Written Answers
Monday 3 November 2014
Academies
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the terms of the Academies Financial Handbook allow an academy chain to outsource all non-teaching staff to a profit-making provider.[HL2422]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Academies Financial Handbook is not prescriptive about where academy trusts buy the services that they need. Trusts are free to choose, but in doing so they have important responsibilities. Paragraph 1.5.11 of the Handbook explains that trusts must exercise their discretion reasonably and in a way that commands broad public support. Paragraph 1.5.21 explains that the accounting officer is personally accountable for regularity, propriety and value for money in the trust’s financial conduct. Section 3.3 sets out that trusts must seek prior approval from the EFA for transactions that are novel or contentious.
Altcourse Prison
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with G4S Custodial and Detention Services about the findings of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on HM Prison Altcourse, published on 15 October, in respect of cells designed for one or two people holding an additional prisoner. [HL2206]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): All establishments within the prison estate are required to comply with the cell certification and occupancy requirements. This is reflected in the contract for the running of HMP Altcourse.
The prison operator is finalising an action plan in response to H M Inspectorate of Prisons’ recommendations. The plan will be discussed, and progress in implementing the actions monitored, at the regular meetings between the Controller (representing the Secretary of State), who is based at the prison, and the prison’s Director.
The action plan will also be discussed at the quarterly contract review meetings, which are attended by the Director and his team, the Controller and officials from the National Offender Management Service.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with G4S Custodial and Detention Services about the findings of the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on HM Prison Altcourse,
published on 15 October, in respect of the prison’s response at strategic and operational levels to rising levels of violence.[HL2207]
Lord Faulks: Incidence of violence and associated trends are closely monitored by the Controller (the Secretary of State’s representative), who is based at the prison.
The prison operator is finalising an action plan in response to H M Inspectorate of Prisons’ recommendations. The plan will be discussed, and progress in implementing the actions monitored, at the regular meetings between the Controller and the prison’s Director.
The action plan will also be discussed at the quarterly contract review meetings, which are attended by the Director and his team, the Controller and officials from the National Offender Management Service.
BBC Media Action
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in each of the last ten years, what resources have been made available to BBC Media Action for the training in journalism and media skills of human rights activists and escapees from totalitarian regimes.[HL2357]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): Over the last ten years BBC Media Action has delivered many opportunities to build media skills including journalism training in Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Tunisia, pan-Arab debate shows and training, support to Syrian bloggers, and radio capacity-building in Jordan and Yemen. The Department for International Development is providing funding of £89.8m over five years (2011/12-2015/16) to BBC Media Action. Figures are not held specific to the training of human rights activists and escapees from totalitarian regimes.
BBC Media Action: Asia
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of BBC Media Action’s work in Asia; whether they consider it has increased government accountability and enabled access to information there; how that work fits in with their Governance and Rights project; and why the Korean Peninsula is excluded from that approach. [HL2359]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): While there have not been assessments carried out specifically on work in Asia, the Department for Internal Development’s Global Grant to BBC Media Action has been assessed in 2012 and 2013. Both reviews assessed BBC Media Action to be exceeding expectations.
BBC Media Action: North Korea
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to funding BBC Media Action to co-produce programmes with North Korean escapees (1) to enable them to broadcast via existing radio stations currently broadcasting into North Korea, (2) to help build the capacity of existing North Korean refugee broadcasters, or (3) to train North Korean refugees in journalism.[HL2358]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government has made no such consideration.
Central African Republic
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current commitment, bilaterally and multilaterally, to the United Nations Level 3 Emergency Situation in Central African Republic.[HL2215]
Baroness Northover (LD): In December 2013 the UN declared a Level 3 crisis in CAR which is in effect until December 2014. The UK welcomed the UN declaration which more accurately reflected the severity of the situation on the ground and brought much needed attention and resources from across the UN system to respond to the crisis.
The UK has been closely monitoring the situation and has committed a total of £18 million in humanitarian funding to CAR in 2014 to help hundreds of thousands of people, along with £7 million in Cameroon and Chad to assist CAR refugees. The funds are going towards the protection of civilians, urgent medical assistance, and to food security and livelihoods assistance through UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGOs. In 2014, the UK is the third largest bilateral humanitarian donor to CAR after the USA (£87 million) and the EU (£39 million). The UK’s combined bilateral and multilateral contributions (through the EU and the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund) to the CAR crisis total £27 million in 2014.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will review the level of humanitarian aid given bilaterally to the Central African Republic.[HL2216]
Baroness Northover: The UK has been closely monitoring the situation in CAR and has committed a total of £18 million in humanitarian funding to CAR in 2014 to help hundreds of thousands of people, along with £7 million in Cameroon and Chad to assist CAR refugees. In 2014, the UK is the third largest bilateral humanitarian donor to CAR after the USA (£87 million) and the EU (£39 million). DFID officials conduct quarterly visits to CAR in order to meet with partners and review the response.
Civil Servants: Languages
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many diplomatic staff and civil servants from each department or government agency have received or are receiving language training at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School.[HL2339]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Since the Language Centre opened on 19th September 2013 a total of 45 different languages have been studied there either full or part-time by 813 students. Of those students, 779 are Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff and 34 are from other government departments (OGDs) (including staff from the following departments: Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, UK Trade and Investment, the Department for International Development, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the House of Commons). An additional 60 FCO staff have trained at the Institut Francais. Staff across the Civil Service can also access the FCO Language Centre library to continue to develop their own language skills outside formal study and 58 OGD staff have taken advantage of this offer so far.
It is important to note that when more appropriate, staff from OGDs also receive language training outside of the FCO Language Centre through use of the Civil Service-wide contract with Language Services Direct (the company that run the FCO Language Centre) or at the Institut Francais if French is required. Since September 2014, 113 OGD students have received language training on their own premises via the FCO contract.
The table below provides a breakdown of the languages that have been taught at the FCO Language Centre :
Class Sizes
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest calculation of the number of infant classes of over 30 pupils in schools in England.[HL2425]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): As of January 2014, there were 2,985 infant classes with over 30 pupils in schools in England.
This data is taken from the January 2014 School Census, published online at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2014
Climate Change: Curriculum
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the presence of climate change analysis in schools’ science curricula.[HL2292]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The draft key stage 4 science curriculum, currently being consulted on, and the new
science GCSE criteria, published in April 2014, include opportunities for students to learn about climate change as part of what they are taught about atmospheric and Earth science. This includes evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere since its formation, along with the evidence, and uncertainties in evidence, for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change. This builds on the key stage 3 science curriculum introduced into schools in September 2014 where pupils are taught about the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and the carbon cycle. This includes the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate.
Pupils will also be taught about the change in the Earth’s climate from the Ice Age to the present day as part of the new key stage 3 Geography curriculum that was also introduced in September 2014.
Coal Fired Power Stations
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the effect on the carbon intensity of electricity generated measured in gCO2/kwh of the fitting of emissions abatement technology at West Burton, Cottam and Eggborough coal-fired power stations. [HL2387]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): A recent report by independent energy consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff commissioned by this Department estimates that fitting emissions abatement technology needed to comply with the forthcoming industrial emissions Directive would result in a reduction in plant efficiency in the range 0.01 to 0.13 percentage points:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coal-and-gas-assumptions
The impact on the carbon intensity of electricity generated by a plant, measured in gCO2/kWh, as a result of fitting emissions abatement technology can be expected to be of a scale that reflects this estimated range of efficiency loss.
A “reference plant” was used for the purposes of the report and exact changes to efficiency and emissions intensity may vary across the UK’s coal-fired power stations due to their differing designs.
This Answer included the following attachmentParsons Brinckerhoff: Coal & gas assumptions (coal_and_gas_ assumptions.pdf)
Council of Europe
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will be represented at the forthcoming Council of Europe conference in Baku, Azerbaijan; and what representations they will make regarding the implementation of recent European Court of Human Rights decisions concerning Azerbaijan.[HL2336]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The British Government takes all opportunities to raise its concerns about the lack of fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan, including the implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights, and does so at a range of levels on a regular basis. The UK will be represented at official level at Azerbaijan’s forthcoming closing Council of Europe conference in Baku.
Ebola
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the introduction of enhanced screening arrangements for ebola at the United Kingdom’s main ports of entry for people travelling from the affected regions, what advice they have received from the Chief Medical Inspector about arrangements at ports of entry for quarantining suspected ebola patients and for providing trained staff and equipment to move those patients to isolation units in hospitals.[HL2191]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Public Health England (PHE) is leading on arrangements for enhanced screening for Ebola which is being rolled out at Heathrow, Gatwick and St Pancras (Eurostar), and Birmingham and Manchester airports thereafter. This screening will be for passengers that Border Force officers identify as having travelled from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia or for those passengers who identify themselves to staff.
Screening is being implemented by PHE staff, who follow official protocols. PHE has issued guidance to its staff and for professionals across other sectors, about how to deal with a suspected case of Ebola. There are established and tested procedures for transporting patients with highly infectious diseases to hospitals when required.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what military personnel they are providing to contain the spread of ebola; and how many staffed and equipped field hospitals they have, if any.[HL2220]
Baroness Northover (LD): In response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the UK has committed £205 million to contain, combat and ultimately defeat the disease in Sierra Leone. UK support will include the construction of six Ebola treatment centres across the country, providing 700 beds to treat 8,800 patients over the next six months.
In support of this effort, the UK has deployed 750 military personnel to Sierra Leone. This will support the deployment of RFA Argus and three Merlin helicopters which will provide crucial transport support to medical teams and aid experts. It also includes military personnel to staff a WHO Ebola Training Facility training healthcare workers, logisticians and
hygiene specialists; and support to a UK joint civilian-military command and control hub, which will provide the backbone of infrastructure, commodities, training and management needed to scale up the response in Sierra Leone.
Egypt
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Egyptian authorities regarding Yara Sallam.[HL2380]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Government representatives from our Embassy in Cairo are closely monitoring cases where prosecutions have been made under the protest law in Egypt. We have called on the Egyptian government to review the Protest Law and have raised specific cases with them, including during the visit by Foreign Minister Shoukry to the UK on 27 October. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), asked that the Egyptian government address the large number of people being held in detention during his meeting with President Al-Sisi at the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September. The Government believes that freedom of expression, including the right to protest peacefully, is vital in any democracy.
EU Enlargement
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the process of accession of further countries from the former Yugoslavia to the European Union, any steps are being taken to ensure that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era.[HL2256]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The accession process of countries from the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the European Union does not involve steps specifically aimed at ensuring that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era. However the criteria for EU accession for candidate countries do include a requirement to implement measures to ensure that the rule of law is firmly embedded within the judicial and political system. This includes respect for private property, and we note that the European Commission has highlighted specifically the need for progress on restitution of property in its most recent annual enlargement Progress Reports on the Western Balkans countries published on 8 October. Furthermore, all Western Balkan countries have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, the First Protocol of which enshrines the principle of respect for private property.
Some Western Balkans countries have, in recent years, made progress on the restitution of private property. Serbia invited applications for restitution
and received 75,000 of them. Montenegro and Albania have been slower to implement their legislation on restitution, as highlighted in successive annual country Progress Reports by the European Commission. In 2012, the Commission recognised progress regarding restitution of property in Macedonia seized under the former Yugoslav Communist regime, despite administrative and judicial delays. In May, Albania (which was not part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) submitted an action plan to the Council of Europe, aiming to create, by June 2015, an effective mechanism to enforce decisions on restitution of, or compensation for, property nationalised during the Communist regime. The Kosovo Property Claims Commission and Kosovo Property Agency continue to resolve outstanding private property disputes resulting from the 1998-99 armed conflict. Over 40,000 claims have been decided. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made no progress on restitution of private property in the last four years. Despite earlier attempts to enact a legal framework, there is none in place.
EU External Relations
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what date it is anticipated that all the stages of ratification of the Association Agreements between each of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States will be completed.[HL2311]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns): The EU Association Agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia must be ratified by all 28 Member States, the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community and Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia, as the case may be, in order to enter fully into force. Ukraine ratified its Association Agreement on 16 September, Moldova on 2 July and Georgia on 18 July 2014.
At EU level, the ratification procedure involves the European Parliament giving its consent to the conclusion of the Agreements and the Council adopting a decision concluding each Agreement. The European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Association Agreement with Ukraine by the EU, acting on behalf of its Member States, on 16 September 2014, and is expected to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreements with Georgia and Moldova by the end of the year. The conclusion of each Agreement by the European Commission, acting on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, was approved on 23 June 2014 in relation to the Ukraine Association Agreement, 16 June in relation to Georgia and 16 June in relation to Moldova. In addition, each Member State must go through its internal procedures for ratification.
The UK’s procedures leading to ratification are underway. The Ukraine Association Agreement was laid before Parliament under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 on 6 October 2014; the Georgia Association Agreement on 3 October 2014 and the Moldova Association Agreement on 10 October 2014.
European Commission
Questions
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the commitment made by Lord Hill of Oareford to the European Parliament that he would put the interests of the European Union above those of the City of London.[HL2229]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): As Lord Hill made clear during his hearing before the European Parliament, a strong UK financial services sector is in the interests not just of the City of London, and of the UK, but of the EU as a whole.
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what articles in the Treaties of the European Union the European Parliament has the power to reject the candidatures of European Commissioners nominated by member states.[HL2231]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Article 17 (7) sub-paragraph three of the Treaty on European Union states that the Commission as a body is subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament, and subsequently appointed by the European Council.
European Union
Questions
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that when they wish to repatriate powers from the European Union they can do so without contravening European law. [HL2246]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to repatriate powers from the European Union; and if so, which powers.[HL2247]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of recent comments by Mr José Manuel Barroso, they will publish details of what powers they consider can be repatriated from the European Union to the United Kingdom which would not be illegal under the existing treaties.[HL2249]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting
red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.
Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.”
The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.
Financial Services: Advisory Services
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the provision of money management, budgeting and debt advice by local authorities and social sector landlords is being monitored.[HL2156]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): The Department for Work and Pensions are currently undertaking a review into how local welfare provision has been used in 2013/14 and its anticipated use in 2014/15 which will be published in due course. In addition, as part of its work on Universal Credit, the Department is commissioning budgeting support for claimants who need help and is establishing local delivery partnerships with local government to help provide this.
The Government-funded Money Advice Survey offers advice on managing personal debt, money management and budgeting. Face to face debt advice is provided by Citizens Advice, under contract with the Money Advice Service.
Department for Business Innovation and Skills also provide funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau, which provides people with advice on debt and other issues.
More generally, the Department for Communities and Local Government issued guidance to councils last year on good practice in the collection of council tax arrears. The actions of local authorities (in relation to service failures, maladministration or injustice) can be investigated by the Local Government Ombudsman, whilst the Housing Ombudsman Service looks at complaints about social landlords.
Iran
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Iranian authorities regarding Ghoncheh Ghavami.[HL2378]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Government has raised its concern at the detention of Ghoncheh Ghavami with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, including most recently on 23 October. Both the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed her case with President Rouhani and Foreign minister Zarif respectively in September. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to provide consular assistance to Ms Ghavami’s family at this difficult time.
Iraq
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what practical assistance and support they are providing to the government of Iraq in taking forward a credible programme of political reform and reconciliation in that country.[HL2201]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Political reconciliation and reform are crucial if there is to be a long-term solution to the current instability in Iraq. We therefore welcome the new Government of Iraq’s commitment to inclusive governance. We will support them in implementing their programme wherever we can and have called for others in the international community to do the same. We are already providing assistance with the development of parliamentary democracy, community policing and dialogue between religious leaders. We are in regular contact with the new Iraqi government over national reconciliation and, in particular, with Vice-President Allawi, whose responsibility it is. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised the importance of reform and reconciliation with Vice-President Allawi during his recent visit to London and our ambassador in Baghdad has also discussed it with him on a number of occasions.
Languages: Primary Education
Questions
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what overall assessment will be made of the quality of foreign language teaching in primary schools following such teaching becoming compulsory in September 2014. [HL2423]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Ofsted makes a judgement on the quality of teaching, including teaching of languages, when carrying out a school inspection.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to provide additional training and resources to support primary school teachers teaching foreign languages.[HL2424]
Lord Nash: As stated in the answer to the noble Lady’s question at HL Deb, 24 October 2014, c113W, the Government is providing funding of £1.8 million over two years for continuing professional development for primary and secondary teachers to support delivery of the new modern languages curriculum. The training is being funded through nine organisations whose performance will be monitored against the agreements the Department for Education is making with them.
In addition, the National College for Teaching and Leadership is funding a number of teaching school alliances to develop and deliver a range of post-initial teacher training subject knowledge enhancement courses in shortage subjects. Five of these alliances have included modern languages as a subject focus for their provision, and one of these is primary phase.
Liver Diseases
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reverse the rise in liver deaths in England between 2001 and 2012 shown by Public Health England’s report Liver Disease Profiles. [HL2237]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): Public Health England (PHE) has a comprehensive range of action aimed at reducing the incidence and mortality from liver disease. It monitors the incidence, mortality and outcomes of treatment for liver disease and the risk factors: alcohol obesity and Hepatitis B and C. PHE has a wide range of action to tackle unhealthy alcohol consumption, obesity and viral hepatitis through strengthening local action, promoting healthy choices, and giving appropriate information to support healthier lives.
In response to the All Party Parliamentary Hepatology Group report PHE has committed to producing a PHE Liver Disease Framework. This will focus on public health action to tackle risk factors for liver disease and inequalities in relation to liver disease. Work has already begun to bring together expertise within PHE on the major risk factors for liver disease (alcohol, hepatitis B and C and obesity), data on liver disease and its risk factors and on death and dying from liver disease. Many of the actions to tackle the major risk factors require a coordinated approach between PHE and NHS England.
NHS England is responsible for delivering improvements in outcomes against the NHS Mandate and in line with the NHS Outcomes Framework. NHS England are adopting a broad strategy for delivering
improvements in relation to premature mortality, working with commissioners and PHE to support clinical commissioning groups in understanding where local challenges lie and in identifying the evidence in relation to the priorities for reducing mortality at a national level.
Mental Health Services: Young People
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria they use when distributing grants to groups offering mental health support to young people.[HL2265]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): On 16 October the Department for Education published a national prospectus setting out the key activities the Department wishes to promote through organisations working with children, young people and families. Children and young people’s mental health is one of the seven priority areas on which applications are sought. Within that area, the Department is looking to support projects which work with education providers and children’s services to improve prevention, early identification and access to specialist interventions.
The detailed process and criteria for applications to the Prospectus can be found online at:
https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?site=1000&lang =en&NoticeId=1592512
Middle East
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conditions concerning human rights they have imposed on trade with Middle East states.[HL2213]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The UK is proud to be the first country to develop an Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. This was jointly launched by the Foreign Office and Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in September 2013.
The UK has a series of established agreements which are negotiated with partner countries through the EU. These agreements form the basis of our trade relations with most countries in the Middle East.
All association agreements, which include trade chapters, with third countries contain a clause stipulating that human rights are an essential element in relations between the parties.
No aspect of the UK’s commercial relationships with countries in the Middle East prevents us from speaking frankly and openly to them about human rights. We will not pursue trade to the exclusion of human rights. They can and should be complementary.
National Identity
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of comments by the Secretary of State for Education, what they mean by “British values”.[HL2261]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Secretary of State was referring to the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and the mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values were defined in the Government’s Prevent Strategy in 2011. All schools are now required to actively promote these values.
New Businesses: Northern Ireland
Question
Asked by Lord Browne of Belmont
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications for the Start Up Loans scheme have been received from Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such loans provided for new businesses in Northern Ireland since the scheme was introduced.[HL2174]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Neville-Rolfe) (Con): The Start Up Loan Company (SULCo) administers the Start Up Loan programme on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). As a commercially independent company, SULCo reports to BIS on the number of Start Up Loans.
The Start Up Loan programme was extended to include Northern Ireland in June 2013.
Figures from 30/09/2014 show there have been 186 Start Up Loans with a value of £893,010 in Northern Ireland
In the UK, there have been over 21,000 Start Up Loans with a value of £113m issued since the programme began in June 2012.
NHS
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Secretary of State for Health has discharged his duty to report on the treatment of National Health Service health care providers as specified in section 8 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.[HL2351]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Secretary of State commissioned Monitor to lead a Fair Playing Field Review into the equal treatment of providers of National Health Service services. The Review published its final Report in March 2013. Since publication, Monitor has established a high level implementation group, of which the Department is a member, to take forward the Review’s recommendations.
As part of its annual assurance processes the Department seeks confirmation from all its Directors General that they and our Arm’s Length Bodies have taken the duty into consideration, as outlined in Section 8 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
North Korea
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of imports to North Korea of luxury goods in 2013; what assessment they have made of the impact of such imports on the availability of food in that country, in the light of the World Food Programme’s analysis of the situation; and what assessment they have made about the number of goods which were imported from European states which are prohibited from selling luxury goods to North Korea under existing United Nations sanctions.[HL2177]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) does not produce economic statistics, meaning the UK cannot make an accurate assessment on the level of imports of luxury goods. A recent report produced by the UN Panel of Experts, established under UN Security Council Resolutions imposing sanctions on the DPRK, notes ongoing investigations regarding potential violations of sanctions through the import of luxury goods, including some items originating from European states.
We are also aware of recent South Korean media reports which suggest that the DPRK imported luxury goods worth (US) $644m during 2013. However, given the lack of reliable data, it is difficult to assess the impact of the import of luxury goods on the provision of food for the general population. Should it be proven that the DPRK authorities chose to spend resources on luxury goods rather than feeding the population, this would not only be a deliberate breach of sanctions but would seriously call into question the regime’s economic prioritisation.
Despite generally good aggregate cereal harvests for the fourth consecutive year in 2014/15, 16 million people remain chronically food insecure and highly vulnerable to production shocks. The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation/World Food Programme Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to the DPRK 2013, reported an estimated uncovered food deficit of 40,000 tonnes for that marketing year. The report stated that the food security situation remained similar to previous years with most households having borderline and poor food consumption.
Pakistan
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the authorities in Pakistan arising from the decision of the Lahore
High Court to reject the appeal of Asia Bibi, and to order her execution, following charges of alleged blasphemy.[HL2182]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): I am concerned to hear that a Pakistan court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty in the case of Asia Bibi. We support the EU’s recent statement of concern and hope that the verdict will be overturned on appeal. We regularly raise at the highest levels the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and expressed our principled opposition in all cases. We will continue to raise these issues.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what projects they fund within the educational services in Pakistan that promote religious tolerance.[HL2218]
Baroness Northover (LD): DFID’s provincial education programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces support the implementation of Pakistan’s 2006 reformed curriculum which includes teaching on religious tolerance and respect for diversity. In 2014 DFID support will benefit some 6.3 million children in school in Pakistan.
Palestinians
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further steps they are taking to recognise Palestine as a state after the recent debate in the House of Commons.[HL2370]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The UK’s position on Palestinian recognition has not changed and is clear: we reserve the right to recognise a Palestinian state at a time of our choosing and when it will best help bring about peace. The UK is a longstanding supporter of seeing a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel, and continues to be one of the largest donors to Palestinian state building efforts to that end.
Pre-School Education
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to reduce attainment gaps in literacy and numeracy between boys and girls in pre-school education in the short and long term.[HL2291]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework for all early years providers [1]. The EYFS seeks to provide quality and consistency in all early years settings, so that every
child makes good progress, attainment gaps are reduced and no child gets left behind. The EYFS specifies areas in which early years providers must support children to develop, including literacy and numeracy. It is the responsibility of early years providers to identify and meet the learning and development needs of the children attending their setting. The EYFS requires providers to carry out ongoing assessment of children’s development and needs and should address any learning and development needs in partnership with parents and/or carers, and any relevant professionals.
The Department for Education is increasing the level of required English and maths qualifications for members of the early years workforce. This will ensure that all those working with young children have the right skills to support all children to achieve appropriate levels of literacy and numeracy.
1. We have published guidance on Teacher’s Standards (Early Years) which includes a requirement for Early Years Teachers to demonstrate a clear understanding of synthetic phonics and strategies for teaching early mathematics. The standards also require Early Years Teachers to plan and adapt education to cater for the needs of individual children, to make accurate assessments to inform children’s learning and development and to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
2. Early Years Teachers must pass the same professional skills tests as trainee school teachers and must have GCSE English and maths at grade C or above on entry to training courses.
3. NCTL published new, more robust, criteria for level 3 qualifications in July 2013 – the “Early Years Educator” criteria. They set out the minimum requirements for the knowledge, understanding and skills which learners must demonstrate during assessment for their qualification to be considered qualified at level 3. The criteria include a requirement for qualifications to include a focus on recognising and meeting the individual learning and development needs of children.
4. From 1 August 2014, Government funding of Level 3 Early Years Educator training courses through the Skills Funding Agency will require trainees to have GCSEs in English and maths, at grade C or above, on entry. The EYFS has been amended to require staff holding a new Early Years Educator qualification to have achieved GCSEs in English/English Language and maths, at grade C or above, in order to count in the staff ratios at level 3. From September 2014, GCSE English and maths, at grade C or above, will be required on exit from a level 3 early years apprenticeship. This is an interim measure to support the sector in reaching the higher standards required. From August 2015, the GCSEs in English and maths, at grade C or above, will be required on entry to an early years apprenticeship.
The Department is also working with experts in the voluntary sector and charitable organisations to support work in these key areas. We have funded English and Maths Champions programmes through the National Day Nurseries Association to spread good practice in teaching literacy and numeracy in the early years.
We are investing £1.4m in the Early Language Development Programme – which has so far helped well over 100,000 parents and family members to spot
problems and get support with their children’s speech and language. This work is being led by I CAN, the children’s communications charity. We are also investing almost £1m in the work of the Literacy Trust to develop a model to improve targeting and engagement of the most vulnerable families by staff in Children’s Centres and support volunteers to improve children's early literacy and language skills.
[1] www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years -foundation-stage-framework--2)
Productivity
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how output per hour worked in the United Kingdom compares with output per hour worked in each of the other G7 countries for each year or part year since 1997 for which there are data are available.[HL2353]
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 Sharkey 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 output per hour worked in the United Kingdom compares with output per hour worked in each of the other G7 countries for each year or part year since 1997 for which there are data available. (HL2353)
Annual comparisons of labour productivity between the UK and the G7 economies in levels terms are published biannually on the ONS website at:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/icp/international-comparisons-of-productivity/index.html
Table 1 from the latest edition of this release, published on 17 October 2014, is attached below. This shows estimates of output per hour worked in each of the other G7 countries for each year up to 2013 in terms of an index where UK output per hour worked equals 100. For example, in 2013, output per hour worked in the US was estimated to be 30 percentage points higher than output per hour worked in the UK, and output per hour worked in Japan was estimated to be 15 percentage points lower than that in the UK.
| International Comparisons of Productivity, Estimates, 2013 | |||||||||
| Table 1: Current price GDP per hour worked | |||||||||
| UK=100 | |||||||||
| Canada | France | Germany | Italy | Japan* | UK | US | G7 | G7 exc. UK | |
Sources, OECD, Office for National Statistics
* GDP estimates for Japan compiled on SNA1993 basis, others on SNA2008 basis. See ICP release for more detail.
** First estimates 2013
Note: Table to be read horizontally
Refuges
Questions
Asked by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the research conducted by Women’s Aid on the number of women’s refuge spaces for victims of domestic violence; and what plans they have to support the remaining women's refuge centres in dealing with increased demand for their services.[HL2416]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of research conducted by Women’s Aid on the number of bed spaces for victims of domestic violence in the south west of England; and what assessment they have made of the impact on any shortfall on the existing services in Stroud. [HL2417]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much funding was allocated to women’s refuge centres in (1) May 2010, and (2) September 2014.[HL2418]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many women’s refuge centres were open in (1) May 2010, and (2) September 2014.[HL2419]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the names and locations of all women's refuge centres in the United Kingdom.[HL2420]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to create a national network of women’s refuges for victims of domestic violence. [HL2421]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): The Government does not record the number of or the location of refuges in England. Decisions on the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic abuse are for local authorities: we expect local authorities to commission services based on the needs of their communities, taking account of locally available data sources.
The Government does not directly fund women’s refuges. However, this Government has invested £6.5 billion investment to help vulnerable people through housing related support. A proportion of this money will be used by local authorities to commission refuge services. In addition we have made over £500 million available since 2010 to local authorities and the voluntary sector to prevent and tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. This funding will also help the most vulnerable in society, including victims of domestic abuse.
The dynamics of domestic abuse mean that accommodation can play an important role in the resolution of interpersonal abuse and conflict. This is why the homelessness legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for families with children and for vulnerable people who become homeless through no fault of their own.
There is a range of support for victims of domestic abuse. Some victims will be accommodated in refuges, but Sanctuary Schemes and mainstream local authority
accommodation may be an option for others, while some victims will pursue independent solutions with help and advice from support schemes as necessary.
We also fund UKRefugesOnline a UK wide database of domestic violence services which supports the national 24 hour free phone domestic violence helpline. This service enables those working with victims of domestic violence to identify appropriate services and potential refuge vacancies around the country so that victims can get the help they need as quickly as possible.
This Government has ring-fenced nearly £40 million of funding for specialist local domestic and sexual violence support services until 2015. This funding is used to part-fund 54 multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators and 144 independent domestic violence advisers. We have piloted and rolled out Clare’s Law and domestic violence protection orders; extended the definition of domestic abuse to cover controlling behaviour and teenage relationships; run two successful campaigns to challenge perceptions of abuse; and placed Domestic Homicide Reviews on a statutory footing to make sure lessons are learned from individual tragedies.
We are keeping this matter under review, and are keen to support best practice and greater joint working.
Road Traffic Control
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions in the last three years they have sought the approval of the Duchy of Cornwall before a road traffic regulation has been implemented. [HL2196]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): I am not aware of any occasion during the last three years where officials have sought the approval of the Duke of Cornwall or consulted Duchy of Cornwall estate personnel prior to the implementation of a road traffic regulation.
Secondary Education
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the teaching of philosophical and critical thinking in secondary schools at a (1) pre-GCSE, and (2) post-GCSE level.[HL2293]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The new national curriculum, which was introduced in September 2014, focuses on the essential knowledge that must be taught, allowing teachers to take greater control over the wider curriculum in schools and how it is taught. Whilst philosophical and critical thinking skills are important, it is not necessary to specify these in the national curriculum. Instead, it should be left to teachers’ professional judgement to decide how best to ensure that their
pupils develop these skills, as part of a broad and balanced school curriculum which encompasses, but is not limited by, the national curriculum.
A number of Religious Studies GCSE specifications allow pupils to study philosophy. At post GCSE-level, level 3 qualifications are available in critical thinking and philosophy.
Self-employed: Pay
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were (1) the average annual gross earnings, and (2) the average gross hourly rate of pay, in the United Kingdom, both in nominal terms and adjusted for inflation, of those who were self-employed for each year or part-year since 1997 for which data available. [HL2352]
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 Joe Grice, Chief Economic Advisor, Office for National Statistics to Lord Sharkey dated October 2014.
In the absence 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 what were (1) the average annual gross earnings, and (2) the average gross hourly rate of pay, in the United Kingdom, both in nominal terms and adjusted for inflation, of those who were self-employed for each year or part-year since 1997 for which data available. (HL2352)
The earnings of self-employed people are difficult to define and estimate due to the various different ways in which self-employed people get paid and how they manage their accounts.
The main source of approximations for the earnings of the self-employed is the Family Resources Survey (FRS), a survey of households administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. This survey provides estimates of self-employed individuals’ income based on the information they would normally provide for their income tax self-assessment returns to HMRC.
The table provides the available estimates. They are based on the average weekly income over the year. The median is preferred over the mean as it is a better indicator of changes over time. This is because the mean income is often distorted by unusually large values.
| Income from self-employment | ||
| Financial year | Nominal terms | At constant 2012/13 prices1 |
Source: Family Resources Survey, Dept for Work and Pensions
1Adjusted using the Consumer Prices Index Median weekly income (£)
The estimates include the effect of individuals who made a loss over the year in their business and so reported a negative income for the year. The estimates are derived from a representative sample of UK households but, as for any sample survey, are subject to a degree of sampling error and, therefore, should be treated with caution.
Sports: Primary Education
Question
Asked by Lord Hunt of Chesterton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the commitments made after the Olympic Games, what plans they have to increase the time allocated and resources spent per pupil on sport in all primary schools; and what additional resources will be allocated for that purpose.[HL2348]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): All maintained schools must teach a full programme of study for PE and it is up to schools to decide how much time they should devote to PE, or indeed to any other national curriculum subject. New research has shown that primary school pupils are now spending an average of more than two hours a week in PE lessons—an increase of 13 minutes since last year. Through the primary PE and sport premium we are providing over £450 million of ring-fenced funding across the three academic years beginning in 2013/14. The premium goes directly to primary schools to be spent on PE and sport; our research has shown that over 90% of schools have improved the quality of their PE lessons as a direct result of this funding.
Tobacco: Packaging
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they notified the European Commission of the draft regulations for possible standardised packaging for tobacco products without waiting for the results of the recent consultation that closed on 7 August.[HL2250]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The consultation on introducing regulations for standardised packaging of tobacco ran between 26 June and 7 August 2014. All substantive responses were then considered before the regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission as technical standards under the procedures of Directive 98/34/EC. They were notified to the Commission on 29 August 2014.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish a revised impact assessment on standardised packaging of tobacco products following the comments of the Regulatory Policy Committee.[HL2251]
Earl Howe: The consultation-stage impact assessment on standardised packaging of tobacco products is being updated following the public consultation, which ran between 26 June and 7 August 2014. The updated Impact Assessment takes into account previous comments from the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) and will be re-submitted to the RPC for their consideration before it is published.
UK Trade With EU
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the risk of the Eurozone returning to recession and the statement by the Chancellor of Exchequer that Britain could not be immune from any such event, they plan to encourage industry and commerce to diversify their markets and reduce their reliance on the European Union market. [HL2230]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): We have to recognise that the UK is not immune to problems elsewhere in the world. The UK has one of the most open economies in the world through trade and financial channels. In particular, growth in the euro area—our largest trading partner—is weak and we have to expect that to dampen our own recovery.
Since entering office, this Government has worked consistently towards a rebalancing of the UK economy and growing our trade with all parts of the world, including key emerging markets. Since 2010, for example, UKTI has increased the number of its overseas-based staff working outside the EU from 875 to 1060, reflecting the growing priority being given to non-EU markets; and, excluding aircraft, nearly all of the exports supported by UK Export Finance in recent years have been to markets outside the EU. Ministers continue to take an active role, including through the Chancellor-led annual Economic and Financial Dialogues with India and China, the most recent of which secured £2.4 billion in bilateral investment deals.
Ukraine
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Kramer on 15 October (WS33–35), whether the interim report concerning the crash of Malaysian Airways Flight MH17 indicates whether the aircraft was attacked by warplanes or a ground-based missile; and when the final report is likely to be produced and published.[HL2234]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Dutch Safety Board published its preliminary report on the crash of Malaysian Airlines on 9 September 2014. Based on its preliminary findings to date, there is no indication of any operational or technical issues with either the aircraft or its crew. The damage observed on the forward section of the aircraft appears to indicate that the aircraft was penetrated by a large number of high-energy objects from outside the aircraft. It is likely that it is this damage that resulted in the loss of structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to an in-flight break. The Dutch Safety Board is continuing with its investigation. There is no current indication when it will publish the final report.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Question
Asked by Lord Stone of Blackheath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the growth of the use of military, commercial, and private drones, what plans, if any, they have to license or control their use, especially in relation to the potential aural and visual impact of non-military drones on urban, rural and coastal airspaces. [HL2195]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Civilian Remotely Piloted Aircraft operations are closely regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and are treated in the same manner as that of an equivalent manned aircraft. However, until such time that remotely piloted aircraft systems can demonstrate that they are both airworthy and capable of avoiding other airspace users, all operations must be contained within segregated airspace, to which access for manned aircraft is prevented or closely controlled.
The Department for Transport is currently developing its policy in respect of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, and in 2015 intends to engage in a public dialogue on issues such as environmental impact, safety and privacy.
Zimbabwe
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation for women in Zimbabwe.[HL2382]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): While laws exist to protect the economic rights of women in Zimbabwe, they are frequently undermined by discriminatory practices, customary law and lack of implementation. In politics, it should be noted that there is a relatively high proportion of females in Parliament. However, women and girls are also
disproportionately affected by fragile basic service provision and crumbling infrastructure. The Department for International Development’s programme in Zimbabwe continues to support progress on issues affecting women through work on economic and political empowerment, water and sanitation, health and education and skills development.