Article 1(2) of the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 defines “relevant office holder” as, where the elected local policing body
is a police and crime commissioner, the commissioner and deputy police and crime commissioner appointed by the commissioner.
Ragwort Control Act 2003
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any control orders made under the Ragwort Control Act 2003 currently in force; and whether there are any plans to make any such control orders. [HL1856]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The Ragwort Control Act 2003 makes no provision for control orders. The purpose of the Act is to provide for a code of practice to give guidance on how to prevent the spread of ragwort to be prepared. This resulted in the Code of Practice on How to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort which was published in 2004.
Natural England, the delegated authority for investigating complaints about injurious weeds, can issue enforcement notices under the Weeds Act 1959 where ragwort poses a high risk to grazing livestock or agricultural land.
The number of enforcement notices served under the Weeds Act 1959 in 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
| Year | Enforcement notices served |
Enforcement is a last resort and where possible we encourage communications between landowners and complainants to try and resolve the issue. In the vast majority of cases this approach is successful.
Religious Freedom
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that a willingness to uphold, and to give due priority to, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the criteria for the selection of the next United Nations Secretary-General.[HL1849]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): As the former Senior Minister of State Baroness Warsi said in the House on 22 July, Her Majesty’s Government does not put forward criteria for candidates. However, we would want to see a proven leader, fully committed to the values of the UN, with sufficient political authority and expertise to lead and manage such a large and complex organisation. The ultimate
responsibility to uphold Article 18 lies with states, as it is states that have human rights obligations. However, as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is at the core of UN values we would expect any UN Secretary General to urge all states to uphold them.
Rivers: Somerset
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the progress of the work to dredge the Rivers Barrett and Tone in the Somerset Levels so far during 2014.[HL1786]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The dredging is going well. The Environment Agency remains on target to complete the 8km dredge of the Rivers Parrett and Tone by 31 October 2014. As of 5 September, there is 3.2km of river left to dredge.
Roll-on Roll-off Ships: Safety
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the reasons for their proposal to remove the requirement for on-deck emergency equipment lockers on roll-on roll-off passenger ships, originally specified as a result of the inquiry into the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry disaster; and what is their assessment of the implications of that proposal for safety.[HL1827]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer): These regulations, which only apply to UK roll-on roll-off passenger ships, were introduced following the HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE tragedy in 1987. The proposal to revoke these regulations, which are only applicable to UK ships, is based on a significantly higher level of safety on ships since the tragedy. This is due to the introduction of numerous internationally adopted safety standards such as the International Safety Management Code, SOLAS 90 – an international standard for passenger ship stability, the Stockholm agreement – an international agreement on stability requirements for Ro/Ro Passenger ships; and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. The safety equipment on board ships is more accessible under the current regime of international safety standards than previously under the regulations.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) consultation on this proposal closed on 10 August. A decision on whether the regulations will be revoked will be made in light of a detailed consideration of all comments received during the consultation, but the MCA considers the proposal to remove the UK statutory requirement would have no significant impact.
UK ships would still carry equipment, similar to that found in the lockers, prescribed by the regulations in other parts of the ship. For example, equipment
such as axes and glass breaking hammers are held in the ship’s firefighting lockers and first aid kits are part of the lifeboat inventory.
The equipment in the lockers prescribed by the regulation are only intended for use when the ship is lying on her side in shallow water, almost exactly level, in calm seas. The equipment in the lockers is of no additional benefit in other types of emergency situation, bearing in mind that similar equipment is contained elsewhere on board, and is easily accessible.
Russia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Russia about their returning to Estonia a border official recently detained by them.[HL1850]
Lord Newby (LD): The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), met the Russian Ambassador to London on 11 September and expressed his strong concern about the illegal and unacceptable abduction of an Estonian official from Estonian territory by Russian Security Services on 5 September, and called for his immediate release.
Sexual Offences: Young People
Question
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many girls under the age of 18 have been the victim of gang-related sexual violence since 2010, broken down by police force areas in England and Wales.[HL1450]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Home Office does not hold this information.
There is currently little hard data on the number of women and girls involved in gang violence. However, we know that women and girls who come into contact with street gangs are at greater risk of violence, particularly sexual violence.
The Government report on ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence’ (November 2011) recognised the importance of tackling gang-related violence on girls, and refers to research by Race on the Agenda (2010:11) which exposed the significant harm that girls associated with gangs can experience. Further research has been undertaken by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and Bedfordshire University. This was set out in their Interim Report (2012): “I thought I was the only one. The only one in the world” and the Final Report (2013): “If only someone had listened”.
Steps taken to protect girls from becoming involved in gang-related crime are set out in the ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence Report: One Year On’ (November 2012) and ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence Annual Report 2013’ (December 2013) documents.
This includes dedicated funding of £1.2m over three years (April 2012 to March 2015) to improve services for girls under 18 at risk, or victims of, sexual violence and exploitation by gangs.
The reports are available on the GOV.UK website.
South Sudan
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of South Sudan to ensure that the Voluntary and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations Bill, currently before the South Sudan Parliament, will enable citizens and civil society organisations to engage in humanitarian activity, enjoy freedom of association and engage in monitoring and accountability systems in accordance with democratic principles.[HL1837]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The British Embassy in Juba has, alongside national and international partners, actively lobbied the Government of South Sudan on the Voluntary and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations Bill currently before the South Sudan parliament. The United Kingdom wants to see proportionate and well-designed legislation that provides a clear legal framework within which citizens and civil society organisations can engage in humanitarian activity, enjoy freedom of association and engage in monitoring and accountability systems in accordance with democratic principles. We continue to make clear to the government where the draft legislation might better achieve these aims.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the peace and reconciliation initiatives launched by the Vice President of South Sudan, James Wani Igga, and of how those initiatives relate to the National Reconciliation Committee for Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, led by Archbishop Daniel Deng.[HL1838]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation, launched on 5 April 2014 by Vice President Igga, includes the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation led by Archbishop Daniel Deng.
The Government is clear that there needs to be a genuine process of reconciliation in South Sudan to help address the impact of the conflict. Lynne Featherstone, Parliamentary- Under Secretary of State for the Department for International Development made this point to the Government of South Sudan during her recent visit in September.
Sudan
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether anyone associated with the Liberation and Justice Movement of Sudan has been barred from entering the United Kingdom; and, if so, who and why.[HL1557]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases. This is because the Home Office has obligations in law to protect this information. The Liberation and Justice Movement of Sudan has not been proscribed by the UK. Individuals associated with the Liberation and Justice Movement would not necessarily be denied entry based solely on their association with it.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan regarding (1) female genital mutilation not being a criminal offence in Sudan, and (2) UNICEF’s 2013 estimate, included in their report Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change, that 88 per cent of Sudanese women have undergone female genital mutilation. [HL1844]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): We regularly raise Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the Government of Sudan. We worked hard through the Government’s National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW) to ensure that Sudan was represented at the Girl Summit which took place in London in July, and which had a particular focus on FGM and child and early forced marriage (CEFM). We welcome the Government’s subsequent signature of the Girl Summit Charter, which includes a public commitment to ending FGM. We are now in discussion with the NCCW about an event to mark that signature, which would be attended by the Ministry of Social Welfare. On 22 October the Government will host a regional meeting on ending FGM, in which it will showcase its own achievements in changing attitudes.
Advocacy on the need for legislation on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) forms part of a programme supported by DFID and run by UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). More broadly, the programme aims to end FGM by making it socially unacceptable, and supports the country-wide Saleema campaign which is led by the Government of Sudan.
DFID is also providing funding to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which will include data on the percentage of women who have undergone FGM, and will report by the end of 2014. The findings of that survey will inform our discussions with the Government of Sudan and our future programming.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan concerning the proportion of births there attended by skilled health personnel; and what discussions they have had regarding Sudan’s maternal mortality ratio.[HL1845]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): While we do not have specific health programmes in Sudan, we are greatly concerned at the levels of maternal mortality in Sudan, and regularly discuss these issues with the
Government in the context of wider discussions about the delivery of basic services and poverty reduction. DFID is providing funding to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which will include data on the proportion of skilled health personnel who attend births, and on maternal mortality. The findings of that survey, which will report by the end of 2014, will inform our discussions with the Government of Sudan.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan regarding (1) Sudanese laws which allow girls to be married from 10 years old, and (2) the proportion of women in that country aged 20–24 who were married by the time they reached 18.[HL1846]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan about raising the legal age of marriage in that country from 10 to 18 in order to comply with international standards of child rights.[HL1847]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): There is a discrepancy between the Sudanese Child Act of 2010, under which anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child, and religious law, under which anyone under the age of 11 is considered to be a child. Along with the Sudanese National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW), we have lobbied the Government to ensure compliance with the Child Act and the removal of any discrepancies which lead to under-age children being married.
Broader work on child rights forms part of a programme supported by DFID, and run by UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This programme has included a workshop on reaching a national position on the legal age of marriage. DFID is also providing funding to UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which will include data on the percentage of women who were married by the time they reached 18. The findings of that survey, which will report by the end of 2014, will inform our discussions with the Government of Sudan.
DFID worked closely with the NCCW to ensure that the Government was represented at the Girl Summit which took place in London in July, and which had a particular focus on FGM and Child and Forced Marriage (CEFM). We welcome the Government of Sudan’s subsequent signature of the Girl Summit Charter, which includes a public commitment to ending CEFM. We are actively following up with the Government of Sudan to ensure that they maintain momentum on these issues.
Syria
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they and their allies are taking to prevent the Syrian town of Mhardeh from falling to attacks by Islamist militants.[HL1851]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We are extremely concerned about the activities of Islamist extremists in Syria and the threat they pose to Christian communities in Mhardeh and elsewhere. Our response is to support the moderate opposition who are fighting both extremism and Assad’s tyranny. We are acting in close coordination with our international allies. We are also pushing for an inclusive political process which is the only long term way to protect Syria’s minority communities.
Terrorism
Questions
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the assessment in David Anderson QC’s annual report that the definition of terrorism is currently too broad.[HL1379]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach) (Con): The Government welcomes Mr. David Anderson QC’s fourth annual report on the operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2013, which was laid in Parliament on Tuesday 22nd.
We will consider his recommendations in detail and respond in due course.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their definition of a terrorist.[HL1596]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their definition of a terrorist group.[HL1597]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The UK definition of terrorism is set out in section one of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Any decision by the Secretary of State to proscribe an organisation under Section three of the Terrorism Act 2000 must be based on a belief that it is concerned in terrorism as defined in the Act, and it must be proportionate. Such decisions are subject to approval by Parliament.
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure the cooperation of the authorities in California with United Kingdom law enforcement agencies in securing information from Twitter in respect of alleged online offences. [HL1772]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): HM Government works closely, and has regular discussions, with the US Government to help ensure that UK law enforcement agencies are able to secure the information they need in respect of alleged online offences.
Zimbabwe
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to presenting a case to the International Criminal Court to bring charges against President Mugabe for genocide and crimes against humanity.[HL1859]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Zimbabwe is not a party to the Rome Statute so the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over events which have taken place in that country.
For the ICC's Prosecutor to be able to initiate an investigation in these circumstances either the Government of Zimbabwe would have to voluntarily accept the ICC’s jurisdiction, or a referral from the UN Security Council would be required.
Under the Rome Statute the Security Council can only refer a situation to the ICC; it cannot refer the case of any specific individual.
Answers received between Tuesday 23 September and Friday 26 September 2014
Climate Change
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government have much they have spent on travel and accommodation in respect of Members of the House of Lords attending meetings on global climate change during the current financial year.[HL1855]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The Government has contributed £1,800 for travel and accommodation for Members of the House of Lords to attend meetings overseas specifically on climate change in the current financial year.
Hindley Young Offender Institution
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the report published on 15 August by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on the lower site at Hindley Young Offenders Institution, which found that “boys sometimes had less than 15 minutes a day to exercise in the open air”, whether they have any plans to reconsider national policies on how long boys spend out of their cells.[HL1805]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Improving outcomes in under-18 Young Offenders Institutions (YOIs) is one of the key objectives of our plans to Transform Youth Custody. A new operating specification has been developed for under-18 YOIs. This requires that every young person has access to a minimum of ten hours out of their rooms which
includes a minimum of one hour in the open air each day. Our plans are to implement this revised regime across all under-18 YOIs during 2015.
We believe we need to do more than improve the existing estate which is why the Government intends to open a pathfinder Secure College, a new form of secure establishment which will put education at the heart of youth custody, in the East Midlands in 2017.
Ministers: Conduct
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 18 August (HL 1666), which section of the Ministerial Code deals with the expression of personal views which are not government policy whilst answering questions at the Despatch Box.[HL1857]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Ministerial Code sets out the duties and responsibilities of Ministers. It is of course not unprecedented for Ministers to express personal views at the Despatch Box.
Orders and Regulations
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many statutory instruments from the Department for Communities and Local Government have been laid this calendar year; of those, what percentage corrected errors in a previous instrument (including drafts of affirmative instruments that had to be superseded by correcting drafts); and what steps that Department is taking to reduce the need for correcting instruments.[HL1422]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): A table has been placed in the Library of the House, it includes changes made to secondary legislation issued under the previous Administration.
From time to time, we make amendments in response to scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. We also undertake routine review of previous instruments to see if the drafting needs to be improved to ensure that the policy is properly delivered or minor errors corrected. Wherever possible, revisions are included with other substantive provision to minimise the number of statutory instruments made.
We take our responsibility to ensure the quality of all legislation emanating from the Department seriously and endeavour to keep to a minimum the need for correcting instruments. We have a system in place for appropriate 2nd and 3rd lawyer checks by senior lawyers; we provide regular legal awareness training and guidance for policy officials in making statutory instruments and actively engage with interested persons or groups, where possible, to test the quality of the draft legislation. We regularly review these processes to ensure that they continue to be effective and appropriate.
In addition, both the Treasury Solicitor and First Parliamentary Counsel are strongly committed to improving the quality of statutory instrument drafting across the Government Legal Service. In the coming months, the Treasury Solicitor’s Department (which provides legal services to my Department) will be looking at ideas for better training, a more consistent approach to supervision, checking, planning and timetabling of statutory instruments, better sharing of good practice, and the possibility of a specialist statutory instrument drafting “hub”, with experienced senior leadership.
Palestinians
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the official National Health Service medical team promised by the Prime Minister has yet reached Gaza; whether volunteer British doctors have been refused access to Gaza via Israel; and, if so, what action they are taking on the doctors’ behalf.[HL1852]
Baroness Northover (LD): A team of medical staff from the UK visited Gaza and East Jerusalem in August to assess the need for specialist medical support. A team was given access to Gaza via Israel to access medical facilities in both locations to assess capacity and recommend future UK assistance.
Ranby Prison
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address the findings of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons’ report of an unannounced inspection of HMP Ranby, published on 24 July, in respect of the condition of the play area for the
children of those visiting prisoners, plans to develop services, the lack of a family support worker and the lack of a parenting course.[HL1585]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Funding has now been secured to replace and renew current toys and equipment and the list of appropriate items is being finalised. A local initiative has recently been set up whereby staff donate good quality toys and books, resulting in a significant improvement to toys and books available. Storybook dads is being delivered and extended to a larger percentage of the population. Surestart has been approached with a view to offering support during visits. A Parenting Course is being developed with a view to it being delivered by a voluntary sector organisation. Further opportunities are also being explored with voluntary sector organisations who can assist in developing the family and children pathway.
Welfare Assistance Schemes
Question
Asked by Lord Bassam of Brighton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of those who have received local welfare assistance, by region, (1) were registered disabled, (2) have learning difficulties, (3) suffer mental health issues, (4) are escaping domestic violence, and (5) are families with dependents.[HL1833]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Local authorities are not required to provide DWP with details of who has received Local Welfare Assistance. Consequently, we do not have information about the volumes of people of certain types receiving support.