Written Answers
Monday 11 November 2013
Animals: Rabies
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the relaxation of the Pet Travel Scheme and the two recent cases of rabies in dogs in Holland, they have considered free pre-exposure rabies vaccination for veterinarians in the United Kingdom.[HL3106]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Employers should assess the rabies risk to their staff and determine whether vaccination is the appropriate response to that risk. Immunisation policy is based on independent, expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the Department of Health. Detailed guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-the-green-book-chapter-27. Public Health England issues vaccines in line with this advice. All staff from Defra and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) who handle imported animals as part of their day-to-day job are offered pre-exposure rabies immunisation.
Under the EU pet travel rules the risk of rabies entering the UK remains very low, and the risk of rabies being passed from a pet to a person is lower still. The case in the Netherlands does not increase the risk of incursion to the UK. Every suspected case of animal rabies reported to the AHVLA is investigated immediately and tested in our National Reference Laboratory, if required. In the event of a positive result, Public Health England assesses the risk of human exposure and offers appropriate post-exposure treatment.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the obligation of veterinarians to attend to wildlife including bats, they have considered free pre-exposure rabies vaccination for veterinarians in the United Kingdom.[HL3107]
Lord De Mauley: Employers should assess the rabies risk to their staff and determine whether vaccination is the appropriate response to that risk. Immunisation policy is based on independent, expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the Department of Health. Detailed guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/rabies-the-green-book-chapter-27. Public Health England issues vaccines in line with this advice and people who regularly handle bats are included amongst those offered pre-exposure rabies immunisation.
The UK has a very low prevalence of a rabies-like virus, the European Bat Lyssavirus (EBL) in some bats resident in this country. There are two common, but slightly different, EBL viruses found in Europe. Since 2007, through surveillance programmes, 10 bats have been found with the EBLV2 virus in the UK; eight in England and two in Scotland. All were Daubenton’s bats. There have also been three bats that have tested positive for EBLV1 antibodies; a Serotine in England and two Natterers in Scotland. Every suspected case of animal rabies reported to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency is investigated immediately and tested in our National Reference Laboratory, if required. In the event of a positive result, Public Health England assesses the risk of human exposure and offers appropriate post-exposure treatment.
Apprenticeships
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the reforms proposed in The Future of Apprenticeships in England will benefit young people from the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities who may not have received the education necessary to equip them to take advantage of those apprenticeships.[HL3104]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s drive to give people of all ages the skills employers need to grow and compete. Under the reforms, there are no minimum requirements to start a Level 2 Apprenticeship. Apprentices from all backgrounds will be given high quality training to gain level 1 in English and maths if not already achieved. They will also work towards level 2, which reflects the importance of these skills to an apprentice’s employability and to their career progression.
Benefits
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the impact on a claimant’s employment and support allowance during the waiting period for a mandatory reconsideration of their case.[HL3000]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): There is no impact on a claimant’s Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) during the period whilst mandatory reconsideration is completed.
The decision that is under dispute remains in force unless it is revised by the decision-maker. In the case of a decision that a claimant does not have limited capability for work following a work capability assessment, if the decision is not revised under mandatory reconsideration and the claimant subsequently appeals, ESA can be paid at the assessment phase rate covering the period whilst mandatory reconsideration was conducted, provided medical evidence was supplied.
Children: Child Labour
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when was the most recent occasion on which officials reported to Ministers on the implementation of International Labour Organisation Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.[HL3124]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): The most recent occasion was on 9 July 2013, when a report to the International Labour Organization on UK implementation of the convention was submitted to the then Minister for Employment (Mark Hoban MP) for clearance.
Education: Early Years
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conclusion of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education report Family Learning Works that including parents in whole family education in early years improves child literacy and numeracy.[HL2969]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The Government welcomes robust evaluation of provision—including whole family learning in the early years—that aims to improve pupils’ educational attainment and parents’ support for their children’s learning. This is particularly important for those pupils who come from disadvantaged families.
Schools and Local Authorities should use this evidence to help decide whether to adopt such strategies in the best interests of their pupils.
Employment: Jobcentre Plus
Question
Asked by Baroness Thomas of Winchester
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Jobcentre Plus offices have toilet facilities which can be used by jobseekers.[HL3135]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Since 1998 the Department’s estate has been managed by Telereal Trillium via a Public Finance Initiative (PFI) contract and the Department leases back fully serviced accommodation, therefore, the Department does not hold a central record of public facilities.
Employment: Work Capability Assessments
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how long after a claimant has been passed as fit to work by the work capability assessment will their mandatory reconsideration take place.[HL2999]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): For decisions notified on or after 28 October 2013 claimants must request reconsideration within one month of the decision being notified. The one month limit can be extended by up to an additional 12 months in certain circumstances.
The time taken by the Department to process requests for mandatory reconsideration will vary depending on the complexity of the decision under dispute and whether the claimant has any additional evidence or information to supply. Where additional evidence is needed the Department must allow at least one month, or further time at the discretion of the decision-maker, for the claimant to supply it. Given that, it would be misleading to give an average estimate since the Department expects many cases, where no additional evidence is needed, to be conducted within a short timescale whereas some cases may take considerably longer.
Food: Local Produce
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to help eating establishments promote the use of local food.[HL2900]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The Rural Development Programme for England has funded 56 projects with a grant award of £2.6m, with the aim to increase the supply of local food. This ranges from supporting farmers’ markets, local food festivals and funding local food hubs or farm shops which specifically state they wish to promote local food. The Programme has also funded the Great Country Pubs project which received £380k of grant to support country pubs to improve their provision of locally sourced food as well as improve the quality of their accommodation provision.
The Government has also developed a buying standard for public procurement of food and catering services. The standard is mandated for Central Government departments and others are encouraged to use it. The standard sets out provisions for serving produce that is in season, meets UK production standards, as well as putting the origin of food on menus. Although this is about nutrition and sustainable production of food, it supports the procurement, by catering contractors, of locally produced food.
Food: Shoplifting
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Chief Constable of Lancashire that there is a month on month increase in shoplifting of “food stuff” by people for “themselves and their family”, often by first-time offenders.[HL2461]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The most recent published statistics for police recorded crime show that shoplifting fell by 2% in the year to the end of March 2013, and fell by 4% in Lancashire over the same period. However, we closely monitor trends in crime, including in shoplifting, on an ongoing basis.
Government Departments: Consultants
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many private sector consultants have been engaged by the Department for Work and Pensions since May 2010; and what has been the cost.[HL3010]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Consultants can provide management with objective advice relating to strategy, structure, management or operations outside the business-as-usual environment when in-house skills are not available nor considered appropriate to develop internally on a long term basis. This is in line with DWP HR resourcing policy. DWP (Core Department and its Agencies) pays for consultancy on a project basis, usually on a fixed fee based on defined outcomes or deliverables. The consultancy supplier is responsible for providing appropriate resource. DWP does not employ consultants on a full-time staff equivalent basis.
The cost of consultancy services for DWP has been:
2010/11 - £16.4 million2011/12 - £4.8 million2012/13 - £11.5 million2013 to date - £4 million
2008/09 - £95.2 million2009/10 - £40.1 million
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many non-civil servants are employed, either directly or through a consultant company, by the Department for Work and Pensions; and what percentage of all employees that represents.[HL3011]
Lord Freud: DWP uses contingent labour for specialist roles that the department cannot resource internally. The supplier is responsible for providing appropriate resource. DWP does not employ specialist contractors directly.
The total number of employees with civil service contracts in DWP as at August 2013 is 101,932 which equates to 89,646 FTE. The total number of contingent labour contractors as at September 2013 is 81. This represents a percentage figure of 0.09%.
Government Departments: Staff
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the three highest salaries the Ministry of Defence pays to its civilian staff.[HL3215]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): Details of senior salaries are published in the public domain under the Government's transparency agenda. The most recent information, as at 31 March 2013, can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/senior-civil-servants-high-earners-salaries
Health: Bounty
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they take to ensure Bounty staff treat patients appropriately when distributing packs with child benefit forms to new parents on NHS wards. [HL3165]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): It is for individual trusts to make decisions about representatives from Bounty or any other organisation being allowed on maternity wards and distributing packs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Dr Daniel Poulter, has written to all NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts and Heads of Midwifery asking them to review their practices for allowing representatives from private companies on maternity wards and to assure themselves that they are maintaining women’s dignity and respect shortly after the birth of a baby when they can be tired and vulnerable.
Health: Mental Health
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government at which point in the benefits process a potential claimant can be classified as unable to work due to mental health issues.[HL2998]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): An individual is treated as having limited capability for work from the beginning of their claim for Employment and Support Allowance. Our commitment to helping as many people
as possible, including people with mental health conditions, to work whilst supplying unconditional support for those unable to work also means that: • We want to stop people falling out of work when mental health problems arise. Early intervention is key here, and the introduction of the Health and Work Service which will make occupational health expertise available after four weeks of sickness absence, and support to employers and employees in dealing with both mental and physical health conditions.• Universal Credit will be a significant improvement in the way that we support people to cope with fluctuating conditions, including mental health conditions, and will help make work pay. Simpler work allowances and a single withdrawal rate of 65% will provide greater clarity for people taking steps into work, and will ensure that people will not have to fear losing benefit entitlement when health issues mean that they cannot work as much.• DWP and DH have together commissioned external policy advice on how we can achieve a better outcome for people with mental health conditions in and out of work.
Health: Mitochondrial Disease
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 15 July (WA 86), what advice they have received from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University regarding differences in the identities of individuals with the same nuclear genome; and whether they have employed any such advice in developing an assessment of the identities of monozygotic twins.[HL3021]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Government has received no such advice from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University.
Health: Ophthalmology
Questions
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the proportion of the population affected by avoidable visual impairment.[HL3161]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): No assessment has been made centrally of the information in the format requested.
Local authorities are responsible for collecting data on the number of individuals who are registered as blind and partially sighted. The most recent figures, covering the period to 31 March 2011, were published in September 2011, and show that 147,800 people were registered as blind, while 151,000 people were on the register of partially sighted people. These figures, however, do not indicate where sight impairment is, or would have been preventable.
There is a range of information already available about levels of avoidable visual impairment. The new indicator within the 2013-16 Public Health Outcomes Framework will bring this information together in a single place. The indicator is made up of four sub-indicators which will measure the crude rates of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, and of the rate of visual impairment certifications per 100,000 population. This data is being collected from 1 April 2013.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each of the last three years, what percentage of Accident and Emergency visits were caused by minor eye complaints; what was the total cost of those visits; and how many of those visits they consider could have been avoided if dealt with by optometrists in community settings.[HL3162]
Earl Howe: Information on the percentage and cost of accident and emergency visits caused by minor eye complaints is not collected centrally.
Housing: Demolition and Redevelopment
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any representations to the London Borough of Lewisham about its plans to demolish the Excalibur housing estate in Catford.[HL3173]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): We are not aware of any representations made by Her Majesty's Government to the London Borough of Lewisham relating specifically to demolition.
On 12 October 2012 the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government did however allow London Borough of Lewisham to use its powers to confirm an unopposed Compulsory Purchase Order in relation to 6 properties on the Estate, and on 22 October 2013 he granted consent for the Borough to dispose of the land at less than best consideration to enable the Borough to undertake Phases 1 & 2 of its proposed redevelopment of the estate.
Israel
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the government of Israel concerning its recent decision to deny Members of the European Parliament access to the Gaza Strip.[HL3028]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We were disappointed that the Israeli authorities refused to let a European Parliament delegation visit Gaza from Israel. We have not to date had any discussions with the Israeli authorities on this issue. This is a matter for the European Parliament.
Israel and Palestine
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the Israeli forces’ recent detention of two members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Nizar Ramadan and Muhammad Bader.[HL3025]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We have not raised these specific cases with the Israeli authorities. We do however regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli government about the broader issues of Israel’s extensive use of administrative detention, including of Palestinian parliamentarians, and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
Ivory Trade
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to safeguard the welfare of elephants; and what measures they have put in place to end the trade in ivory.[HL3042]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The poaching of elephants, and the illegal trade it fuels, have risen alarmingly in recent years. Support for action to tackle this is a high priority for the Government and we have been actively supporting international efforts. On 1 November the Secretary of State announced that British Army paratroopers will provide patrol and field training to members of the Kenyan Wildlife Service, Kenyan Forestry Service, and Mount Kenya Trust over the next few weeks. Previously, we have provided financial support for an Interpol project to help a number of east African countries improve their enforcement capacity and elephant protection.
The Prime Minister will host a high-level inter-Governmental Conference in London on 12 to 13 February 2014 to galvanise the international community to commit to taking the action needed to reduce levels of poaching and trafficking. This will be chaired jointly by my Rt Hon Friends the Secretary of State and the Foreign Secretary.
The Government remains firmly committed to the Coalition agreement to maintain the global ban on trade in ivory that has been in place since 1989. We welcome the progress made at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in March 2013, for example in developing national ivory action plans for those countries most implicated in the illegal trade in ivory.
Libya
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Libya regarding compensation for United Kingdom citizens killed
or injured by weapons supplied to the IRA by the former Gaddafi regime; and when any such discussions took place.[HL3047]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The British Government's focus is on developing a broad and long lasting reconciliation between Libya and affected areas in the UK. The Government has raised these reconciliation objectives and Qadhafi’s support of terrorism with the Libyan government on a number of occasions this year. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), raised this with the Libyan Prime Minister most recently on his visit to London on 17 September. The Government will continue to seek opportunities to discuss this with the Libyans.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have reached any agreement with the government of Libya on compensation for United Kingdom citizens killed or injured by weapons supplied to the IRA by the former Gaddafi regime.[HL3048]
Baroness Warsi: The British Government's focus is on developing a broad and long lasting reconciliation between Libya and affected areas in the UK. The Government has raised these reconciliation objectives and Qadhafi’s support of terrorism with the Libyan government on a number of occasions this year. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), raised this with the Libyan Prime Minister most recently on his visit to London on 17 September. The Government will continue to seek opportunities to discuss this with the Libyans.
Local Economic Partnerships
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what means Local Economic Partnerships will be held accountable for their disbursement of European Union structural funds from 2014 to 2020, particularly in respect of Roma inclusion; and what analysis they plan to make of the impact of that disbursement.[HL3103]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): Local Enterprise Partnerships will be responsible for strategic leadership of European Structural and Investment Funds in the 2014-2020 period and will be the lead bodies with which Government works to ensure delivery of programme targets. Government will, however, continue to be the formal legally accountable body to the European Commission for these Funds. Social inclusion is an element of the European Social Fund. Local Enterprise Partnerships will want to duly consider disadvantaged groups in their local plans, based on local circumstances.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to consider devolving additional financial powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, especially in relation to the rate of Corporation Tax.[HL3182]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): As agreed in “Building a prosperous and united community” the Government and Executive will examine the potential for devolving specific additional fiscal powers. Recommendations for further devolution will be put to Executive and Government Ministers by autumn 2014.
On corporation tax, the Government and Northern Ireland Executive have taken forward a constructive and positive programme of work examining the potential for devolving corporation tax powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government will make a final decision on the devolution of these powers no later than the Autumn Statement 2014.
Pollution
Questions
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the likely consequences for public health of proposed levels of investment in regular monitoring of noise, air and water pollution in England over the next three years.[HL3055]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Evidence budgets in Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England for the next and subsequent financial years have not yet been finalised. No assessment of the likely consequences for public health of investment in regular monitoring of noise, air and water pollution in England has been made. However, while monitoring data may be used in assessments, investment in monitoring is not thought to produce any direct impacts on public health.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding levels they propose for the regular measurement of noise, air and water pollution over the next three years.[HL3059]
Lord De Mauley: Evidence budgets for Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England for the next and subsequent financial year have not yet been finalised. During the financial year 2013/14, Defra has allocated the following funds to regular measurements in these areas:
Air pollution: £5,980,000 Water pollution: approximately £19 million
This includes work carried out by the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Measurements undertaken for air pollution serve both statutory and research needs and include measurements of concentration in air, deposition of pollutants and quality assurance of data.
The Government does not routinely carry out noise measurements. Occasional studies are carried out to examine changes in noise level at particular locations and also any changes in noise level by time of day. One such study is nearing completion and cost approximately £220,000.
While there will be some reduction in budget in future years to help meet headline reductions in departmental spend, work is ongoing to establish the rate and level of such reductions.
Retail: High Street
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist high street shops.[HL3064]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The Government recognises the important role that High Streets and Town Centres play in today’s society and has delivered a series of initiatives to help revitalise them as outlined in the Government’s response to the Portas Review. We have lifted excessive planning restrictions and changed guidance on parking to help with the cost of living and support local shops; doubled small business rate relief which helps small shops; and provided communities across the country with a multi-million pound package of support to drive their local economy through innovation.
We recently launched a £500,000 fund to help communities who wish to create a Business Improvement District; and we are currently looking at what more can be done to reform parking rules. More information can be found in my Department’s press notices of 27 September 2013 and 14 October 2013 at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-parking -reform-proposals-to-support-local-shops-and-high-streets and https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-support-to-help-communities-re-energise-their-high-streets
The Government recognises the vital role the wider sector retail plays in national and local economies. This was why it was chosen to be one of the first sectors to be the subject of a Growth Review, and was the first theme chosen for the Red Tape Challenge. These initiatives identified a number of barriers to successful retail performance and growth, which Government is addressing.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has also agreed with industry “A Strategy for Future Retail”, which focuses on where there is potential for government to support retail growth and performance at international, European, national and local levels. This was published on 23 October, and is available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/retail -strategy-industry-and-government-delivering-in-partnership
Smaller retailers are also able to benefit from the same range of support offered by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to help other small and medium businesses to start and thrive: enabling better access to both debt and equity finance; reducing red tape; and making sure that the support we provide small and medium sized enterprises is delivered in the most effective and efficient way possible.
Russia
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that British citizens detained at Murmansk by the Russian authorities are not held in conditions amounting to inhuman or degrading treatment under the European Convention on Human Rights.[HL3023]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): I refer the noble Lord to my previous response of 23 Oct 2013, Official Report, Column WA180. In addition the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have pressed from the outset for consular visits and for lawyers provided by Greenpeace to have access to the six British nationals.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member of Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the ongoing detention of the Greenpeace activists with Foreign Minister Lavrov on 25 September and 4 November, and the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), made clear the need for prompt, fair and proportionate action by the Russian judicial system when he spoke to President Putin on 5 November. The Minister for Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (David Lidington) raised this case with the Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom on 7 November.
Consular staff have regularly visited the six British nationals, most recently on 7 November, and there were no issues reported around inhumane or degrading treatment by the Russian authorities.
Safety: Smoke Alarms
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that all smoke alarms sold conform to the highest safety standards.[HL3050]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The Government remains committed to ensuring the fire safety of people in their own homes. The long-running Fire Kills campaign works closely with fire and rescue authorities to promote fire prevention messages and also encourage householders to have working smoke alarms installed in their homes. More detailed fire safety information is available from
the Gov.UK website, including advice that people should only purchase smoke alarms which meet the relevant British Standard (BS 5446 Part 1).
I understand that trading standards have been passed a recent Which? report into the performance of one particular brand, and the manufacturer is conducting its own investigation.
Saudi Arabia
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Saudi Arabia in support of the right of women to drive cars.[HL3024]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Saudi government must ensure all its citizens can participate fully in society and I encourage it to support a woman’s right to drive legally and safely in Saudi Arabia. We regularly discuss women’s rights with the Government of Saudi Arabia.
Schools: Citizenship Education
Question
Asked by Lord Howell of Guildford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote knowledge of the modern Commonwealth in schools; and with what agencies they are working to achieve that aim.[HL3166]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The new national curriculum, for teaching from 2014, includes an improved programme of study for citizenship education at key stages 3 and 4. It is organised around core knowledge about democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld. Citizenship education should equip students with the skills and knowledge to explore political and social issues and to take their place in society as responsible citizens. Specifically at key stage 4, pupils should be taught about: “local, regional and international governance and the United Kingdom’s relations with the rest of Europe, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the wider world”.
Teachers and school leaders are free to use their professional judgement to provide what is best in their circumstances and may draw upon agencies and other expertise as they deem appropriate.
Taxation: Eurobonds
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the Eurobond exemption.[HL2984]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Recent articles in the press have suggested that £500m 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.
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 is exploring the issue further 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.
United Arab Emirates
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of the United Arab Emirates about the case for impartial investigations into allegations of torture of prisoners, in the light of the report of the International Commission of Jurists published in October.[HL3039]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): I am aware of the International Commission of Jurists’ report. We regularly raise our concerns with the United Arab Emirates authorities, emphasising the need to ensure that allegations of torture are properly investigated and that international standards of justice are upheld.