Written Answers
Tuesday 5 November 2013
Afghanistan: Interpreters
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many locally employed interpreters and translators who have worked with British armed forces in Afghanistan do not qualify for the Government's assistance and resettlement package.[HL2846]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): From the records that we have available, between 1 February 2006 and 19 December 2012 around 2,050 interpreters and translators who have worked with the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan have left our employment. As such, they do not qualify for the Government's ex-gratia redundancy scheme, which only applies to those who meet the eligibility criteria; those who have been employed by the Government for over a year and who were made redundant on or after 19 December 2012. The vast majority of those made redundant after this time will be eligible. The total numbers of those ineligible will be determined as we continue UK drawdown in Afghanistan and make locally employed civilians redundant.
Separately, we have an intimidation policy route for those who genuinely believe they would be at risk.
Alcohol
Questions
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012-13 by the Cabinet Office.[HL2777]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): As was the case under previous administrations, information relating to such spend is not held centrally.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Department for Education.[HL2804]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department does not hold information centrally that would enable the identification of total expenditure on alcohol.
Our guidance to staff is that alcohol should not be purchased when booking hospitality. Exceptionally, if non-civil servants are attending and it would avoid unnecessary embarrassment for the Department, moderate amounts of alcohol may be purchased for formal evening gatherings.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount spent on alcohol during 2012–13 by the Department for Work and Pensions.[HL3014]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The provision of alcoholic drinks at public expense may be provided only in exceptional circumstances with the express, prior, written permission of specific named senior civil servants.
During 2012-13 the amount of expenditure authorised was £49.90.
Armed Forces: Living Accommodation
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what improvements to the living accommodation for servicemen and women of all ranks has been made at RAF Cranwell in the financial years 2012–13 and 2013–14.[HL2907]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): During financial year (FY) 2012-13 some 360 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties at RAF Cranwell were externally redecorated, and 44 received new bathrooms. To date in FY 2013-14 some 91 improved showers and 73 improved kitchens have been fitted to SFA. A total of 103 refurbished Single Living Accommodation bed-spaces were delivered during 2012-13.
Banking: LIBOR
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the latest estimated cost to the Exchequer of the recent manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate market.[HL2872]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): LIBOR is a benchmark used by the market for the pricing of various financial contracts. In some cases, attempts at manipulation were to lower the final LIBOR rate, and in others they were to increase it. Such attempts may only have moved the overall LIBOR rate by a fraction of a percentage point, if at all. Consequently, it is very difficult to establish any sort of net effect from the attempted manipulation.
However, the Government takes the attempted manipulation of LIBOR very seriously, and for this reason, the Chancellor changed the way that enforcement fines are levied relating to LIBOR abuse. As a result fines relating to LIBOR are now returned to the Exchequer where they are deployed for charitable purposes, including charities related to the UK's military services.
The Government is not responsible for the administration of LIBOR, nor for any losses or profits that may or may not have been incurred as a result of alleged manipulation.
Following the allegations of misconduct, the Government has undertaken wide reforms to LIBOR, including bringing LIBOR within the regulatory scope of the FCA and introducing criminal offences for manipulation. The administration of LIBOR has also been transferred from the British Bankers' Association to NYSE Euronext.
Banks: Royal Bank of Scotland
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, and if so when, they intend to dispose of their shareholding in the Royal Bank of Scotland.[HL2818]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Our principled position remains to return RBS back to full private ownership when it is in the interests of the taxpayer to do so. This is also the case for Lloyds. The Chancellor has taken the first steps to return Lloyds to the private sector and will continue to consider options for further share sales. The Government is not setting out a firm timetable or target price at this stage and the Noble Lord would not expect us to do so. For RBS however, share sales are some way off.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to split the Royal Bank of Scotland into a “good bank” and a “bad bank” as proposed by the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards. [HL2820]
Lord Deighton: I refer the honourable lord to the Chancellor's written statement of 1 November and the Treasury publication “RBS and the case for a bad bank: the Government's Review”
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rbs-bad-bank-review-published.
Banks: Ulster Bank Ltd
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of Ulster Bank Ltd. [HL2819]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): I refer the honourable lord to the Chancellor's written statement of 1 November ad the Treasury publication “RBS and the case for a bad bank: the Government's Review”:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rbs-bad-bank-review-published
Benefits
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost to the Exchequer of (1) severe disablement allowance, (2) incapacity benefit, and (3) employment and support allowance, payments owing to a neurological condition, as defined by the World Health Organisation under “Diseases of the nervous system” in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10).[HL2975]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Benefit expenditure in 2011/12 for “diseases of the nervous system” as defined by the World Health Organisation, is shown in the table below:
| Benefit Expenditure for Diseases of the nervous system £m | 2011/12 |
Source data DWP Statistical and Accounting Data.
Figures are cash terms and rounded to the nearest £ million.
Further benefit expenditure data including ESA and DLA by reported medical condition can be found at the following URL:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-expenditure-tables.
Benefits: Fraud
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards are in place to protect people who suffer from mental illness from accusations of benefit fraud.[HL2997]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Where an allegation of benefit fraud is received, proper consideration is given about whether or not to investigate. Should the investigation reveal the suspect could be or is suffering from a mental illness, the Department's fraud investigators comply with the Codes of Practice under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. This includes ensuring that an appropriate adult attends the interview with the suspect if appropriate. Further consideration is then given by the Fraud Investigator's manager on a case by case basis as to whether the investigation should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of a prosecution. Should the matter be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, any mental health issues will be considered in accordance with the principles set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and their official policy on prosecuting mentally disordered offenders in reaching their decision.
Children: Foster Homes and Specialist Care
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in reducing the number of children from London boroughs placed in specialist care and foster homes in East Kent.[HL2817]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): In response to a similar question asked by the noble Lord in June, it was announced that the Department for Education was due to consult on changing regulations to improve out of authority placement decisions by local authorities. In future the Department wants to see relevant information being shared between the placing authority and the authority in the area where the child is being placed. We are also proposing that decisions to place a child ‘out of authority’ should be approved by a senior official in the child’s responsible authority, who should be satisfied that the future placement provides safe and effective care suitable to the needs of the child. The consultation took place over twelve weeks, ending in September. My Department will publish its response to this with details of our proposed next steps in due course.
Commonwealth Business Council
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what official representation there will be by British businesses and Ministers at the forthcoming Commonwealth Business Council in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[HL3065]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint) (Con): I understand that there will 60 UK business delegates at the Commonwealth Business Forum under the auspices of the Commonwealth Business Council.
A final decision on Ministerial attendance at the Commonwealth Business Forum has yet to be made.
Commonwealth: Heads of Government Meeting
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what outcomes they are seeking from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka.[HL2899]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): We want to see outcomes on the post 2015 global development framework: the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to make a positive contribution to this important
agenda. The meeting will also enable Commonwealth members to assess progress on Commonwealth values since their last meeting in 2011, and to identify priority areas on which the organisation should focus in the future. This includes ensuring that Commonwealth values, as set out in the Commonwealth Charter, are being upheld.
CHOGM also provides an opportunity to raise further international awareness of the need to end sexual violence in conflict.
We are attending CHOGM not only to support the Commonwealth, but to shine a spotlight on Sri Lanka and to urge its government to take make real progress on issues of human rights, reconciliation, and political reform. We will use the visit to Sri Lanka to see the situation on the ground first hand, and to raise UK concerns frankly and directly with the Sri Lankan government.
Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU)
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to implement the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) so as to include travel in its scope. [HL3051]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): The directive mandates which sectors are covered in most cases, but allows some flexibility for certain sectors and certain provisions. For example, the provisions requiring the express consent of consumers for additional payments must apply to passenger transport services. However, the directive allows flexibility as to whether all the provisions relating to ‘hidden costs', including those relating to communication by telephone, are applied to the passenger transport and package travel sectors.
The Government invited comments on draft regulations to implement the Consumer Rights Directive between August and October 2013, and specifically on whether all the hidden cost provisions should apply to the travel sectors. The Government is considering the responses received and will respond shortly.
Drones
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to work with NATO to mobilise all drones and reconnaissance aircraft in the Mediterranean to identify boats liable to sink. [HL2930]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): It is clear that following the recent incidents in the Mediterranean action must be taken to reduce the risk of further tragedies. Doing more to stop migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings in the first place is key to this.
We therefore welcome the establishment of an EU task force to identify practical measures to enhance the EU’s capability in this area, and particularly support the focus on improving co-operation with countries of origin and transit, especially in the Southern Mediterranean. Discussions are ongoing within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on maximising the use of assets to address maritime security issues.
Economy
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the regional economic imbalance between London and other parts of the United Kingdom.[HL2986]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie): Government has substantially increased the local economic developments tools available to Local Enterprise Partnerships to help them drive forward local growth. These include City Deals, Growing Places Fund, Local Majors Transport Decentralisation, Enterprise Zones and Rural Growth Networks.
Following the Spending Review, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have over £20 billion under their strategic direction until 2020/21, and their multi-year Strategic Plans will provide confidence and certainty for long-term investment. Through Growth Deals they can also seek freedoms and flexibilities and greater influence over key levers affecting growth. Taken together this is a step change to the pace of rebalancing our economy and giving real economic freedoms to local areas.
Elections: Nepal
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contributions the United Kingdom will make to assist with securing free and fair elections to the Constituent Assembly in Nepal on 19 November; and what contributions the United Kingdom will make in respect of future elections.[HL2943]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): We are providing £14 million to help ensure a conducive environment for elections, including funding a large number of international, regional and domestic observers, and the media to play a watchdog role. Four UK Parliamentarians will observe the elections and the UK has a prominent role in the EU's observation mission. The UK, through the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has also contributed to providing technical assistance for the preparation of the elections and also £50,000 through UNDP to support Nepal's National Human Rights Commission to monitor the human rights situation before and during elections.
Our role in supporting future elections will depend on the circumstances on the ground and will therefore need to be considered nearer the time. Once the Constituent Assembly elections have been completed in November, we will renew efforts to encourage the parties to agree an inclusive Constitution that protects fundamental rights in the spirit of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Energy: Company Profits
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered levying a windfall tax on the profits of energy companies; and, if so, what was the outcome of that consideration.[HL2860]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government has no plans to impose a windfall tax on energy companies but keeps all taxes under review.
Energy: Nuclear Power Stations
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for building a new generation of nuclear power stations to improve the United Kingdom's energy security.[HL3063]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): New nuclear power provides a secure, reliable, low carbon source of energy. The UK Government estimates that significant amounts of low carbon electricity are needed by 2030. New nuclear is needed alongside renewables and Carbon Capture and Storage to meet this new capacity because:
• the lifecycle CO2 emissions from new nuclear power stations are similar to those from wind power and much less than fossil fuelled plant;• nuclear is the only non-renewable low carbon technology that is currently proven and can be deployed on a large scale, providing continuous supply;• new nuclear is expected to be one of the lowest cost forms of low carbon generation.
Each new 3,200 megawatt twin reactor nuclear power plant has the potential to provide a reliable baseload of electricity to over 5 million homes per year and will play a large part in helping to keep our lights on.
Furthermore, nuclear power is a key growth industry that provides highly skilled jobs. It is estimated that 29,000 to 41,000 jobs will be created across the nuclear supply chain at the peak of construction activity for the planned new nuclear power stations.
Financial Policy Committee
Question
Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what powers are available to the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England if it considers house prices are rising too fast, or mortgage lending needs to be restrained, either in the United Kingdom as a whole or any of its constituent nations or regions.[HL2832]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government has established the independent Financial Policy Committee to monitor the stability of the financial system as a whole with a view to ensuring that emerging risks and vulnerabilities are identified and effectively addressed. This includes monitoring developments in the housing market.
The Government has given the FPC two sets of powers to help it mitigate risks to financial stability. The first is a broad power to make Recommendations to regulators on a comply-or-explain basis, the second set of powers is to give Directions to regulators to adjust specific macro-prudential tools.
As the FPC noted in the record of its meeting of 18 September, the available tools to mitigate stability risks arising from developments in the housing market include, “...amongst others, supervisory guidance on underwriting standards, sectoral capital requirements and recommendations to the regulators on tightening of affordability tests”.
Fire and Rescue Services
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of fire authorities.[HL2985]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): Our ambition is for fire and rescue authorities to be as efficient as possible while providing the high-quality life-saving services they are known for. Sir Ken Knight provided the Government with an independent report on these matters which strongly recommended increased collaboration between fire and rescue authorities and with other emergency services; we have listened to the sector's responses and views and will publish a Government response in due course.
Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to include the injection of nuclear genetic material from any Mustela nivalis cell other than a male gamete into a genetically distinct oocyte or zygote of the same species, in which fusion is mediated
by the envelope of inactivated Sendai virus, under the techniques listed in Part I or Part II of Schedule 2 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 (as amended).[HL2881]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): There are no plans to modify Schedule 2 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 (as amended). This Schedule sets out over-arching criteria to establish the kinds of techniques that constitute genetic modification and also clarifies which of these techniques are covered by the Regulations. The information provided is of a general nature and the Schedule does not list specific experiments.
Government Departments: Expenditure
Question
Asked by Lord Davies of Stamford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government at what point in the 2011–12 financial year the Ministry of Defence first anticipated that it would be underspent by over £1 billion.[HL2624]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Ministry of Defence, in common with other Government Departments, publishes an annual update of its in-year financial position in the Supplementary Estimates. In 2011-12 these were published on 8 February 2012; in 2012-13 they were published on 13 February 2013.
Grenada
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of the $12 million loan to Grenada from the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience has been disbursed so far; and whether consideration will be given to replacing the capital contribution to the Pilot Programme with a grant.[HL2821]
Lord Bates (Con): As of June 30 2013 $290,000 in credit has been disbursed to Grenada from its approved 'Strategic Plan for Climate Resilience' (SPCR) investment plan (totalling $12 million of loan and $13 million of grant). A total of $16.5 million has been approved by the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) sub-committee for specific projects within the SPCR. As Grenada is already implementing the funding allocated to it by the PPCR and as the PPCR is a multilateral fund governed by a sub-committee of which the UK is one member, it would not be possible or appropriate for the UK to replace the type of finance it receives.
Health: Neurology
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of working days lost in England each year due to neurological conditions, as defined by the World Health Organisation under “Diseases of the nervous system” in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10).[HL2974]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Data on conditions is not gathered at a sufficiently detailed enough level to determine the number of working days lost in England each year due to neurological conditions.
Commissioning research or changing existing surveys to estimate these figures would represent a disproportionate cost.
Health: Polio
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they consider to be the prospects for ending polio transmission by 2014 and certification of a polio-free world by 2018; and what aid they are providing to the World Health Organisation for its polio eradication campaign.[HL2888]
Lord Bates (Con): The World Health Assembly has endorsed the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 (the Strategic Plan). Ending the transmission of polio by 2014 is the first objective of the Strategic Plan. Polio remains endemic in only three countries: Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. However this objective and in turn the date for certification is put at risk by the recent outbreak of polio in the Horn of Africa and Syria as well as the difficulties in accessing all vulnerable children in the remaining endemic countries. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is
working closely with countries to respond to recent cases in the Horn of Africa and Syria and to reach all vulnerable children.
We have a unique opportunity to create a polio-free world. At the Global Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi in April 2013 the United Kingdom pledged up to £300m for polio eradication over the six year period 2013/14 to 2018/19.
Houses of Parliament: Ministers and Whips
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 24 October (WA 187–8) relating to Ministers and Whips, whether they will now provide the information originally requested and arrange for its publication in the Official Report.[HL2996]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): There are nine unpaid Ministers and Whips in the House of Lords and three in the House of Commons. In the Commons there are also two unpaid Ministers who are paid as Whips.
Immigration
Questions
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many visitors from Commonwealth countries have been refused entry into the United Kingdom in each year since 2010; and, for each Commonwealth country, how many visitors were (1) refused entry, and (2) detained in custody for more than 48 hours before being expelled.[HL2475]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The figures below shows the number of visitors from Commonwealth countries refused entry to the UK, each year since 2010.
| Year | ||||
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Jan to June 2013 | |
Caveat: Please note that figures quoted are management information only and have been subject to internal quality checks and may be subject to change.
2) To obtain the number of those who were refused entry and subsequently detained in custody for more than 48 hours, would be a disproportionate cost due to the time involved to search and collate the data from our records
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average cost of defending an appeal brought to the First Tier Tribunal against decisions made (1) in the United Kingdom, and (2) outside the United Kingdom, in relation to (a) Part 6 of the Immigration Rules, (b) Part 8 of those rules and (c) Appendix FM of those rules.[HL2886]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The cost to the Home Office of defending an appeal can range from approximately £150 in lower cost appeal types such as Family Visit Visa appeals to over £900 in more complex appeal types such as asylum appeals. The average cost
of overseas appeals will generally fall towards the lower end of the spectrum with in-country appeals normally being more costly.
This range is based on Home Office costs. It includes staff, administrative and overhead costs covering the entire appeals process, from receipt of the appeal to case conclusion. Individual appeals may cost more or less than the range given. The range given includes costs elements related to cases which progress to the Upper Tribunal.
Information on appeal costs has recently been published in the Immigration Bill Impact Assessment at: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA13-24A.pdf Our cost estimates are not broken down to the level of specific elements of the immigration rules and consequently we are unable to answer parts (a), (b) and (c) of this question in any further detail.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average cost of defending a judicial review in the Upper Tribunal or the Administrative Court against decisions made (1) in the United Kingdom, and (2) outside the United Kingdom, in relation to (a) Part 6 of the Immigration Rules, (b) Part 8 of those rules and (c) Appendix FM of those rules.[HL2887]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Home Office is in the process of modelling the current cost of defending a Judicial Review claim and a current estimate is therefore unavailable.
Previous estimates from 2011 put the average cost of a judicial review up to the permission stage at approximately £1500 to £2000. Costs post permission can vary significantly according to the complexity of the case.
We are unable to provide an estimated cost in relation to specific elements of the immigration rules at parts (a), (b) and (c) of the question.
Immigration Removal Centres: Transfers
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken in response to the comment of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in a report on Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (published on 1 October) that he was "particularly concerned to observe heavy-handed and disproportionate behaviour by escort contractors charged with removing individuals on charter flights".[HL2843]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Home Office considers all HM Inspectorate of Prisons recommendations carefully and responds to them formally with a service improvement plan, copies of which are placed in the House Library.
The current escorting service provider, Tascor, and the Home Office expect the highest standards from their staff and will take appropriate robust action against those who fail to adhere to them.
Tascor is reviewing their standard operating procedures for managing charter flight operations. This review will cover all aspects of the operation whilst detainees are in their care and will provide enhanced guidelines for staff on expected standards of verbal and physical interaction with individuals detained.
Income and Wealth: Inequality
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Newby on 23 October (HL Deb, col 1000), on what evidence the Minister based his statement that “income inequality in the United Kingdom is now at its lowest level since 1986”.[HL2954]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): This statement is based on analysis in the most recent release of the Office for National Statistics publication “The Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income, 2011/12”, which can be found here: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_317365.pdf
The report finds that income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient for disposable income, fell to 0.323 in 2011/12, the lowest level since 1986.
Israel
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of construction units both completed and started in existing settlements in the Occupied Territories, including illegal outposts, since the peace talks began in July 2013.[HL2927]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): There is currently no reliable information on the number of construction units both completed and started in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories over the period requested,
Justice: Out-of-court Disposals
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their review of out-of-court disposals will include out-of-court disposals for children under the age of 18. [HL2842]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally) (LD): Out of court disposals for those under 18 are out of scope for the review of out of court disposals (OOCDs) and the review will primarily consider all adult out of court disposals. A new youth out-of-court
disposals framework was introduced by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 on 8 April 2013 which provided a simplified but more flexible system for dealing with offences out of court. Under the new arrangements police and youth offending teams have greater professional discretion than before to determine the most appropriate disposal and apply assessment and interventions consistently to rehabilitate young offenders and reduce re-offending. As the youth system was recently completely redesigned it is not necessary to review that system, so soon after this reform. However, consideration will be given to the impact any reform to the adult system may have on the youth landscape.
Northern Ireland Office: Staff
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average number of days of absence due to sickness per member of staff of the Northern Ireland Office in each of the last five years.[HL3096]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): Following the devolution of policing and justice functions on 12 April 2010, and subsequent reconfiguration of the Northern Ireland Office, the Department does not hold sick absence figures for the years prior to 2010/11; attempting to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost. For the periods since 2010, the average number of working days lost due to sickness, as stated in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, are as follows:
For the first quarter of 2013/14, the average was 3.2 days.
Sri Lanka
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will use the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting to call for an international inquiry into the civilian deaths that occurred in the final months of the Sri Lankan civil war.[HL2822]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The British Government has consistently called for an independent, thorough and credible investigation into allegations of violations and abuses of international humanitarian and human rights laws by both sides in the military conflict. We believe that the process of reconciliation between Sri Lanka's communities has a greater chance of success if investigations are Sri Lankan led rather than externally imposed.
As the UK stated during the adoption of Sri Lanka's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report in March 2013, we welcome Sri Lanka's acceptance of our recommendation during Sri Lanka's UPR in
November 2012 'to fully and transparently investigate alleged grave breaches of international humanitarian law during the conflict'. We hope to see the fulfilment of this recommendation as soon as possible, given the lack of transparency in procedures to date. Until such an investigation takes place, we believe that it will be difficult for the Sri Lankan people to move forward.
The Government is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) due to the importance that we attach to the Commonwealth. Together with international partners, we will continue to work to support the Sri Lankan people in their pursuit of enduring peace and reconciliation. We will use all opportunities, including CHOGM, to raise human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan government and urge them to uphold Commonwealth values.
Taxation: Eurobonds
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the grounds on which they agreed with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to allow the use of the Eurobond exemption by a range of United Kingdom companies.[HL2870]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Since 1984 there has been a statutory exemption from the requirement to withhold tax on interest paid to holders of quoted Eurobonds (broadly, listed securities denominated in non-Sterling currencies). It is one of a number of exemptions from the duty to withhold tax from interest.
The quoted Eurobond exemption does not determine whether, or how much, interest is deductible for tax purposes. Corporation tax rules prevent companies from deducting excessive amounts of interest.
Last year, HMRC consulted on a number of rules regarding the taxation of interest, including a possible restriction of the quoted Eurobond exemption where the interest is paid between companies in the same group. It was clear from the responses that this change would not have achieved the desired result.
The Government decided to look at the rules as part of the wider package of work being undertaken by the OECD and G20 on base erosion and profit shifting, which the UK has been pushing forward.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the latest estimated cost per year of allowing the use of the Eurobond exemption for tax minimisation.[HL2871]
Lord Deighton: Recent articles in the press have suggested that £500 million is being lost each year as a result of the Quoted Eurobond Exemption, however this figure is misleading, as it conflates a number of issues and the calculations are based on questionable methodology.
In March 2012 HMRC published a consultation document on possible changes to income tax rules on interest. This document included an estimate of the Exchequer impact of the possible withdrawal of the
quoted Eurobond exemption for intra-group Eurobonds. The estimate was £200 million a year from 2013/14 to 2015/16 and was provisional.
The number of Eurobonds issued intra-group is not known and one of the purposes of the consultation was to identify the likely real impact. It became apparent that the changes suggested in the consultation would not have yielded that amount and would have had adverse effects on companies that are entitled to pay gross under double taxation treaties.
The Government is exploring the issue further in the context of a wider consideration of cross-border payments.
Television Licence Fee
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the impact on the yield from the television and radio licence fee were it taxable for those over 70 who pay higher rates of income tax.[HL2898]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Free television licenses are available to those aged 75 and over. They are not made as a cash payment, and therefore making this benefit taxable would be complex to deliver. Therefore the Government has not made an estimate of the additional revenue
that would be raised if free television licences were made taxable for those who pay higher rates of income tax.
The Government has no plans to make this benefit taxable. The coalition agreement set out that the Government will protect key benefits for older people, including free television licenses.
Winter Fuel Allowance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the impact on public funds (1) were the winter fuel allowance withdrawn from those over 70 who pay higher rates of income tax, or (2) were the winter fuel allowance taxable for those over 70 who pay higher rates of income tax.[HL2897]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government has not made an estimate of the impact on the public finances if (1) Winter Fuel Payments were to be withdrawn from those over 70 who pay higher rates of income tax, or (2) Winter Fuel Payments were made taxable for this group. The Government has no plans to means test Winter Fuel Payments or make them taxable. The coalition agreement set out that the Government will protect key benefits for older people, including Winter Fuel Payments.