Written Answers
Answers received between Monday 29 September and Monday 6 October 2014
McKinsey and Company
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what fees have been paid to McKinsey and Company during the Smart Procurement review; and what were the deliverables to the Ministry of Defence.[HL1333]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): Detailed information is no longer held on contracts awarded, and the related payments, under the Smart Procurement Initiative and Smart Acquisition. There is no statutory obligation to retain financial and contractual records for more than six historical years.
Between January 2000 and July 2005, however, 15 contracts worth £53 million were awarded to McKinsey for procurement-related advice and assistance. These covered: the development of the Defence Logistics Organisation Change Programme Benefits Tracking Process; support to Equipment Capability; consultancy support for the implementation of the Smart Procurement Initiative; support to the Ministry of Defence Change Programme; support to the Defence Logistics Organisation Procurement Review Group; support to the End-to-End Review of Air and Land Environments; the re-invigoration of Smart Acquisition within the Defence Procurement Agency; support to the Implementation and Rollout of the Defence Logistics Organisation Benefits Tracking Tool; bridging consultancy support to End-to-End detailed planning; support to the Procurement Reform Project; support to the implementation of End-to-End detailed planning; support to the Eurofighter project; consultancy support for the Strategic Partner to the Defence Logistics Organisation Transformation Programme; consultancy support in applying the principles and techniques of the Lean Process Design to the End-to-End Support Chain; and consultancy support to the Business Management System Review.
Offences against Children: Rotherham
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proportion of perpetrators in the Rotherham sex abuse scandal who were Muslim.[HL1830]
Lord Newby (LD): Professor Alexis Jay’s report into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 is an account of the failures by Rotherham Council—and by the police and other organisations—to protect vulnerable children. It is highlighted that in Rotherham, the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage though it does not comment on the religious beliefs of any of the perpetrators.
Child sexual exploitation is not exclusive to any single culture, community, race or religion. It happens in all areas of the country and can take many forms. We are clear that political or cultural sensitivities must never get in the way of preventing and uncovering child abuse. We are committed to dealing with this criminal activity and there has never any excuse for failing to bring its perpetrators to justice.
Monday 13 October 2014
Asylum: Sudan
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that confidential information about Sudanese citizens gathered in the context of asylum claims is not provided to the Sudanese authorities.[HL1922]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): We do not share any details of an asylum claim with the authorities of an individual’s country of origin.
The Home Office takes its commitments under the Data Protection Act seriously, and all information taken in the process of a person's asylum claim is treated in confidence. All personal information is stored securely and any member of staff involved in the handling of personal information obtained in the context of a person's asylum claim undertakes specific, mandatory training on information management.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they have in place to ensure the safety of those Sudanese who have claimed asylum in the United Kingdom but who are returned to Sudan. [HL1925]
Lord Bates: All asylum claims, including those from Sudanese nationals, are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights against the background of the latest country information and relevant case law. The Home Office monitors the human rights situation in Sudan and will only return individuals who it, and the courts, are satisfied are not in need of international protection and when it is safe to do so.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of the use of the Detained Fast Track process in Sudanese asylum cases.[HL1926]
Lord Bates: The Detained Fast Track (DFT) and the Detained Non-Suspensive Appeals (DNSA) processes exist to deal with applications for asylum that appear, after screening, to be ones where a particularly quick
decision can be made. Entry to the Detained Fast Track procedure is determined by reference to published policy available on the Gov.uk website.
The policy neither requires nor excludes applications based on the nationality or country of origin of the claimants. There is a general presumption that the majority of asylum applications are ones on which a quick decision may be made, unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise. The system operates flexibly and in cases where it becomes apparent that an application is more complicated and cannot be determined within the DFT/DNSA indicative time-scale, the case is taken out of the process and the claimant normally released from detention.
Autism
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years, they plan to extend the duty for the National Health Service, local authorities and education providers to hold joint registers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. [HL1885]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): There is no duty on the National Health Service, local authorities and education providers to hold joint registers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Following consultation by the Department of Health as part of a review of social care data, local authorities now return data on adults’ primary need for social care support and any health conditions a person may have, including autism. Local authorities are required to keep a register of disabled children under Schedule 2 of the Children Act 1989 and the School Census collects data on children’s type of special educational need, including ASD, which is published annually by the Department, by local authority area. ‘The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 – 25 years’ advises local authorities and health commissioning bodies to use available data such as these when carrying out their duty under the Children and Families Act 2014 to commission jointly services for children with special educational needs and those with disabilities, including children with ASDs.
Basketball
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to implement any of the recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Basketball's report published in July 2014.[HL1632]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government is aware of the reach and positive impact that basketball has on many people’s lives and is in discussions with Sport England and UK Sport about ways in which we can look to support the sport further.
Battle of Waterloo
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage country-wide celebrations of the two hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.[HL1661]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): Planning for the commemoration, in 2015, of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo is being carried out by Waterloo 200, an umbrella organisation approved and supported by Government which is overseeing the anniversary. More information can be found on its website at the following link: www.waterloo200.org. In the June 2013 budget, the Chancellor announced that funding of £1m will be allocated to restore the site of the battle.
In October 2013, we also announced that at least £10m will be made available by the Heritage Lottery Fund over the next four years to fund projects marking some of the UK’s most important anniversaries and commemorative events, including the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo.
Cameroon
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that Boko Haram has targeted Northern Cameroon and that there has been an increase in attacks by Boko Haram on towns and villages in Cameroon.[HL1866]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Boko Haram concentrates its attacks in northern Nigeria but is regularly reported to operate in neighbouring countries, including Cameroon. We are aware of the growing evidence of Boko Haram having a presence in Cameroon, and discuss this regularly with the Government of Cameroon and other partners in the region, including at the 3 September meeting in Abuja of regional and international Foreign Ministers, which the Minister for Africa, my hon Friend, the Member for Rochford and Southend East (Mr Duddridge), attended.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that Christian groups in northern Cameroon have been particularly targeted by Boko Haram.[HL1868]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Boko Haram attacks are often indiscriminate. Their attacks have caused suffering in communities of different faiths and ethnicities in northern Cameroon.
Claims Management Services
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims management companies were struck off in each year since 2005.[HL1734]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): The Department’s Claims Management Regulation Unit has taken a range of enforcement actions against claims management companies (CMCs) that have breached the conduct rules to which they are subject. These include statutory action to cancel a CMC’s authorisation. The table below shows the number of CMCs that have had their authorisation cancelled each year since 2007, alongside the number of CMCs that were authorised.
| Year | Total no. of authorised CMCs (at year end) | Authorisation cancelled |
Courts Martial
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many courts-martial there were in HM Armed Forces in the last year for which records are available; how many of those were judged by commanding officers; and how many of those defendants did not have legal representation.[HL1912]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): 480 Service personnel were tried by Court Martial during the year 2013.
None of those were judged by their Commanding Officers. 70 chose to represent themselves at trial.
Debts
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 11 August (HL1638), whether they, or the Financial Conduct Authority, have made an assessment of the effect on the market for debt management services of the absence of notification of the existence of free debt management services in cold calling by lead generators on behalf of fee-charging debt management services; and if not whether they plan to instruct the Financial Conduct Authority to make such an assessment. [HL1769]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what mechanisms are in place to ensure that (1) on first contact with potential customers, fee charging debt management companies notify of them of the existence of free debt management services, and (2) such notification is sufficient to produce an awareness of the existence of the free service.[HL1770]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Financial Conduct Authority has put in place binding requirements on fee-charging debt management firms to signpost customers to free independent debt advice at the first point of contact, including when contacted following a referral from a lead generator.
The FCA is monitoring the compliance of debt management firms with its rules on an ongoing basis via its supervision of such firms and from 1 October 2014, all debt management firms are required to submit to the full scrutiny of the FCA authorisation process which will involve a comprehensive consideration of all aspects of their compliance.
The FCA is also undertaking an in-depth thematic review of the debt management sector to assess the quality of advice, looking at whether firms are recommending appropriate debt solutions, and how incentive structures and the use of lead generators may be affecting consumers.
Developing Countries: Disability
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will outline a timetable under which the Department for International Development will work towards achieving the recommendation by the House of Commons International Development Select Committee in its Report Disability and development (HC Paper 947, 2013–14) to report results disaggregated by disability across all sectors of the Department’s work, including but not limited to the humanitarian sector.[HL1864]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): In its response to the IDC recommendations DFID did not commit to report results disaggregated by disability across all sectors of the Department’s work.
DFID is nevertheless committed to improving data on disability. Our priority in this area is to strengthen national governments' ability to collect, analyse and use data in the countries in which we work at a national, regional and local level, and in different sectors. This information will be used to inform national level results frameworks and reporting against future international development goals. To do this, DFID made a new commitment in September 2013 to advocate the use of the Washington Group questions on disability wherever possible in DFID-supported national censuses and household surveys, and to champion their use with other donors.
As the IDC recognises, collecting disaggregated data at the programme level is difficult. DFID will make disaggregated data on age and disability part of our requirements for funding humanitarian proposals. DFID's broader approach is to identify programmes with a specific focus on disability at the design phase, and to monitor this inclusion throughout the programme management cycle.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures to improve reporting and accountability on the inclusion of disabled people will be part of the strengthened systems that the Department for International Development committed to put in place in the response to the House of Commons International Development Select Committee’s Report Disability and Development (HC Paper 947, 2013–14).[HL1865]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: As part of our International Development Committee hearing commitments, DFID is in the process of developing a framework for further strengthening disability inclusion across the department. This will set out our clear commitment, approach and actions to strengthening disability in our policy, programme and international work. It will also include an explanation of how we will strengthen departmental capability on disability, how we will influence our partners to do more, and a timeframe for taking forward the activities outlined in our response to the IDC recommendations.
Egypt
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Egypt about (1) delays in bringing imprisoned suspects to trial, and (2) allegations of torture, solitary confinement and maltreatment, which have led to prolonged hunger strikes.[HL1930]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We have raised the importance of due legal process for detainees in Egypt with the Egyptian government on a number of occasions. Most recently, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney, (Mr Cameron), raised the issue with President al-Sisi in September 2014. The Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, (Mr Hammond), also raised his concerns with President al-Sisi during a visit to Cairo on 24 July, and Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East, (Mr Ellwood), raised concerns during his visit to Cairo on 25 August. We will continue to urge the Egyptian authorities to ensure that human and legal rights are fully upheld in all cases.
Gambling Commission
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria the Gambling Commission will use (1) to establish whether it is appropriate to share information with other statutory bodies in the United Kingdom or overseas, and (2) to determine whether the information it is intending to share is relevant to the functions of such bodies.[HL1862]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what work will be done to ensure that the Gambling Commission will not share information with overseas regulators without (1) being requested to do so, and (2) first obtaining the approval of the relevant licensee. [HL1863]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Gambling Commission considers a range of criteria when sharing information and is subject to oversight on data protection and use of surveillance powers by the Information Commissioner, the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Office of Surveillance Commissioners. In view of the complexity of this area I have asked the Gambling Commission’s Chief Executive to write to my noble Friend directly on the matter of information sharing. A copy of her letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
General Practitioners
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many general practitioners’ surgeries are owned by the doctor or doctors concerned; for how many of those the National Health Service funds part or all of any mortgage payments; and whether any recovery of such funds is made when the doctors retire or when the premises are sold.[HL1883]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Information is not held centrally on the number of general practitioners’ surgeries that are owned by the doctor or doctors concerned.
The National Health Service (General Medical Services – Premises Costs) Directions 2013 provide that where a contractor incurs borrowing costs as a result of purchasing practice premises, they may apply to NHS England for reimbursement of these costs. The contractor is reimbursed only for the interest charged, not the capital repayment. Alternatively, the contractor may apply to receive a notional rent payment in lieu of reimbursement of mortgage costs, equivalent to the current market rental value. This is the amount that may be claimed by practices who lease their premises from a third party landlord. No recovery of such funds is made.
Grammar Schools
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking any steps to investigate any correlation between prior attainment and OFSTED grades in respect of selective grammar schools in England. [HL1897]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department for Education is not currently taking steps to investigate any correlation between prior attainment and Ofsted grades in respect of selective grammar schools in England. We are, however, reforming the accountability framework for secondary schools to focus on the progress schools make with their pupils regardless of intake.
Hospitals: Staffordshire
Questions
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a “double lock” system is in operation with regard to the transfer of services from Stafford Hospital, whereby management from both that hospital and the receiving hospital agree that there is overall capacity available, and an independent body reviews the decision before it is implemented.[HL1892]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why maternity and paediatric services at Stafford Hospital are to be transferred to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire without the application of a “double lock” system.[HL1893]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): ”The Trust Special Administrators and local organisations are working together to ensure that the recommendations are implemented to secure safe services for patients across Staffordshire.
These changes are moving towards the implementation phase and we have been clear that services can only move if it is safe to do so as agreed by both organisations and also externally validated (the ‘double lock’).
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why maternity and paediatric services at Stafford Hospital are to be transferred to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire within the next few months when the Trust Special Administrator projected a timescale of two to three years for the safe transition of services.[HL1894]
Earl Howe: The Trust Special Administrators (TSAs) left local parties to determine the speed of implementation of their recommendations.
There are current and emerging concerns over the safety of certain services at Stafford Hospital, particularly acute surgery, anaesthetics, radiology and paediatrics – all of which a consultant-led obstetrics unit must have available to operate safely.
In line with the planned move of acute surgery and anaesthetics in January 2015, University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust is considering possible arrangements for other services, including maternity and paediatrics.
This takes into account both safety issues and implementation of the Trust Special Administrators’ recommendations. These plans are still to be finalised.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assurances they have sought from the University Hospital of North Staffordshire that it will have sufficient capacity in its accident and emergency department when services are transferred from Stafford Hospital in January 2015.[HL1896]
Earl Howe: The Trust Special Administrators’ proposals were clear in their commitment not to move services unless it is agreed that it is safe to do so, and in the best interests of patients.
The University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, together with local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and the local health and social care economy, have agreed a range of service improvements to ensure greater resilience and capacity in the accident and emergency services.
The trust and CCG are currently working with the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team to ensure that the plans in place are sufficiently robust and will support continuous improvement.
Human Trafficking
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much compensation has been paid by the Treasury Solicitor in response to claims on behalf of victims of trafficking in each of the last five years.[HL1901]
The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): Claims relating to human trafficking can arise in a range of different types of litigation –for example immigration, unlawful detention or claims under Article 4 of the ECHR (prohibition of slavery and forced labour).
The Treasury Solicitor’s Department does not maintain data which would readily enable claims from victims of trafficking to be distinguished from the other claims they handle. To obtain an accurate compensation figure would therefore involve disproportionate cost.
Human Trafficking: Children
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as part of the child trafficking advocate pilot scheme, they have agreed specific arrangements on who will provide legal advice to (1) Barnardo’s, and (2) the local authorities in the comparator group.[HL1899]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): An important part of the role of the Child Trafficking Advocate will be to assist the trafficked child to access support on immigration, criminal justice and welfare matters including effective legal representation. The needs of each child will be different and so decisions on the most effective legal representation should be made on a case by case basis.
The Home Office has not commissioned separate legal services for the purposes of the trial; Barnardo's and local authorities will obtain advice through existing channels. The Home Office is in discussion with child trafficking organisations about the powers afforded to Child Trafficking Advocates through the Modern Slavery Bill to ensure they allow the advocate to fulfil this important role.
Iraq
Questions
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure the long-term provision of humanitarian assistance for internally displaced people in Iraq.[HL1874]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) has allocated £23 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis. £17.5 million of this is funding partners already working in Iraq to enable them to provide immediate life-saving assistance. HMG is also providing logistics, coordination and staffing support to the Kurdish and the UN systems to ensure long-term humanitarian provision.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to the authorities in Iraq to ensure that newly born children of those displaced from northern Iraq are issued with birth registration documents.[HL1876]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: HMG provided £1 million to UNHCR in Iraq in June 2014, which included support for 4,500 families with legal assistance, protection and support to registration. UNHCR is discussing these issues with the Government of Iraq and leading work to provide legal assistance to internally displaced persons.
Islamic State
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the statement by the Foreign Secretary on 10 September (HC Deb, col 915) reporting that, in the areas of Iraq and Syria controlled by ISIS, there have been targeted killings, forced religious conversions, abductions, trafficking, slavery and systematic sexual abuse on the basis of ethnicity and religion, they have asked the United Nations Security Council to refer those responsible to the International Criminal Court or to seek the creation of a Regional Tribunal. [HL1869]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We strongly condemn all human rights abuses in Iraq and Syria. The UK has a long-standing commitment to accountability and this will not alter.
The UN Security Council can refer situations, not individuals, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor for investigation. In both Iraq and Syria, we will continue to look at every available option to ensure accountability, and to work with our international partners on what can be done to both assist the victims and to bring those responsible to justice.
In Syria, we fully support the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry and will continue to call for them to be given unfettered access to investigate human rights violations and abuses. We will intensify these efforts to ensure that those responsible face justice, including by funding the documentation of atrocities. We will also look to expand the EU sanctions regime to cover more people responsible for human rights violations. The moderate opposition have been clear in their support for international law in general and referral to the ICC in particular.
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates have been made of the quantities of western-manufactured weapons currently held by ISIL; and when and how they were obtained.[HL1936]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: It is very difficult to estimate the quantities of weapons held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and their sourcing. It is likely that ISIL has obtained its weaponry from a variety of sources, and it is extremely difficult to estimate with any degree of useful accuracy how many specifically western manufactured weapons are currently held by ISIL (as opposed to western designs copied by other countries). We remain deeply concerned about the ability of terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria to acquire weapons and commit atrocities.
Middle East
Question
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they (1) have made, and (2) intend to make, to the government of Israel about the full lifting of the blockade on Gaza.[HL1934]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Our ambassador in Tel Aviv most recently raised the issue of Gaza with the Israeli National Security Adviser on 15 September. They discussed Israel permitting the transfer of goods to the West Bank, and exports to Israel. Since the 26 August ceasefire our Ambassador has also made the case to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Middle East Peace Process negotiator, his Cabinet Secretary, his National Security Advisor, his Chief of Staff, and his Trade, Finance and Justice Ministers, that the opening up of transfers/exports
from the private sector in Gaza and a broader lifting of restrictions would address one of the fundamental drivers of instability in Gaza.
Our officials in Tel Aviv will continue to lobby Israeli officials in future meetings on the issue of movement and access in Gaza.
Muslim Brotherhood
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish Sir John Jenkins’ report on the Muslim Brotherhood.[HL1976]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Work is under way across Government to consider the findings of the Muslim Brotherhood review. We will make the main findings of the review public in due course.
NHS: Obesity
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have figures to support the statement made by the Chief Executive of NHS England in July that the National Health Service needs to tackle obesity among its employees.[HL1915]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the announcement by the Chief Executive of NHS England on 17 September proposing a plan to tackle obesity among National Health Service employees, whether they will publish the plan in full.[HL1918]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Department does not hold current data on the number of National Health Service staff who are obese. In 2009, the Department estimated in ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: One Year On’ that of 1.2 million staff in the NHS, 700,000 were likely to be obese or overweight.
NHS England plan to publish their Five Year Forward View later this month. Proposals for the plan include incentives to ensure the NHS as an employer sets a national example in the support it offers its own 1.3 million staff to stay healthy, and serve as “health ambassadors” in their local communities.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to National Health Service publication Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: one year on, whether there are any internal surveys on obesity among National Health Service employees.[HL1916]
Earl Howe: The Department is not aware of any internal surveys on obesity among National Health Service employees.
In their audit, Implementing NICE public health guidance for the workplace: a national organisational audit of NHS trusts in England, published this year and repeated from 2011, the Royal College of Physicians reviewed the progress that employers’ across the NHS were making which included tackling obesity. This showed that the percentage of trusts with obesity plans in place rose from 13 in 2010 to 28.
NHS trusts are responsible for the health and wellbeing of their staff. The Department’s supports the NHS to improve staff health and wellbeing by commissioning NHS Employers to help NHS trusts implement five high impact actions: developing local evidence based improvement plans; with strong visible leadership; supported by improved management capability; with access to better, local, high quality accredited occupational health services; and where staff are encouraged and enabled to take more responsibility for their health.
NHS: Staff
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the receptiveness of the public to health advice from medical staff whom they believe to be unhealthy; and on what evidence any such assessment is based.[HL1917]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Department has not carried out an assessment of the public’s receptiveness to advice from medical staff they believe to be unhealthy.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Dr Steven Boorman NHS Health and well-being, which concluded that there was a relationship between employee health and well-being and performance on issues such as patient satisfaction, annual health check ratings and MRSA rates.[HL1919]
Earl Howe: The Government acknowledges Dr Boorman’s conclusions and, each year since 2010, has commissioned support for NHS trusts to improve their staff health and wellbeing.
Progress is being made. This year, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) concluded in its audit, Implementing NICE public health guidance for the workplace: a national organisational audit of NHS trusts in England, that “National Health Service trusts are beginning to prioritise staff health and wellbeing” saying “employers that implement the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) workplace guidance tend to have a healthier and more productive workforce and better patient outcomes”. The NICE workplace guidance focuses on board and staff engagement; physical activity; tackling obesity; promoting mental wellbeing; smoking cessation and the management of long term sickness absence.
This year’s audit by the RCP was a repeat from 2011 following Boorman and while it showed progress, there is no room for complacency although NHS staff sickness absence (4.06%)1 is the lowest since Boorman and all NHS staff have access to occupational health services.
The Department’s support for the NHS, which it provides via NHS Employers, is based on five high impact actions: developing local evidence based improvement plans; with strong visible leadership; supported by improved management capability; with access to better, local, high quality accredited occupational health services; and where staff are encouraged and enabled to take more responsibility for their health.
[1] This is the latest full year percentage figure for NHS staff sickness absence calculated as a rolling average annual percentage rate and based on figures published in July by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
Nigeria
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports regarding the burning of churches, forced religious conversion of Christian women and occupation of a number of territories by Boko Haram, in north-east Nigeria.[HL1867]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We condemn the destruction of churches and all other atrocities conducted by Boko Haram. They have caused great suffering across all communities, deliberately targeting the weak and vulnerable with no respect for gender, ethnicity, religion or age. The UK, alongside other international partners, is committed to helping Nigeria end this violence and tackle the threat posed by Boko Haram.
Obesity
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Sarah E. Jackson et al. published by University College London Perceived Weight Discrimination and Changes in Weight, Waist Circumference, and Weight Status, which referred to negative attitudes towards obese individuals as a form of discrimination.[HL1920]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government welcomes the report by Sarah Jackson and colleagues as a contribution to our knowledge and understanding of this important area. Obese people often face negative and discriminatory attitudes. While obesity is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, if obesity results in long term physical or mental impairment (as set out in Section 6 of the 2010 Act) then the person with the impairment will be protected from unlawful discrimination under this Act. The Government Equalities Office runs a body image
programme, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of body image, promote the positive representation of a healthy diversity of body types, and support young people’s resilience and media literacy. Obesity is a considerable problem for public health, and the Government is committed to tackling this through its national obesity strategy. Public Health England also works to promote good body image along with healthy lifestyles.
Many of those who react negatively to obese individuals justify doing so by alluding to rising rates of obesity. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that good body image is an important motivator in achieving and sustaining a healthy weight – and, conversely, that low body confidence is associated with continued weight gain. The Government’s Change4Life campaign does not engage in fat shaming or denigration of obese people; it encourages all of us to take steps to improve our health and wellbeing and adopt a healthier diet, starting from wherever we are.
In 2013 the Government Equalities Office hosted a multidisciplinary academic seminar that explored these issues, and the body image programme continues to contribute to the Department of Health’s important work on obesity.
Parking
Questions
Asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risks to (1) blind and partially sighted people, (2) wheelchair users, and (3) parents with pushchairs, from cars parked on pavements. [HL1877]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the total cost of damage caused by cars parking on pavements in the United Kingdom.[HL1878]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from (1) local authorities, (2) disability groups, and (3) other organisations, about cars parking on pavements.[HL1879]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Her Majesty’s Government has made no specific assessment of these risks as local authorities have the powers to permit or ban pavement parking at the local level. However, I wrote to all English Traffic Authorities on 27 June 2014 to remind them of their existing, wide-ranging powers to prevent people from parking on the pavement where it is a problem. We have also published a range of guidance documents for traffic authorities highlighting the difficulties that pavement parking causes for pedestrians and detailing ways that it can be prevented.
Her Majesty’s Government does not keep records of the total cost of damage caused by cars parking on pavements as this is matter for local highway authorities.
In response to two major email campaigns orchestrated by Living Streets and Guide Dogs, Her Majesty’s Government received around 2000 standard petitions against pavement parking. We receive other views, from time to time, on an ad hoc basis.
Patrol Craft: Iraq
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any United Kingdom firms were bidders for the building of new Iraqi naval patrol craft.[HL1954]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) (Con): Her Majesty’s Government is not aware of any UK firms formally bidding for the building of the new Iraqi naval patrol craft.
Productivity
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the output per worker in the United Kingdom in comparison with that in other G7 countries.[HL1890]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) (Con): The most up to date data currently available is for 2012 and is set out below:
| Current Price GDP per worker, G7 countries, Index UK=100 | |||||||
| Japan | Germany | Canada | Italy | France | US | G7 excluding UK | |
Source:
International Comparisons of Productivity, Final Estimates for 2012, ONS (Feb 2014)
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/icp/international-comparisons-of-productivity/2012---final-estimates/stb-icp0214.html
Public Expenditure
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, according to the latest figures, what is the difference between the average public expenditure per head in Scotland and in England; and whether that figure has increased since the Select Committee on the Barnett Formula published its report in 2009.[HL1914]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Data on public expenditure per head in Scotland and England since 2008-09 can be found in the following table.
The information can be found in Table 9.2 in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2014 document[1].
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/public-expenditure-statistical-analyses-2014
Reading Station
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the provision of information to passengers at Reading Station following its redevelopment by Network Rail and, in particular (1) the provision of large printed timetables, (2) the visibility of platform number signs on the platforms, (3) the visibility and positioning of indicator screens, (4) the detailing of intermediate stations on concourse indicator screens and (5) the presence of staff to provide information to passengers.[HL1927]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): All investment works undertaken by Network Rail to enhance or renew the national rail network are delivered to required standards that are included within the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) process. As part of the multi-million pound investment in upgrading and improving the Great Western Route, including Reading Station, Network Rail undertook an extensive GRIP process including detailed multi discipline and ergonomic design assessments balancing a wide range of factors including safety, performance, passenger information, weather protection, passenger facilities, accessibility and compliance with all relevant standards to reach the optimal design.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the suitability of protection from the elements afforded to passengers on platforms at Reading Station following its redevelopment by Network Rail.[HL1928]
Baroness Kramer (LD): All investment works undertaken by Network Rail to enhance or renew the national rail network are delivered to required standards that are included within the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) process. As part of the multi-million pound investment in upgrading and improving the Great Western Route, including Reading Station, Network Rail undertook an extensive GRIP process including detailed multi discipline and ergonomic design assessments balancing a wide range of factors including safety, performance, passenger information, weather protection, passenger facilities, accessibility and compliance with all relevant standards to reach the optimal design.
Sanctions: Russia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they and the European Union are taking to avoid adverse effects from sanctions against Russia on farms and small businesses in the Baltic states. [HL1929]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): The UK has stated that the Russian Government ban on import on food and agriculture products is totally unjustified and has no legitimate grounds.
The European Commission, in consultation with Member States, has responded with emergency measures designed to stabilise EU markets and to alleviate the effects of the Russian import ban on producers and businesses. Initially, schemes were introduced to support the growers of peaches and nectarines, the highly perishable fruit and vegetable sectors and the dairy sector.
The initial support schemes for cheese and fruit and vegetables were withdrawn due to a surge of applications, not all of which related to products directly exported to Russia. The Commission has now implemented a revised scheme for fruit and vegetables, which, unlike its predecessor, is mainly targeted at those Member States (not the UK) with a track record of exports to Russia. In response to calls from some Member States, including the Baltics, the Commission are considering further targeted measures for the dairy sector.
On fisheries, the UK and some Baltic states are exploring the possibility of banking some of their 2014 fisheries quota for the pelagic sector to be used in 2015.
The UK has encouraged the EU Commission to focus more attention on access to alternative markets to help offset the problems for European food producers caused by Russia’s recent restrictions. Small businesses can face disproportionately higher trade barriers than larger companies and we have also asked the Commission to see what could be done to cut the red tape that can prevent EU businesses from selling into alternative markets.
Sierra Leone
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have been held between the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development about the situation in Sierra Leone caused by Ebola; and what was the outcome.[HL1938]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): There are ongoing high-level discussions across Government on the UK response to the Ebola outbreak including between the MoD and DFID. The scale of the crisis demands a coordinated, multi-departmental response by the UK Government.
On the 17th of September, we pledged £100 million in support towards combating the outbreak. At the heart of this is the provision of 700 treatment beds in Sierra Leone to help to save lives and contain the spread of Ebola. This will increase the number of available beds to more than 1,000 over the coming months. Work has already begun on a 92 bed treatment facility in Kerry Town which will provide 12 dedicated beds specifically for healthcare workers. The MoD will set up, build and operate this facility.
Given the gravity of the situation in Sierra Leone DFID, together with the MoD, is setting up a forward command and control logistical hub that will provide the backbone of infrastructure, commodities, training and management needed to scale up the response in Sierra Leone. The hub will be staffed by a large multi-agency team including military, humanitarian and health experts. It will work closely with international partners and with the Government of Sierra Leone.
South Sudan
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are engaged in or supporting any action to help protect women at risk of sexual violence as a result of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.[HL1870]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): South Sudan has endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict and as an endorsing country participated in the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London in June. We continue to press the Government of South Sudan to act on the commitments it has made to design and implement a national action plan against sexual violence.
The UK remains closely engaged with the South Sudan non-government organisation (NGO) Forum and associated NGOs to help protect women and girls from sexual violence. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have stressed to the South Sudanese government the need for a comprehensive investigation into human rights abuses in South Sudan, including cases of sexual violence. At this year’s UN General Assembly in New York in September, the Minister for Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (Mr Duddridge), and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict, co-hosted an event to mark a year since the launch of the Declaration, at which he encouraged all 155 member states who have now endorsed the Declaration to deliver on the practical and political commitments they have made to end the use of rape and sexual violence as a tactic of war.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage women to participate in the peace process in South Sudan, and to ensure that women from all sections of society are represented.[HL1871]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK continues to underline the need for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development-led South Sudan peace process to be inclusive and represent the people of South Sudan, especially women. We raised this issue on 24 September at the UN Human Rights Council, and emphasised the importance of the participation of women in the peace process, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the recent announcement by the government of South Sudan that all foreign workers must leave that country; and what effect they expect that announcement to have on the United Kingdom’s aid, stabilisation and development programmes there.[HL1921]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development in South Sudan issued a circular on 12 September prohibiting and regulating the service and employment of aliens in certain positions in the private sector. The Minister subsequently issued a clarification on 17 September noting that this excludes all United Nations agencies, diplomatic missions and organisations that have signed bilateral/mutual agreements with the Republic of South Sudan; and also excludes many technical and professional positions in both private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The UK is supportive of South Sudan nationals filling positions where the relevant skills and experience exist within the labour force and we work to build capacity of the local workforce. The UK and other partners raised the issue of the Circulars at the Government Partners Forum on 18 September and stressed that much needed foreign investment could be seriously deterred by messaging that foreign workers are not welcome in South Sudan. We will continue to monitor the situation. The ability of humanitarian and development organisations to assist the most vulnerable must not be affected.
Sports: Drugs
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the World Anti-Doping Agency on the length of bans imposed on athletes who test positive for performance-enhancing stimulants with regard to their congruence with the new sanctions recently endorsed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the International Association of Athletics Federations and the World Anti-Doping Agency.[HL1706]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government did not make any representations to the World Anti-Doping Agency on the length of bans imposed on athletes who test positive for performance-enhancing stimulants, but endorsed and supported those made by UK Anti-Doping, the UK’s National Anti-Doping Organisation, throughout the consultation process. The Government remains committed to playing a full and active part in the global fight against doping in sport and welcomes the new World Anti-Doping Code, coming into force on 1 January 2015, being tougher on those who cheat. The new Code implements a stringent sanctioning regime in respect of intentional doping, which will now result in a four year ban from all sport.
Sports: Finance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the performance pathways for all British Olympic and Paralympic sports are fully funded to deliver UK Sport’s projection that Team GB will win more Olympic and Paralympic medals at Rio 2016 than at London 2012; and what is that projection on a sport by sport basis.[HL1705]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): UK Sport believe their ambition is attainable for Team GB to win more Olympic and Paralympic medals at Rio 2016 than at London 2012. Sports have identified athletes with the capability to win medals and UK Sport is providing the necessary financial and technical support.
UK Sport publishes annual Milestone Targets for each funded sport and will publish Olympic/Paralympic medal targets prior to the Games in Rio.
Sportsgrounds: Disability
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they have introduced in 2014 to improve disabled access to sporting venues in line with the Guidelines of the International Paralympic Committee. [HL1630]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government is committed to ensuring all spectators have enhanced and appropriate access to sporting venues and services, and that professional sports clubs are aware of their responsibilities towards disabled spectators.
Many smaller clubs struggle to meet even modest provisions for disabled access and raising the bar even higher, while admirable, would be placing an unreasonable burden on those clubs. The International Paralympic Committee’s guidance is there for clubs that want, and can afford, to meet the highest standards on inclusion and accessibility, but the Accessible Stadia guidance helps all clubs to meet the basic standard in the first instance.
As such, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with the Department of Work and Pensions on a range of measures to ensure that the rights of disabled spectators are met by professional sports clubs.
Sri Lanka
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to submit the despatches from the United Kingdom defence attaché in Colombo for the period June 2008 to June 2009 inclusive as evidence to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Investigation on Sri Lanka. [HL1913]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The UK strongly supports the establishment of an independent Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) investigation on Sri Lanka, and, if requested to provide assistance, we will give such requests careful consideration. We continue to urge the Sri Lankan government to co-operate with the investigation in line with recent calls made by Zeid Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In its 22 September oral update, the OHCHR stated “that a more fundamental and far-reaching accountability process in Sri Lanka, addressing both past and ongoing violations, is absolutely necessary for Sri Lankans to come to terms with their past, end impunity, achieve reconciliation between communities and strengthen the rule of law.” In March 2015, the OHCHR will provide a comprehensive report of the investigation to the UN Human Rights Council.
Sudan
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to investigate alleged intimidation and monitoring of the Sudanese diaspora in the United Kingdom by the Sudanese Embassy and officials.[HL1923]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not received any complaints about officials from the Sudanese Embassy in London intimidating or monitoring the Sudanese diaspora in the United Kingdom. Allegations of criminal activity should be reported to the police in the first instance.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements the British Embassy in Khartoum has in place to collect information on the treatment of Sudanese returnees from the United Kingdom; and how far any such information is included in the Home Office country of origin information on Sudan.[HL1924]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our Embassy in Khartoum routinely collects information about the treatment of Sudanese returnees from the United Kingdom by contacting relevant international organisations operating in Sudan. This information is passed to the Home Office to include in its country of origin information on Sudan.
Syria
Questions
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all sides of the Syrian conflict adhere to the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2165 requiring all parties to cease indiscriminate attacks.[HL1872]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We are concerned about indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Syria which contravene international law. The UK has consistently called upon all parties in the conflict to respect international law and played a leading role in initiating and securing the passing of UN Security Council Resolutions 2139 and 2165, which demand that all parties cease all attacks against civilians and comply fully with their obligations to protect civilians in armed conflict. The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry’s most recent report was clear that the Assad regime, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other extremist groups, were behind the majority of such attacks. On 25 September 2014, the UK and our partners secured a strong resolution at the UN Human Rights Council which demands that the Syrian authorities cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry.
In partnership with other donor countries, we have funded the collection of documentary evidence of human rights abuses to allow those responsible to be held accountable. We have also funded Law of Armed Conflict training to help armed groups understand their responsibilities and obligations under international law and international human rights standards. We welcome the commitment of the Syrian National Coalition and associated moderate armed groups to abide by these standards.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the £600 million they have committed to the situation in Syria has been assigned to long-term civil society projects.[HL1873]
Baroness Jolly (LD): Following the International Development Secretary’s announcement of £100 million at United Nations General Assembly, total United Kingdom funding in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region now stands at £700 million. Of this, over 50 per cent has been allocated to projects managed by non-governmental organisations. Due to the structure of our funding, the fluidity of the situation, and the resulting need for flexibility, it is not possible to give an exact breakdown of the amount assigned to such projects, however we remain committed to supporting capacity building of local civil society in the longer term.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to reconsider joining the UNHCR resettlement programme for Syrian refugees.[HL1875]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) Scheme operates in parallel with the UNHCR's Syria Humanitarian Admission Programme (HAP). There are no plans to reconsider joining the HAP as the VPR scheme is based on need rather than fulfilling a quota. However, we work very closely with UNHCR to identify the most vulnerable
people and the scheme has their full co-operation. The VPR is relocating several hundred of the most vulnerable Syrians displaced by the conflict to the UK.
The UK is the second largest bi-lateral donor after the USA.
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which moderate rebel forces they are supporting in Syria; and whether they will set out the criteria by which those groups have been selected for support.[HL1935]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK provides non-lethal assistance to units of the Free Syrian Army, which has close links to the Syrian National Coalition. Recipients of this assistance are carefully selected to ensure that assistance is not being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations.
Typhoid: Vaccination
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider there to be adequate supplies of typhoid vaccine; and, if not, what are the reasons for any shortage and when they expect adequate supplies to be available.[HL1891]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Typhoid vaccine is available from Sanofi Pasteur MSD (“Typhim Vi”) and MASTA (“Vivotif”), neither of whom is currently experiencing any supply problems.
University Hospital of North Staffordshire
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the most recent statistics for the performance of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire against the target of accident and emergency patients being seen within four hours.[HL1895]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The statistics for patients seen within four hours in accident and emergency at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust for the week ending 28 September, against a target of 95%, is shown in the following table:
| Trust | Percentage in 4 hours or less (all) % |
Source:
NHS England
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what permissions and licences are required to operate drones for commercial or leisure use.[HL1884]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The safe operation of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the UK is governed by the requirements of the Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO). RPAS with an operating mass of more than 20 kg are subject to regulation as manned aircraft.
Those with an operating mass of 20kg or less (referred to as ‘small unmanned aircraft’) are exempt from the majority of the regulations that normally apply to manned aircraft. However, their use is specifically covered by two articles within the ANO, which legislate for the ‘general’ flying aspects and the flight of those equipped for surveillance (articles 166 and 167). Article 138 concerning ‘endangering the safety of any person or property’ also remains applicable.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Watchkeeper drones they have ordered from Elbit Systems; and when they expect the order to be completed.[HL1949]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): None. The Ministry of Defence is procuring 54 Watchkeeper air vehicles from Thales UK. We expect deliveries to be complete by March 2016.
Veterans UK
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to increase staffing numbers for Veterans UK in order to assist in processing the claims by ex-service personnel under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.[HL1889]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): There are no plans to increase staffing numbers for Veterans UK in order to assist in processing the claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.