Written Answers
Tuesday 28 January 2014
Africa
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of religious and sectarian violence in Africa, they have discussed with (1) the African Union Commission, (2) African economic bodies, and (3) Islamic authorities, what assistance the United Kingdom can provide to assist them in the promotion of religious freedom and tolerance in Africa. [HL4718]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK works closely with a variety of governments and organisations in Africa, particularly the African Union, in order to respond to crises, increase stability, and build prosperity. As part of this work, Ministers and officials have regular dialogue with various interfaith groups about the importance of promoting religious freedom and understanding.
Asylum Seekers
Questions
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 18 November 2013 (WA 129), and in the light of the Guardian article on 14 January which reported that “immigration staff have been set a target of winning 70 per cent of tribunal cases in which asylum seekers are appealing against government decisions that they should leave the United Kingdom”, what procedures are in place to ensure that the Home Office decision-making on asylum cases does not prioritise the target rejection rate over the viability of any given case.[HL4838]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need it. Every asylum application is considered on its individual merits against up-to-date country information, relevant case law and any policy guidance specific to the type of claim. Country information itself is based on reliable sources, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other governmental sources, the UNHCR, international and national human rights organisations, and news media.
Caseworkers do not aim to reject claims and there are no targets setting ideal refusal or grant rates. On average we are granting asylum in 30 per cent of initial decisions. We strive to ensure that caseworkers always maintain an open mind, by reinforcing this culture through messages from senior management, our training and our quality assurance procedures.
We make every effort to ensure that only appropriate cases go before the courts. Any decision to reject an asylum claim that has been appealed, and which is not considered by the Presenting Officer to be defensible at an appeal hearing, may, in consultation with a senior officer, be withdrawn so that the claim can be reconsidered or status granted. Where we are confident that our decision to reject a claim for asylum is correct, we will defend that decision at an appeal hearing. It is right to have a target in place for Presenting Officers — currently 70 per cent — to succeed in upholding such decisions at appeal.
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 9 January (WA 317), what assessment they have made of the reasons why the number of successful applications for citizenship from former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children has dropped to zero since 2012 from an average of 34 per year in 2010 and 2011; and whether this sudden change is under investigation by the Home Office.[HL4839]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: No assessment has been made and no investigation is underway by the Home Office as regards grants of citizenship to former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).
Migration trends vary and this could have impacted the number of UASCs applying for citizenship. However, there have been no recent changes to the citizenship requirements that would have impacted applications received since 2011.
Bullying: Racist Bullying
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the causes of the reported increase in racist bullying; and what plans they have to maintain and improve community cohesion as a result.[HL4422]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government is committed to tackling hate crime and we have a number of laws in place to protect people from hatred and violence.
In schools, the Government has made tackling all forms of bullying, including racist bullying, a top priority. All schools must have a behaviour policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils. They are also required to comply with the Equality Act 2010, which requires all public bodies to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Under the current Ofsted framework school inspectors consider how well schools prevent bullying and tackle harassment and discrimination as outlined in the Act. We have also strengthened teachers’ powers to discipline pupils for poor behaviour, including bullying.
We are also providing £4 million of funding over 2 years from spring 2013 to four organisations: Beatbullying, The Diana Award, Kidscape and the
National Children’s Bureau, to develop effective initiatives to prevent and tackle bullying. While these initiatives are not specifically targeted at racism, they can and do address racist bullying.
The new curriculum which comes into force in September 2014 offers opportunities to address some of the underlying causes of bullying including racist bullying; for example the new citizenship programme of study sets out a requirement for pupils to be taught about the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding.
In local communities, our integration policy breaks down barriers: emphasising local action and bringing people together; celebrating what we have in common rather than what divides us.
The Department for Communities and Local Government funds over 30 exemplar projects, working with charities, businesses and faith groups, to demonstrate what can be done with Government support to kick start activity.
Central African Republic
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to promote (1) Islamic and Christian dialogue, (2) good governance, and (3) poverty reduction, in response to outbreaks of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic.[HL4714]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Our current priority is to support international efforts to protect the Central African Republic’s (CAR’s) population from ongoing violence. Addressing religious tensions is part of this, and so we continue to welcome the efforts of CAR’s Inter-Religious Forum to promote dialogue, and have called for similar actions from CAR’s National Transitional Council.
Better governance and poverty reduction will be vital if CAR is to transition to a sustainable constitutional government. We are therefore working with the Department for International Development (DFID) and our international partners to ensure that this is addressed throughout the ongoing political process that will lead to elections by early 2015.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the European Union's development spending in the Central African Republic, in the light of religious and sectarian violence in that country.[HL4717]
Baroness Northover (LD): The situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to be of grave concern. We have been particularly troubled by the level of sectarian violence, and reports of serious human rights abuses, including targeted attacks against
children. Alongside the UK and other international partners, the European Union is funding a range of work to help address the situation in CAR, both in humanitarian relief and conflict resolution.
The EU is supporting the work of international non-governmental organisations to address the root causes of the sectarian violence in the country, and to tackle inter and intra-communal conflict. DFID’s Multilateral Aid Review assessed the European Development Fund and the European Community Humanitarian Office, which fund EU programmes in CAR, as very good value for money.
The UK has so far announced £15 million in support to those worst affected by the humanitarian crisis. UK support will allow the Red Cross, UN and international aid agencies dramatically to step up their relief programmes, providing emergency healthcare, clean water and logistical support to hundreds of thousands of people, including vulnerable women and children.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have asked that the effectiveness of aid to the Central African Republic be an item on the agenda at the forthcoming Africa–European Union Summit; and whether they have developed a programme to support any transitional political arrangements in that country.[HL4719]
Baroness Northover: The conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the resulting humanitarian crisis continues to be deeply worrying. The UK has committed £15m in support to the response and we are working closely with international partners to ensure that assistance is getting to those who need it.
We are also doing what we can to ensure that a strong constitutional government, crucial to long term stability in CAR, is firmly in place. We continue to stress in our engagement with international partners that it is imperative the political process agreed in N’Djamena in April 2013 is fully implemented, including the holding of free and fair elections within the agreed timetable.
The UK will attend a meeting at the EU-Africa summit to discuss support for the UN mandated force, the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic.
Coroner Services
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the revised Guide to Coroners and Inquests and Charter for coroner services will be published.[HL4598]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): We anticipate that the Guide to Coroner Services, which will replace the Guide to Coroners and Inquests and Charter for Coroner Services, will be published in the next few months. It will be the first statutory guidance on coroner services for bereaved people.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 24 October 2013 (HL Deb, col 1179) regarding the report Unsafe Return 2 that “this report is being considered in detail”, when they will publish their detailed response to the report.[HL4843]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): A country policy bulletin for the Democratic Republic of Congo addressing the Justice First “Unsafe Return 2” report and other return issues is expected to be published in February 2014.
Economy
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of recent trends in wages and costs on household finances; and what steps they will take to help those households facing financial difficulties.[HL4602]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government's central strategy to deliver improved living standards is to support a sustained and responsible economic recovery. The Government is determined to ensure that no one is left behind as the economy recovers and recognises immediate pressures on households. Since 2010 the Government has responded with a range of policy interventions to help raise living standards for all. The Personal Allowance will increase to £10,000 a year ahead of schedule and fuel duty and council tax have been frozen.
Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2601)
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether information gathered by local authorities under the Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2601) is held on a central database; and, if so, whether it is anonymised first.[HL4735]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Information gathered by local authorities under the Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2601) is held on the National Pupil Database (NPD) which is a centrally-held longitudinal database linking pupil/student characteristics to attainment information at individual level for all children in
maintained schools in England. It also holds individual pupil-level attainment data for pupils in non-maintained and independent schools and pupil records can also be linked to FE College and Higher Education data.
NPD data is not held in anonymised form. This is because the identifying information is required to be able to match data to the NPD so that pupil records can be linked within the NPD at an individual level. This is important because it allows the Department to track pupils’ progress and characteristics over time.
Employment: Zero-hours Contracts
Question
Asked by Baroness Hollis of Heigham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many, and what percentage of people on zero-hours contracts earn above the Lower Earnings Limit and are therefore within the National Insurance system.[HL4888]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Baroness Hollis, dated January 2014.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many, and what percentage of people on zero-hours contracts earn above the Lower Earnings Limit and are therefore within the National Insurance system. [HL4888]
Estimates of the number of people on zero-hours contracts are currently based on the Labour Force Survey, but these estimates are incomplete because many people are unable to say whether they are on such contracts. ONS is currently asking new questions of employers to produce better estimates of the number on zero-hour contracts, but this will not enable us to estimate the number on different levels of earnings.
Energy: Plutonium
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the publication of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) report Progress on the approaches of separated plutonium, whether they estimate that savings could be achieved over the next two years if the NDA were to concentrate the next phase of its programme on the use of CANDU and PRISM reactors, rather than examining further the use of plutonium in mixed oxide fuel.[HL4844]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): In our consultation response of 2011 we said reuse as Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel is our preferred option for managing our plutonium, but that we remained open to consider alternatives that offered better value to the
UK taxpayer. Two alternatives have been proposed; the CANDU EC6 reactor and the GE Hitachi PRISM reactor. The recently published NDA paper has described both of these as credible options. We therefore have three credible options to compare against each other. As the ultimate intention is to find a solution that offers best value to the taxpayer, concentrating the next phase of the NDA’s programme only on the use of CANDU and PRISM reactors would not allow us to compare all options and in turn not allow us to secure best value to the taxpayer.
EU: UK Interests
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in relations with the European Union, which British interests they consider can be secured or improved without requiring treaty changes.[HL4771]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Government is committed to building a more competitive, flexible and democratically accountable EU. As our track record shows—negotiating the first ever cut in the EU’s multiannual budget, achieving wholesale reform of fisheries policy and provisional agreement of an EU-Canada trade deal—we are making real progress. The Government will continue to push for ambitious reform: to conclude a groundbreaking EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, deepen the single market in digital, services and energy, and cut EU red tape.
Gaza
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current situation in the Gaza Strip following recent severe floods; whether the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is now receiving promised construction materials; whether aid is being received from Qatar; and what is their assessment of the prospects for the full reopening of crossings into Egypt.[HL4766]
Baroness Northover (LD): The severe winter storm in December exacerbated the already poor humanitarian situation for large sections of the Palestinian population, particularly in Gaza. Nevertheless, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has assessed that existing emergency response mechanisms worked well and no emergency appeal was launched.The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been able to resume implementation of twelve projects since December, but a further twenty projects worth over $42million cannot proceed due to on-going Israeli restrictions on the import of construction materials
into Gaza. Qatar has provided much-needed fuel which has helped the Gaza Power Plant to resume operations. We remain concerned at the frequent closures of the Rafah crossing, and the additional pressure that this puts on the fragile humanitarian situation.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the most recent representations they have made to the government of Israel about the blockade of Gaza; and what replies they received.[HL4767]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): On 16 January our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised the need for a major easing of Israel’s restrictions on Gaza with the Israeli National Security Council.
The Minister of State for International Development, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan) raised the issue of Gaza with the government of Israel during his recent visit to the region between 12-15 January.
On both occasions, UK concerns were noted.
Government Departments: Management Information Reports
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 18 December 2013 relating to the Department for International Development (WA 212–3), whether any performance data are collated on a daily or weekly basis for Ministers or the Permanent Secretary; and, if so, what.[HL4749]
Baroness Northover (LD): DFID does not collate the data requested on a daily or weekly basis.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 18 December 2013 relating to the Department for International Development (WA 212–3), what key performance indicators are used to review progress against the overall performance targets and objectives of the Department.[HL4750]
Baroness Northover: DFID’s key performance indicators are set out in the Department’s Results Framework (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-results-framework).
This framework provides performance information on many issues including:
- Progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).- Progress towards commitments to deliver particular development results set out in the publication UK Aid: Changing lives, delivering results
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-aid-changing-lives-delivering-results). - Management of DFID’s budgets and spend targets including progress towards calendar year targets for spending on Official Development Assistance (ODA). - Delivery of actions in DFID’s Structural Reform Plan - Performance of the portfolio of development programmes and programme management controls; and the development of the pipeline of future development programmes.- Delivery of actions in the Civil Service reform plan, and DFID’s commercial strategy.
Information on performance against the indicators in this framework is included in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-annual-report-and-accounts-2012-13).
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 7 January relating to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (WA 262), whether any performance data are collated on a daily or weekly basis for Ministers or the Permanent Secretary; and, if so, what.[HL4753]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) performance data is generally collated monthly or quarterly for Ministers or the Permanent Under-Secretary, as described in the written answer of 7 January. The FCO also collects some performance data on a daily or weekly basis and is able to report this to Ministers or senior officials if needed.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 7 January relating to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (WA 262), what key performance indicators are used to review progress against the overall performance targets and objectives of the department.[HL4754]
Baroness Warsi: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) adopted a public series of input and impact indicators to help assess performance against priorities set out in the FCO public business plan. Each priority has a set of agreed actions that indicate the delivery of our objectives. The Permanent Under-Secretary reviews progress monthly. The business plan, a list of actions due and complete, together with impact indicators are all published online at:
http://transparency.number10.gov.uk/business-plan/9
The FCO has also produced a comprehensive midyear report for Parliament which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fco-mid-year-report-to-parliament-april-to-september-2013
Separately, all parts of the FCO use the business planning process to set targets for the year, to manage performance and to review progress against objectives. Evidence of delivery of these objectives, and of the FCO’s priority outcomes, is collated, assessed and rated monthly by the FCO’s Management Board. More in depth reviews take place at midyear and end year.
Government Departments: Research and Development
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many competitions the Department for Business, Skills and Innovation held for the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) in (1) 2010–11, (2) 2011–12, (3) 2012–13, and (4) 2013–14; how many Phase 2 SBRI projects the Department funded in each of those years; and how many of the Department’s SBRI-funded projects led to procurement contracts in each of those years.[HL4644]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): The information requested on Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competitions held in these years by The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) is as follows:
| SBRI Competitions | ||||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
|
National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) | ||||
| SBRI Phase 2 projects | ||||
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | |
|
National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) | ||||
Tables show figures for BIS and its agencies.
We are unable to provide a figure on how many procurement contracts have resulted. This is because many projects have still to reach full development and commercialisation. However one example of a BIS
supported SPRI solution on the open market is Azzapt from Iansyst Ltd., an innovative system for helping young people with learning difficulties to access documents to help their education.
Budget 2013 committed us to an evaluation of SBRI, with an interim report in autumn 2014 and a final report in February 2015.
HMS “Prince of Wales” and HMS “Repulse”
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 16 January (WA 40), whether the government of Malaysia has undertaken to prevent unauthorised salvage and damage to the war graves of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.[HL4782]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continue to seek assistance from Malaysia in preventing unauthorised salvage and damage to these military maritime graves, mindful of the difficulty of doing so when they are situated in international waters some 60 nautical miles off the coast of Malaysia.
Housing: Rented Sector
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what timetable they have put in place for their review into the safety requirements for private rented sector accommodation; whether that review will involve any public consultation; and, if so, when the consultation document will be published.[HL4780]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The Government will publish a discussion document shortly as the first stage of its review to ensure that privately rented homes are safe and healthy. As part of that process, we will engage with interested organisations including local authorities, landlord associations, housing charities, tenant groups and professional bodies. It is anticipated that the outcome of the review will be announced in the summer.
Immigration
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom.[HL4548]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): It is not possible accurately to quantify the number of immigration offenders in the UK as, by their very nature, those that deliberately evade immigration control to enter and stay in the country illegally are not officially recorded until they come to light and are arrested.
Rather than attempt to do so, the Government is taking action to crack down on illegal immigration. We have reformed all major routes of entry to the UK for non-EEA migrants. We have increased the skill level required to come for work, tackled abuse in the student sector, reformed family visas and are introducing further reforms in the Immigration Bill to prevent abuse and the flouting of the law by people who should not be here.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the methodology by which they calculate the economic effect of immigration in the United Kingdom. [HL4637]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): In order to inform policy making, the Government reviews and notes the wider evidence on the economic and fiscal impacts of immigration on an ongoing basis. This evidence base includes the wider academic literature, and a range of reports commissioned or produced by the Government looking at specific impacts, for example those produced by the independent Migration Advisory Committee. In addition, each individual policy that influences migration is assessed using the Government's impact assessment process which models the impact of the policy change using assumptions based on a range of evidence and the academic literature. Home Office Impact Assessments are published on the gov.uk website.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 21 January (WA 114), what plans they have to ensure that British embassies in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, together with the relevant offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Works and Relief Agency and the International Organisation for Migration are cognisant of the provisions in the Immigration Rules for family reunion in Britain. [HL4868]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Immigration Rules, including those relating to family reunion, are operated routinely by British embassy staff in considering applications from foreign nationals to enter the UK. Staff are therefore already required to know and apply correctly the provisions on family reunion. The Government is not aware of any evidence to suggest that further steps are needed to communicate the existing rules specifically to embassy staff in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq in relation to Syrian nationals.
Our policy and Immigration Rules on refugee family reunion are derived from the principle of family unity as agreed at the Conference which adopted the 1951
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The Government therefore believes that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Works and Relief Agency and the International Organisation for Migration will be aware of the relevant provisions on family reunion, without further communication being required
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what powers they have to prevent non-United Kingdom nationals who are suspected of being likely to cause a breach of the peace in the United Kingdom from entering the country.[HL4882]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Home Secretary is able to exclude non-EEA foreign nationals from entering the UK if their presence in the UK is deemed to be non-conducive to the public good. This exclusion power extends to those for whom there is evidence that their presence in the UK may create public order issues.
My Rt. Hon. Friend is also able to exclude EEA nationals from the UK using powers in the EEA Regulations. An exclusion order can be made against an EEA national on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health. The decision to exclude must be proportionate and based exclusively on the personal conduct of the individual. That personal conduct must represent a “genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society.”
There is also a discretionary power within the Immigration Rules (at paragraph 320(19)) which permits the Border Force or Entry Clearance Office to refuse where they “... deem the exclusion of the person from the United Kingdom to be conducive to the public good. For example, because the person's conduct (including convictions which do not fall within paragraph 320(2)), character, associations, or other reasons, make it undesirable to grant them leave to enter.”. This would include where there was evidence that the person posed a risk to public order.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent Ipsos MORI poll “Perceptions and Reality”, regarding public estimates of the number of immigrants to the United Kingdom.[HL4901]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Home Office is aware of the Ipsos MORI report “Perceptions and Reality: Public Attitudes to Immigration” which was published on 2nd January 2014. The Home Office has not made an official assessment of this report.
Immigration: Deportation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which criminal offences result in an automatic recommendation for deportation for non-United Kingdom citizens; whether separate arrangements apply in Northern Ireland; and, if so, what are those arrangements.[HL4788]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The power to deport is contained in the 1971 Immigration Act which states that a person who is not a British citizen is liable to deportation if the Secretary of State deems their deportation to be conducive to the public good.
The 2007 UK Borders Act provides that the Secretary of State must make a deportation order if a foreign criminal is sentenced to a period of at least 12 months.
The Secretary of State may also decide that a foreign criminal is liable for deportation if they have a sentence of less than 12 months, but have committed an offence that caused serious harm, or if they are a persistent offender who has shown a particular disregard for the law.
A similar regime in accordance with the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (as amended) applies to considering deportation of EEA nationals.
Immigration control is a reserved matter and there are no separate arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Insurance: Fraud
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which fraudulent companies from overseas have illegally obtained data and coerced United Kingdom citizens into making fraudulent accident claims; and what plans they have to tackle that issue.[HL4862]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Government has not assessed the extent to which fraudulent companies from overseas have illegally obtained data and coerced United Kingdom citizens into making fraudulent accident claims. Victims of fraud are encouraged to report any fraud-related crimes to Action Fraud, www.actionfraud.police.uk, telephone 0300 123 2040.
Islam
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Warsi on 19 November 2013 (HL Deb, GC 400) and her Written Answer on 18 December 2013 (WA 228), what evidence they have for the statement that “the essential lesson taught by Islamic history is that extremist groups are ejected from the mainstream of Islam”.[HL4865]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): It is the business of historians to determine the evidence with regards to issues concerning the history of religions. However if the noble Lord approaches the academic research with an open mind he will find ample evidence to confirm my statement.
Legal High Substances
Questions
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to control the risks of psychoactive substances affecting young people.[HL4760]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Coalition Government’s message to young people is that all drug use is harmful and just because a drug is sold as a “legal high” does not mean it is safe or indeed legal. Through the 2010 Drug Strategy, the Government is taking a range of action to prevent drug use in our communities, support individuals to recover from dependence, and bear down on the drugs trade.
The Government is investing in a range of programmes which have a positive impact on young people and adults, giving them the knowledge and confidence to resist peer pressure and manage risks. This includes ‘Talk to FRANK’, which is recognised as a high quality, credible resource of information and advice for young people. FRANK’s most recent advertising campaign, which was aimed at young people, consisted of carefully targeted advertising online and on TV music channels which ran from the end of January to the end of July 2013. From July to October 2013 the Home Office also ran communications activity targeted at young people to inform them of the harms and consequences of new psychoactive substances.
Action to restrict drug supply, including the unlawful supply of medicines, is a priority for law enforcement and other regulatory agencies. The Government has taken robust action to tackle the availability of new psychoactive substances in the UK. We have banned hundreds of substances and work closely with law enforcement partners to tackle this reckless trade. The Home Office has announced a review to consider how current policy and legislation can be better tailored to enable police and law enforcement agencies to combat this dangerous trade. This will build on the work of the International Comparative Study which the Minister for Crime Prevention is leading.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking on the sale of legal highs, in the light of the recent deaths of young people who had purchased the substances legally.[HL4816]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any measures currently in place which prevent shops and other establishments selling legal highs as being safe to take.[HL4817]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any laws prohibit the sale of legal highs, over the counter or on the internet, to people under the age of 18. [HL4818]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many legal high substances have been banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 over the last three years. [HL4819]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Since January 2011 the Government has banned in excess of two hundred new psychoactive substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 using generic definitions that capture groups of drugs.
The Government continues to work with law enforcement agencies to disrupt the reckless trade in new psychoactive substances.
The Home Office recently published guidance for local authorities on a range of legislative tools available to tackle shops selling new psychoactive substances (‘head-shops’) across the UK. This includes information on the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 which makes it an offence for a person to supply a substance that is not already controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, to a person under the age of 18 if they know or have reasonable cause to believe that the substance is likely to be inhaled by that person, for the purpose of causing intoxication. Last year two ‘legal-high’ sellers were successfully prosecuted using this legislation.
So-called ‘legal highs’ often contain substances we have already banned in the UK. In November 2013 a concerted enforcement activity resulted in 73 warrants being issued, 44 arrests made and the seizure of a large number of banned new psychoactive substances. The police also issued over 550 warning letters to both ‘head-shops’ and people purchasing new psychoactive substances.
We are looking at ways to further strengthen the UK’s response to these new drugs. The Minister for Crime Prevention is leading a review which is looking at how we can ensure that law enforcement agencies have the best available powers and send out the clearest possible message that the trade in these substances is reckless and that these substances can be dangerous to health, even fatal.
Local Authorities: Bellwin Scheme and Barnett Formula
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by the Secretary of State for Wales on 8 January (HC Deb, col 283), and the answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 8 January (HL Deb, col 1509) regarding severe weather, whether the Barnett formula or the Bellwin scheme apply to funding towards authorities' responses to recent storms.[HL4740]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Rt Hon. Eric Pickles) has activated the Bellwin Scheme to reimburse local authorities in England for their immediate costs in response to recent storms. In addition, we announced on 17 January that the Government is making £6.7 million available to support recovery efforts in areas in England affected by the severe weather. Together with the Bellwin grants, this support will be funded through existing budgets and therefore not subject to the Barnett formula.
Offenders: Dependants
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 7 January (WA 288), whether they will now state who co-ordinates the arrangements for identifying dependents of offenders or defendants who face a custodial sentence or a remand in custody.[HL4576]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): There is no one person or agency responsible for co-ordinating the identification of dependents of those about to be detained in custody. There are various existing responsibilities on courts and other criminal justice agencies to consider dependents which vary depending on the nature of the case and the dependents involved. The Government is currently examining practical ways to improve the arrangements for the identification and consideration of dependents of those remanded or sentenced to custody.
Pakistan
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the decision on 4 December 2013 of the Federal Sharia Court in Pakistan to require the death sentence for anyone convicted under that country’s blasphemy laws; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan about the matter.[HL4812]
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 issue of the death penalty in Pakistan with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his national security adviser during his last visit to Pakistan. I have personally made clear the United Kingdom’s longstanding opposition to the death penalty at the highest levels in Pakistan in all circumstances. We also continue to raise the issue of the blasphemy laws on a regular basis at a senior level with the authorities in Pakistan.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Pakistan has made to the government of Pakistan about the imprisonment of the British national Mr Masud Ahmad; and what response they have received.[HL4813]
Baroness Warsi: I raised this case when I met with the Pakistani High Commissioner on 22 January. I stressed the importance of Mr Ahmad’s case being handled transparently and properly. We will be in contact with the Pakistani High Commissioner for an update on these discussions.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not normally provide consular assistance to dual nationals in the country of their second nationality. However, there are certain exceptions, for example, where there are special humanitarian reasons for doing so. Our consular team in Islamabad have visited Mr Ahmad and have also made our position on blasphemy known to the Pakistani authorities. We will continue to monitor Mr Ahmad’s case and visit him regularly.
Palestine
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they and other agencies are taking to relieve Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, near Damascus, following the recent reports of deaths there from starvation. [HL4768]
Baroness Northover (LD): The reports concerning the situation in Yarmouk are extremely disturbing. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) were able to deliver 200 food baskets on Saturday 18 January, 400 food baskets on Sunday 19 January and only 50 on Monday 20 January, for distribution by local partners. UNRWA is preparing to scale this assistance up.
Rape
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 7 January (WA 295), what financial assistance through the international development budget will be made available to women raped as a weapon of war during the 1971 war in Bangladesh.[HL4807]
Baroness Northover (LD): Her Majesty’s Government strongly condemns the use of rape as a weapon of war. The Foreign Secretary’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative 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.
Saudi Arabia
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact of current international negotiations with Iran on relations between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.[HL4808]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The UK enjoys a strong bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia. We recognise the concerns and interest Saudi Arabia has in developments concerning Iran’s nuclear programme and we regularly engage with them on this issue.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role of Saudi Arabia in contributing towards peace in the Middle East.[HL4809]
Baroness Warsi: The UK shares Saudi Arabia’s aspirations for long-lasting peace in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia plays an important role in supporting the Middle East Peace Process, in particular the Arab Peace Initiative. Saudi Arabia signed the Geneva Communiqué on Syria, and is attending the Geneva II peace talks which began on 22 January. The UK and Saudi Arabia are co-chairs of the Friends of Yemen initiative. The International Monetary Fund records Saudi Arabia as having pledged more than $17.9 billion since the Arab Spring began to countries most affected by unrest.
Schools: Free Meals
Question
Asked by Baroness Grey-Thompson
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the cost per year, once universal credit is fully rolled out, for every child to receive a free school meal if they are in a household in receipt of universal credit and are in (1) Years 3 to 6 inclusive, (2) Years 7 to 11 inclusive, and (3) Years 12 and 13.[HL4832]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The majority of the current welfare benefits which give entitlement to free school meals will be replaced by Universal Credit, and we are currently working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to determine what the new criteria will be.
We want to ensure that the new criteria are simple and that free school meals continue to be available to those families on the lowest incomes.
Small Businesses
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received regarding support for small businesses; and what action they have taken in response to those representations.[HL4731]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Viscount Younger of Leckie) (Con): We regularly engage with representatives from small business membership organisations, small and medium sized enterprises and members of the
public on support for small businesses, including through correspondence to the Department. We also meet regularly with organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce to listen to their views and to share with them the progress we are making to help small businesses.
On 7th December 2013, the Government published Small business: GREAT ambition—our commitment to making it easier for ambitious small businesses to grow. It responds to feedback from small businesses about how government can help at different points in their growth journey by making it easier to:
• Finance business growth by creating the right banking and investment environment and the most supportive tax regime in the world;• Hire people by making employment processes more straightforward and promoting a more skilled workforce;• Develop new ideas and products by helping businesses get access to the expertise, equipment and funding they need to turn great ideas into reality;• Expand into new markets by removing barriers to certain sectors and providing advice and support for businesses trying to export;• Get the right support at the right time by making support schemes easier to find and more relevant; and• Get on with doing business by making sure regulation and the way it is enforced is proportionate and pro-growth.
We will continue to engage with businesses and their representative organisations and use their views to inform how we further develop our policy.
Somaliland
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the extent to which the Somaliland Development Fund has been successful in assisting donors to support Somaliland’s own National Development Plan in their aim of enhancing governmental structures and the rule of law and assisting security forces and the police to maintain stability and enhance human security.[HL4854]
Baroness Northover: The Somaliland Development Fund is a multi-donor fund supported by Denmark, Norway and the UK. It is targeted on specific sectors within the Somaliland National Development Plan, namely: water, livestock, roads and the environment. These were agreed through a prioritisation process between the National Planning Commission and donors. This process has helped to strengthen the role and performance of the National Planning Commission itself. It has also opened opportunities for broader donor support to the Somaliland government, for example on public financial management reform and public sector management strengthening.
Somaliland and Somalia
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist Somaliland to meet the Millennium Development Goals to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger, and reduce infant mortality in its region.[HL4826]
Baroness Northover (LD): In Somalia during 2012/13 the UK achieved the following results on tackling hunger and poverty: 130,000 children and pregnant, or breastfeeding women were treated for acute malnutrition and 1 million people benefited from food assistance. DFID Somalia does not disaggregate poverty and food assistance results by region.
In health, between 2011 and September 2013, DFID achieved the following results in reducing infant mortality in Somaliland: over 20,000 children had routine vaccinations for common childhood diseases; over 47,000 children under 5 accessed nutrition services.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the projected cost of aid from the Department for International Development to Somaliland, as compared to aid provided to Somalia, for the period 2010 to 2015.[HL4827]
Baroness Northover: DFID does not compile formal aid expenditure statistics broken down at sub-national level. UK bilateral overseas development assistance to Somalia (including Somaliland) was (in thousands): £40,359 in 2010, £94,907 in 2011 and £89,754 in 2012 (Source: Statistics on International Development 2012).
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Somaliland’s declared independence from Somalia.[HL4829]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The British Government considers that it is for Somalia and Somaliland themselves to determine their future relationship and for neighbouring countries in the region to take the lead in recognising any new arrangements.
Following the London Conference in February 2012, which “recognised the need for the international community to support any dialogue that Somaliland and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) or its replacement may agree to establish in order to clarify their future relations”, the TFG and Somaliland met for the first time at Chevening in the UK, in June 2012. We agreed to cooperate on matters of mutual interest. Somalia and Somaliland have held several further rounds of talks in Turkey, at Ministerial level, including earlier this month. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), raised the importance of a
lasting and mutually acceptable agreement between Somali and Somaliland during his discussions at the 2014 African Union Summit in Addis Ababa with the new Somali Foreign Minister, Abdurahman Duale Beyle.
Transforming Rehabilitation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many volunteers will need to be recruited to run the through-the-gate peer mentoring system as part of the Transforming Rehabilitation plans, broken down by each probation area.[HL4302]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): The proposals set out in Transforming Rehabilitation—A Strategy for Reform will open up the market to a diverse range of providers of rehabilitation services, which, along with statutory supervision, will be extended to offenders sentenced to less than 12 months in custody.
Peer mentoring will be one of a range of services offered to offenders, and it will be for providers to determine what rehabilitation services meet individual offender needs. It will be up to individual providers to recruit and train mentors and to ensure they have sufficient numbers to meet the demand for mentoring services.
We expect to see comprehensive responses to the causes of crime, such as addiction, lack of housing or employment and skills, including increased mentoring and support for offenders. Payment by results will offer providers a very real incentive to succeed in rehabilitating offenders.
Turkey
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment as to whether, as a candidate nation for European Union membership, Turkey has stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law and human rights; and to what extent that assessment is shared by the European Commission.[HL4803]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The EU accession process remains the most effective lever for reform in Turkey and we are fully committed to supporting progress.
Good progress has been achieved but, as Turkey itself recognises, more work needs to be done in the area of rule of law and fundamental rights to meet EU standards.
The UK would like to see an acceleration of the accession process to support this including the opening of chapters 23 (on the judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (on justice, freedom and security) of the EU acquis, which will allow for the EU and Turkey to have a dedicated dialogue on these issues.
During Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit to Brussels on 21 January, the President of the EU Commission reiterated that respect for the fundamental principles of democracy is a central element of the Copenhagen criteria for EU accession negotiations. We share this view, and will continue to work closely with our EU partners to support reform in Turkey.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the respect for, and protection of, religious and ethnic minorities in Turkey.[HL4804]
Baroness Warsi: We welcome the progress Turkey has made in recent years on respect for religious and ethnic minorities, but recognise that more needs to be done. We regularly discuss issues concerning Freedom of Religion and Belief with our Turkish interlocutors and are encouraged by positive steps taken by the Turkish government to improve protections for minorities.
Most recently our Istanbul Consulate General hosted an inter-faith roundtable on religious freedom with representatives of Istanbul’s faith communities, chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Together with our EU partners we will continue to encourage the ongoing reform agenda in Turkey, including further progress across all fundamental freedoms, as part of the EU accession process.
Universal Credit
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Freud on 5 December 2013 (WS 42), at what point the approach of “test, learn and implement” towards the roll-out of Universal Credit was adopted.[HL4510]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): It has always been our intention to introduce Universal Credit in a safe and controlled way. This is the right approach for a programme of this scale. The Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement (10 December 2012) originally outlined the Department’s intentions to test the core proposition within the Pathfinder sites from 29 April 2013.