Written Answers
Tuesday 17 June 2014
Administrative Scheme for the “On the Runs” Independent Review
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect Lady Justice Hallett’s inquiry into the “on the runs” administrative scheme to be published. [HL226]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): While Lady Justice Hallett is making good progress on her report, she has informed the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that it will not be ready for publication until shortly after the 30 June deadline.
Brunei
Question
Asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Brunei about its policies involving stoning as punishment for adultery and dismemberment as punishment for theft.[HL84]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): I discussed the possible implementation of a new sharia criminal code in Brunei with the Sultan and other government figures during a visit to Brunei in April. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Cambridgeshire (Mr Vara), also discussed this with the Bruneian Attorney General at the Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting on 6 May. The Secretary of State for Health, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), also raised concerns with his opposite number at a Commonwealth Health Ministers’ meeting on 18 May 2014.
Burma
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the British Ambassador to Burma has raised the jailing of Zaw Pe with the government of Burma.[HL149]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Our Ambassador has discussed the case of Zaw Pe, and those of other arrested journalists, with Deputy Minister of Information Ye Htut. The cases of Zaw Pe and many other individuals were also raised during the first EU-Burma Human Rights Dialogue in May.
China
Question
Asked by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking in relation to suppression of the marking of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations by the government of China. [HL76]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are concerned at reports of detentions in relation to the 25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square and raised our concerns about this with the Chinese authorities during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 20 May. The Minister of State, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), raised this issue with the Chinese authorities on 19 May and made a statement on this issue on 21 May. We also fully support the EU statement of 28 May calling for the release of all those imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their views. We were pleased to see that on 5 June, the Chinese authorities released a number of those arrested after attending an event to commemorate the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989.
Climate Change
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in securing a deal on the European Union's 2030 climate change reduction package, in advance of the United Nations Secretary-General's Climate Summit in September.[HL102]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The European Council in March 2014 discussed the 2030 climate and energy framework and agreed to make a final decision on the Framework no later than October this year.
The UK believes that the EU should urgently adopt a domestic emissions reduction target for 2030 of at least 40% on 1990 levels, moving to 50% in the context of an ambitious global climate agreement.
I am determined to continue working closely and intensively with all my colleagues in Europe to ensure that the EU is in a position to play a leading role at the Ban Ki-Moon Climate Summit in September.
Dementia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve the services for sufferers of dementia and their carers.[HL144]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): On 26 March 2012, the Prime Minister launched his Challenge on Dementia. The Challenge sets the commitment to increase diagnosis rates, raise awareness and understanding and double funding for research for dementia by 2015.
On the 28 February 2014, the Secretary of State announced his ambition for improving dementia care and support for people with dementia, their family and carers. This signalled the importance of a tailored plan of care as part of a package of high quality, personalised dementia care and support.
The co-chairs of the three Champion Groups supporting delivery of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia have reported their progress to the Prime Minister on the second year of the Challenge. They have also set out their ambition for driving improvements in year three of the Challenge and beyond and to highlight cross-cutting themes and challenges shared across the champion groups, which they will continue to work on together. For example, working together to support the work on global action on dementia; increasing public and professional awareness and understanding of dementia and; the need to accelerate learning across the system on making integrated care and support a reality.
Since the launch of the Challenge, we have also made significant progress across all three strands of the challenge, but there is still work to be done.
Deportation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in the creation of a bespoke training package by the Independent Advisory Panel on Non-Compliance Management for use in deportation removal processes; and when will it be available. [HL91]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Independent Advisory Panel on Non-Compliance Management (IAPNCM) was established to provide support to the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in the design of the new training package for use by Detainee Custody Officers who escort individuals being removed from the United Kingdom. They also provide independent advice to Home Office Immigration Enforcement on the quality and safety of the new package, and in particular on the use of force techniques.
The panel has completed its work and the new training package and implementation are being finalised.
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of the Department for International Development’s spending on research and development is devoted to developing new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics for HIV.[HL262]
Baroness Northover (LD): The Research and Evidence Division within DFID spent £320 million during the financial year 2013-14. Research spend covers a wide range of different types of research across a number of themes including agriculture, climate and environment, education, governance, conflict and social development, growth and health research.
The total spent on developing new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics and microbicides for HIV was £4.5m during the financial year 2013-14. Funding was provided to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM). This amount represented 1.4% of the total Research and Evidence Division spend.
Diego Garcia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 25 April 2013 (WA 447– 48), with regard to the use of Diego Garcia for rendition flights, what is the latest situation in relation to such flights.[HL126]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Aside from the two cases of rendition through Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory) in 2002, there have been no other instances in which US intelligence flights landed in the UK, our overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies, with a detainee on board since 11 September 2001.
Economic Situation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the time taken for the United Kingdom economy to return to recovery in comparison to other leading countries; and what they consider to be the reasons for the differences in those timescales.[HL121]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): UK GDP fell 7.2% between the first quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2009. Of the G7 economies Japan was the only one that had a deeper recession, and the depth of UK recession was almost twice that of the US.
Thanks to the government’s long term economic plan, since the trough of the recession the UK has grown faster than France, Italy, Spain and the euro area as a whole. In the year to the first quarter of 2014 the UK grew faster than any other G7 economy, the deficit has fallen by over a third as a share of GDP since 2009-10 and there are more people in work than ever before. But the job is not yet done and the biggest risk now to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that is delivering a brighter economic future.
Electoral Register
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 14 May (WA 507), what allowance was made in each of the last five years for funding local authorities to pay the expenses incurred by a registration officer in the performance of their registration duties. [HL183]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): Funding for local authorities provided by central Government through Formula Grant up until 2012-13 or the current Business Rates Retention scheme is un-hypothecated and, therefore, it is not possible to provide a figure for any specific service in a year. Funding for all net costs of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration is paid through non-ring fenced section 31 grants to local authorities in England. Spending decisions are made by local authorities and details of expenditure can be found in the annual Local Government statistics at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-financial-statistics-england-2014
Details of the Individual Electoral Registration funding are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254816/Indicative_ allocations_spreadsheet_formatted.xlsx
EU Enlargement
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Prime Minister’s comments in Brussels on 27 May that Brussels was “too big and too busy” indicate that they intend to oppose any further expansion of the European Union.[HL162]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron)’s comment was that Brussels is “too big and too bossy”. He was referring to the need for the EU to reform to become less interfering and more competitive, flexible and democratically accountable. He was not pronouncing on the EU’s territorial size.
The UK continues to be a strong supporter of enlargement based on firm but fair conditionality, focusing on key concerns shared by many Member States, particularly around the rule of law. Enlargement has proved a huge driver of peace, prosperity and progress across our continent.
EU Immigration
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the European Union still maintains Migrants' Centres in Mali, or elsewhere in Africa, to deal with the needs of people wishing to move to Europe.[HL3]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The EU established the Centre for Information and Migration Management (CIGEM) in Bamako in 2008 in conjunction with the Malian authorities. The Centre is still operating, but does not currently receive EU funding.
The Government believes such centres can play a useful role in dissuading migrants from making dangerous and illegal journeys in an attempt to reach the EU.
We also welcome other EU initiatives to address migratory flows from Africa, including the extension of the EU’s support for the ‘Regional Protection Programmes’ in North Africa and the Horn of Africa which help ensure adequate protection for refugees in their region of origin.
Europe
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 6 May (WA 356), whether they intend to ensure that the word “Europe” is used with qualification to make clear what meaning is attached to it in the context of that particular use.[HL17]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Government has no plans to start ensuring that the word “Europe” is always used with qualification.
Gibraltar: Spain
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many occasions in each of the last 10 years there have been incursions by Spanish naval or other state vessels into British Gibraltar territorial waters; and on how many occasions they have summoned the Spanish Ambassador or made other diplomatic representations over such incursions.[HL68]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The total number of unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW), from 2010 onwards, are as follows:
2010 – 1032011 – 242012 – 2292013 – 496Jan-May 2014 – 185
During this period, the Spanish Ambassador has been summoned three times on incursions related matters – 15 November 2012, 19 November 2013 and 2 April 2014. The British Government cannot readily provide statistics for incursions into BGTW by Spanish State vessels before 2010. This could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. The Government upholds British sovereignty over BGTW by challenging and protesting unlawful incursions. We will continue to make representations to the Spanish government at the highest level, making clear the damage they cause to our bilateral relationship.
Hillsborough Castle
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government upon what terms they propose to hand over control of Hillsborough Castle to Historic Royal Palaces. [HL229]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): On 1 April 2014, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) transferred responsibility for operating Hillsborough Castle to Historic Royal Palaces (HRP). This includes the upkeep, maintenance and presentation of the Castle to the public.
HRP will provide the NIO with a number of services, including the continued readiness of the Castle for use by the Royal Family, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Minister of State for Northern Ireland.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that, following the handover of responsibility for Hillsborough Castle to Historic Royal Palaces, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will have adequate facilities to fulfil her public duties; and which areas of Hillsborough Castle will be devoted to her needs.[HL230]
Baroness Randerson: Following the transfer of responsibility for Hillsborough Castle to Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) on 1 April 2014, a dedicated area of accommodation has been retained for occupancy by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). HRP provides the NIO with a number of services, including the continued readiness of this area for use as a residence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and by the Minister of State for Northern Ireland.
The changes to the NIO’s accommodation will not impact on the ability of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to fulfil her public duties.
House of Lords: Food
Question
To ask the Chairman of Committees what proportion of the food used in the House of Lords is (1) grown in the home counties; and (2) drawn from organic and whole-food sources.[HL92]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel): The House of Lords does not draw any of its food from organic sources nor is any of the food offered categorised as “whole-food”. Fruit and vegetables used by the House sourced from the home counties are set out in the table below. Free-range chicken served in the House is mostly from Gloucestershire and Essex. The Salt Marsh lamb is from the Romney Marsh in Kent.
| Produce | Source county |
Housing: Construction
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the standards of design used for new homes in large-scale greenfield developments in England since 2010.[HL69]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): The Government is keen to ensure that new homes are well-designed and the National Planning Policy Framework and accompanying Practice Guidance strongly encourages local authorities, working with local partners, to achieve this. However, information about the standard of design for new homes is not collected centrally.
International Assistance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what current and future non-core 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.[HL195]
Baroness Northover (LD): Marie Stopes International (MSI) currently receives non-core funding of approximately £41.5m for 2014-15, with future non-core funding estimated at £37.5m for 2015-16. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) does not currently receive non-core funding from DFID. Women and Children First UK currently receive non-core funding of £246,101 over three years from 2014 – 2016. Women and Children First UK have also been provisionally approved for a second grant worth £249,842 over three years from 2014 - 2017 through the Global Poverty Action Fund, pending successful completion of pre-grant assessment.
During financial year 2013-14, DFID provided non-core funding of £100m to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The non-core component was made
up of 20 contributing programmes which will each undergo annual reviews to assess performance and determine future funding. Any proposals for new funding undergo a comprehensive business case process. Therefore it is not possible to give figures for future non-core payments.
Kenya
Questions
Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost to public funds of the evacuation of tourists from Mombasa in May.[HL222]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The British Government did not evacuate British nationals from Mombasa in May and there was no cost to public funds.
Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current travel advice for visits to Kenya.[HL223]
Baroness Warsi: We keep our travel advice under constant review. As of 12 June, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised against all but essential travel to:
- areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border- Kiwayu and coastal areas north of Pate Island- Garissa District- the Eastleigh area of Nairobi- low income areas of Nairobi, including all township or slum areas- Mombasa island and within 5km of the coast from Mtwapa creek in the north down to and including Tiwi in the south (this area does not include Diani or Moi international airport).
Marriage
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to introduce a measure enabling civil partners to marry.[HL7]
Baroness Northover (LD): Section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 provides that civil partners may convert their civil partnership into marriage under regulations to be made by my Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Her Majesty’s Government is working hard to ensure that couples wanting to convert their civil partnerships into marriages are able to do so as soon as possible. The aim is to do this before the end of 2014.
Money Laundering
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have issued guidance as to whether members of either House of Parliament are, or should be, considered as Politically Exposed Persons for the purposes of United Kingdom financial regulation; and, if so, what guidance.[HL74]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The UK’s Money Laundering Regulations 2007 define Politically Exposed Persons [PEPs]. UK Members of Parliament are not currently considered PEPs for UK purposes. However, revised global standards require that they are treated as PEPs.
As similar definitions apply in other jurisdictions UK Parliamentarians are likely to be considered as PEPs in other jurisdictions. We are seeking a risk-based approach to the application of this requirement in negotiating the Fourth Money Laundering Directive.
Treasury Ministers have approved industry guidance which further confirms that UK Parliamentarians are not PEPs for UK purposes. Some UK banks may apply enhanced due diligence to UK Parliamentarians in accordance with their own risk appetite, and as part of global policies and procedures.
Nigeria
Questions
Asked by Lord Patel of Blackburn
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Nigeria to take action on the abduction of young girls by militant groups.[HL25]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the Minister for Africa, my Hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), have all spoken to their Nigerian counterparts since news of the abduction broke on 18 April. In May the Minister for Africa travelled to Nigeria to discuss the situation with President Jonathan and Defence Minister Gusau and to agree the range of British assistance now being provided. Our High Commission in Abuja are in regular contact with the Government of Nigeria about this abduction, which is an abhorrent crime.
The Foreign Secretary hosted the London Ministerial on Security in North East Nigeria on 12 June, in the margins of the Global Summit on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict. Representatives from Nigeria and its neighbours, as well as the US, France, Canada, United Nations, African Union and European Union agreed further concrete measures to tackle the terrorism threat in Nigeria and the region.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether officials or Ministers of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Home Office or the Cabinet Office have met Bello Adoke, the Nigerian Attorney General, since 2012; and if so, what was the date of each meeting.[HL114]
Baroness Warsi: Given the range of frequency of the many meetings by Government officials with the Nigerian Attorney General I am unable to offer a full list of these. However, I can confirm that from the list of Government departments requested, at Ministerial level only the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, my Hon. Friend the Member for Kenilworth and Southam (Mr Wright), has met the Attorney General, Bello Adoke, in Abuja on 9 January 2014.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any United Kingdom Government Departments have discussed the OPL 245 Nigerian oil deal case with the Attorney General of Nigeria, or any other senior Nigerian government official.[HL115]
Baroness Warsi: The Metropolitan Police Proceeds of Corruption Unit are investigating complaints made about the case of oil block OPL-245 in Nigeria. As this is an on-going investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment any further.
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Kingdom has received any requests for mutual legal assistance in relation to the OPL 245 case. [HL116]
Baroness Warsi: It is the usual longstanding Government policy neither to confirm nor deny the existence, content or status of any individual mutual legal assistance request.
Pensions: Taxation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether lump sum retiring allowances in public sector pension schemes and the equivalent in private pension schemes including annuity payments and pension commencement lump sums are taxable; if so, whether they are taxed in the same way; and what are their proposals for taxing lump sum payments under the new pension arrangements announced in the Queen's Speech.[HL49]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): At retirement individuals have the option of taking up to 25 per cent of their pension fund as a tax free pension commencement lump sum.
Individuals at retirement can also take their pension pot as a lump sum:
If their total pension pots under all the schemes they belong to are worth £30,000 or less
Under certain circumstances, one of their pension pots is worth £10,000 or less
25 per cent would be tax free with the rest being taxed at the individual’s marginal rate.
These rules apply to all registered pension schemes and therefore apply to both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions and to both private and public sector schemes.
Planning
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to move responsibility for planning policy to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.[HL219]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con): No.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to deregulate the planning system. [HL220]
Baroness Stowell of Beeston: I refer the noble Lord to my Written Ministerial Statement of 10 June 2014, Official Report, Column WS40, which outlines the planning reforms that we have undertaken to date on housing, and the further reforms we are proposing.
In this session, we will also be implementing recommendations from the Red Tape Challenge and consult on some further technical changes on planning administration.
I also refer him to my Written Ministerial Statement of 16 June 2014, Official Report, Column WS79, on our proposals on brownfield land.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what evidence they have on the impact on the housing supply of taking planning decisions at the most local level.[HL221]
Baroness Stowell of Beeston: I refer the noble Lord to my Written Ministerial Statement of 10 June 2014, Official Report, Column WS40, which comprehensively explains how our planning reforms, including the abolition of the last Administration’s top-down Regional Strategies, have increased housing starts to their highest level since 2007 and resulted in 216,000 homes being given planning permission in England in 2013-14.
Religious Hatred
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to prevent members of Britain First and other extreme groups causing offence in mosques in England; and whether there are any plans to take out injunctions against known offenders.[HL173]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): Everyone has the right to feel safe in the place where they worship, free from discrimination and prejudice and we utterly condemn the recent intrusions of Britain First in Bradford and the fear and intimidation this has created among residents. In our country people of all religions must be able to worship without fear of harassment or interruption.
The Secretary for State for Communities and Local Government (the Rt Hon Eric Pickles) has met with representatives of the Bradford Council of Mosques to encourage them to develop guidance for all mosques on what they should do in case of a repeat of the incidents in Bradford. Freedom of worship is a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty that should be defended and we will continue to work with faith organisations and the Council of Mosques to take the right security precautions and ensure that people in Bradford and elsewhere feel safe.
Injunctions would be taken out by the individual Mosques involved, not by Government. We are unaware of any plans to take out injunctions in this case.
RSPCA
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord de Mauley on 11 March (WA 374), further to making a complaint about an RSPCA inspector directly to that organisation, what other bodies have the power to regulate the conduct of RSPCA inspectors; and what advice is publicly available to individuals wishing to make a complaint about an investigator.[HL34]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): A complaint can also be made to the police or the Charity Commission depending on the nature of the complaint.
Secured Loans
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the logbook loans industry. [HL111]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, including logbook lenders, by transferring responsibility from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April 2014.
The Government is very concerned about evidence of consumer detriment in the logbook loan sector, as highlighted in the FCA’s recent research paper.
The FCA has identified logbook lenders as a higher risk industry, and as such they will be in the first phase of firms to require full authorisation. Logbook loan
providers are also required to meet the FCA’s binding rules, and the FCA has said that it “won’t hesitate to take action” if they do not put their customers first.
In addition, the Government has asked the Law Commission to look at how to bring the highly complex legislation underpinning logbook loans up to date.
Social Services: Children
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government upon what evidence they have based their proposals to outsource children's services to private firms.[HL140]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (CYPA) allowed some local authorities to contract out looked after children and care leaver functions for a five-year pilot period. As a result, small autonomous practitioner-led organisations (Social Work Practices) were encouraged to develop. Between 2008 and 2012, 15 local authorities were involved in the pilot to create more tailored social work approaches.
The evaluation of Social Work Practices identified evidence of positive change through delegated arrangements for looked after children and care leavers. As a result, in November 2013, the freedoms in the CYPA were extended to all local authorities.
Staffordshire County Council have also recently received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted under the new single inspection framework, which included the social work practice 'Evolve YP'.
Some local authorities have asked the Government to extend these freedoms to other areas of children’s social care. The current proposals will encourage greater innovative approaches for all local authorities to take the step from adequate or good children’s services to excellent ones. The consultation on these proposals closed on 30 May and the Government is currently considering the responses.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to respond to concerns expressed by the leaders of the social care profession that profit-making companies should not determine sensitive family matters.[HL141]
Lord Nash: The Government’s proposals regarding the delegation of children’s social care functions would enable local authorities to delegate children’s social care functions to a third party. The intention is to broaden the range of approaches available to secure the best outcomes for children in their area. The proposals do not oblige local authorities to delegate any functions and do not remove responsibilities from local authorities for ensuring their statutory obligations on child protection and children’s social care are met.
The consultation on the proposals closed on Friday 30 May and the Government is currently considering the responses.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the recommendations of the Munro Review of Child Protection; and how the Review's recommendations will be reflected in their plans. [HL142]
Lord Nash: The Government is committed to promoting the welfare of children and protecting them from harm. The Government published its response to the Munro Review of Child Protection in July 2011, shortly after the publication of Professor Munro’s final report. That response accepted Professor Munro’s argument that the child protection system has lost its focus on the things that matter most: the views and experiences of children themselves. It also set out the Government’s plans for implementation.
Of the fifteen recommendations made by Professor Munro, eleven have been implemented in full, including:
1. In March 2013, we published the revised statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children, which focuses on the core legal requirements that all professionals should follow to keep children safe;2. In September 2013, Isabelle Trowler began work as the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families. Lyn Romeo started her role as the Chief Social Worker for Adults at the same time; and3. In November 2013, Ofsted began inspecting local authority children’s services under the new ‘single’ inspection framework.
Substantial progress is being made on implementing the other key recommendations, including supporting local areas in the redesign of their social work practice. In respect of Professor Munro’s recommendation on introducing a duty to secure provision of early help services, the Government has concluded there is sufficient legislation in place to deliver early help services to children and families. We are continuing to work with sector partners to reinforce existing legislation and understand how early help offers in local areas can be improved.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many, and which, local authorities have made representations to the Department for Education asking it to legislate to extend the power to outsource children’s social work functions, including child protection, under the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.[HL280]
Lord Nash: Formal representations concerning outsourcing of social care functions, potentially including child protection, have been made by Staffordshire, Kingston, and Richmond local authorities. In addition a number of informal discussions on this topic have taken place with other local authorities.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in relation to their proposals to extend the power for local authorities to outsource their children’s social work functions including child protection, what assessment has
been made of (1) the risks to children and young people, (2) the risks to the impartiality and integrity of statutory decision-making and interventions, and (3) the risks of conflicts of interest arising for third-party providers that bid for social work functions and for commissioned care placement.[HL281]
Lord Nash: The Government is considering the outcome of its consultation on delegation of children’s social care functions. The proposals would place no obligations on local authorities and do not remove their statutory accountability for child protection and wider children’s social care.
Should the proposals proceed, local authorities will need to ensure that any arrangements they put in place allow them to meet their statutory duties and properly manage questions of risk and conflicts of interest.
Ofsted will consider these arrangements as part of local authority inspections and hold the authority to account for the quality of its children’s services.
Sudan
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Sudan regarding the arrest of the National Umma Party leader al-Sadiq al-Mahdi.[HL130]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The Minister for Africa, my Hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), wrote to Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, adviser to the Sudanese President, urging al-Sadiq al-Mahdi's release. The Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Development, my Hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Ms Featherstone), also raised this issue with the Foreign Minister of Sudan on 20 May. Following the arrest, the British Embassy in Khartoum issued a statement expressing our concerns and highlighting that such actions undermine the President of Sudan’s initiative for a National Dialogue. We have made clear that the process for National Dialogue needs to be inclusive and this can only be achieved if senior political and community figures are able to speak freely.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what efforts they have made to support press freedoms in Sudan; and what role they consider such freedoms can play in the promotion of the National Dialogue process.[HL131]
Baroness Warsi: Freedom of expression and an independent media are vital components of a genuinely open and transparent National Dialogue process. Our Embassy in Khartoum regularly raises this in discussions with the Sudanese Authorities, and jointly with the British Council is funding the Thompson Foundation programme to build capacity for Sudanese journalism.
Examples include media training and a sponsored visit to London by Sudanese newspaper editors. During his visit to Sudan in January the Minister for Africa, my Hon Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), met Sudanese journalists and editors and stressed to senior members of the Sudanese government the importance of open democratic space and respect for fundamental freedoms.
Sudan: South Sudan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Liberation and Justice Movement in Sudan has been involved in South Sudan; and if so in what capacity and on what side.[HL124]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are not aware of any reports that suggest that the Liberation and Justice Movement in Sudan has been involved in the conflict in South Sudan.
Terrorism: Northern Ireland
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which Ministers formally petitioned Her Majesty for the pardons granted in the 16 Northern Ireland terrorist-related cases in the years immediately after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.[HL247]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): The 16 uses of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy for Northern Ireland terrorist-related cases after the Belfast Agreement were granted between 2000 and 2002. The Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland over this period were Peter Mandelson and John Reid.
Turkey
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the direct and indirect negotiations between the government of Turkey, elected representatives, and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); and whether they will encourage the government of Turkey to maintain the current ceasefire and to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible.[HL6]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We applaud the continuing efforts of the Turkish government aimed at concluding a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue. We encourage all sides, including members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, to maintain the current ceasefire and continue negotiations until a just and lasting agreement is achieved.
Ukraine
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the value of assets wrongfully removed from Ukraine that have been recovered or frozen in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, since the meeting of the Ukraine Asset Recovery Forum in London on 28 and 29 April.[HL1]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The UK led the call for the urgent imposition of EU sanctions, imposing an asset freeze on 22 individuals suspected of misappropriating funds from the Ukrainian state.
Those assets which are proven to be the proceeds of corruption through criminal investigations, and subsequently confiscated, will be returned to Ukraine.
We do not release information on the value of assets frozen under financial sanctions in the UK for reasons of confidentiality, and we do not hold information on the value of assets frozen overseas.
It is our policy to work closely with other governments to assist them to trace and repatriate stolen assets. All appropriate criminal justice and administrative routes to support the Ukrainians are being explored. The Director of the Serious Fraud Office has opened a criminal investigation into possible money laundering arising from suspicions of corruption in Ukraine. The Serious Fraud Office has obtained a restraint order freezing approximately $23 million of assets in the UK in connection with this case.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what value of trade will be covered by the European Union agreement of 23 April to reduce trade barriers with Ukraine. [HL2]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The European Commission estimates the annual value of the Autonomous Support Measures to be nearly €500 million (£413.15 million) in tariff reductions of which almost €400 million (£330.52 million) accrue to the agricultural sector.
UN Security Council
Question
Asked by Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to support negotiations for a voluntary code of conduct in the United Nations Security Council to help prevent the use the veto in situations where mass atrocities are taking place.[HL133]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): There are currently no negotiations for a voluntary code of conduct in the United Nations Security Council to help prevent the use the veto in situations where mass atrocities are taking place. I am of course aware of the proposal put forward by France and think that it offers an important contribution to the wider debate on reform of the Security Council and I welcome the interest that this initiative has created. The United Kingdom wholeheartedly supports the principle that the Security Council must act to stop mass atrocities and crimes against humanity. We cannot envisage circumstances where we would use our veto to block such action.
Utilities: Meters
Question
Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times magistrates have issued warrants to utility companies permitting the forcible installation of prepayment meters in the homes of their customers in each year since 2002–03.[HL139]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Utility companies apply for warrants of entry to magistrates’ courts. When the application is heard the outcome is recorded on the court register. They are not recorded or collated centrally so this question could only be answered by manually inspecting records at each magistrates’ court, which would incur disproportionate costs.