The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, contains a power to make regulations to allow a process to prevent the transmission of serious mitochondrial disease. The Government is currently developing the detail of the draft regulations and intends to consult on them early next year.
Health: Professional Regulation
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 11 December (WA 127), what power they have to require professional regulations to be strengthened.[HL4133]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Department has committed to simplify and modernise professional regulation legislation. However, the professional duty of candour can be strengthened without such changes to legislation and the professional regulators are developing new guidance to make clear professionals' responsibility to report “near misses” for errors that could have led to death or serious injury, as well as actual harm. They will review their professional codes to bring them into line with this guidance. They will also be reviewing their guidance to panels taking decisions on professional misconduct to ensure they take proper account of whether or not professionals have raised concerns promptly.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 11 December (WA 127), when they expect new strengthened professional regulations to become effective. [HL4134]
Earl Howe: The Nursing and Midwifery Council and General Medical Council are beginning work straight away, working with the other professional regulators, on the strengthened guidance covering the professional duty of candour and we expect that it will be ready for consultation early next year and in place towards the end of 2014.
It is intended that the statutory duty of candour on providers registered by the Care Quality Commission will also come into force towards the end of 2014.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 11 December (WA 127), what conversations or meetings ministers have had with medical and nursing professional bodies with a view to strengthening professional regulations, and on which dates any such consultations took place.[HL4135]
Earl Howe: Ministers keep the issue of professional regulation under regular review and the Department has frequent contact with the professional regulators.
Health: Public Health England
Question
Asked by Lord Patel of Bradford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, and if so where, the responsibility for training and supporting the wider National Health Service and social care workforce, including the unqualified workforce in health and social care, and excluding doctors, sits within Public Health England.[HL4044]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): It is the responsibility of Health Education England to provide national leadership and strategic direction for education, training and workforce development for the National Health Service and public health system. The Department also provides funding to Skills for Health, which is the sector skills council for health, to develop a more skilled and flexible workforce, with particular focus on the unqualified health workforce.
It is the responsibility of employers in the care sector to ensure that their staff are trained and competent to carry out the role for which they are employed. The Department provides funding to Skills for Care, which is the sector skills council for adult social care in England, and the National Skills Academy for Social Care to develop the adult social care workforce.
Health: Tuberculosis
Questions
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what correspondence has taken place in 2013 between Ministers and Sir David Nicholson regarding a national tuberculosis strategy.[HL4210]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Public Health (Anna Soubry) wrote to Sir David Nicholson, on 4 July 2013 regarding the development of a national tuberculosis strategy.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Northover on 12 December (HL Deb, col 970), how much they spent on direct bilateral aid for tuberculosis in each country, in the financial year 2012–13.[HL4231]
Baroness Northover (LD): In 2012/13 we estimate that £13.7 million was spent bilaterally through UNITAID, the Stop TB Partnership, research, country programmes and civil society organisations. Of this, £1.2 million was provided in direct bilateral aid for tuberculosis to Burma. In addition DFID’s spend on strengthening health systems in partner countries, helps support and deliver TB programmes.
Further details of UK aid expenditure can be found at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- for-international-development/about/statistics
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Northover on 12 December (HL Deb, col 970), what is the breakdown of bilateral aid projects in India with regard to the sums committed to the care and control of tuberculosis.[HL4232]
Baroness Northover: DFID supported the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in India between 2006-2012. DFID provided £42.25 million to procure first line anti-TB drugs (i.e. for non-drug resistant cases) and £8.95 million to provide capacity building assistance in training, planning, monitoring and surveillance.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish details of their bilateral projects in South Africa with a particular focus on tuberculosis in the extractive industries.[HL4233]
Baroness Northover: Under the U.K. Government’s Transparency commitment, MID publishes information about its expenditure on all current projects, including those in South Africa: http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/countries/ZA/projects/
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis care and control programmes.[HL4234]
Baroness Northover: Tuberculosis care and control programmes are highly cost effective, by country context and the interventions delivered.
Higher Education
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many 18 year-olds are in full-time further education at (1) schools, and (2) colleges, in England; and how many started studying full-time in each group before their 18th birthday.[HL4091]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department does not calculate estimates of participation based on the actual age of a young person, because such estimates would be subject to continual change over the course of an academic year, depending on the reference date chosen. The official statistics on participation by age are based on academic age, i.e. the age at the start of the academic year, 31 August. The following table shows the most recent estimates, from the Statistical First Release (SFR) “Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16-18 Year Olds in England”1 , of the number of academic age 17 and 18 year olds in full-time further education by institution type, which relate to the end of 2012, (i.e. a snapshot of learner numbers part-way through the 2011/12 academic year).
1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/participation-in-education-training-and-employment-by-16-to-18-year-olds-in-england-end-2012
| Participation in full-time further education* at academic age 17 and 18 by institution type, end 2012. | ||
| Institution type | 17 | 18 |
Figures do not include those studying higher education level qualifications, i.e. those at Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) level 4 or higher. Learners shown in higher education institutions are those studying at QCF level 3 or below.
Human Trafficking
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many successful prosecutions for human trafficking there have been over the past three years where the victim is under 18 years old.[HL3800]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database does not include information about all the circumstances behind each case other than those which may be identified from a statute. Therefore, from these data, it is not possible to identify separately the age breakdown of victims of human trafficking offences. As such, the information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost
Immigration
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 6 December (WA 970–2) stating that a total of 57,179 enquiries were made to the Home Office employer checking service in the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, that 26,998 responses were an affirmation of the right to work based on an outstanding application with the Home Office or a positive validation of a certificate of application or Application Registration Card, and a further 15,451 responses advised that the Home Office was unable to confirm an individual’s right to work, and in the light of the Minister's statement that “the Home Office Employer Checking Service answers enquiries either confirming an individual’s right to work or advising that it is unable to give such a confirmation”, what response was given to the other 14,730 queries during that period.[HL4108]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The response to the ‘other' 14,730 queries for Employer Checking Service check requests during the period one April 2012 and 31 March 2013 would be a combination of the following:
‘Not Appropriate' — the request was 'not appropriate' for a number of reasons such as:- The migrant already has documentation to prove their right to work, and there is no outstanding application or appeal with the Home Office; or- The migrant has been employed by the employer prior to the introduction of the civil penalties legislation (February 2008), and therefore any positive response would not afford the employer with a statutory excuse against a civil penalty; or- The employer has submitted a duplicate check.
Rejected requests — these would consist of Employer Checking Service requests where some of the information required on the request form is not provided or incomplete.
Immigration: Deportation
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether private contractors Taylormade Security hold any contracts with the Government for the removal of immigration detainees from the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether they are paid separately for each detainee removed.[HL4109]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Home Office do not have a direct contract with Taylormade Security; they are an approved sub-contractor to our contractor Tascor and are primarily used for the provision of healthcare professionals, of the appropriate qualification and skills, to meet the needs of the detainee. The terms of the contract between Tascor and Taylormade Security are commercially confidential. However, Tascor receive an hourly rate for each healthcare professional used per request.
Immigration: Detention
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many incidents of (1) self-harm requiring medical attention, (2) individuals being managed as having a risk of self-harm, (3) hunger strike, and (4) individuals being managed as having a risk of hunger striking, took place in immigration detention in each of the last ten years, and to date in 2013.[HL3946]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The data gathering process has changed over the requested period. A complete and readily comparable data set is not available for the whole period. However, information relating to self harm has been released periodically covering the period since January 2012 in response to Freedom of Information requests and is comparable and reproduced below.
| Data period | Individuals placed on Assessment Care in Detention Treatment (ACDTs) | Individuals requiring medical attention as a result of self harm |
The data is based on management information only and has not been subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications. These figures are provisional and are subject to change.
India
Question
Asked by Lord Black of Brentwood
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of India about the Indian Supreme Court's ruling re-establishing section 377 of the Indian Penal Code regarding homosexuality.[HL4279]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are following developments on the Indian Supreme Court decision closely. It is important that India's democratic institutions work through this issue. The UK’s global policy is that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that to render consenting same-sex relations illegal is incompatible with international human rights laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Internet: Broadband
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will provide details of the funding to be awarded to Cardiff and Newport as part of the £150 million investment to create superconnected cities set out in the National Infrastructure Plan.[HL4045]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): As part of their revised Super Connected Cities plans – which aim to bring the benefits of faster and better broadband to small businesses, as well as wireless coverage to the city centre and, in Cardiff, inside public buildings – Cardiff have requested up to £10.2 million, and Newport £6 million.
DCMS fully supports these exciting visions for Cardiff and Newport. Their proposals were approved in June and conditional funding letters were issued in November. As with all Super Connected City plans, funding is being made available on condition of delivery by the 2015 deadline. DCMS continues to work closely with city councils on the development and delivery of their projects.
Iraq: Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in examining the cases of residents of Camp Ashraf or Camp Liberty who formerly resided in the United Kingdom, with a view to their readmission to the United Kingdom.[HL4140]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): We have agreed to consider, exceptionally, the re-admission as refugees of 52 residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty who were previously settled in the UK. This includes the consideration of a UNHCR assessment
of each individual to ensure that none have been complicit in acts of terrorism or other activities incompatible with refugee status. Thus far, UNHCR have submitted 17 assessments to the Home Office. No decisions have yet been reached.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq concerning the attack and abductions at Camp Ashraf on 1 September; and what steps the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the international community are taking to speed up the transfer of the residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty to third countries.[HL4141]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the 1 September attack on Camp Ashraf with the Iraqi Foreign Minister when they met on 25 November. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is responsible for the process of repatriation of residents to third countries. The transfer of residents from Camp Liberty to third countries is dependent on the cooperation of the residents and governed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees assessment process.
Isa Muazu
Questions
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations and agreements they have made to, and received from (1) the government of Nigeria, (2) the Nigerian High Commission, (3) the government of Malta, and (4) the Maltese High Commission, concerning the deportation of Mr Isa Muazu on 29 November; and which (a) British, (b) Nigerian, (c) medical and (d) security officials accompanied Mr Muazu on the flight.[HL3809]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which members of the Government or the Civil Service were party to any agreement with the government of Nigeria that the privately chartered jet carrying Mr Isa Muazu to Nigeria on 29 November would have permission to land at the Nigerian port of entry. [HL3820]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Nigerian High Commission in London and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja agreed to the removal of Mr Muazu. The Maltese authorities were contacted when the aircraft landed at Malta for operational reasons, which ultimately led to the plane's return to the UK for reasons not connected with either the health or the conduct of Mr Muazu. During the flight, Mr Muazu was accompanied by Home Office officials, detainee custody officers, paramedics and an observer from the Nigeria High Commission.
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the total public expenditure so far in relation to the case of Mr Isa Muazu’s in respect of (1) detention, (2) removal and failed deportation to Nigeria, and (3) judicial processes.[HL3811]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The average cost of a night in immigration detention is £100.
We do not provide the costs of particular flights for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
Mr Muazu has now been successfully returned to Nigeria.
Since judicial proceedings have only recently concluded, an up to date estimate of legal cost is not yet available.
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they indicated to the Court of Appeal during its recent hearing in the case of Mr Isa Muazu any change of their policy in relation to food- and fluid-refusers; if so, at what point during that hearing they did so; and what considerations led to them making any disclosure at that point.[HL3819]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The policies and procedures set out in the Detention Services Order and Chapter 55.10 of the Enforcement Instructions and Guidance are being applied consistently in line with established legal principles. The Home Office's general approach to the handling of cases of food and fluid refusal in immigration detention has been consistently upheld by the Courts, including by the Court of Appeal in a Judgement handed down on 5 December.
Israel
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made, if any, to the government of France following the incident in October when a French diplomat from the Consulate in Jerusalem was man-handled by Israeli forces and prevented from handing out tents and emergency aid intended for the village of Khirbet Al-Makhul in the Jordan Valley.[HL4094]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK has not made any representations to the government of France on this matter as this is a matter for the French Government. The EU issued a statement, which said that EU representatives were in touch with the Israeli authorities to express concern and to demand an explanation: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_ data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138780.pdf.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will discuss with the government of Israel the reported issue of house demolition notices to residents of Hares.[HL4095]
Baroness Warsi: While we have not raised this specific issue, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly make clear, publicly and privately, to the Israel authorities our serious concerns about the actual or threatened demolition of Palestinian homes and infrastructure in the West Bank. The Department for International Development have advised that the residents of Hares who have demolition orders are receiving legal aid through the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), a partner of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) which the UK helps fund.
Justice: Lay Magistrates
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 11 December (WA 126), how much HM Courts and Tribunals Service spent from local budgets on promoting the lay magistracy to potential local recruits.[HL4164]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): HM Courts and Tribunals Service does not have a specific budget set aside for promoting the recruitment of the lay magistracy, and such spends are not separately identifiable. The work of the magistracy is most often promoted through events such as court open days, mock trials involving local schools, and ‘out reach’ activity such as the Magistrates’ Association Magistrates’ in the Community’ initiative. Such activities and events frequently include further publicity through local newspapers and radio interviews.
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to replace the lay magistracy with lay stipendiaries.[HL4192]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: None. District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) and lay magistrates bring different strengths and skills to the bench and are equally important to our justice System. The Government is currently looking at the role of magistrates to ensure that they remain a key part of our justice system. This is as a complement to, not at the expense of District Judges in the magistrates’ courts.
Mailing Preference Service
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the mailing preference service.[HL4262]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): The Government has made sure that there are preference services in place for any one who does not want to receive unsolicited mail. Registering with such services is free and simple.
There are currently two services run by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA): the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) will stop unsolicited addressed mail, and the “Your Choice” preference service will stop unsolicited unaddressed mailings. . These are separate services as some people may want to stop one or other type of mailing rather than both. More information about these services can be found on the MPS website (httn://www.mpsonline.org.uk/www.mpsonline.org.uk). Royal Mail also operates its own “opt out” service for its “door-to-door” mailings, but this will only stop those unaddressed mailings delivered by Royal Mail (around 25% of such mail). More information about Royal Mail’s service can be found on its website (www.royalmail.com).
By registering with all three services, consumers can stop the vast majority of unsolicited mailings. Consumers should however be aware that they may continue to receive unsolicited mail from those companies with which they have had some kind of direct customer relationship. To stop unsolicited mail from these sources, consumers will need to make direct contact with the respective companies in order to have their details removed from their mailing databases.
Malaysia
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Lichfield
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of Malaysia to help ensure that Christians in that country can continue to worship following the recent Malaysian Court of Appeal ruling that only Muslims may call God “Allah”, given that Malaysian Christians call God “Allah” in their worship and bible translations.[HL4096]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We consistently underline our support for human rights, including freedom of religion, in our contacts with the Malaysian government. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly raise the issue of respecting religious diversity with their Malaysian counterparts. This happened most recently on 7 November when the Acting High Commissioner discussed religious tolerance with the Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister and others following a workshop on moderation in the context of the Global Movement of Moderates, an initiative launched by Prime Minister Najib. The Malaysian government has made clear that the Appeal Court judgement relates to use of the word Allah by the Catholic Herald newspaper and does not prevent its use by Bahasa speakers in church services or in bibles. We will continue to raise freedom of expression where necessary.
National Infrastructure Plan
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will provide details of the money to be made available to address mobile service “not-spots” on the A470 set out in the National Infrastructure Plan.[HL4046]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): On 3 October 2011, the Government announced up to £150m funding to improve mobile coverage and quality across the UK - known as the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP). This is intended to improve mobile phone coverage providing a sustainable solution for people living and working in areas with no mobile coverage. The A470(T) was identified as one of ten roads with ‘not spots’ to be targeted by the MIP.
National Insurance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many National Insurance numbers are issued each year to new arrivals in the United Kingdom; how many are issued to those born in the United Kingdom; how many numbers are extinguished by death each year; and what efforts are made to detect individuals holding more than one number.[HL4224]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Information on the number of National Insurance Numbers issued to new arrivals in the UK can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool
HMRC own the process for allocating National Insurance Numbers to individuals born in the United Kingdom, therefore questions on this should be directed to HM Treasury.
National Insurance numbers are not extinguished by death each year as records are required after death to calculate survivor benefits. Deceased records are however ‘marked’ to prevent any abuse.
All National Insurance Number applications are subject to rigorous identity checks including document examination to ensure individuals are not allocated more than one number. For the majority of applicants, this process includes a face-to-face interview.
National Security
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what precepts in respect of national security govern the work of the Department of International Development; and what role is played by the National Security Council in such matters.[HL4145]
Baroness Northover (LD): The National Security Council (on which the Secretary of State for International Development sits) and the National Security Strategy set a coherent framework for all of HMG’s security and conflict prevention activity, including decisions within DFID.
NHS: Acute Hospitals
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average length of stay for patients in National Health Service acute hospitals for each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of inpatients in those hospitals stayed longer than the average; and what was the average cost of an inpatient bed in those hospitals in each of those five years, at constant prices.[HL4131]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The information is shown in the following table for National Health Service acute hospitals for the period 2008-09 to 2012-13 1.
| Year | Average mean length of stay in days 2 | Percentage of patients with a longer than average length of stay 3 | Average cost of an inpatient bed in 2012-13 prices £ 4 |
Sources:
Hospital episode statistics, Health and Social Care Information Centre
National schedules of reference costs, Department of Health.
Notes:
1. The information is not comparable over time because of reconfigurations to acute hospitals.
2. Average mean length of stay in days: This is the mean average of the spell duration in days. A spell is a period of continuous admitted patient care within an NHS hospital trust The length of stay is calculated by subtracting the admission date from the discharge date. Day cases, which have a length of stay of zero days, are excluded from this calculation.
3. Percentage of patients with a longer than average length of stay: This is calculated using patients who stayed longer than the average mean length of stay as a proportion of all patients. Day case episodes were included in the definition of all patients for this calculation.
4. Average cost of an inpatient bed in 2012-13 prices: This is the national average unit cost of excess bed days submitted annually by acute NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts in reference costs. The cost per day for excess bed days beyond expected lengths of stay generally relates to low intensity nursing, blood tests, drugs, dressings, therapies, and hotel costs, although active treatment does sometimes continue. Costs have been inflated to 2012-13 prices using GDP deflators published by Her Majesty’s Treasury on 9 December 2013.
NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on vulnerable communities of changes to the Clinical Commissioning Group allocation formula as currently being considered by NHS England.[HL4182]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that areas with greater health inequalities will not be adversely affected by any new Clinical Commissioning Group allocation formula.[HL4183]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Responsibility for resource allocation is a matter for NHS England as set out in The Mandate. The Government has made clear in the mandate that one of the governing principles should be equal access for equal need, and that changes in allocations should not result in the destabilising of local health economies.
Initial findings from NHS England's fundamental review of allocation policy, which drew on the expert advice of the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation and, involved a range of external partners, were considered by the NHS England board at their meeting on 17 December. A new formula to set clinical commissioning group (CCG) allocation targets was agreed.
The new formula uses a new indicator to recognise how health inequality should be reflected; uses a powerful new method to derive estimates of need; reflects more up-to-date population growth using general practitioner lists; and, reflects the new responsibilities of CCGs.
I refer the noble Baroness to my written statement issued on 17 December 2013, Official Report, column WS137.
NHS: Continuing Care
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the National Health Service has spent on continuing care in 2012–13 and for each of the previous five years at constant prices; and how many people received that care in each year.[HL4126]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The cost of funding National Health Service continuing healthcare packages has not been captured specifically in the audited accounts of primary care trusts. Since 2009, the Department has collected information on the total cost of NHS continuing healthcare packages through a financial information management systeml. The annual costs (England total) are as follows:
— 2009-10 - £2,030,071,000— 2010-11 - £2,186,171,000— 2011-12 - £2,324,655,000— 2012-13 - £2,762,532,000
The Department has published quarterly data on the numbers of individuals in receipt of NHS continuing healthcare since 2009. This information can be viewed in detail on the Department's website at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-continuing-healthcare.
The England total Quarter 4 figures for individuals in receipt of NHS continuing healthcare are as follows:
— 2009-10 — 50,424— 2010-11 — 53,264— 2011-12 — 55,654— 2012-13 — 58,809
Notes:
1. This is management information and is not audited for Departmental accounts
NHS: Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answers by Earl Howe on 19 November (HL Deb, col 869) and 9 December (WA 93), whether they have given any consideration to collecting details of how many consultants and junior doctors were replaced at the Mid-Staffordshire Hospital Trust as part of their efforts to hold the system at that trust to account; if so, what factors led to the decision not to collect such data; and if not, why not. [HL4132]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Following the reforms set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 the Department acts as the system steward, providing strategic direction and setting outcomes. It does not directly manage National Health Service organisations, therefore it is not appropriate for the Department to collect data of this type or in this manner. The requested level of operational detail is a matter for the foundation trust board (FTB) or the trust special administrators (TSA) in the case of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust (Mid Staffs).
As part of its regulatory activity, Monitor collects data on staff turnover, broken down by staff group. This data is used to assess risk and identify trends within individual foundation trusts (FTs) and across the sector. Monitor uses information from a variety of sources such as performance results against national targets, serious incident reports and “never events” to assess whether an FT is well led.
Monitor does not regularly collect data on the number of staff that have left trusts as a result of disciplinary action. This operational detail is a matter for the FTB (or the TSAs in the case of Mid Staffs).
NHS: PAYE
Question
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of recent developments with PAYE systems in Lewisham and Greenwich National Health Service Trust.[HL4240]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): This is a matter for Lewisham and Greenwich Hospitals NHS Trust. We are advised by the NHS Trust Development Authority that some of the trust's staff who were formerly employed by South London Healthcare NHS Trust were issued incorrect tax codes, as a result of which they did not receive their correct salary for November.
We understand that the Trust has reimbursed those members of staff who were under-paid in November. Extra payments have been made to staff where necessary and salaries for December have been adjusted accordingly.
North Korea
Questions
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of North Korea regarding the political situation in that country.[HL4229]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK has a policy of ‘critical engagement’ with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This means speaking out and taking action on issues such as human rights and North Korea’s nuclear programme, while at the same time engaging the regime with projects and bilateral visits. However, given the opaque nature of the North Korean regime it is particularly difficult to form a clear assessment of the real political situation.
Following the execution of Jang Song Thaek on 13 December 2013, the British Embassy in Pyongyang spoke to the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19 December 2013 to clarify the situation. Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office also discussed the situation with the North Korean Embassy on 20 December 2013. In both meetings we sought clarification on the situation and expressed our concerns about the use of capital punishment. The North Korean government claimed Jang’s execution is an internal matter and would not impact on their internal or international policies.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they reconcile the remark by Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 16 December (HC Deb, col 479) that the British Embassy in Pyongyang “is working with BBC Worldwide on an initiative to broadcast BBC drama, nature and science programmes on North Korean television” with the remark by Baroness Warsi on 21 January that BBC broadcasts to North Korea are “a matter for the BBC”; and why it is desirable to broadcast drama programmes but not news or documentaries promoting human rights or democracy.[HL4288]
Baroness Warsi: The BBC has full editorial, operational and managerial independence. Both the issue of BBC World Service broadcasts to North Korea and any decision by BBC Worldwide to provide BBC drama and documentary programmes for broadcast on North Korean television are matters for the BBC. As I said in my reply to Lord Alton’s question of 18 December, we understand that the BBC World Service is not currently persuaded that a Korean language service would be an effective use of its funds. In the case of the broadcasting of BBC Worldwide programmes on North Korean television, this is an initiative which is under active consideration by the BBC and on which the British Embassy in Pyongyang has been able to play a role in facilitating contacts. We believe, as my colleague the Minister of State, my Rt. hon. Friend the Member for
East Devon (Mr Swire) said on 16 December, that it has the potential to expose significant numbers of North Koreans to aspects of the outside world from which they are normally totally isolated.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last summoned the North Korean Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss the use of capital punishment in that country against those who have fallen out of favour with the regime, and its use of public executions.[HL4289]
Baroness Warsi: The North Korean Ambassador last came to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 10 October 2013. He met the Director General for Economic and Consular issues, who raised our concerns about North Korea’s overall human rights record and encouraged North Korea to engage constructively with the UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights violations by the North Korean government.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they made about human rights cases and issues to the United Nations Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in North Korea during the recent visit of the Commissioners to London; whether they discussed the application in that country of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and whether they discussed the status of those held in that country’s network of prison camps.[HL4290]
Baroness Warsi: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funded a visit to the UK by the UN Commission of Inquiry and arranged for the Inquiry to take evidence from Parliamentarians, North Korean refugees, and non-governmental organisations about the human rights situation in North Korea. The Inquiry also met with the Minister of State at the FCO, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), and FCO officials specialising in North Korea and human rights. We discussed the substantial limits on freedom, thought and expression imposed by the North Korean government.
Offender Management Act 2007
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times the provision in section 34 of the Offender Management Act 2007 which allows a child to be placed in youth detention accommodation that does not have the purpose of restricting liberty has been used since November 2007.[HL4174]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The effect of Section 34 attic Offender Management Act 2007 was to enable new forms of youth detention accommodation to be specified under the Powers of Criminal Courts
(Sentencing) Act 2000. No such new forms have been specified following the Offender Management Act 2007 and therefore no child has been placed in youth detention accommodation that does not have the purpose of restricting liberty.
Offenders: Dependants
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 19 November (WA 199), what is the most recent assessment they have made of the arrangements for identifying dependants of offenders or defendants who face a custodial sentence or a remand in custody.[HL4068]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 19 November (WA 199), who co-ordinates the arrangements for identifying dependants of offenders or defendants who face a custodial sentence or a remand in custody and reviews their outcomes.[HL4069]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government is currently considering practical ways to improve arrangements for identifying dependants of those facing custodial sentences or remand in custody. We will be discussing with organisations and criminal justice agencies how those who come into contact with the criminal justice system can be encouraged to reveal the existence of dependants as early as possible and how that information can be acted upon to ensure adequate arrangements are made for their care.
Overseas Aid
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they currently require, or have ever required, that the Official Development Assistance budget is spent in countries in ways which make the maximum possible contribution to United Kingdom national security. [HL4144]
Baroness Northover (LD): All Departments which spend Official Development Assistance are required to spend their budgets in ways which meet the international definition of Official Development Assistance set by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The National Security Council (on which the Secretary of State for International Development sits) and the 2010 National Security Strategy set a coherent framework for all of HMG’s security and conflict prevention activity. Building on this, the joint DFID/MOD/FCO Building Stability Overseas Strategy (2011) set out a strong integrated approach, bringing together our diplomatic, development and defence work, to tackling instability overseas. Official Development Assistance contributes to the implementation of these strategies, within its overall objective of promoting economic development and the welfare of developing countries.
Pakistan
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 20 November (WA 217–8), what were the criteria of approval regarding the Education Awareness Programme budget of £20 million allocated for 2012–15 and the total media campaign budget allocated to the Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation.[HL4268]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 20 November (WA 217–8), what was the presentation of the Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation to the Department for International Development in respect of their application for the grant.[HL4269]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 20 November (WA 217–8), whether the Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation have submitted any report to highlight the details of their expenditure on the Education Awareness Programme; and whether they have discussed with the Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation the purpose of Geo advertisements in the United Kingdom and United States regarding the Education Awareness Programme in Pakistan. [HL4270]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 20 November (WA 217–8), what was the process for allocating the Department for International
Development grant to the Mir Khalil ur Rahman Foundation; and whether any other non-governmental organisations were considered for this purpose. [HL4271]
Baroness Northover (LD): I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 20 Nov 2013 (Official Report, WA217 – 218)
The Mir Khalil ur Rahman (MKRF) provide DFID with quarterly expenditure reports. DFID does not fund MKRF to advertise in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
Pensions
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many pension fund amalgamations have taken place in each of the last three years.[HL4242]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Neither DWP or its arms length bodies, including the Pension Regulator collect information on the number of or reasons for amalgamations however data from the Occupational Pension Scheme Survey shows a decline in small scheme membership and an increase in large scheme membership over time. The latest information is presented in the table below:
Table 1: Number of active members of private sector occupational DC schemes: by size, 2000-2012 (UK, millions)
| 2000 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
Source:
OPSS 2000-2012
Notes:
1. Only schemes with 12 or more members have been included from 2006 onwards.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average size of a pension fund in the United Kingdom; and how that figure compares to those in other European Union member states.[HL4243]
Lord Freud: The table shows the average size of pension funds in the UK private sector, broken down by scheme type, and giving the figures that make up the averages.
| Scheme Type | Total Assets(£bn) | Number of Schemes | Average Fund Size (£m) |
The average size of Defined Benefit and Hybrid pension funds in the UK private sector is £182m. This is based on total assets of £1,118.5bn and 6,150 schemes.
The average size of Defined Contribution (DC) Trust-Based pension funds in the UK private sector, with 12 or more members, is £9.6m. This is based on total assets of £24bn and 2,500 schemes.
The average size of DC Trust-Based micro pension funds in the UK private sector is £5.6m. This is based on total assets of £250bn and 45,000 schemes.
The average size of DC Contract-Based pension funds in the UK private sector is £77m. This is based on total assets of £115bn and 1,500 schemes.
We are unable to provide comparative figures for European Union member states.
Personal Independence Payment
Question
Asked by Baroness Thomas of Winchester
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the current average delays, if any, at each separate stage of the claimant process for the Personal Independence Payment; and what action they propose to take to address any delays at each separate stage.[HL4123]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Personal Independence Payment started from April 2013 and although limited data has started to feed through, we need to wait until the Department has quality assured and meaningful figures for publication. The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity. We intend to publish Official Statistics on Personal Independence Payment from Spring 2014.
The different stages of the claimant process and what needs to happen before we can make a decision on a claim for PIP can be viewed by accessing the PIP Claimant Journey, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pip-claim-process-overview-the-claimant-journey
The length of time it takes to deal with a claim depends on how long each stage actually takes for individuals.
As PIP is a new benefit we are looking closely at how long the claimant journey is taking against original estimates. We are working with operational colleagues and providers to ensure that all the steps in the process are as smooth as they can be. We continue to look at our processes to ensure that satisfactory arrangements are in place to assess a person’s entitlement to PIP.
Philippines
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of the impact on the environment of the mining laws recently passed by the Philippines parliament.[HL4006]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Mining is a sector that, if managed appropriately, can help deliver growth and jobs that will help development in the Philippines. The current legislative basis iswidely recognised as needing
further improvement. Environmental concerns are an issue of continuing concern, particularly the scale of illegal and small scale mining.
The most recent addition to the legal framework was very positive; the Philippines government has committed to participate in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which sets international standards for transparency and accountability. The British Embassy is working with non-governmental organisations and local government representatives on this process, with the aim of promoting greater transparency and local community involvement in the mining sector.
Political Parties and Elections Act 2009
Question
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the new text, sections and schedule inserted into the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 as a result of the House of Lords' agreement to Motion A, moved by Lord Bach on 20 July 2009 on consideration of the House of Commons amendments, have been brought into law and enforced.[HL4241]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): This provision is not in force. There is a need for the Government to ensure that these provisions are workable in practice as well as consistent with the wider legislative framework. There is however already a robust legal framework in place to ensure that only individuals that are registered on the electoral register and organisations that carry on business in the UK can make donations to political organisations in the UK.
Railways: High Speed 2
Questions
Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Information Commissioner rejected Minsters' objections to publish the November 2011 Project Assessment Review of the High Speed Rail Project; and whether they continue to maintain those objections.[HL4090]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Information Commissioner issued a Decision Notice on 6 June 2013 in relation to a request for the November 2011 Major Projects Authority report into the High Speed Rail Project.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the HS2 Bill and the procedures attached to it comply with the requirements of the Equator Principles.[HL4195]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The equator principles are primarily a risk management framework for financial institutions to enable them to determine, assess and
manage environmental and social risk in projects. Whilst this approach has merits for the financial sector, the correct way to identify likely significant effects for a project such as HS2 is by undertaking an Environmental Statement. This was laid in Parliament alongside the hybrid Bill on 25 November.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding has been made available in the current Parliament to support the HS2 project.[HL4273]
Baroness Kramer: In 2010/11 expenditure on HS2 was £24.3 million.
In 2011/12 expenditure on HS2 was £55.6 million.
In 2012/13 expenditure on HS2 was £212.9 million.
In 2013/14 the budget allocation for HS2 is £366.9 million.
In 2014/15 the budget allocation for HS2 is £442.5 million.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the current HS2 rail budget has been allocated to (1) land acquisition, (2) land and property compensation, and (3) all other types of compensation. [HL4274]
Baroness Kramer: There is no specific sum of money set aside exclusively for property compensation and property purchase schemes associated with HS2.
A consultation on discretionary support for residential property owners affected by the Phase One route of HS2 closed on 4 December 2013. The Government expects to announce its decision by the summer of 2014.
The result of the consultation will be one of the influences the final cost of compensation for Phase One. It is therefore not possible to say at this stage how much land and compensation for HS2 will cost, but a figure of around £1.6bn for Phase One has been assumed.
Property and compensation payments both form a call on the HS2 Property capital budget, which is £100m for 2013/14 and £150m for 2014/15.
Other types of compensation for Phase 1 primarily comprises of compensation to Train Operating Companies for disruption caused by HS2 works. An indicative figure of around £440m has been assumed but this will be kept under review as the detailed design and construction work planning matures.
On Phase Two, Government is currently consulting on the line of route which once a decision has been made, will help to determine the indicative costs for property compensation and acquisition and other types of compensation.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the most recent estimate of the total projected cost of the HS2 rail scheme including (1) rolling stock, (2) VAT, and (3) the spur link to Heathrow.[HL4275]
Baroness Kramer: The most recent cost estimate for both phases of the project is £42.6bn and £7.5bn for rolling stock. This includes contingency of £14.4bn for construction costs and £1.7bn for rolling stock. The overall total estimated cost of the project is therefore £50.1bn. This estimate does not include VAT as, as the NAO has highlighted, VAT is an internal transfer within government rather than an additional cost. It would therefore not be right to include VAT within cost estimates.
Work on the Heathrow spur has been put on hold pending the advice of the Airports Commission on future airport strategy for the UK and a decision will be taken by the Government elected at the next General Election. The most recent cost estimate by HS2 Ltd for a Heathrow spur is that, were the spur to go ahead, it would cost around £1.46 billion.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the total projected cost of HS2 Phase Two includes the spur link to Heathrow.[HL4276]
Baroness Kramer: At Spending Round 2013 a funding envelope of £21.2bn was set for Phase Two. As work on the Heathrow spur has been put on hold pending the advice of the Airports Commission on future airport strategy for the UK, the itemised cost for the Heathrow spur was not included in the base costs used for Spending Round 2013.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish details of any additional funding that has been allocated for preparatory work for future phases of a high speed rail network following Royal Assent to the High Speed Rail (Preparation) Act 2013.[HL4277]
Baroness Kramer: The High Speed Rail (Preparation) Act provides Parliamentary Authority for preparatory works for Phase One of HS2 and all future phases of a high speed rail network. This preparatory work will include pre-construction surveying and design and the acquisition of property for the construction of HS2.
There is no distinct budget for preparatory work separate to the budget for the HS2 project overall and the powers in the Bill do not provide for any additional spending further to the budget that has been already set and agreed with HM Treasury and voted on by the House in the usual manner.
Railways: Intercity Express Trains
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 20 July 2011 (WA 337), what are the current estimates of the cost of building the Intercity Express Train as an electric version and as a bi-mode (diesel and electric) version in both five-vehicle and nine-vehicle versions. [HL4219]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The expected total cost of the Intercity Express Programme is £5.8bn over 27.5 years for the provision of 122 trains and their subsequent maintenance and servicing as well as infrastructure works. The costs in relation to the fleet mix, as requested by the Noble Lord, are commercially confidential.
Rainforests
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of the extent to which areas of rainforest are being felled to make way for oil palm plantations; what is the estimated effect on plant and animal life and on human habitation of that felling; and what are the consequences of such felling for worldwide climate conditions.[HL4064]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Defra has made no recent assessment of these issues. Assessments have been made by others, for example the UN Food and Agriculture Organization has published its Global Forest Resource Assessment.
Rape
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of their commitment to establish recognition of rape as a weapon of war, what strategies are currently in place through international institutions to support women raped during the war between Pakistan and Bangladesh.[HL4209]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal was established with the support of International Institutions in 2010 to investigate those alleged to have committed crimes during the 1971 war between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The tribunal has indicted, tried and sentenced several people for crimes against humanity, including rape.
The noble Baroness will be aware of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) launched in May 2012 by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague). This aims to combat the use of rape as a weapon of war, to end the culture of impunity that exists for these crimes and to increase the number of perpetrators brought to account, and to provide support to survivors. Both our G8 and UN General Assembly (UNGA) Declarations encourage countries to provide greater support and assistance to survivors of sexual violence and we continue to strongly urge those, including Bangladesh, who have not already done so to endorse the UNGA declaration.
Republic of Ireland: Financial Assistance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of their bilateral loans to the Republic of Ireland in 2010; how much interest on such loans has been paid to HM Treasury; and when they expect that the loans will be fully repaid.[HL4171]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The UK agreed in 2010 to provide a bilateral loan to Ireland of £3.2 billion as part of an international financial assistance package of €67.5 billion. The loan was disbursed in eight tranches of £403.37 million each.
Each tranche has a maturity of 7.5 years from the date of disbursement. The final tranche was disbursed on 26 September 2013 and the final principal repayment of the loan is due on 26 March 2021.
The UK receives interest payments every six months and has received 5 payments to date totalling £106,289,917.91.
In accordance with the Loans to Ireland Act 2010, HM Treasury reports to Parliament every six months including information on principal and interest payments.
Roads: Car Traffic
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 17 December (WA 194), what were the forecasts made in 1989, 1997 and 2008 for car and taxi traffic volumes for 2011.[HL4264]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Great Britain Car and Taxi forecasts for the year 2011 are presented in the Table below for each of the requested traffic forecasts.
| Year of Forecast | Car/Taxi forecast (Bn Miles) 2011 |
The NTM Road Traffic Forecasts should not be viewed as what we think will actually happen in the future, or what we want the future to look like. The forecasts are what may happen, based on: (i) our current understanding of how people make travel choices; (ii) the expected path of key drivers of travel demand; (iii) assuming no change in government policy beyond that already announced.
The forecasts will therefore reflect the latest thinking on these three factors in the year they were produced.
Our most recent traffic forecast publication Road Traffic Forecasts 2013 is available on our website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-transport-forecasts-2013 and this shows how a range of forecasts have performed against outturn data.
Royal Charter: Press Regulation
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 November (WA 219), why the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press is subject to approval by the devolved institutions when Parliament has no such role.[HL4098]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 November (WA 219), whether the Northern Ireland Executive has made a decision about allowing the operation of the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press.[HL4100]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 November (WA 219), whether the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press is a devolved matter in (1) Wales, and (2) Scotland; and, if so, what discussions they have held with the respective administrations of those countries.[HL4101]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 November (WA 219), whether they will place in the Library of the House the legal advice they have received regarding the operation of the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press in the devolved administrations.[HL4102]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Royal Charter, which was granted by the Privy Council acting on the advice of UK Government Ministers on 30 October 2013, has been discussed and debated in Parliament eleven times since Easter 2013 and was the result of a cross-party agreement concluded by the leaders of the three main political parties.
Following the vote in the Scottish Parliament on 30 April 2013 agreeing to Scottish participation in the Charter, discussions have been held with the Scottish Government to ensure the Charter properly reflects Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances.
The Northern Ireland administration has not at this time entered into similar arrangements in relation to the Charter.
The self-regulation of the press in Wales is not a devolved matter. Officials have continued to update officials in all three devolved administrations on progress of the Charter.
Any legal advice received on this issue is subject to legal professional privilege and it is therefore not appropriate to disclose any such advice.
Royal Charters
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 November (WA 219), whether Royal Charters relating to the BBC, the Bank of England, the Scout Association, and the British Film Institute operate in Northern Ireland; and, if so, how in each case the decision to allow their operation in Northern Ireland was taken.[HL4099]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): A Royal Charter confers independent legal personality on a body and defines its objectives constitution and powers to govern its own affairs. Where the incorporated body then operates is usually a matter for each organisation to determine. In some cases this is specified in the Charter.
Royal Navy: Personnel
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the planned numbers of trained and untrained Royal Naval and Royal Marines personnel in (1) 2015, (2) 2018, and (3) 2020.[HL4177]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there will be sufficient Royal Naval personnel to man the currently planned fleet in (1) 2018, and (2) 2020. [HL4178]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the planned recruitment figures of Royal Naval ratings for (1) 2018, and (2) 2020.[HL4179]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Ministry of Defence does not hold the information requested broken down for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. The figures in the following table represent the totality of military personnel in the Naval Service.
The planned numbers of trained personnel are:
| April 2015 | April 2018 | April 2020 |
The number of untrained personnel at April 2015 is expected be in the region of 3,200. The numbers for 2018 and 2020 have not been calculated as they are dependent on future manning requirements, outflows, and training wastage rates.
Royal Navy strength is forecast to be within manning balance, which is defined as +1% to -2% of the planned Trained Strength target of 29,850 at April 2018. A forecast for 2020 is not yet available.
The recruitment figures for Royal Navy Rating entries in 2018 and 2020 have not yet been set.
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what size the Royal Naval Reserve will be in (1) 2015, (2) 2018, and (3) 2020.[HL4180]
Lord Astor of Hever: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary (Philip Hammond) released in the other place on 19 December 2013 (Official Report, column 124WS), and a paper that was placed in the Library of the House setting out the planned growth of the trained strength of the Reserve Forces, together with the enlistment targets for the next five years that will support that growth.
Royal Parks
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much rent is paid by Winter Wonderland for use of Hyde Park; what undertakings are required in respect of reparation; and what steps are taken to ensure that the Park remains an attractive destination for other users.[HL4151]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): PWR is the company contracted by The Royal Parks Agency (TRP) to deliver Wonder Wonderland. The value of the contract is commercially confidential but the monies raised by TRP are reinvested in the parks.
Over 2.5 million people are expected to visit Winter Wonderland this year. The footprint of the event covers around 10% of Hyde Park and is free to access. The rest of the park is open as an amenity for all visitors.
The experienced park management teams ensure the ground is reinstated and fully restored after the event, funded by the event organisers.
Russia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the World Trade Organisation about Russia's recent ban on imports of chocolate from the Ukraine, cheese from Lithuania, wine from Georgia and wine, fruit and vegetables from Moldova.[HL4207]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The British Government has had no discussions with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) about Russian bans of goods from third countries. However we continue to impress upon Russia, bilaterally and through the EU, the need to adhere fully to the WTO’s rules and guidelines. The EU will also raise trade issues, including ongoing EU trade disputes with Russia, at the EU-Russia summit taking place in Brussels at the end of January.
Schools: Free Meals
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the pupil premium will be calculated for pupils in reception classes and years one and two who would previously have qualified for free school meals but who will in future be entitled to receive them as of right. [HL4063]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): We are providing significant funding through the pupil premium to help raise the attainment of disadvantaged children. The way in which we allocate the pupil premium in 2014-15 will not be affected by our policy to introduce free school meals for all infant pupils because we will use data from the January 2014 school census. This means that we will still have data on infant pupils who are eligible for free school meals under the current criteria.
Local authorities such as Southwark, Newham, Durham and Islington have offered free school meals to their primary pupils while still identifying those who should be eligible for the pupil premium. We will consider their experience and set out our proposals in due course.
Schools: Funding
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that school funding mechanisms do not disadvantage small schools.[HL4246]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): We value small schools and recognise that they often play a vital role in rural communities. We have given local authorities flexibility to support small schools through the allocation in their funding formulae of a lump sum and a sparsity factor.
The intention of the lump sum is to provide all schools with a base level of funding to meet some of the costs of running a school that may not be affordable through per-pupil funding alone. From 2014-15 we are giving local authorities more flexibility by allowing them to set a different level of lump sum for primary schools as compared with secondary schools.
The sparsity factor is designed to support small schools, without which pupils would have to travel an excessive distance. Local authorities, in consultation with their Schools Forums, have the flexibility to target money to:
1. Primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils, if the pupils for whom the school is their closest would otherwise have to travel an average distance greater than or equal to 2 miles to their next nearest school; and
2. Secondary schools with fewer than 600 pupils, if the pupils for whom the school is their closest would otherwise have to travel an average distance greater than or equal to 3 miles to their next nearest school.
As we make further reforms to the school funding system we will continue to consider the impact of new arrangements on small schools and rural communities.
Schools: Sports
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the availability of after-school sports provision.[HL4265]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Physical Education (PE) and sport provision in schools is a top priority for this Government. We are providing over £450 million of funding for primary schools over the academic years 2013/14 to 2015/16 specifically to improve PE and sport. Head teachers can choose to spend this, for example, on increasing after-school provision of sports clubs or increasing participation in competitive activity such as the School games.
Sport England also offer a range of activities that can be accessed after school at secondary level, including the successful Satellite Clubs and Sportivate programmes, offering pupils the chance to try new sports and building links with community sports clubs.
We are also making it easier for schools to provide out-of-hours provision and, where they choose, for them to do it in partnership with other providers. For example, we are legislating to remove the need for schools to consult when offering out-of-hours facilities or to follow advice about the provision of out-of-hours facilities from the Secretary of State or local authorities.
Slovenia
Question
Asked by Lord Black of Brentwood
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received representations about the recent documentary prepared by Professor Dr Edward Gobetz, Slovenia, Twenty Five Years Later, regarding the resurgence of Communism within Slovenia in recent years.[HL4280]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Government has not received any such representations.
South Sudan
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the events in Juba, South Sudan, on 16 December.[HL4196]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are deeply concerned by the outbreak of violence in South Sudan. There have been high numbers of reported deaths and over 120,000 people have been displaced from their homes, of whom about half are seeking refuge in UN compounds. The humanitarian response is severely constrained by insecurity in many locations. We are working with aid agencies to identify urgent priorities and prepare for when access to other currently insecure areas improves. On 30 December, the Department for International Development has announced an additional £12.5 million to support humanitarian needs.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr Riek Machar on Sunday 29 December urging them both to commit to an immediate ceasefire and to enter into negotiations without preconditions. In separate discussions with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, the Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds) confirmed the UK’s full support for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led mediation to bring President Kiir and opposing forces to the negotiating table. Mr Simmonds reiterated this in discussions with the Ugandan Foreign Minister. We are working closely with US and Norwegian counterparts to discuss how the troika can best support this process.
We welcome the Security Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2132 (2013) which authorised an increase of five battalions (5,500 troops) and three formed police units (480 personnel) for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We have been deeply concerned of reports of human right violations and the ethnic dimension of attacks. We welcome efforts by UN Mission in South Sudan to investigate reports of abuses, and to protect civilians and call on all sides to ensure respect for human rights of all.
Sport: Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to support an expansion of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.[HL4104]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): UK Sport provides funding to Sports Aid for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). This funding is confirmed until September 2014. UK Sport and Sport England are working together on talent development in England and are considering future funding options for this programme.
Sudan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the comments made by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
criticising the United Nations Security Council’s “inaction and paralysis” concerning the arrest warrants issued in 2009 against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and other top Sudanese officials for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur.[HL4143]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Government of Sudan has a clear obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC), pursuant to Security Council resolution 1593 (2005). It has repeatedly failed to do so. The UK continues to call on the Government of Sudan to meet its obligations and to cooperate with the ICC, including with respect to enforcement of the five separate arrest warrants issued by the Court. We call on all ICC States Parties to comply with their obligation to execute the outstanding arrest warrants in the event that an individual indicted by the ICC enters on its territory.
It is important that the Council follows up on its decision to refer the situation in Darfur to the Court. We have consistently raised this point in the Council, most recently on 11 December following a briefing to the Council from the ICC Prosecutor. We will continue to do so.
A full copy of the UK statement to the meeting on 11 December can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-calls-on-sudan-to-cooperate-with-icc
Telephone Preference Service
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the telephone preference service.[HL4261]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service and more than 19.5 million numbers are currently registered with them. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) considers complaints from consumers and can issue a monetary penalty of up to £500,000. Since January 2012, the ICO has issued four substantive monetary penalties totalling £360,000 in relation to unsolicited marketing calls being made to TPS registered consumers and action against fifteen other organisations is also under consideration.
In spring 2014, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) will be reviewing the effectiveness of the TPS in preventing unsolicited direct marketing calls and we will consider Ofcom’s findings to determine whether further action is necessary: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/ silent-calls/joint-action-plan. Also, we will be publishing our action plan on nuisance calls in the new year.
Turkey
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have been asked for advice on the revision and modernisation of the Turkish constitution, with particular regard to devolution of powers and the reform of anti-terror legislation.[HL4048]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We welcome the Turkish government’s efforts to develop a new civilian constitution and will continue to encourage an open drafting process, including full consultation with civil society, in order to secure the widest possible consensus. We stand ready to offer support if asked.
We welcome the Turkish Parliament’s approval of the fourth judicial reform package in April of this year. This is an important step towards improving anti-terror legislation in Turkey and we continue to encourage Turkey to make further progress.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have been consulted by the International Peace Initiative regarding the Kurdish question in Turkey; and whether they met Judge Essa Moosa of South Africa when he visited London recently.[HL4049]
Baroness Warsi: We regularly meet with relevant non-government organisations and think tanks to discuss developments on the Kurdish issue in Turkey. However, we have not been consulted by the International Peace Initiative, nor did we meet Judge Essa Moosa when he visited London recently. We fully support the Turkish government’s efforts to finding a peaceful solution and commend recent steps taken by all parties to move the process forward. A peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue would significantly enhance the stability and prosperity of Turkey and the wider region.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about the freedom of the press and the detention of journalists in that country; and when and to whom any such representations were made. [HL4204]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): We and our EU partners continue to take a close interest in press and other freedoms in Turkey and our concerns are reflected in the EU's 2013 Annual Progress Report on Turkey.
The UK plays an integral part in delivering the EU’s local human rights strategy in Turkey and, together with our EU partners, we continue to work at all levels to encourage Turkey to make further progress on the full range of human rights issues, including press freedom.
Most recently, officials from our Embassy in Ankara spoke to a cross-departmental Turkish delegation of senior officials and judges on 13 December. The importance the UK attaches to media freedom was underlined, as was the view that all fundamental freedoms were an important aspect of Turkey’s EU accession process.
Unemployment: Young People
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any joint schemes between the United Kingdom and other European countries to help young unemployed persons below the age of 24 to find employment.[HL4083]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Young people aged 18-30 years can receive limited financial support to work in other EU Member States under the “Your First EURES Job” scheme. This support is restricted to businesses employing fewer than 250 staff which are unable to recruit staff with the right profile in their own country.
The Employment Service in the exporting Member State is permitted to fund the costs of travelling for an interview and/or moving abroad. Employers participating in the scheme may receive EU funding to provide an integration programme. The latter must include training with an option to seek funding for language courses and settlement assistance (accommodation search, qualification recognition etc.).
The UK has decided not to participate in this scheme. However, this does not prevent UK employers using the scheme to bring in young workers from other Member States providing they meet the relevant criteria.
Further information on “Your First EURES Job” can be obtained from the following link to the European Commission Web site:
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=993
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they provide to school leavers to help them find employment.[HL4084]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): By raising the participation age, the Government is making sure that young people get the education and training they need after compulsory schooling to help them transfer into work or further study. Every 16 and 17 year old is entitled to an offer of a suitable place in education or training under the ‘September Guarantee’. In order to deliver this, the Government plans to spend £7.4 billion in 2013-14 to fund an education and training place for every 16 or 17 year old who wants one.
We are working to ensure that young people leave education and training with the skills and qualifications that employers want by ensuring a stronger focus on core knowledge and skills, introducing study programmes, making vocational qualifications more robust and involving employers in their development, delivery and assessment. We are reforming apprenticeships, introducing new traineeships for young people who are not yet ready for an apprenticeship, and providing extra support to vulnerable young people to help them move into jobs through the Youth Contract. We have also extended the duty on schools to secure independent careers guidance for all their pupils from year 8 to year 13.
As announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, Jobcentre Plus will pilot the provision of support for 16 and 17 year olds to help them re-engage with education, training, or employment with training - including supporting those who want help to find apprenticeships and traineeships.
From April 2015, employer National Insurance contributions will be abolished for under 21 year olds on earnings up to £813 per week. This will apply to
both existing employers and those taking on a new employee under 21, helping to support jobs for almost 1.5 million young people currently in employment.
United Nations: Responsibility to Protect
Question
Asked by Baroness Falkner of Margravine
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made a voluntary financial contribution to support the work of the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect.[HL4027]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): In 2010 the joint office of the Special Advisers on Prevention of Genocide and Responsibility to Protect was established at the request of the UN Secretary-General. The UK fully supports the joint office’s work to assess potential and current crisis situations to determine the threat of genocide and mass atrocity.
The UK has contributed £116,000 for financial year 2012/2013 to UN Joint Office for the Prevention of Genocide and Responsibility to Protect. For financial years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 the UK will contribute £242,000 each year.
The UK's contribution to the Joint Office will help to strengthen the capacity of Member States and regional and sub-regional organisations to develop early warning, risk assessment and response strategies to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
Vehicles: Long Heavy Vehicles
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Members of the European Parliament over the United Kingdom’s position on longer heavier vehicles.[HL4263]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the Hon Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) discussed longer lorries with Brian Simpson MEP and Mathieu Grosch MEP in June 2012, when he was the responsible Minister. Following the publication in April 2013 of the Commission’s proposal to amend Directive 96/53/EC, which sets out maximum weights and dimensions for road vehicles circulating within the Community, the Government has provided briefing for UK MEPs on the issues raised. This was last updated in October 2013.
Visas
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they propose to reduce the length or cost of the visa application process in order to facilitate the entry to the United Kingdom of Russian entertainers, artists and their supporters participating in the United Kingdom–Russia Year of Culture 2014.[HL4121]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) recently expanded the scope of the priority visa service in Russia so that those seeking to enter the UK to participate in the Year of Culture will be able to avail themselves of this service (which sees applications processed within three days of receipt by UKVI).
The average processing time for a non-settlement visa in Russia was nine days during the first half of 2013, well under our 15 day service standard.
There are no plans to reduce visa fees for those involved in the Year of Culture.
Waste Management: Electrical Equipment
Questions
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the 13-week storage requirement for electrical equipment under the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Regulations.[HL4114]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): There are no restrictions under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations on the length of time for WEEE storage and there are no plans to review storage periods. However, the Environment Agency may set additional site specific restrictions as part of any waste management licence or exemption.
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to issue guidelines to local authorities on the disposal of electrical lighting equipment on waste disposal sites by commercial suppliers of electrical equipment.[HL4115]
Lord De Mauley: There are currently no plans to issue guidelines to local authorities on the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Permits at waste disposal sites do not impose specific restrictions on the sources of waste that can be accepted. It is up to individual permit holders to determine which waste their sites will accept.
Waterways
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they provide towards the maintenance and promotion of inland waterways.[HL4228]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The maintenance and promotion of inland waterways is a matter for navigation authorities rather than the Government. However, the Government provides grant in aid funding to the two largest navigation authorities in England and Wales; the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency. The Government has also commissioned for 2013/14 three pieces of waterways safety guidance from the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities, the industry body for navigation authorities.
Wildlife: Illegal Trade
Questions
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the measures agreed at the African Elephant Summit held in Gaborone, Botswana, between 2 and 4 December on elephant populations and the illegal international wildlife trade.[HL4034]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): We welcome the agreement reached at the African Elephant Summit, at which I represented the UK Government, on 14 urgent measures to tackle ivory trafficking. Although it is too early to assess the impact of the agreed measures, it was encouraging to see the active engagement of many countries and the commitment of the Botswana Government to finding answers to the poaching epidemic. It is now for the international community to act on these urgent measures, a message we will build on at the London Conference on illegal wildlife trade on 13 February 2014.
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had since May 2010 with the government of China regarding the illegal trade in wildlife. [HL4035]
Lord De Mauley: My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Secretary of State, undertook a trade mission to China earlier this month. Useful discussions were held during this trip on the issue of illegal wildlife trade and the Chinese Government was encouraged to participate at the highest possible level in the London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade being held on 13 February 2014. I also met the Vice Minister of China’s State Forestry Administration earlier this month at the International Union for Conservation of Nature African Elephant Summit in
Botswana to discuss closer co-operation on efforts to tackle poaching and illegal trade.
UK Government officials have also engaged in discussions with China about tackling illegal wildlife trade through international fora such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). For example, the UK and China are members of the CITES Ivory and Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force, which exchanges intelligence on the smuggling of ivory and rhino horn and develops strategies for combating illegal trade.
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had since May 2010 with the government of Burma regarding the conservation of wildlife and eradication of the illegal trade in wildlife. [HL4036]
Lord De Mauley: Defra officials have engaged with the Government of Burma at various international wildlife conservation meetings, for example, the Global Tiger Initiative’s Second Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation held in Bhutan in October 2012, and the 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in March 2013.
Burma’s Foreign Minister has been invited to attend the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade on 13 February 2014. Burmese Government officials are also invited to the Senior Officials Group that brings together representatives of all the invited Governments and intergovernmental organisations discussing the structure and objectives of the London Conference.