Written Answers
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Afghanistan: Drones
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what investigations and fact-finding inquiries they have established into the incidents of civilian casualties caused by drone strikes in Afghanistan.[HL6362]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): I refer my noble friend to the Answer given by my right honourable friend, the then Minister for the Armed Forces (Andrew Robathan), in the House of Commons on 21 May 2013 (Official Report, col. 714W) and the Answer given by my right honourable friend the Minister for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) in the House of Commons on 7 November 2013 (Official Report, col. 307W).
Agriculture: Common Agricultural Policy
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the three crop rule included in the new Common Agricultural Policy relates to single parcels of land owned or rented by one person or company, or whether the entire holding can be treated as one parcel of land.[HL6564]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The requirements of the crop diversification measure of greening, also known as the “three crop rule”, apply to the total arable area of a holding.
Farmers with between 10ha and 30ha of eligible arable land will usually need to grow at least two crops. Farmers with over 30ha of eligible arable land will usually need to grow at least three crops. Compliance with the measure will be assessed at the holding level, not the parcel level.
Animals: Antibiotics
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will adopt measures similar to those recently taken by the United States Food and Drugs Administration to curb the routine use of antibiotics in the food of healthy animals.[HL6510]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Any routine use of antibiotics in the food of healthy animals as growth promoters has been banned in the EU since 2006.
Annuities
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of annuities purchased over the last five years for which data are available were worth (1) between £500 and £2,000 per annum, (2) between £2,001 and £5,000 per annum, (3) between £5,001 and £10,000 per annum, and (4) between £10,000 and £20,000 per annum, in value at the point of purchase.[HL6524]
Lord Newby (LD): There is no requirement for individuals to report the purchase of an annuity and the Government does not collect data on the number or purchase value of annuities. Industry data is collected and published by the Association of British Insurers and may be found on their website https://www.abi.org.uk/Insurance-and-savings/Industry-data/
Apprenticeships
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to link apprenticeships to professional registration in order to establish recognised industry standards for apprenticeship and traineeship schemes. [HL6576]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): We are reforming Apprenticeships by putting employers in the driving seat of designing new Apprenticeship standards. These will include skills and any specific requirements for professional registration, so that on completion a successful apprentice can achieve professional registration where appropriate.
Traineeships are a flexible programme aimed at providing young people with skills and experience they need to be able to compete for Apprenticeships and other sustainable jobs. At the core of Traineeships are work preparation training, English and maths and a work experience placement with an employer. Links to professional registration are not a requirement for Traineeships, but providers have the flexibility to add additional content which could include sector-specific training or qualifications where these are publicly funded.
Atos Healthcare
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 24 March (WA 63), and in the light of recent developments, what were the circumstances leading to the withdrawal of Atos Healthcare from its contract, including all relevant dates of notifications.[HL6468]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Following detailed negotiations with Atos Healthcare, the Government have reached a settlement for Atos to exit the contract to deliver Work Capability Assessments before it is due to end in August 2015. Atos did not receive any compensation from the taxpayer for this early termination but made a substantial financial settlement to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Bank of England Act 1998
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that an agreement between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Governor of the Bank of England overrides the reserve powers given to HM Treasury in Section 19(2) of the Bank of England Act 1998.[HL6413]
Lord Newby (LD): The powers set out in Section 19 of the Bank of England Act 1998 cannot be removed or amended except by further legislation approved by Parliament which amends that section of the 1998 Act.
The Treasury may only make an order giving directions under Section 19 after consultation with the Governor of the Bank of England, if the directions are required in the public interest and by extreme economic circumstances.
Since the Monetary Policy Committee was given operational independence in 1997, covering the worst financial crisis in generations leading to the deepest recession since the Second World War, these powers have never been used.
Children: Disabled Children
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Nash on 26 March (WA 121), whether other Departments hold the data requested in the question; and whether they will now answer the question originally put. [HL6402]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Local authorities are required to report annually on the numbers of children in need who have a disability (as defined by Section 6 of the Equality Act 2010) as part of the Children in Need Census data collection. These data are collected under Section 83 of the Children Act 1989 by the Department for Education. As part of this collection, local authorities report on the number of children with disabilities who are subject to child protection investigations under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989. However, it is not possible to separately identify those with chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis.
The number of children in need with a disability is published in “Characteristics of Children in Need”, and can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/characteristics-of-children-in-need-in-england-2012-to-2013
Children: Refugee Children
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what priority they give to education and psychological care support in their bilateral and multilateral work with refugee children.[HL6364]
Baroness Northover (LD): DfID is placing increasing emphasis on the educational and psychological needs of refugee children. DfID provides funding to a number of humanitarian agencies to meet these needs, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees United Nations, Children's Fund, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration, and through the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund. For the Syria crisis, DfID has put in place a £30 million No Lost Generation Initiative to provide protection, psycho-social support and education for affected children.
Civil Aviation Authority
Question
Asked by Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as the major shareholder in National Air Traffic Services, they intend to meet the costs of the employee share scheme if the Civil Aviation Authority confirm their proposal that those costs will no longer be provided for in the next regulatory settlement. [HL6597]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The regulatory settlement is a matter for the CAA. We would expect the NATS board, in the first instance, to continue to consider the benefits of the employee share scheme and the terms on which it operates.
Council Tax
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Communities and Local Government will be paying new burdens funding to compensate local authorities for the additional costs of introducing local Council Tax Reduction Schemes in 2015–16. [HL6477]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): In line with the new burdens doctrine, we will be assessing the need for continued new burdens funding for Local Council Tax Support in 2014-15, alongside consideration of the allocation of Local Council Tax Support Administration subsidy.
Defence: Procurement
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what specific training is received by Ministry of Defence officials in negotiating equipment and services procurement contract terms and conditions effectively and in guaranteeing best value for money.[HL6456]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): Ministry of Defence (MoD) procurement activity ranges from the purchase of low-value consumable items through to complex equipment acquisition, support and services. These activities involve multi-disciplinary teams, including engineering, technical, finance, project management and procurement staff. There is clear separation of responsibilities between those authorising the initial requirement, those giving financial authority and those empowered to place contracts.
The MoD currently has around 1,700 civilian staff in the commercial function of which 1,200 are in active commercial roles and are authorised to sign contracts with suppliers.
Commercial staff must demonstrate the necessary levels of functional competence and experience to be licensed and receive a formal commercial delegation. Some 60% of commercial staff currently hold, or are working towards, qualifications in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). This is expected to rise to around 75% in 2015. The MoD is also developing an advanced commercial skills programme to provide additional training relevant to the MoD complex acquisition process, which goes beyond standard CIPS training.
Education: GCSEs
Questions
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of pupils in English schools were entered for music GCSE in each of the last 4 years.[HL6443]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The requested information [1] has been provided in the following table.
| Percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 4 entered for music and drama GCSEs in England, 2009/10 to 2012/13 | ||||
| 2009/10 | 2010/11 | 2011/12 | 2012/13 | |
Note: Figures underlying the percentages are available in table 7 of the “GCSE and equivalent results” statistical first release for each year. 2012/13 figures are based on revised data, all other years are final. Data includes entries by pupils in previous academic years.
[1]These figures are published in the “GCSE and equivalent results” statistical first releases for each year at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-gcses-key-stage-4
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of pupils in English schools were entered for drama GCSE in each of the last 4 years.[HL6444]
Lord Nash: The requested information [1] has been provided in the following table.
| Percentage of pupils at the end of key stage 4 entered for music and drama GCSEs in England, 2009/10 - 2012/13 | ||||
| 2009/10 | 2010/11 | 2011/12 | 2012/13 | |
Note: Figures underlying the percentages are available in table 7 of the “GCSE and equivalent results” statistical first release for each year. 2012/13 figures are based on revised data, all other years are final. Data includes entries by pupils in previous academic years.
[1]These figures are published in the “GCSE and equivalent results” statistical first releases for each year at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-gcses-key-stage-4
Egypt
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to making development aid to Egypt contingent on political and judicial reform.[HL6392]
Baroness Northover (LD): DfID does not have a country office or bilateral programme in Egypt but provides support through the Arab Partnership Fund and the British Embassy in Cairo. The Arab Partnership seeks to support political and economic reform in Egypt, focusing on accountability, improved governance, public voice and economic opportunity. Assistance is not provided through or to the Egyptian Government, but is channelled through civil society and international financial institutions in support of long-term reform.
Government Departments: Budgets
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the percentage cost over-run established by the management board for any budget in the Department
for Culture, Media and Sport to merit being tabled at the departmental management board; and how many times in the last 12 months that has occurred. [HL6280]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): DCMS does not have a prescribed percentage for which a forecast overspend is tabled at the executive board. Each month the board receives a summary of the forecast expenditure against budget and a commentary in which any significant forecast variances to individual budgets are described and explained.
Government Departments: Staff
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many VAT inspectors, tax inspectors and senior tax inspectors were employed by HM Revenue and Customs in the financial year 2009–10; and how many will be employed in 2014–15.[HL6503]
Lord Newby (LD): HM Revenue & Customs was formed by the merger of Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise in 2005 and the VAT Inspector and Tax Inspector are no longer roles in the organisation. There are some 17,000 tax professionals in HM Revenue & Customs carrying out a range of duties from tackling non-compliance with tax obligations to advising Ministers on changes in legislation.
While the overall numbers of tax professionals has largely been maintained from 2009/10 to the present day, and will be into 2014/15, the way in which those tax professionals have been deployed has changed to address priority areas of tax risk. This is reflected in the compliance yield, which almost doubled between 2005 and 2011 to £13.9 billion, and increased again to reach £20.7 billion in 2012/13 as key risks were addressed.
HM Revenue & Customs continues to recruit substantial numbers of graduates and suitable internal candidates to develop as senior tax professionals, around 600 in the period 2012/13 to 2014/15, to maintain numbers and enhance capability.
Health: Anaemia
Question
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what success they have had in reducing emergency hospital admissions relating to ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, with particular regard to cases of iron-deficiency anaemia.[HL6487]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Overall, emergency admissions for these conditions have increased over the period 2003-04 to 2012-13 by an average of 2% to 5% per year. The exception is for Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, whose rate of emergency admissions decreased on average 6% per year over the same period, but the rate of admissions is small in comparison with the rate of admissions for the other conditions. The rate of emergency admissions for sideropenic dysphagia is nil over the period.
Health: Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Questions
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the incidence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (1) in the United Kingdom, and (2) worldwide.[HL6511]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Data on the incidence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is not collected centrally.
However, the following table provides data on the number of finished admission episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Data is held for England only.
Count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with a primary or secondary diagnosis2 of pulmonary aspergillosis3 for the period 2010-11 to 2012-134.
Activity in English National Health Service Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector
| Year | FAEs |
Source
: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre
Notes
:
1. Finished admission episodes
A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.
2. Number of episodes in which the patient had a primary or secondary diagnosis
The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record.
3. Clinical Coding
The following ICD-10 codes have been used to define pulmonary aspergillosis:
B44.0D Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
J99.8A Respiratory disorders in other diseases classified elsewhere
B44.1D Other pulmonary aspergillosis
J99.8A Respiratory disorders in other diseases classified elsewhere
4. Assessing growth through time (Inpatients)
HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise awareness of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis among the medical community. [HL6513]
Earl Howe: The National Specialised Centre for Pulmonary Aspergillosis has been raising awareness of the condition in the United Kingdom and internationally through the aspergillus website at www.aspergillus.org.uk; through an online health professional education portal called Leading International Fungal Education at www.LIFE-Worldwide.org; and internationally through the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections at www.GAFFI.org.
The centre also works nationally to improve the understanding of aspergillosis. For example, it addressed the British Thoracic Society’s annual meeting last year. It also works locally with trainee doctors and with hospitals to help them understand more about the condition.
Health: Contraception
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research has been conducted into the effects of allowing young women to have a supply of the morning-after pill at home.[HL6371]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) conducted an evidence review to underpin its recent guidance on contraception. The relevant recommendation makes clear that emergency contraception should not be relied on as a regular method of contraception and should only be provided in advance under certain circumstances.
NICE recommends that advance supply should be restricted to one course of emergency contraception, contrary to media reports which suggested that the guidance would allow young people to “stockpile” emergency contraception.
Health: Defibrillators
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to the use of a universal logo on defibrillators.[HL6417]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): There are currently no firm plans for a universal logo on defibrillators. However, NHS England is considering all avenues to increase the uptake of bystander resuscitation, including the use and location of defibrillators.
Health: Folic Acid
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL Deb, col. 706), what was the age distribution of those from whom the blood samples for folate status analysis were taken; and what was the breakdown of country of collection.[HL6343]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The total number of blood samples collected across the United Kingdom in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey years 1-4 (2008-09–2011-12) and analysed for folate status was 2,447. The breakdown by age and by country is shown in the following tables.
| Age group | Number of samples analysed for folate |
| Country | Number of samples analysed for folate |
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL Deb, col. 706), what was the cost of collecting the blood samples for folate status analysis.[HL6344]
Earl Howe: Blood samples in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey were collected by nurse fieldworkers for adults and older children and paediatric phlebotomists for young children who visited participants in their homes. The total costs of nurse fieldwork for years 1 to 4 (2008-09 to 2011-12) was £747,000. This included the cost of other components of the survey carried out by the nurse fieldworker during the visits, including taking physical measurements and administering a 24-hour urine collection.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL Deb, col. 706), what was the cost of processing the blood samples for folate status analysis.[HL6345]
Earl Howe: The overall cost of analysing blood samples for folate in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) years 1 to 4 (2008-09 to 2011-12) was approximately £250,000. There were also additional
costs for preparation, storage and transport of samples to laboratories. The analytical costs were partly met by the NDNS contractor who absorbed additional costs resulting from a move to new analytical methods during the contract.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL Deb, col. 706), whether they have had any discussions with the Scottish Government in respect of the collection of and work on blood samples for folate analysis.[HL6346]
Earl Howe: Public Health England has not had any direct discussions with the Scottish Government about the collection and analysis of blood samples for folate in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland funded collection of dietary data and blood samples, including folate analysis, from additional participants in Scotland for years 1 to 4 of the survey. The FSA in Scotland was represented at the international expert workshop on folate methodology in 2008 which recommended a change of methods for NDNS. The FSA in Scotland is also a member of the project management board for NDNS and has had opportunity to input into all aspects of the survey.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 24 February (HL Deb, col. 706), on what dates the blood samples for folate status analysis were delivered for analysis; and what were the storage arrangements prior to delivery. [HL6347]
Earl Howe: Blood samples collected in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey years 1 to 4 (2008-09 to 2011-12) were delivered for folate analysis to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) laboratories in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between February and November 2012. Samples were stored at MRC Human Nutrition Research in Cambridge at - 800C prior to being shipped to CDC and were transported on dry ice.
Health: Medical Trials
Questions
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to expedite current medical trials in the light of recent comment by senior medical figures about the time taken to undertake such trials. [HL6538]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what lessons they have learned in relation to drug trials from the trial set up to test the effectiveness of drugs in combating the global influenza pandemic in 2009, in particular in respect of delays in the trial process. [HL6539]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Two comparative trials of influenza vaccines were commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in 2009 and set up through an expedited process. The trial in children was set up in under four weeks from receipt of award letter to administration of first vaccine. In addition, the NIHR has subsequently commissioned a group of research projects in anticipation of possible future pandemic flu epidemics. All projects have obtained necessary trial approvals and are currently waiting to be adapted to an emerging epidemic should the need arise, to be active within weeks.
The Government are aware that clinical trials can take too long to set up, which is why we have agreed and funded the plans of the Health Research Authority (HRA) for assessment and approval of research. The HRA will provide a single approval for research in the National Health Service to radically streamline and simplify how trials and other studies are set up. Implementation will include procedures for expedited review, building on arrangements that already exist through the research ethics committees process and within the co-ordinated system for NHS approvals.
Higher Education: Student Loans
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 26 March (HL Deb, col. 528), whether there are current negotiations to sell more student loans; and whether the full terms are the same as those for the previous £160 million sold.[HL6409]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The Government have announced their intention to realise value for the taxpayer through sales from the pre-2012 income contingent repayment (ICR) student loan book. Sales are expected to be conducted in a number of tranches and the intention is to complete the sale of the first tranche before the end of the 2015/16 financial year.
The terms of ICR loans are not the same as those for the mortgage style loans previously sold, including the most recent sale, which raised £160 million in November 2013.
Hilda Murrell
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 26 March (WA 122), what are the relevant trigger dates for consideration of any documents they may hold relating to Hilda Murrell.[HL6517]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The relevant trigger date for the one file that the HO holds relating to Hilda Murrell is July 2014, when the Home Office
will make an application to that month’s Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council to allow this file to be transferred to the National Archives. Providing this application is approved, this file will be available for perusal by members of the public by 31 December 2014.
Kenya
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 24 March (WA 85), what subjects were discussed at, and what were the conclusions of, the workshops held between scientists and members of local communities; and what assessment the Department for International Development has made of the value for money of those workshops.[HL6358]
Baroness Northover (LD): Before 2010 the UK funded a project to help Kenyan farmers access modern scientific weather forecasts. As part of this project workshops were held between scientists and members of local communities.
The workshops explored how poorer Kenyan farmers could better understand and make use of the best modern, scientifically based seasonal weather forecasts, using all effective channels of communication, so that the scientific forecasts could become more widely accessible and trusted by farmers and poorer communities.
These meetings helped deliver improved forecasts for seasonal rains, based on the best science and accessible by poor farmers in Kenya, whose livelihoods depend on these rains. This enabled these farmers to adapt their planting accordingly to maximise their productivity.
Local Authorities: Children in Care
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they offer to local authorities in respect of persuading children in their care to leave that care at the age of 16 or 17.[HL6610]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government amended the statutory framework regarding 16- and 17-year-olds ceasing to be looked after in January 2014. The new regulation requires that where a child aged 16- or 17 years-old is looked after other than by virtue of a care order, the decision of the local authority to cease looking after that child must be approved by their director of children’s services. The intention behind the Regulation is to help ensure that young people do not leave care until they are ready and properly prepared. The Department for Education will, in the summer, revise the ‘Care Planning, Placement and Case Review’ statutory guidance to explain how local authorities should implement the new duty.
Local Authorities: Duty of Care
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they are offering local authorities to implement the staying put duty in the Children and Families Act 2014.[HL6609]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government will be giving local authorities an additional £40 million over the next three years to help implement the new ‘Staying Put’ duty. The Department for Education will shortly be publishing revised ‘Transitions to Adulthood’ statutory guidance, which will include specific guidance for local authorities on implementing the duty.
Local Authorities: Funding
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in calculating the non-ring-fenced funding provided to local authorities to deliver statutory obligations, they make any assumptions about the proportions of that funding likely to be used in fulfilling each of those obligations; and if so, what assumptions they have made of the likely expenditure on electoral registration.[HL6514]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The total amount of funding provided through the local government finance settlement in England is set at the time of the appropriate Spending Review. In setting this amount the Government considers the likely pressures and efficiency savings that can be made on a range of services, together with the overall fiscal environment, including the need to tackle the deficit left by the last Administration. This amount may be subsequently amended either through Budgets or Autumn Statements.
It is up to local authorities to decide how to set their budgets, taking into account local spending priorities.
Local Government: Finance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they calculate the local government finance settlement. [HL6515]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The method of calculating the local government finance settlement is set out in the Local Government Finance Report (England) for each year. The report for 2014/15 was approved by Parliament on 12 February. A copy of this report can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-finance-report-2014-to-2015
NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many clinical commissioning groups have been established in Greater Manchester; and how many of those have appointed a general practitioner as the Chief Accountable Officer.[HL6502]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): There are 12 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Greater Manchester, of which three have general practitioners (GPs) as Chief Accountable Officers. The National Health Service Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, established the legal framework within which CCGs operate, and specifies that GPs are able to become Accountable Officers.
NHS: Victim Support
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the trial use of victim support workers in accident and emergency settings in England to identify potential victims of domestic violence; and whether they plan to extend the scheme on a permanent and wider basis.[HL6518]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Home Office is working closely with Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse, which is conducting an in-depth evaluation of the effectiveness of basing Independent Domestic Violence Advocates in both hospital accident and emergency and maternity units. The report is due in 2015-16. Six services are taking part in the evaluation:
Worth Services (based in West Sussex)Bristol Royal Infirmary IDVA serviceDomestic Violence: Health and Maternity Project (Imperial College, Standing Together and Advance Advocacy)Cambridge Addenbrooke’s IDVA serviceNorth Devon Women’s AidNewcastle Victim Support Emerging evidence from the evaluation can be found at:www.caada.org.uk/policy/CAADA_Themis_Research_Briefing_1.pdf
The coalition Government will study the full findings from the evaluation before making a decision on whether the scheme is extended on a permanent and wider basis.
Overseas Aid: Population Funding
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what current and future core and specific funding they provide or plan to provide to (1) the United Nations Population Fund, (2) the International Planned Parenthood Federation, (3) Marie Stopes International, and (4) Women and Children First UK.[HL6532]
Baroness Northover (LD): In 2013/14 DfID provided Marie Stopes International with £4.35 million and International Planned Parenthood Federation with £8.6 million of funding through Programme Partnership Arrangement (PPA) grants. Continuation of this PPA funding has been provisionally agreed for 2014/15 and 2015/16. DfID provided United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with £20 million of core funding each year for the period 2010/11to 2013/14 and plan to provide the same in 2014/15 subject to satisfactory progress on key reforms.
Women and Children First UK do not receive core funding but have been awarded a grant through the Global Poverty Action Fund which totals £246,101 over three years from 2014-17.
Palestine
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are in place to ensure that United Kingdom humanitarian aid to Palestine is not diverted to sponsor terrorist activities.[HL6437]
Baroness Northover (LD): DfID has extensive precautions in place to ensure that UK money does not support Hamas or other terrorist organisations either directly or indirectly, in compliance with UK and EU legislation on terrorist financing. Measures include extensive due diligence and fiduciary risk assessments of all our partners and an anti-terror clause in all new Memoranda of Understanding. We also choose to channel our funds through experienced partners such as UN agencies and the World Bank who have a strong system in place to comply with this legislation.
Parking
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what orders have been made under Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 relating to charging for parking on private land; and on what dates each of those orders came into force.[HL6452]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): No orders have been made under Schedule 4.
Police: Undercover Policing
Questions
Asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 6 March (HL Deb, col. 1522), whether the proposed judge-led public inquiry into undercover policing will be a statutory one that falls within the Inquiries Act 2005. [HL6414]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The judge-led public inquiry into undercover policing will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005. As I said to the House when I repeated the Home Secretary’s statement on 6 March 2014 (Official Report, cols. 1518-26), there is significant further work that needs to take place before the public inquiry can begin its work. That further work will inform the scope of the inquiry and its terms of reference.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 6 March (HL Deb, col. 1522), whether the proposed public inquiry into undercover policing will look into (1) the use of sexual relationships by undercover police, and (2) the stealing of identities of dead babies by undercover police.[HL6415]
Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The judge-led public inquiry into undercover policing will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005.
As I said to the House when I repeated the Home Secretary’s statement on 6 March 2014 (Official Report, cols. 1518-26), there is significant further work that needs to take place before the public inquiry can begin its work. That further work will inform the scope of the inquiry and its terms of reference.
Royal Navy: Artificers
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to reintroduce the artificer rate into the Royal Navy.[HL6553]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): No, the Royal Navy has disestablished the Artificer system in favour of a more coherent engineering technician structure which sets a headmark of achieving accreditation through the appropriate professional institutions and apprenticeships.
Royal Navy: Frigates
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many frigates (1) are deployed on operational tasks, (2) are fully stored, including complete ammunition outfit, (3) have a full complement according to the Type 23 approved watch and station bill, and (4) are in repair or maintenance periods.[HL6551]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): As of 3 April 2014 four Frigates are deployed in UK waters or overseas on operational tasks and six are engaged in training or work-up periods. The remaining three Frigates are in refit. We do not release the details of the ammunitions carried by deployed ships as to do so would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can however confirm that all Royal Navy ships deploy with the ammunitions and personnel required to undertake their operational tasking.
Royal Navy: Ships
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Navy ships were newly commissioned in the financial year 2013–14.[HL6554]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): HMS DUNCAN was commissioned on 26 September 2013. In the same month, HMS PROTECTOR was purchased outright by the Royal Navy, having previously operated on a long lease.
In November 2013, the Ministry of Defence announced its intention to purchase three new offshore patrol vessels.
This demonstrates Her Majesty's Government’s continuing commitment to investing in a strong and versatile Royal Navy capable of securing and protecting our national interests for the future.
Schools: Asbestos
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report, Asbestos in Schools, published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health; what assessment they have made of the view of the Committee on Carcinogenicity of the vulnerability of children to asbestos; what recent figures they have for the incidence of asbestos-related diseases in children and teachers; and when they intend to publish their response to the evidence submitted to their review of policy on asbestos management in schools.[HL6545]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department for Education is currently reviewing its policy on asbestos management in schools and intends to publish the outcome of the review by the end of June. The scope of the review includes the conclusions of the Committee on Carcinogenicity’s statement on the relative vulnerability of children and the recommendations from the report Asbestos in Schools: The Need for Action produced by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health. The Health and Safety Executive publishes figures on asbestos-related deaths—including occupational information—on its website. We do not know of any figures detailing the incidence of asbestos-related diseases in children.
Syria
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of an attack on 21 March on Kessab in northern Syria; whether they have made any estimate of the number of those killed in the attack and of those who have fled the town as a result; whether they have received any reports about the desecration of churches in the town; and what assessment they have made of the possible involvement of the Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham in the attack. [HL6490]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are concerned by the reports of violence in Kessab, although it is impossible to establish an accurate figure of the numbers of people who have been killed or displaced. We believe that the majority of the ethnic Armenian population of the town has left, along with many other Syrians, because of the fighting in the area. We have not received any confirmed reports of churches being desecrated and we call for all places of worship to be respected. We understand that a range of groups has been involved in the fighting, including the Al-Nusra Front. We urge all sides to the conflict in Syria to respect international humanitarian law and the rights of all Syrians. Both the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Syrian Army have repeatedly made clear their commitment to protecting all civilians, regardless of religious, ethnic and political affiliation.
Taxation: Fraud
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidelines are followed by HM Revenue and Customs and the Crown Prosecution Service in determining whether to investigate or prosecute VAT carousel fraud. [HL6472]
Lord Newby (LD): HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) seek to disrupt VAT carousel (Missing Trader Intra-Community—MTIC) fraud using both civil and criminal interventions.
When using criminal action HMRC seek to investigate the “guiding minds” behind MTIC fraud, as well as, selectively, other participants, including key enablers.
Such cases are notified and referred to the relevant independent prosecutors. The final charging decision is made by the prosecuting agency, based on the evidence presented as a result of the HMRC investigation. Cases in England and Wales will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Tobacco
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have funded any organisations seeking to ban or restrict the use of tobacco.[HL6387]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The department does not fund any organisation that seeks to ban the use of tobacco. The department has provided grant funding to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). On its website, ASH is described as “a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco”.
Transport: Cycling
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of British Cycling’s Time to Choose Cycling campaign, what progress has been made in promoting cycling as a safe and viable transport method around the United Kingdom.[HL6592]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Cycling is normal and fun and we are committed to making it a safer travel choice so more people can appreciate the benefits of physical activity. Cycling can help tackle congestion, reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality.
In August last year the Prime Minister set out his ambition for increasing cycling. This included £94 million for Cycling Ambition Grants which covered eight cities and four national parks across England. These eight cities all have ambitious targets to increase cycling over the coming years.
In addition, we have invested £15 million for cycling and walking links in communities and almost £15 million for cycling infrastructure at rail stations—our rail funding has been the major enabler in doubling the amount of cycle-rail facilities at stations since 2009. We also continue to support Bikeability training for children—we provide funding of up to £40 per training place—and over a million children have been trained.
Finally, to help realise the Prime Minister’s ambition for cycling, we are working with stakeholders and Government to produce a Cycling Delivery Plan for publication later this year.
Vehicles: Air Quality
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether lower quality fuel used in road vehicles has any impact on air quality. [HL6618]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): We have made no specific assessment of the impact of low quality fuels since all fuel supplied for road vehicles has to comply with the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) Regulations, and these requirements are set in order to reduce the environmental impacts of vehicles.
In practice, all producers supply fuel that also meets the EN 590 (Diesel) or EN 228 (Petrol) industry standards. The Composition and Content Regulations, and the standards, have been revised over time, most notably to remove lead from petrol and to ensure that all road fuel is effectively sulphur-free. There should be little difference between the air quality emissions from vehicles running on fuels that meet the statutory and industry standards.
Vehicles: Particulate Filters
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of road vehicles in Great Britain are fitted with efficient particulate filters; and what assessment they have made of the potential benefit from fitting such devices.[HL6615]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): We have no firm information, but our best current estimate is that about 17% of cars currently in use are fitted with wall-flow diesel particulate filters. We have made no estimate of the proportion of lorries, buses, and coaches that are fitted with diesel particulate filters. Reduction in airborne particulate has clear public health benefits. Some 29,000 premature deaths are estimated to occur each year as a result of airborne particulate, and poor air quality has health costs estimated at £15 billion annually for the UK.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether particulate filters fitted to road vehicles are subject to testing to ensure that those devices remain in good working order.[HL6616]
Baroness Kramer: The annual roadworthiness tests include a test for diesel smoke, using an opacimeter, which is intended to detect a diesel particulate filter that has suffered a mechanical failure or which has been removed from a vehicle. The department has amended the MoT testers’ manual so as to include a visual check to confirm that a diesel particulate filter is present where one was fitted as standard by the vehicle manufacturer. Further information is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-for-mot-to-test-for-diesel-particulate-filter
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have as to whether the origin or formulation of the diesel oil used has any bearing on the amount of particulates which are trapped in particulate filters fitted to road vehicles.[HL6617]
Baroness Kramer: The formulation of diesel fuel can have an effect upon the amount of particulate matter formed during combustion. There is evidence, for instance, that biodiesel blends produce slightly less particulate matter, in general, than do pure petroleum-based diesel fuels. We would not, however, expect the differences in rates of particulate formation between fuels meeting the statutory requirements of the Motor Fuels (Composition and Content) Regulations, and meeting the EN 590 industry standard to affect the operation of diesel particulate filters.
War Crimes
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to place the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit during its operation in a publicly available archive.[HL6496]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): No. Evidence gathered in investigations by the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit concerning war crimes is an operational matter for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and, where files were submitted for prosecution, the Crown Prosecution Service.