHS England has taken on responsibility for commissioning specialised services, including chemotherapy, and for the Cancer Drugs Fund.
Direct commissioning to a national specification informed by specialist clinical advice from specialised services Clinical Reference Groups should lead to improved consistency in the commissioning of, and access to, National Health Service chemotherapy services across England.
On establishing the single national Cancer Drugs Fund system, consideration was given by NHS England to how strong clinical involvement and clinical decision making would be retained. This has been achieved through the establishment of national and regional clinically-led panels.
NHS England has developed a single national list of cancer drugs that will be routinely funded through the Fund. This list is regularly reviewed by clinical experts, and clinicians can apply for the inclusion of a
drug within it. Regional clinically-led panels will continue to consider individual patient applications for those cancer drugs not on the national list.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether NHS England has plans to create a transition mechanism to ensure that all patients whose access to medicines is currently funded through the Cancer Drugs Fund will be able to continue to access those medicines after 2014.[HL899]
Earl Howe: We are committed to ensuring that arrangements are in place to protect individual patients receiving treatment through the Cancer Drugs Fund as the planned end of the Fund approaches.
Health: Ophthalmology
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cataract operations have been performed in NHS hospitals in each of the last five years.[HL733]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The following table shows the count of finished consultant episodes, with a cataracts procedure, for National Health Service and non-NHS providers between 2007-8 and 2011-12.
Where non-NHS providers are shown, this represents NHS commissioned activity undertaken by non-NHS providers.
Table: Count of finished consultant episodes1 (FCEs) with a cataracts procedure2, for NHS and non-NHS providers3, 2007-08 to 2011-12
| FCEs | ||
| Year | NHS | Non-NHS |
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre
1. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)
A finished consultant episode (FCE) is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year.
This involves a combination of diagnosis (ICD10) and procedure (OPCS) codes ICD10 codes in a primary or secondary position:
The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital
Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record.
or in a secondary position only:
H281 Cataract in other endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
H282 Cataract in other diseases classified elsewhere
OPCS codes in a primary or secondary position:
The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 4 prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a 'cataract operation' would tend to have at least two procedures — removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one — counted in a single episode.
C71.- Extracapsular extraction of lens
C72.- Intracapsular extraction of lens
C73.- Incision of capsule of lens
C74.- Other extraction of lens
C77.- Other operations on lens
This is determined by the provider code of the Organisation - those beginning with 8 or N are independent providers whereas others are NHS providers
4. Assessing growth through time (Inpatients)
HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.
Healthcare: Costs
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 20 May (WA 24–5), whether the French documentation in relation to the £196,692,000 sought and paid in 2011 for the actual healthcare costs incurred by United Kingdom pensioners living in France is itemised and includes the individual amount incurred by each pensioner; and, if not, how they check the accuracy of the total figure; whether they will seek individual accounts in future; and what are the average pensioner healthcare costs currently charged by (1) the United Kingdom, and (2) the Republic of Ireland for pensioners living in the other's country. [HL760]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): In accordance with European Union regulations, France provides the United Kingdom with a breakdown of the total number of individual claims for UK citizens, and the cost per claim. The UK
validates each claim from France against the registration of an S1 per individual. If a registration is not held the claim is rejected. The UK does not carry out an assessment of the breakdown of each individual claim. There are no plans to change this approach.
The latest published pensioner average cost for the UK is for 2010 and is £4,054.40. The latest published pensioner average cost for Ireland is for 2005 and is €7,483.51. Ireland’s average costs for 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been submitted to the European Commission for approval and are expected to be published shortly.
Housing: Lodgers
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the large number of spare bedrooms available, they have any plans to exempt from income tax payments from lodgers to individual householders for a limited period of time.[HL782]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government already supports those willing to rent out a spare bedroom in their home. Under the rent a room scheme, individuals can rent out a room in their main residence and receive up to £4,250 free of income tax.
Israel
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning its projected legislation to enable the forcible eviction of Bedouin from their lands. [HL621]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), visited the Negev in January 2012, where he heard from vulnerable Bedouin communities in unrecognized villages facing the threat of house demolitions and forced displacement. He raised our concerns with the then responsible Minister Benny Begin in several meetings. During his visit to Israel earlier this month, the Mr Burt discussed the proposed legislation with members of the Knesset Ahmed Tibi and Hanna Sweid. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv is also in regular contact with Bedouin leaders and activists and our Ambassador in Tel Aviv has discussed the proposed legislation with relevant Ministers and parliamentarians.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about the alleged destruction by settlers of land and olive trees belonging to the villages of Madama and Burin near Nablus.[HL715]
Baroness Warsi: We have serious concerns at the increase in violence by extremist Israeli settlers against ordinary Palestinians and Palestinian property. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has repeatedly raised our concerns about incidents of settler violence and intimidation, including the importance of bringing those responsible to justice and that the Israel security forces provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, with, among others, the Israeli Attorney General, Defence Minister and the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. In the last month 13 suspects of violence and so-called 'price tag attacks' (where settlers vandalise Palestinian property and mark it with graffiti) have been arrested by Israeli authorities and the Israeli government is taking steps to classify price tag attacks and settler violence as terrorism.
We note the particular sensitivities around olive trees given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers. Moreover, any actions taken by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be in compliance with Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Legal Aid
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed residence test for civil legal aid claimants on potential child victims of trafficking.[HL284]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): As part of our consultation “Transforming Legal aid: delivering a more credible and efficient system” we have published https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-an impact assessment which is available at communications/transforming-legal-aid.
The residence test proposal would mean that applicants for civil legal aid would need to be lawfully resident in the UK, Crown Dependencies or British Overseas Territories at the time they apply and for at least a 12 months continuous period in the past. We have proposed exceptions for asylum seekers and members of Her Majesty’s UK Armed Forces and their immediate families.
Where victims of trafficking were claiming asylum they would still be eligible for legal aid.
We are currently analysing responses and will ensure that we have fully assessed any risks or impacts our proposals may have before making a decision.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will be monitoring the impact on the working of the courts and tribunals as a result of the increasing numbers of unrepresented parties due to cuts in legal aid; and whether they will publish the results of any such monitoring.[HL562]
Lord McNally: The Ministry of Justice has established a Litigants in Programme Board which, as part of its responsibilities, monitors the impact of the legal aid changes in relation to litigants in person. The Board
includes members from Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Judicial Office and will be considering the impact of the changes on the effective running of the courts and tribunals.
In addition Ministers and Officials in the MoJ meet regularly with HMCTS and members of the Judiciary and will receive regular feedback on the impact of the changes.
NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many patient representatives have been recruited directly to Clinical Commissioning Group Health Boards. [HL858]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): A clinical commissioning group (CCG) must have at least two lay members on its governing body. One of these lay members will act as champion of patient and public involvement. Appointments to CCGs’ committees and sub-committees are set out in each CCG’s constitution. As these are local decisions, we are unable to confirm how many patient representatives have been appointed directly to each CCG’s governing body, committees or sub-committees.
The NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, also places strong duties on CCGs to ensure the involvement of patients and the public in the commissioning of services.
NHS: Websites
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government who (1) operates, (2) authors, and (3) is responsible for the content of the NHS website Map of Medicine.[HL857]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Map of Medicine Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. The Map of Medicine has been defined as a nationally mandated service by NHS England in its publication, Securing Excellence in GP IT Services.
The Map of Medicine national pathway is made available in a number of ways including the NHS Choices website.
Map of Medicine operates a quality assured editorial methodology for the creation and updating of its national pathways and referral templates. The operation of the NHS Choices website and the pages relating to Map of Medicine will be managed by The Health and Social Care Information Centre.
For national pathways, Map of Medicine is responsible for the content. If a local clinical commissioning group adapts the clinical flow of a pathway they assume responsibility, and any national accreditation of the content is removed. Each pathway shows clearly when the content has been locally developed.
Pensions
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support European Union proposals to limit bonuses and compensation paid to the investment managers of pension funds.[HL675]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The European Commission has not proposed to limit bonuses paid to the investment managers of pension funds. The European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee has voted for a limit, but it has yet to be confirmed in a plenary vote of the European Parliament.
The Government would not support such a measure. The Government supports the Commission’s goal of better aligning investor and fund manager interests and to tackle conflicts of interests without hampering the efficient operation of Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities funds. More intrusive and prescriptive requirements would run counter to this aim.
Schools: Nutrition
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to encourage more schools to participate in the British Nutrition Foundation’s Healthy Eating Week programme.[HL683]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash): The Department for Education does not promote the participation of schools in specific programmes of this nature. It is for individual schools to determine which programmes they wish to participate in, including those such as the British Nutrition Foundation’s Healthy Eating Week.
Independent reviewers, Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, have been preparing an action plan for school food. The School Food Plan will be published later this summer, and will set out what needs to be done to increase the number of children eating good food and promote a positive food culture in schools.
Schools: Secondary Schools
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the agreement of a city deal with Liverpool City Council, what progress has been made towards (1) the establishment of a Secondary School Investment Plan, and (2) construction of 12 new secondary schools in the City.[HL709]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The City Deal between Liverpool City and the Government includes a commitment to a school investment plan that will see 12 new build secondary schools. This will help to create a fit for purpose
schools estate and education system in Liverpool that will support its children and young people to exceed expectations and prepare them for the world of work.
The Government’s programme of City Deals seeks to foster local growth as well as empower our great cities through decentralisation. The school building programme is being led and delivered by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool’s school investment plan. The programme to deliver these twelve new school buildings between September 2013 and January 2016 is on track, with the first school, Notre Dame, scheduled to be formally opened later this year.
Syria
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they consider to be the key United Kingdom national interests in Syria.[HL711]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): It is in the UK’s national interest to promote an international system which maintains peace and stability, upholds international law and guarantees the basic rights of all human beings. The continuation of the crisis in Syria, which is now in its third year and according to the UN has already claimed over 93,000 lives, poses a direct challenge to that system. The conflict increasingly threatens the peace and stability of neighbouring countries and the wider region.
The way that the Assad regime has responded to the legitimate demands of the Syrian people has also undoubtedly contributed to radicalisation in Syria. The conflict is therefore creating opportunities for extremist groups, with Syria now being the number one destination for Jihadists anywhere in the world, including approximately 70 to 100 individuals connected to the UK. These individuals may return to the UK ideologically hardened and with experience of weapons and explosives. Therefore the longer the conflict continues, the greater this danger will become.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many United Kingdom nationals they estimate are currently in Syria.[HL712]
Baroness Warsi: 450 British nationals were registered as being in Syria in February 2012. We have not been able to update this figure since our Embassy in Damascus closed last year. Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice recommends against all travel to Syria and advises any British nationals in Syria to leave now by any practical means.
Taxation
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they consider to be the difference between a legal duty and a moral responsibility to pay taxes authorised by the House of Commons.[HL753]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government is committed to creating a clear and fair tax system for individuals and companies and it expects individuals to meet their obligations under this. The basic principles and objectives of the UK tax system and the intention of Parliament should be clear to everyone. Where the Government finds taxpayers purposefully misinterpreting tax law to gain an advantage that Parliament never intended, it takes strong action and has a clear legislative record in doing so.
Turkey
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the government of Turkey’s response to the recent demonstrations in Istanbul and other cities.[HL745]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): Our ambassador in Ankara issued a statement on 1 June, expressing concern at the violence, urging the authorities to exercise restraint, and encouraging them to respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly which are fundamental human rights in any democratic society.
Turkey is a democracy with multi-party elections whose government has been democratically elected. We welcome statements from the Turkish government apologising for the disproportionate use of force and recognising that some of the concerns raised by the protestors are legitimate. We hope the issues raised by the protestors are resolved through an inclusive process of constructive engagement and dialogue.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last met President Gul of Turkey; and what is their assessment of the outcome of that meeting.[HL746]
Baroness Warsi: The Deputy Prime Minister, my right honourable Friend the Member for Sheffield Hallam (Mr Clegg), last met President Gul on a visit to Turkey in October 2012.
They held a positive discussion on a number of bilateral issues including commercial engagement, Syria and Turkey’s commitment to EU accession and human rights reform. Mr Clegg also confirmed UK support to help manage refugee pressures on the Syria border and announced an extensive joint UK-Turkey training package aimed at training 360 lawyers on Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU acquis, which cover fundamental rights, and justice and home affairs.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they next intend to meet President Gul of Turkey; and what topics will be on the agenda.[HL747]
Baroness Warsi: The Government maintains a close relationship with the Turkish leadership, including Prime Minister Erdogan, President Gul and other Turkish Ministers. We hope to meet President Gill during the next senior ministerial visit to Turkey, if not before.
We would expect the meeting to cover a broad range of issues including commercial engagement and foreign policy co-operation, EU Accession and human rights.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when was the last occasion that they met the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu; and what is their assessment of the outcome of that meeting.[HL748]
Baroness Warsi: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), last met Ahmet Davutoglu on 7 May during the London Somalia conference. On that occasion, their discussion focused on Syria. They speak frequently, reflecting close UK/Turkey collaboration on a broad range of issues, including Somalia, Afghanistan, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, Cyprus and Turkey’s EU Accession process.
The Foreign Secretary discussed the recent demonstrations with Ahmet Davutoglu on 11 June as part of a broader discussion. He said he hoped the protests would be resolved peacefully. They also discussed recent developments in Syria.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the number of journalists currently imprisoned in Turkey.[HL749]
Baroness Warsi: The Government shares the concerns expressed by the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe and other partners about matters pertaining to freedom of expression in Turkey, including the arrest of journalists.
The Turkish government has however itself recognised the need for further reform and has adopted a series of reform packages introducing new regional courts, reducing blockages in the judicial system and amending anti terror laws. We welcome these concrete steps that will help to improve the outlook for freedom of expression in Turkey and will continue to support their reform agenda. We and our EU partners will also continue to raise freedom of expression and other freedoms as part of our wider dialogue on human rights issues.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have conducted a risk assessment of the safety of United Kingdom tourists in Turkey in the light of the current demonstrations in that country.[HL750]
Baroness Warsi: The Government frequently updates its travel advice for Turkey. In view of the current situation, we are monitoring our advice on a daily
basis. Our travel advice to British nationals is based on regular assessments of the risk to safety for British visitors and residents in Turkey. We are currently advising British nationals to avoid demonstrations. Staff across our Consular network in Turkey continue to monitor the situation closely.
We base our travel advice on information from a number of sources including local knowledge from our embassies abroad and in some cases information gathered by the intelligence services.
Young Offenders
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many foreign children and young people up to the age of 21 were accommodated in the youth secure estate over the past three years; and what nationalities those children and young people principally represented. [HL511]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): The youth secure estate comprises Secure Children’s Homes, Secure Training Centres and under 18 Young Offender Institutions. The youth secure estate accommodates young offenders aged 10-17 plus some 18 year olds who are near to the end of their sentence. Therefore there will be no foreign nationals aged 19-21 held within the youth secure estate. The Youth Justice Board collects information on the nationality of offenders accommodated within the youth secure estate for the last 12 months, but the data is not held centrally. In order to provide the information it would be necessary to manually examine approximately 3,500 records which could only be done at disproportionate cost.
Young Offenders: Searches
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times (1) unauthorised drugs, (2) knives, and (3) guns, were found on children subject to a full search in a secure establishment in each of the last five years.[HL599]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Tables 1-3 below show the number of times (1) unauthorised drugs, (2) knives and (3) guns were found on young people subject to a full search in a secure establishment in 2011/12 and 2012/13. Data collection on full searches began in 2011/12; therefore it is not possible to provide figures prior to this year. For public YOIs, the data are only available from May 2011 to September 2012.
Source: Monthly returns from the youth secure estate to the Youth Justice Board for England & Wales (YJB).
Source: Monthly returns from the youth secure estate to the Youth Justice Board for England & Wales (YJB).
Source: Monthly returns from the youth secure estate to the Youth Justice Board for England & Wales (YJB).
* For public YOIs, this data is only available from May 2011 to September 2012, from which point onwards only the number of full searches conducted is available.
The YJB does not collect data on a specific category for unauthorised drugs, so for the purposes of this parliamentary question, the categories of 'Drugs' and 'Unauthorised Medication' have been grouped together.
Young Offenders: Transport
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy regarding (1) the latest time at which children should arrive at secure establishments, and (2) the maximum period in which children can be held in cellular vehicles when being transported to secure establishments; and what sanctions are applied to escort providers who breach those policies.[HL598]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): (1) Young people should be transported to secure establishments as soon as possible following a court hearing. Escort providers are expected to take all reasonable steps to expedite the journeys of young people in order to reduce the likelihood of late arrivals at establishments. Some under-18 Young Offenders Institutions do have locally agreed latest reception times but no young people will be refused entry if they arrive after that specified time. Secure Training Centres and Secure Children’s Homes do not have latest reception times. (2) The length of time young people are held in cellular vehicles should be kept to the absolute minimum possible. There is no maximum period specified in which young people can be held in cellular vehicles. (3) There are financial implications for providers if conditions of contracts are breached which includes missing latest reception times.