Written Answers
Tuesday 21 October 2014
Alcoholic Drinks
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the new chief executive of the civil service will have any role in advising them on alcohol pricing or any aspect of their alcohol strategy.[HL1990]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Chief Executive of the Civil Service is in charge of key corporate functions of Government and accelerating the Government’s efficiency and reform agenda and Civil Service transformation. He will not have any role in alcohol strategy or pricing.
Armed Forces: Mass Media
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what instructions apply to members of the armed forces on having social contact with persons with known links to the media.[HL2017]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The Ministry of Defence has provided all civilian and military personnel with instructions regarding contact with the media and communicating in public. In line with the long-standing principles of the Civil Service Code, the Civil Service Management Code and the relevant Queen's Regulations, contact with the media or persons with known links to the media requires authorisation. I will place the latest version of the relevant Defence Instruction and Notice (DIN) in the Library of the House. It has been made available previously on www.gov.uk. The DIN makes it clear that in this context ‘contact’ refers specifically to contact which involves ‘passing information or expressing opinion on matters related to Defence.’
Civil Servants: Pay
Question
Asked by Lord Browne of Belmont
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civil servants are paid over (1) £100,000, (2) £125,000, and (3) £150,000 per annum.[HL2107]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Peter Fullerton, Director, Data Collection, Office for National Statistics to Lord Browne dated October 2014.
On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking Her Majesty’s
Government how many civil servants are paid over (1) £100,000, (2) £125,000, and (3) £150,000 per annum. HL2107
The Annual Civil Service Employment Survey can be used to answer this question. For information on salaries, departments provide full-time equivalent salaries for part-time employees. On this basis I can tell you that, on 31 March 2014, the survey shows that 1007 civil servants were on salaries in excess of £100,000, 378 civil servants were on salaries in excess of £125,000 and 125 civil servants were on salaries in excess of £150,000 per annum.
Corruption
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to emulate the United States Justice Department’s "Kleptocracy Initiative" in which assets are seized from corrupt foreign officials and politicians living in the United States.[HL2001]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Department for International Development provide funding for UK law enforcement units within the Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency to investigate illicit financial flows linked to corrupt foreign officials from developing countries in the UK. To date, these units have restrained or confiscated more than £120 million of stolen funds. The Government is reviewing the overall coordination and effectiveness of the UK’s enforcement response to cases of bribery and corruption. This work is ongoing and ministers will consider the findings in due course.
Cyprus
Questions
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any relationship between their support for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and their position in respect of Turkish-Cypriots’ rights since 1963, in the light of their status as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.[HL2010]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We have made no such assessment. The historical context for both is very different. The British Government’s long-standing position is that we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair and agreed settlement for refugees.
On Cyprus, the Government remains committed to supporting the UN's efforts to achieve a settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, they are aware of the Akritis and Ifestos plans advocated by EOAK-B between 1963 and 1974; and what assessment they have made of whether the situation has substantially changed since then.[HL2011]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government recognises the suffering endured by the Turkish and Greek Cypriots as a result of intercommunal violence between 1963 and 1974, a difficult period of history that continues to have an impact on the island today. We believe that there is now genuine hope for a lasting settlement, and will continue to support both communities and the UN in facilitating that Settlement.
Ebola
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the remarks of Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation, about the ebola outbreak; and what is their current assessment of the projected number of fatalities in West Africa.[HL2103]
Baroness Northover (LD): We share the WHO’s concerns about the potential scale and global threat posed by the Ebola outbreak. According to the latest WHO data, there have been 4493 deaths from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa as of 12 October. The US Centre for Disease Control estimates that the number of cases in West Africa could reach 1.4 million by January 2015. In response to the outbreak, the UK is playing a leading role in the international response, and has committed £125 million to contain, control and ultimately defeat the disease in Sierra Leone.
Electoral Register: Wales
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much funding was offered and awarded to each local authority in Wales over the last five years to maximise voter registration.[HL2082]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Since 2010 the Government has provided two funds to increase voter registration.
The participation fund ended in 2010-11 and in that year provided £54,708 to local authorities, including 3 in Wales, on promoting electoral registration, voting and awareness of election processes. The fund was abolished due to lack of demand from local authorities.
In 2013-14 £189,410.27 was provided to local authorities in Wales with the direct intention of maximising voter registration. A summary table is provided below:
| Local Authority | Max Reg Funding – 1314 FY |
Email: Fraud
Question
Asked by Lord Stone of Blackheath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 14 October (HL1908), how many arrests and convictions of criminals who have extracted money from victims in phishing scams have taken place in the last 12 months.[HL2123]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The data requested is not available.
Centrally held data on arrests and convictions for fraud held by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice respectively cannot separately identify whether they were a result of phishing scams.
EU External Trade: USA
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the implications for the National Health Service of a successful outcome to the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations between the European Union and the United States.[HL2158]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will not affect the way the United Kingdom Government runs the National Health Service. It has been made clear by negotiators from both the United States and the European Union that it is up to the UK alone to decide how the NHS is run and any assertion that TTIP will undermine the Government’s control of the NHS is a red herring.
The TTIP could offer great benefits to British business and for British jobs. Greater consistency in existing and new regulatory requirements would make it easier for companies - especially small and medium enterprises - to access markets and, for patients, potentially help to increase access to new medicines and medical devices.
Health Services: Overseas Aid
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the World Health Organization Recommended Activities for tuberculosis and HIV integration are currently employed within (1) bilateral tuberculosis programmes, and (2) bilateral HIV programmes. [HL2051]
Baroness Northover (LD): DFID actively seeks to incorporate World Health Organisation guidance into its programmes but activities that fit with the WHO recommended activities are not specifically identified in our financial and other management information systems, and therefore we are unable to report on the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost.
Promoting integrated responses to tackling TB-HIV co-infection has been highlighted in the review of the UK’s 2011 HIV position paper, “Towards Zero Infections-Two Years On”, as a key area of current and on-going effort. This will contribute to the global results to help halve TB-related deaths among people living with HIV by 2015.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the Department for International Development spent on the relief of (1) HIV, (2) tuberculosis, and (3) malaria, in 2013, including commitments to the Global Fund.[HL2052]
Baroness Northover:Details of the total expenditure on health are published online in Statistics on International Development (SID) at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-2013.
The Department for International Development’s (DFID) support to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria control is provided through: disease-specific bilateral projects and programmes; bilateral support to health systems and service delivery; UK Government contributions to multilateral and global initiatives that work on disease prevention and treatment; and by supporting research.
In 2012/13 the UK contributed £127.9 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Figures for direct bilateral spend in 2012/13 on HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis are reproduced below:
| 2012/13 | |
| £m | |
Immigration: West Africa
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to reduce the immigration restrictions on doctors from West Africa who currently work in the United Kingdom and who volunteer to return to West Africa temporarily to provide medical support for those suffering from ebola.[HL2093]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Immigration Rules already provide for doctors here under the Tier 2 skilled work route and working for the UK health system to return to their home countries for short periods to provide support. The Tier 2 rules allow for periods of unpaid leave of up to one month in every 12 month period. There is also nothing in the Immigration Rules to prevent someone on a Tier 2 visa using their annual leave to volunteer in Africa.
Iran
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, during his recent discussions with President Rouhani, the Prime Minister raised the issue of human rights in Iran and the imprisonment of Ghoncheh Ghavami for attending a men’s volleyball match; and, if so, whether the matter has been followed up by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[HL2009]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), raised the treatment of UK/Iranian dual nationals, including the case of Ms Ghoncheh Ghavami, during his meeting with President Rouhani on 24 September. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), also raised the matter with Foreign Minister Zarif on 22 September. Since then, our non-resident Chargé d’Affaires has raised the case with his Iranian counterpart on a number of occasions.
Iraq
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Human Rights Watch that Islamic State has removed Yezidi boys and made them convert to Islam and is holding captive civilians from other religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians and Shia Shabaks and Turkmen.[HL2003]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The humanitarian reports from Iraq and elsewhere in the region are deeply concerning. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups continue to commit atrocities against Muslims, Christians, Yezidis, Turkmen and other communities throughout the areas under their control. We condemn any and all violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief.
We are working closely with our international coalition partners to assist and protect civilians. We have been at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the crisis in the region, delivering through a range of channels including air drops. We are also providing military equipment and training to support the Kurdistan Regional Government fighting against ISIL.
We continue to encourage the new Iraqi government to ensure the protection of all citizens, to promote human rights and reassert the rule of law.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the safety of Christian and Yezidi refugees in the Kurdish region in Iraq and the likelihood of an IS-led genocide against them. [HL2074]
Baroness Northover (LD): The UK Government is using all the resources at its disposal to push back and ultimately seek to destroy ISIL. This includes providing military assistance to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting ISIL so that they can restore control over the areas taken by ISIL, deploying a specialist team of Army trainers into Erbil, to provide Iraqi forces with training, and the RAF carrying out surveillance flights to provide greater situational awareness. The UK will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Kurdish and wider regions of Iraq.
In addition, DFID has provided £23m of UK Aid to Iraq, £17.5 million of which is funding NGOs, the UN and the Red Cross who continue to provide support to displaced people, including carrying out protection activities. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against. Our aid is reaching displaced people across Iraq, including in the Kurdish region, to which many Christians and Yazidis have fled.
The Secretary of State for DFID visited Iraq in August and urged the then Designate, now confirmed in post, Iraqi Prime Minister, Haida al-Abadi, to
ensure that his government protects all minorities in Iraq, promotes human rights and asserts the rule of law. The UK has also helped to secure a UN Human Rights Council Resolution mandating the UN urgently to investigate and report on ISIL abuses.
Languages: Primary Education
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what language qualifications primary school teachers will be expected to have in order to teach the new foreign language curriculum.[HL2045]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): There are no subject-specific entry requirements for entry to primary courses of initial teacher training (ITT). However, ITT entrants are required to satisfy a rigorous selection process, which is designed to assess their suitability to teach, and providers of ITT are required to ensure trainees can demonstrate a secure knowledge of the relevant subject(s) to deliver the curriculum which, in the case of primary trainees, includes teaching languages in primary schools.
Teaching of modern languages is already taking place in over 90% of primary schools. The Government is providing £1.8 million funding over two years for the continuous professional development of primary and secondary teachers in order to support the delivery of the new modern languages curriculum.
Libya
Question
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to restore full British diplomatic activity in Libya.[HL2056]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Our Embassy in Tripoli has been temporarily closed since 6 August, due to ongoing fighting and instability. The safety and security of our staff is paramount: we will re-open the Embassy in Libya when the security situation has improved sufficiently to keep our staff safe. A small team of British diplomats focused on relations with Libya are currently working from our Embassy in Tunis, as well as a team in London. Our core diplomatic activity also includes the work of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, Jonathan Powell, who is continuing to work with the UN on the ground in Libya to pursue mediation efforts to agree a negotiated political settlement, which offers the best hope of stability for the country.
Mental Capacity
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist local authorities to address the consequences of the Supreme Court’s judgments in P v Cheshire West and Chester Council and P and Q v Surrey County Council on deprivation of liberty of mentally incapacitated persons, in the light of the likely costs of compliance with those judgments.[HL2005]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): So that we might better understand the consequences of the 19 March 2014 Supreme Court judgment in the case of Cheshire West, we have asked the Health and Social Care Information Centre to perform additional data collections as to the number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS) applications made and the number authorised. The first data set was published in early October 2014. The next will be published in early November 2014.
In the meantime, to assist local authorities, the Government has commissioned the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services to review and redesign the standard forms that support the DoLS process. This will reduce bureaucracy on local authorities whilst maintaining robust safeguards for the service user.
In addition, the Government has commissioned the Law Society to produce guidance to assist local authority DoLS practitioners (including social workers) to understand what constitutes a deprivation of liberty following the Supreme Court judgment.
Mental Health Services: Children
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of how schools have used Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services guidelines for responding to the mental health needs of children and adolescents.[HL2018]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department for Education does not specifically monitor the use of guidance by schools, which will vary according to the needs of their pupils and how Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are organised locally.
In June we published advice on behaviour and mental health in schools.[1] This is intended to help schools support all pupils’ mental health and wellbeing so that they can succeed in school. It provides case studies, information and links to organisations that can be approached for advice on providing support and making referrals to specialist services. These sources of advice include relevant National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines and the new Mind Ed e-portal funded by the Department of Health.[2] MindEd was launched in March 2014 to provide training and information on mental health for all adults working with children and young people.
The new Government task force on children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing includes members from schools and will look at the issues around responding effectively to mental health needs and access to CAMHS.
[1] www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and- behaviour-in-schools--2
[2] www.minded.org.uk
Middle East
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered relocating tented facilities from Afghanistan to the Kurdish regional area to house displaced refugees; and what discussions they have had with the Kurdish authorities about providing adequate shelter for refugees during the winter months.[HL2076]
Baroness Northover (LD): DFID is already delivering at scale in Iraq. UK Aid has provided £17.5 million (of a total £23m) in funding to the UN, NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) for projects including winterisation assistance such as shelter kits for people living in collective shelters and unfinished buildings. In addition we have supplied 1,545 winterised tents and 4,720 thermal blankets for various UN agencies and NGO partners to distribute across affected areas including to families vulnerable in the winter climate. Our Advisors on the ground are working closely with aid agencies, the UN and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure that there is both an accurate assessment of need and an effective plan for meeting it. The UK will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Kurdish and wider regions of Iraq.
National Crime Agency: Northern Ireland
Question
Asked by Lord Browne of Belmont
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in their discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to extension of the full powers of the National Crime Agency to Northern Ireland.[HL2088]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office (Baroness Randerson) (LD): We are continuing to press for agreement on the full extension of the NCA’s remit in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Justice Minister recently submitted a paper to the Northern Ireland parties, which we believe should allay concerns about the NCA’s accountability. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has pursued this issue regularly in her meetings with the parties and continues to stress the importance of ensuring that Northern Ireland receives the same protection from serious and organised crime as the rest of the UK.
NHS: Standards
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to make the National Health Service more efficient and to reduce mistakes in practice. [HL2162]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): National Health Service funding has risen in each year of this parliament and is £12.7 billion higher in cash terms in 2014-15 than in 2010-11. The NHS is on track to make up to £20 billion efficiency savings this parliament to reinvest into frontline care. We are confident that it will continue to make the efficiency improvements necessary to meet rising demand and protect the quality of the services delivered.
In a recent report commissioned by the Department, Frontier Economics has estimated that poor care could be costing the NHS up to £2.5 billion every year. In order to focus attention on the harms contributing to these costs and the savings that could be reinvested, a poster and leaflet will go out to all NHS hospitals to display this vital information to their staff.
We have introduced a wide range of measures, including the Sign Up to Safety Campaign, Patient Safety Collaboratives, a new tougher inspection regime for providers and a reformed National Patient Safety Alert System to reduce mistakes in practice. In order to promote a culture of openness and transparency, that will enable organisations to learn from their mistakes, there will be the duty of candour in the event of serious harm. We are also publishing information on hospital performance, including staffing levels, as part of the new MyNHS website.
Nigeria
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to halt the killing and displacement of people, and the destruction of churches, in the Nigerian states of Borno and Adamawa by Boko Haram; what is their assessment of the amount of territory which has been seized by Boko Haram; and what is their assessment of how many people have been killed or displaced and how many churches destroyed.[HL1999]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Government is committed to working closely with Nigeria and the international community to tackle the threat posed by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram. At the London Ministerial meeting on 12 June, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), announced a substantial new package of UK military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria. This package is being delivered in
Nigeria and includes tactical training and advice to Nigerian units deployed against Boko Haram. This year, the Department for International Development doubled investment in north east Nigeria conflict resolution programmes to help make communities safer.
We believe that more than 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram this year. The UN assesses that the violence in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states has displaced 1.5 million people. Boko Haram has targeted both Christian and Muslim communities and sites, including churches, but reliable information on how many is not available. The UK welcomes recent reports of gains by the Nigerian Armed Forces as they seek to push back Boko Haram in north east Nigeria.
Palestinians
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider the marine territory relating to Gaza to be that agreed in the Oslo Accords or some lesser distance from the shoreline; and which country they consider to be the owner of mineral rights in such a marine territory.[HL2032]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Oslo Accords did not agree the marine territory relating to Gaza. They set out rules for maritime activities, by defining certain maritime activity zones and what could take place in them, including but not limited to setting the 20 nautical mile fishing limit. Off the coast of Gaza, Marine 1/Gaza Marine lies entirely within the control of the Palestinian Authority. Marine 2/Noa straddles the Gaza/Israeli maritime border and so has been split on that basis into two fields: Noa South (under the control of the Palestinian Authority) and Noa (under the control of Israel).
Police: Inspections
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria will be used in the annual inspections of police forces by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary to determine whether each force's officers and staff act with integrity.[HL2021]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The methodology for HM Inspectorate of Constabulary’s (HMIC) new all-force inspection programme (PEEL programme – police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) is currently in development. A public consultation on the proposed methodology ran from 30 June to 12 September 2014, and HMIC will publish its response in January 2015. Fieldwork for the roll-out of the new full inspection programme is due to begin in January 2015.
The PEEL assessment for 2014/15 will draw predominantly on fieldwork and data from thematic inspections that the Inspectorate has conducted over the last 12 months, including its forthcoming inspection report on Police Integrity and Corruption. This inspection reviews each force and covers the following issues: the progress the force has made managing professional and personal relationships with integrity and transparency; the progress the force has made communicating and embedding ethical behaviour to all staff; how well the force proactively looks for and investigate misconduct and unprofessional behaviour; and how well do forces prevent, identify, and investigate corruption.
The PEEL assessment for 2014/15 will be published on 27 November 2014.
Regional Schools Commissioners
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the total set-up costs of the school commissioner network; and what are the total running costs.[HL2114]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The first year set-up and running costs of the Regional Schools Commissioners and their offices are estimated to be approximately £4.5 million. This is not new additional funding: it will be met from within the Department for Education’s existing budget envelope.
Rivers: Somerset
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord De Mauley on 26 September (HL1785), when the proposed Somerset Rivers Board will be (1) formed, and (2) functioning. [HL2145]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord De Mauley) (Con): Local partners in Somerset are developing a plan for a new Somerset Rivers Board. The Secretary of State is in close contact with local partners about progress on the formation of the Board. The Somerset Flood Action Plan, available online, states “Initial proposals [are] to be developed by [the] end [of] 2014 with new structures and funding operational from 2015/16, subject to any necessary legislative changes”.
Schools: Admissions
Questions
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the oversight in place to monitor the application of school admissions policies at a local and national level.[HL2043]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The School Admissions Code (the Code) provides a robust framework that governs the determination of school admissions policies and the allocation of school places, whereby 86.5% of parents secured a place at their first preference school in 2014.
All admission arrangements must comply with the Code and must be consulted on at a local level. Anyone who feels a school’s admission policies and arrangements are unfair or unlawful may object to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator. Where a local authority is of the view that a school’s admission arrangements may not be lawful, they have a duty to refer them to the Adjudicator, whose decision is binding and enforceable.
Local authorities also have a duty to report annually to the Chief Schools Adjudicator on the effectiveness of admissions in their area, and to publish their report locally. These reports inform the Adjudicator’s annual report to the Secretary of State.
The Department for Education also receives feedback on the operation of local admission policies from parents, local authorities, schools and other bodies.
Taken together these measures allow the Department to monitor the effectiveness of the Code at both the national and local level.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that school intakes are reflective of their local communities.[HL2044]
Lord Nash: The School Admissions Code requires all admission authorities to consult publicly for eight weeks when drawing up or proposing changes to its published admission arrangements, thus ensuring the views of the local community are considered before those arrangements are finalised. This consultation period allows parents, other schools, religious authorities and the local community to make known their views and raise any concerns they may have about what is proposed. Subject to consultation, it is for admission authorities to decide what oversubscription criteria would be most suitable for the school taking account of local circumstances.
Once admission arrangements have been determined, anyone who believes they are unfair or unlawful can object to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator whose decision is binding and enforceable.
Secure Colleges
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what healthcare provision is planned for secure colleges; and who will provide it.[HL1887]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): NHS England is responsible for commissioning all healthcare services for people in detention (including youth custodial establishments) in England and this will include healthcare provision for the Secure College Pathfinder.
There will then be competition for a healthcare provider for the Secure College Pathfinder in 2015. The priority will be to secure a provider who has the expertise and experience to provide young people in custody with appropriate services to meet the specific needs of this cohort of children so they can access and receive the same quality and range of healthcare services as provided in the wider community.
The healthcare provision at the Secure College Pathfinder will be commissioned following a Health and Well-Being Needs Assessment and in line with the Intercollegiate Healthcare Standards (June 2013).
Sudan
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the authenticity of leaked minutes published by Africa Confidential of a meeting on 31 August of Sudanese security and military officers in which they discuss arming rebels in South Sudan, supporting armed jihadists in Africa and the Middle East, and destroying crops in South Kordofan to starve rebel supporters; and what steps they will take in United Nations organisations to deter Khartoum from adopting any such policies. [HL2014]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Given the longstanding Government policy of not commenting on leaked documents, we would not wish to speculate on the authenticity of this material.
Turkey
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the effect on Anglo–Turkish internet communications of the law passed on 10 September allowing the government of Turkey to block websites for up to four hours without authorisation by a court.[HL1996]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): On 2 October, the Turkish Constitutional Court annulled provisions which had been introduced in September in the law on the internet, which had extended the Turkish government’s powers over the blocking of websites. The UK fully supports the EU’s efforts to encourage the Turkish government to ensure that any new internet legislation is implemented in line with EU standards and does not infringe on freedom of expression. We believe the internet and social media have vital roles to play in a modern democracy.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 26 September (HL1788), whether it is their assessment that the freedom of worship of British Christian and Jewish visitors to Turkey is unfettered and exists in all regions of the country.[HL1997]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: It is our assessment that British Christians and Jewish visitors do have the freedom to worship there. The EU’s Annual Progress Report on Turkey (October 2014) stated that freedom of worship continued to be generally respected. It also highlighted that more work needed to be done on all fundamental freedoms to ensure that people can exercise these rights unhindered. The UK, together with its EU partners, will continue to encourage Turkey to make progress on these issues.