Written Answers
Wednesday 24 July 2013
Apprenticeships
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 1 July 2013 were (1) under the age of 21, (2) aged between 21 and 25, and (3) aged over 25.[HL1560]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): On July 1 2013, of the apprentices employed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 6 were under the age of 2l, none were aged between 21 and 25 and 24 were over the age of 25.
Apprenticeships have since been offered to an additional 21 people between 21 and 60.
In September 2013 a further 6 apprentices under the age of 21 will join the Department and we expect at least another 6 apprentices in this age group to join BIS in the new year.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government as of 1 July 2013, how many apprentices under the age of 21 have been employed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for longer than (1) 12 months, and (2) 24 months.[HL1562]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: For the period 1 July 2011 to 1 July 2012 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills employed 1 apprentice under the age of 21. For the period 1 July 2009 up to 1 July 2011 there were no apprentices employed under the age of 21. There are currently 6 apprentices under the age of 21 working in the Department and from September 2013 this will rise to 12. We expect at least another 6 apprentices under the age of 21 to join the Department in the new year.
All apprenticeships offered by the Department are at least 12 months duration. All current and future apprentices outlined above will he employed for a minimum of 24 months by the end of their apprenticeship. Of these 15 are or will be permanent staff.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many apprentices employed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have, in the past 12 months, achieved apprenticeship qualifications; which qualifications they have achieved; and how old were the apprentices in question.[HL1563]
Viscount Younger of Leckie: In the past 12 months 2 apprentices, both aged 19, achieved their apprenticeship qualification. One of those was at level 3, the other
apprentice has since left the Department and we do not continue to hold this data.
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills has 49 apprentices currently working towards an apprenticeship qualification, 19 of these are just embarking on their apprenticeship. This figure will rise to 55 in September. 12 of these apprentices will he under 21. We expect at least another 6 apprentices under 21 to join the Department in the new year.
Asylum Seekers
Questions
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to review the restrictions on asylum applicants applying for jobs on the shortage occupation list.[HL1606]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Our position is unchanged since our previous answers to the noble Lord's questions on this topic. There are no plans to review the restrictions on asylum applicants applying for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List.
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 10 July (WA 44), whether they have any plans to review the restrictions on (1) active review applicants, (2) failed asylum seekers and (3) their dependants, applying for jobs on the shortage occupation list; whether they have conducted any research on whether asylum applicants or failed asylum seekers obtain jobs on the list after being granted permission to seek work; and, if so, what were the results of that research.[HL1615]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: There are no plans to review the restrictions on failed asylum seekers or their dependants applying for jobs on the Shortage Occupation List. Failed asylum seekers are only eligible to apply for permission to work if they have waited over twelve months for a decision on a further submissions application. Only main applicants are granted permission to work.
No research of the type described has been conducted.
Bank of England
Question
Asked by Lord Lamont of Lerwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Newby on 9 July (HL Deb, col 158) regarding the involvement of the Government in decisions to increase the Bank of England's asset purchase scheme, how that answer is consistent with the letter from the Governor of the Bank of England on 5 July 2012 requesting an increase from £325 billion to £375 billion in its programme of asset purchases.[HL1511]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Quantitative easing (QE), or asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves, is implemented via the Asset Purchase Facility (APF), a subsidiary company of the Bank of England established in January 2009. QE was authorised in March 2009 by the then Chancellor in a published exchange of letters with the Governor of the Bank of England.
Decisions on the scale and speed of QE are those of the independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which has operational responsibility for monetary policy as set out in the Bank of England Act 1998. QE is an additional policy tool to Bank Rate in order to enable the MPC to meet the inflation target in the medium term.
Given that HM Treasury indemnifies the Bank for any losses it makes arising out of the use of the APF, the Chancellor authorises, at the MPC's request, changes in the maximum amount of assets that can be purchased.
The MPC voted for an increase in asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves at its July 2012 meeting to a total of £375bn.
The Chancellor authorised the MPC to increase the ceiling on the scale of asset purchases through the APF to £375bn, in a letter to the Governor in July 2012. The Chancellor's letter made clear, that monetary policy continues to have a critical role in supporting the economy as the Government delivers on its commitment to fiscal consolidation and that it remains the primary tool for responding to changes in the economic outlook.
Broadcasting: S4/C
Question
Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consult as to the best way of providing financial support for S4/C when the present arrangements come to an end.[HL1498]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It was announced as part of the Spending Review settlement that S4C funding from the Government in 2015/16 will be maintained at 2014/15 levels. BBC funding for S4C to 2016-17 is set out in the BBC-S4C operating agreement available at: http://www.s4c.co.uk/production/downloads/e_cytundeb-gweithredu-s4c-bbc.pdf
As part of the BBC Charter Review process and the next licence fee settlement, the Government intends to look at minority language broadcasting more broadly, and the funding necessary to support that.
Children and Families Bill
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any estimates of any additional costs to public funds or to local authorities of implementing the provisions (as drafted) set out in (1) Part 1, (2) Part 2, (3) Part 3, and (4) Part 4, of the Children and Families Bill; and what, if any, are the additional costs estimated in each case.[HL1556]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much Government funding is provided annually in respect of (1) adoption, (2) special educational needs, and (3) childminder agencies.[HL1557]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of local authority funding provided annually in respect of (1) adoption, (2) family justice, (3) special educational needs, and (4) childminder agencies.[HL1559]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash): Parts 1 to 4 of the Children and Families Bill are intended to make adoption services, Special Education Needs (SEN) provision and the Family Justice System work more efficiently and effectively to support children, and to improve the quality and affordability of childcare. They will underpin the wider, on-going, reform programmes in these areas which are designed to be delivered within available resources.
The Department conducted a range of assessments on the impact and estimated costs and savings of the reforms in the Children and Families Bill, published as evidence packs in March 2013. These have been placed in the House Library and can be viewed from the following links:
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/a/adoption%20-%20evidence%20of%20impact.pdf
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/f/family%20justice%20-%20evidence%20of%20impact1.pdf
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/s/sen%20evidence%20pack.pdf
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/c/childcare%20-%20evidence%20of%20impact.pdf
While there are transitional costs associated with the adoption and SEN reforms, additional to mainstream school and local authority funding, these costs are expected to taper as savings are realised through embedding the reforms. Funding for these additional costs has been provided in the current financial year. The amount for each area, set out below, reflects the governments assessment of the funding needed to support the transition:
For adoption (part 1) we have provided £150m to local authorities and over £4m to voluntary and community sector organisations to improve adoption services and address the shortage of adopters
For family justice (part 2) we do not expect the legislative changes to lead to any additional public expenditure. There may be some small familiarisation and administrative costs for local authorities, which will be met from within existing budgets.
For SEN (part three) we are providing around £43m additional funding this year to support implementation. This includes funding to local authorities, voluntary and community sector organisations and for workforce development through the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
In relation to part 4 of the Bill (childcare), we estimate that there will be a cost to Ofsted to change their registration system to account for childminder agencies and we are currently working with Ofsted to quantify this. We expect these agencies to be self-funding and independent of Government.
The other childcare provisions of the Bill carry no additional cost implications for public funds or local authorities. Clause 78, in Part 4, provides paving legislation to enable design of the proposed tax-free childcare scheme; any changes required in primary legislation on this matter will be subject to appropriate scrutiny in due course.
For all parts of the Bill, new burdens arrangements will be agreed in relation to all the specific legislative provisions in preparation for the measures becoming law.
Local authorities receive mainstream funding for children’s services, which they are free to allocate in accordance with local needs and priorities, as well as the dedicated schools grant which supports a wide range of education provision, including those for special educational needs.
Children: Sexual Exploitation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 15 July (WA 80–1), when they expect to ratify the Lanzarote Convention Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children.[HL1680]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Until the work to assess the practical arrangements is complete, it will not be possible to confirm the timescales for ratification. That work remains ongoing.
Civil Service: Bonuses
Question
Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether bonuses to civil servants and Government-sponsored organisations require the consent of HM Treasury; and, if so, in how many instances such bonuses have been agreed to or refused in the last three years.[HL1496]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Since 1 April 2013, the Chief Secretary must sign-off on all bonus arrangements in central government over £17,500. Previously, the threshold had been £50,000.
Since May 2010, fourteen bonuses have been approved by the Chief Secretary and four have been rejected.
Claims Management Companies
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are monitoring the activities of claims management companies in attracting tenants to make complaints about tenancy deposit holders; and whether any of those companies operate on a no-win no-fee basis. [HL1677]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): We do not monitor the activities of claims management companies in attracting tenants to make complaints about tenancy deposit holders.
Debt
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was their objective for the reduction of the fiscal deficit in May 2010; what assessment they have made of whether that target has been achieved; and what is their current objective.[HL1729]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was their objective for the reduction of debt as a proportion of gross domestic product in May 2010; what assessment they have made of whether that target has been achieved; and what is their current objective. [HL1730]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government's fiscal strategy, announced at June Budget 2010 with a scope for the duration of this Parliament, is underpinned by a forward-looking fiscal mandate to achieve a cyclically-adjusted current balance by the end of a rolling, five-year forecast period.
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2013 Economic and fiscal outlook (EFO) concluded that the Government remains on course to meet the fiscal mandate a year early, in 2016-17. The fiscal mandate also includes a supplementary debt target for public sector net debt as a percentage of GDP to be falling at a fixed date of 2015-16.
In the context of a more challenging economic environment, as highlighted in the March 2013 EFO, public sector net debt, as a percentage of GDP, will be falling in 2017-18, two years later than set out in the debt target. The Government's judgement is that significant changes to the path of consolidation in the short term would constrain the operation of the automatic stabilisers, limiting their ability to support the economy. This approach has been supported by international organisations.
Devolution: Wales
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to follow the Silk Commission recommendation that responsibility for Stamp Duty Land Tax should be devolved to the National Assembly for Wales. [HL1704]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson): I refer the Noble Lord to the written ministerial statement made by my Noble Friend the Commercial Secretary to the Treasury on 17 July, Official Report, Columns WS110 & WS111.
Economy
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the balance of the economy has changed since May 2010; and which individual sectors have seen the largest and smallest growth.[HL1702]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Information on the main output categories of the UK economy and the change in output from the second quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013 is available in Table A4 of the Office for National Statistics' United Kingdom Economic Accounts1, set out below.
| Industry | Weight in gross domestic product, parts per thousand | Change from 2010 Q2 to 2013 Ql, per cent |
|
Water Supply; Sewerage, Waste Management and Remediation Activities | ||
http://www.ons.gov.uldons/publications/all-releases.html? definition=tcm%3A77-23405
Egypt
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the International Young Democrat Union in July on recent political developments in Egypt.[HL1585]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We share the International Young Democrat Union’s concerns about recent developments
in Egypt. In a statement on 8 July, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), stated that a swift return to democratic processes in Egypt was crucial. We urge all parties in Egypt to work together to agree a constitution and bring about elections that can be freely contested by all as soon as possible, and bring about a return to a civilian government.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Derby
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prospects for political reconciliation in Egypt.[HL1611]
Baroness Warsi: We are in contact with all sides in Egypt, and have urged all to resolve their differences through dialogue, and avoid violence. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), was in regular contact with former Foreign Minister Amr, most recently on 8 July to discuss the situation in Egypt. We have requested contact with the new interim government and continue to be in contact with the army and Muslim Brotherhood. It is important that Egypt makes an early return to democratic processes, including free and fair elections, and that those processes are inclusive.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the number of killings of Coptic Christian priests and worshippers since President Morsi was removed from office in Egypt.[HL1693]
Baroness Warsi: We are aware of incidents of sectarian violence in Luxor, Cairo and the Sinai peninsula, which have resulted in the deaths of several Christians including one Coptic priest. We are concerned about the apparent increase in sectarian incidents and continue to encourage the Egyptian authorities to tackle this issue. On 8 July, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement condemning the recent upsurge in violence in Egypt. We are in contact with all sides in Egypt, and have urged all to resolve their differences through dialogue, and avoid violence.
Employment: Job Creation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which sectors of the United Kingdom economy have seen the most job creation since May 2010.[HL1855]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to the Earl of Courtown, dated July 2013.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the sectors of the United Kingdom economy that have seen the most job creation since May 2010 (HL1855).
The ONS does not directly provide estimates for the number of jobs created, only the net change in total jobs. These figures are produced from the ONS’ Workforce jobs series.
The attached table contains seasonally adjusted estimates for the number of Workforce Jobs by sector at June 2010 and March 2013 (the latest available period) and the net change between these two periods. The sectors are displayed in descending order of the net change in jobs over this period. Workforce Jobs is a composite measure that includes employee jobs, self-employed jobs, HM Forces and government-supported trainees.
| United Kingdom | |||
| Workforce Jobs by sector | |||
| Seasonally adjusted (thousands) | |||
| Industry | June 2010 | March 2013 | Net Change |
|
Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | |||
Workforce jobs enquiries 01633 455717
Source:
Labour Market Division, ONS
EU: Roma Integration
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken since May 2012 to implement the measures in the European Union National Roma Integration Strategy which were assessed by the European Commission as not having been met to a minimum standard.[HL1811]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): European Union Member States adopted Council Conclusions on Roma integration in May 2011, in which they made commitments to advance the integration of Roma (including Gypsies and Travellers) either through national strategies or through wider social inclusion policies.
Her Majesty's Government is advancing Roma integration through wider social inclusion policies, including through the Ministerial Working Group on Tackling Inequalities Experienced by Gypsies and Travellers. The Working Group published a report in April 2012 which includes 28 commitments to help mainstream services support Gypsies and Travellers. The report also outlined that the Government intends to produce a further report once we have had the opportunity to fully assess progress in delivering those commitments.
Gambling: Spread Betting
Question
Asked by Lord Stevenson of Balmacara
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with (1) the Gambling Commission, and (2) the Financial Conduct Agency, about the regulation of spread betting on sporting events; whether they have any plans to introduce appropriate regulation; and, if so, what.[HL1470]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Spread betting on sporting events is already a regulated activity, within the meaning of section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and as such is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Ministerial colleagues regularly discuss a range of matters with the Gambling Commission.
Gulf States
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Derby
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any financial relationship between the Gulf States and salafist movements in the middle east and north Africa.[HL1612]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The volatile situation in the Middle East affects both the UK and our partners in the Gulf. We are engaging with regional governments to ensure any aid and assistance is used in an appropriate manner. We recognise that various movements in the Middle East look to the Gulf for funding, but our relationship with the Gulf States is such that if we have concerns in these areas we are able to discuss them.
Health: Cancer Drugs Fund
Question
Asked by Lord Walton of Detchant
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that patients newly diagnosed with cancer after 1 April 2014 will receive appropriate treatment when funding through the Cancer Drugs Fund ends on 31 March.[HL1705]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): In the context of developing new pricing arrangements for branded medicines, we are exploring ways in which new patients can continue to benefit from innovative cancer drugs at a cost that represents value to the National Health Service.
Human Rights
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of fines and compensation awarded by the European Court of Human Rights against (1) Russia, and (2) Turkey, have so far been paid.[HL1682]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The latest figures on payments made in relation to judgments against the Russian Federation and Turkey are available in the 6th Annual
Report of the Committee of Ministers on the Supervision of the Execution of Judgments and Decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. The Annual Report is available online at: www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/execution/Source/Publications/CM_annreport2012_en.pdf
The table on Page 59 of the Annual Report shows that during 2011 and 2012, the Court awarded just satisfaction against Turkey in 744 cases. As of 31 December 2012, Turkey had made payments in respect of 416 of these cases.
The same table shows that shows that during 2011 and 2012, the Court had awarded just satisfaction against the Russian Federation in 617 cases. As of 31 December 2012, the Russian Federation had made payments in 337 of these cases.
Figures for the years 2007-2010 are available in the relevant Annual Reports. These are available online at:
www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/execution/Documents/Publications_en.asp
Human Trafficking
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the report Threat Assessment of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, published on 2 July by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), does not consider trafficking of children from abroad for sexual exploitation; and whether that will be the subject of a separate CEOP report.[HL1549]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): All forms of child trafficking are unacceptable. The reasons for trafficking vary and include sexual exploitation but also organised crime, domestic servitude, and faith-based abuse. The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) has national responsibility for child trafficking and works closely with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) to share data and co-ordinate the support both provide to UK law enforcement.
The UKHTC is currently compiling the 2012 Strategic Threat Assessment for human trafficking, including child trafficking which, when published, will be available on the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) website.
The CEOP Threat Assessment outlines the four key threats under consideration by CEOP. While that does not address all aspects of threat to children, CEOP remains involved in working with others to tackle the trafficking of children for sexual abuse.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what mechanisms are made available to individual police forces by (1) the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, and (2) the Serious Organised Crime Agency, to inform them of child trafficking trends as they emerge.[HL1550]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) in the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) published a baseline assessment in 2011 on Human Trafficking including child trafficking.
Submissions were received from all UK police forces, as well as other law enforcement agencies, local authorities and selected Non Governmental organisations and fed into this assessment. This assessment is available on the SOCA website. The same process has been repeated for 2012 and that assessment is currently being drafted and when published will also be available on the SOCA website.
Throughout the year police forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as other organisations including local authorities and NGOs submit intelligence directly to the UKHTC. In addition police forces have now started to place intelligence on the Police National Database for which UKHTC has access.
Police forces also contact the UKHTC through its 24/7 Tactical Advice facility.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the local authority pilot project of the London Safeguarding Trafficked Children guidance and toolkit of February 2011 involving the councils of Camden, Croydon, Glasgow, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kent, Manchester, Slough, Solihull and Southwark; and whether they have published any such assessment of this initiative. [HL1552]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Government have not conducted an assessment of the London Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) Safeguarding Trafficked Children guidance and toolkit. However, I am aware that the LSCB Trafficking sub-group who prepared and published the guidance and toolkit, conducted an internal snapshot survey in Spring 2012, which focused on use of the toolkit by London boroughs. The headline findings were referenced in the Centre for Social Justice Report It Happens Here' published in March 2013.
Following the survey the London Board plan to stage a number of events this financial year to refresh and heighten awareness of the guidance and toolkit across London and nationally.
In the meantime, the Government continue to take every opportunity to actively promote the London Safeguarding Board Trafficking toolkit.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) statistics on the number of positive conclusions for Nigerian children compared to referrals from other countries of origin; and whether there are separate criteria for decision-making when making an NRM decision relating to a child victim from Nigeria.[HL1564]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) statistics on the number of positive conclusions for United Kingdom children compared to referrals from other countries of origin; and whether there are separate criteria for decision-making when making an NRM decision relating to a child victim from the United Kingdom.[HL1565]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The criteria for National Referral Mechanism (NRM) decision making is the same for all cases regardless of age, gender or nationality. NRM decisions are made following a consideration of the facts in an individual case. This may include where and how the victim was identified, when the exploitation occurred and where the victim was located. As the circumstance of each case will be unique a comparative assessment of differences between different nationality groups would be of limited value.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any statistics have been collected or analysis conducted by the UK Human Trafficking Centre or the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre of persons who entered the United Kingdom and were exploited as children but were only identified and referred to the National Referral Mechanism as adults. [HL1566]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) records potential victims who were trafficked as children but where the referral took place once they were an adult. Data from the NRM is published on the UK Human Trafficking Centre website:
http://www.soca.gov.uk/about-soca/about-the-ukhtc/national-referral-mechanism/statistics.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the National Referral Mechanism categorises forced labour and domestic servitude as two separate statistics in relation to child trafficking.[HL1567]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) breaks down exploitation types for both adults and children under four categories - Sexual, Labour, Domestic Servitude and Trafficked for Organ Harvest.
The NRM was established as part of the UKs implementation of the European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings. The categories of exploitation are consistent with, and reflect, our obligations under the Convention.
Immigration
Questions
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to enforce proposed legislation that will require landlords to conduct immigration checks on tenants.[HL1546]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): The Home Office would enforce the proposed legislation in the course of its normal operations against illegal immigration. Where an illegal immigrant is encountered renting a residential property, the accommodation provider will be asked to prove that they have conducted any checks
prescribed by law. Penalties would be served on non-compliant landlords who would be able to raise an objection. Where a decision to impose a penalty is maintained, the landlord would have a right of appeal through the courts.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Intra-Company Transfer workers and their dependants
came to the United Kingdom last year; and how many are currently present in the United Kingdom. [HL1666]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The latest available information for passenger arrivals for Intra-Company Transfer workers is given in the table below. The available information does not separately identify Intra-Company Transfer workers' dependants. Corresponding information for 03 (July-September) 2012 and Q4 (October-December) 2012 is planned to be published on 29 August 2013.
| Skilled work (Tier 2) passenger arrivals (1)(2) | |||||||
| Number of journeys | |||||||
| Type of applicant | Category | 2011 Q1 | 2011 Q2 | 2011 Q3 | 2011 Q4 | 2012 Q1 | 2012 Q2 |
Notes
(1) Passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom, excluding EEA and Swiss nationals
(2) Data may not sum to totals due to rounding
Source:
Immigration Statistics January-March, table ad_02_q
Information is not available on the numbers of Intra-Company Transfer workers who are currently in the UK.
The latest Home Office immigration statistics on passenger arrivals are published in the release Immigration Statistics January-March, which is available from the Library of the House and on the Department's website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2013
Immigration: Children
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what procedures are in place to review immigration cases where parents are detained apart from their children and to ensure that the children’s health and well-being are fully taken into account.[HL1607]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Separation of children under the age of 18 from parents most often occurs where the parent in question is a foreign national offender who is detained pending deportation or removal from the UK at the end of a prison sentence. When deciding whether to detain parents in such circumstances, consideration must take account of the best interests of the child and how their parent's continued detention beyond their prison sentence may impact on them, striking a careful balance between the welfare of the child and the risk of harm posed to the public by the parent. The same considerations apply to the regular reviews of detention carried out in each case should detention be authorised. This is in line with the statutory duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the UK.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they take to ensure that Home Office staff always complete a Family Welfare Form when parents are separated from their children by immigration detention.[HL1608]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: There are internal Home Office quality assurance procedures in place which ensure that the family welfare form is opened when a family enters the family returns process and is updated fully following every interaction with the family. A child will not be separated from their parent(s) without a completed family welfare form first being quality assured by an assistant director and then presented to the independent family returns panel for advice.
Immigration: Detention
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the recent Medical Justice report Expecting Change: The case for ending the detention of pregnant women; and whether they will amend current legislation so that pregnant women cannot be detained for immigration purposes. [HL1545]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): Pregnant women are not normally detained except where their removal from the United Kingdom is imminent and medical advice does not suggest confinement before their removal date. Women who are less than 24 weeks pregnant may also be detained as part of the fast-track asylum process. All detainees have access to free on-site primary healthcare provision broadly equivalent to that available from NHS GPs in the community and pregnant women also have ready access to midwifery and ante-natal services.
The Home Office does not accept the conclusions in the recent Medical Justice report, not least because the report is based on a small sample of women over a period of more than three years.
There are no plans to change the current policy on detention of pregnant women.
Internet: Pornography
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence on the list of top websites accessed from the United Kingdom produced by Alexa of non-United Kingdom websites offering explicit hardcore pornography freely accessible to children.[HL1514]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: HMG is working closely with industry to ensure that as far as possible, children will be unable to access or accidentally view this type of material. We are working with the main public Wi-Fi providers, so that from the end of the year those who do not already, will offer family-friendly Wi-Fi in public places, where children may be present. All the main ISPs currently offer free parental control tools to all customers – new and existing - but since the end of 2012 all new customers face an unavoidable choice about whether or not to set up filters. All the main providers by the end of 2013 will implement ‘whole-home’ / network-level filtering (which covers every device in the home). If people choose not to engage with the set-up steps (for example, if they just repeatedly click ‘yes’ to get through set-up quickly) then that would lead to protection being on rather than off. Closed loop age verification will ensure that people are informed if their parental controls settings have been changed.
Israel and Palestine
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed with the government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and related third parties, the case for avoiding provocative behaviour during Ramadan.[HL1610]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We consistently call on the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to refrain from making provocative actions which might endanger the prospects for a negotiated two state solution.
We welcome Israeli steps to ease certain restrictions on Palestinians' freedom of movement during Ramadan. We also note that the Israeli authorities have issued instructions to Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers in the West Bank to “demonstrate a high level of respect and understanding” during Ramadan, for example to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public, particularly at the security crossings.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the government of Israel on the rights of mixed-residency-status couples in East Jerusalem.[HL1673]
Baroness Warsi: Whilst Israeli nationality law and immigration into Israel are primarily matters for the Israeli government and parliament, we have concerns about the implications of the Nationality and Entry into Israel law for the families of Arab Israelis, and particularly, Palestinian permanent residents in East Jerusalem who have married, or wish to marry, Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza. In many cases the law has made it difficult or impossible for Palestinians to get permission to join their spouses or parents in East Jerusalem, which we regard as occupied territory. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raise these and related concerns with the Israeli authorities.
Israel and Palestine: West Bank
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have been held with European partners concerning the political and social separation of East Jerusalem from the West Bank and whether there are plans to reverse that separation, in line with the recent Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report.[HL1672]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The UK has a longstanding position on Jerusalem: we consider East Jerusalem to be occupied territory and are clear that a solution to Jerusalem must be sought as a negotiated settlement, enabling Jerusalem to be a shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states. We have serious concerns about Israeli actions which separate East Jerusalem from the West Bank, including the route of the separation barrier, construction of illegal settlements, removal of residency rights and severe difficulties of access to Jerusalem for Palestinians from the West Bank or those residents of Jerusalem who live beyond the Separation Barrier. These actions have a significant economic, political, and social impact
on Palestinians, are in many cases contrary to International Humanitarian Law and undermine the viability of the two state solution.
We regularly discuss these concerns with EU partners both in Brussels and Jerusalem. The Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of May 2012 reiterated the EU’s deep concern about developments in East Jerusalem. We will continue to make clear these concerns to the Israel authorities and the Municipality of Jerusalem, both bilaterally and in co-operation with our EU partners.
Lebanon
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to build the resilience of the Lebanese army to respond to the security situation on its border with Syria.[HL1648]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The UK is providing an additional £10 million of assistance to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in their mission to secure Lebanon's border with Syria. The package of non-lethal assistance includes mobility, communications, protection and observation equipment and associated training. The package was discussed by the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, with the LAF commander during his visit to Lebanon on 4-5 July.
Luxembourg Compromise
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the present status of the Luxembourg Compromise; how many times it has been invoked, and to what effect; and whether they intend to use it in relation to proposals affecting the United Kingdom's financial services industry.[HL1518]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Luxembourg Compromise is a convention which has not been formalised and the procedure for invoking it is not defined.
The Government has always led the case for a competitive and stable UK financial services sector and believes that the prosperity of the City is in the interests of the UK and the EU. The Government will use the relevant negotiating and legal framework to protect the interests of the UK financial services sector.
NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups
Question
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they have provided to local health authorities regarding the consideration of local demand when planning provision of services.[HL1643]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): From April 2013, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) assumed statutory responsibility for commissioning the majority of healthcare services. It is the responsibility of NHS England to support CCGs and to ensure that these statutory duties are being met.
To support CCGs in developing their commissioning plans NHS England published Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients 2013/14, planning framework for 2013-14, and Supporting Planning 2013114 for Clinical Commissioning Groups. Copies have been placed in the Library.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered taking steps to enable the creation of an official opposition within the Northern Ireland Assembly.[HL1635]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson): The Government has been clear that we think there would be benefits in the Assembly moving to a system which permitted a more normal system which included a formal Opposition. In August 2012, we asked for views on how this might be achieved in the Consultation on Measures to Improve the Operation of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Responses to that consultation demonstrate that no consensus on major changes to the current system exists at this time.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has within its remit the ability to provide for some elements of an opposition, for example in relation to speaking rights and funding.
Northern Ireland Parades Commission
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of all communication between the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Parades Commission. [HL1576]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson): Disproportionate cost would be incurred in collating all such correspondence and considering it for release.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission for each financial year since it was established.[HL1577]
Baroness Randerson: The Parades Commission for Northern Ireland operates independently of Government and, as legislated for in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998, is responsible for producing its own Annual Report and Accounts. The Noble Lord may wish to write to the Commission directly on this matter.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which parades monitors have worked for the Northern Ireland Parades Commission since its formation; whether they will place reports on every parade in the Library of the House; and whether this information is available to the general public through the Freedom of Information Act 2000.[HL1578]
Baroness Randerson: The Parades Commission for Northern Ireland operates independently of Government. The Noble Lord may wish to write to the Commission directly on these matters.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance exists about the current or former political activity of members of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission; and what is the extent of the previous political activity of its present chairman.[HL1637]
Baroness Randerson: Appointments to the Parades Commission are made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. Information relating to a successful candidates political activity is published with the announcement of their appointment. A copy of the press release issued at the time of appointment of the present chairman is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/paterson-appoints-new-parades-commission.
Commissioners are not expected to occupy paid party political posts or hold particularly sensitive or high roles in a political party, and are expected to register any potential conflicts of interest on the Parades Commission register of interests.
Commissioners are expected to inform the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if they intend to accept a prominent position in any political party and should they register as a prospective Parliamentary or Assembly candidate would be expected to immediately tender their resignation.
The Secretary of State has not been made aware of any current political activity by any of the current members of the Commission.
Phone Helplines
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will reconsider the use of premium-rate phone charges for government helplines.[HL1810]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The National Audit Office recently issued their report on ‘Charges for customer telephone lines’, and we are examining their recommendations.
The overall direction of this government is to reduce the level of telephony as a channel for citizens communicating and transacting with Government. The Government Digital Strategy sets out how government will re-design its digital services to make them so straightforward
and convenient that all those who can use them will choose to do so, whilst assisted digital support is being developed so that those who cannot are not excluded, protecting vulnerable groups in particular. By implication, then, the use of call centres and telephones will diminish over time, alongside the issue of charging.
In the past, Government has not been joined up in reviewing the use of paid-for numbers, so a more coordinated approach is required. Where possible, we should negotiate the best deal for the taxpayer. Government’s Crown Representatives have already helped use our unique buying power to negotiate over £800m of savings last year alone. We are always looking for opportunities to achieve more.
Hard-working families would expect us to address the issues raised by the NAO in their report, and we will do so.
Police: Northern Ireland
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many police officers were required from Great Britain to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland during the events around 12 July.[HL1636]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson): Over the 12th July period there were just under 1,000 mutual aid officers deployed in Northern Ireland.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the police officers from Great Britain sent to Belfast in July to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland were instructed (1) to stop an Orange Order walk along main roads past shops, or (2) to stop an Orange Order walk entering residential Republican streets.[HL1639]
Baroness Randerson: The deployment of mutual aid officers including policing tactics and instructions issued is an operational matter for the Chief Constable.
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications there have been for the Secretary of State to disregard a conviction under the terms of section 92 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012; how many of those applications have been successful; and what was the estimated total cost of processing those applications.[HL1752]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): To date the Home Office has received 118 applications to have a conviction or caution disregarded under the provisions of s.92 Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, of which 32 applications
have been granted. It is not possible to estimate the cost of processing these applications as the work has been absorbed within existing departmental resources.
Public Bodies
Question
Asked by Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top
To ask Her Majesty’s Government to which public bodies the Department for Work and Pensions has appointed a chairperson since May 2010; and who was appointed in each case.[HL1798]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): DWP has appointed chairs to the public bodies listed below since May 2010:
Equality 2025 - Rachel Perkins BSc, MPhil, PhD, OBENational Employment Savings Trust Corporation – Lawrence Churchill CBEPension Protection Fund - Lady Judge CBE Social Security Advisory Committee – Deep Sagar (resigned)Social Security Advisory Committee - Paul Gray CBThe Pensions Regulator - Michael O'Higgins
In addition, since May 2010, the following chair reappointments have been made:
Health and Safety Executive - Judith Hackitt CBEIndustrial Injuries Advisory Council - Professor Keith PalmerIndependent Living Fund - Stephen JackRemploy Ltd - Ian Russell CBE The Pensions Advisory Service - Partha Dasgupta
Tony King was reappointed as Pensions Ombudsman and Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman.
This response does not include any appointments relating to the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) or Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board (DLAAB). CMEC functions moved to DWP on 1 August 2012 and DLAAB was abolished on 7 February 2013.
Somalia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any measures are in hand to cancel the sovereign debt of Somalia; and, if so, when they will take effect. [HL1683]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Somalia is eligible for debt relief under the internationally agreed Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative. Multilateral discussions on the timing and process for providing debt relief under HIPC take place at the Paris Club.
As the Paris Club operates on the basis of consensus and confidentiality, the Government does not provide information on discussions held.
Under the UK's presidency of the G8 this year, leaders of the G8 countries expressed support for the Somali Government's efforts to re-engage with the international financial institutions. These efforts represent an important step towards potential future debt relief.
Sport: Young People
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of any reduction in local authorities' expenditure on sports facilities and playing fields on opportunities for young people's participation in sport, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.[HL1645]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The latest Active People Survey figures, published in June, show that, during the period April 2012 to April 2013, 15.3 million people, aged 16 and over, are playing sport at least once a week, an increase of 1.4 million more than when London won the Olympic and Paralympic bid.
This includes 3.856 million 16-25 year olds and it is encouraging that this age group is showing signs of growth.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of participation by children and families on low incomes in sport where full cost charges for use of facilities are required by providers, and of the implications for their health, fitness, access to competitive and team sports and their well-being.[HL1646]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Local clubs and local authorities set the prices for their services. Many offer concessions for families, children and older people and those on lower incomes.
Sport England measures sports participation from 16 years across National Statistics Socio-economic Classifications. It is derived by combining information on occupation and employment status. Sport England provides an assessment of each local authority area; local sport profiles include demographic data; health data; sports participation; facilities data with regional and national comparators. http://www.sportengland .org/our-work/local-work/local-government/local-sport-profile/
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the post-Olympic legacy with regard to access to sport for young people, and participation rates; and who are the beneficiaries of any on-going investment to achieve increased participation in sport.[HL1647]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Over £1 billion is being invested into youth and community sport helping to ensure the lasting legacy of the London 2012 Games and providing all young people the chance to begin a lifetime’s habit of playing sport. The latest Active People figures show the number of young people aged between 16 and 25 playing sport regularly has reached 3.86 million. A significant proportion of the £493m investment in the National Governing Bodies of Sport will focus on providing opportunities for young people to participate in sport with the addition of £150m per annum going to improve sport provision in primary schools.
Sri Lanka
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations about human rights in Sri Lanka they intend to make to the government of Sri Lanka during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo.[HL1614]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The British Government regularly raise concerns about lack of progress on post-conflict reconciliation, accountability and the current human rights situation with the Government of Sri Lanka. We have ongoing human rights concerns about Sri Lanka, including on freedom of opinion and expression, and judicial independence. Our up to date assessment is available online as a ‘Country Update’ to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Human Rights Report for 2012. This can be found online at: www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk.
We have been clear with the Sri Lankan government that we expect to see concrete progress on human rights, reconciliation, free, fair and peaceful Northern Provincial Council elections in September and that media and civil society have access and freedom of movement to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
We believe that CHOGM will either highlight Sri Lanka’s progress and respect for Commonwealth values, or draw attention to the absence of such progress. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), will certainly take the opportunity to press UK concerns on Sri Lanka in line with our assessment of the situation on the ground in November.
Syria
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Wakefield
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Ahmad Jarba, head of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and
Opposition Forces, the newly elected President of the Syrian National Coalition, regarding the development of a free, democratic and pluralist Syria that defends the rights of all Syrians.[HL1649]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): Following the election of Coalition President, Ahmad al-Jarba on 6 July and the expansion in parallel of the National Coalition, the UK Special Representative to the Syrian Opposition, Jon Wilks, met the new leadership on 8 July in Istanbul. The meeting took place in the company of representatives of other countries closely supporting the Coalition. Together with the other representatives, Jon Wilks impressed on the new leadership the importance of reaching out to all Syrians over the challenge of creating a new, democratic and free Syria. The Coalition made clear that they represented a new team, which would be more open, focussed and inclusive.
UK Trade
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the value of trade between the United Kingdom and (1) China, and (2) India, (a) since May 2010, and (b) between 1997 and 2010.[HL1755]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint): Revised data on trade with India and China will be available on 31 July, I will write to you with an update as soon as it becomes available and will place a copy in the library of the House.
Visas
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Middlesex University which suggests that the visa restrictions on non-European Economic Area spouses could cost the public purse £850 million over the next 10 years.[HL1544]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): We do not accept the conclusions reached by Middlesex University. We estimate that the minimum income threshold under the family Immigration Rules implemented on nine July 2012 will benefit the taxpayer by £660 million over 10 years. This includes both the benefits from expected savings in public services and also the costs of the reduction in taxes paid by migrant spouses and partners. The Middlesex University analysis does not include the public service savings and so underestimates the benefit of the Government's policy.