Written Answers
Monday 10 November 2014
Cash Dispensing
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the availability in poorer communities of automatic teller machines which do not charge customers for withdrawing money. [HL2519]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The assessment made by the Government is that 95 per cent of communities in deprived areas now have free-to-use ATMs within their area or less than two thirds of a mile from the area's centre, which has brought access to free-to-use ATMs to over 1.5 million people.
LINK has established a Financial Inclusion Programme to provide free-to-use ATMs where they are needed, by installing ATMs that are subsidised to make their operation commercially viable for operators. The cost of this subsidy is shared out among LINK member banks. 1,400 target areas now have access to an industry subsidised ATM through the programme. Toynbee Hall is due to complete research on this issue shortly, commissioned by LINK.
Church Schools
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact assessment they have made of the risk of Islamic extremism occurring in Christian schools which teach traditional Christian views about marriage. [HL2439]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): All schools have an important part to play in increasing their pupils’ resilience to extremism and radicalisation and preparing them for life in modern Britain by promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The Department for Education has not carried out a formal assessment of the risk of Islamic extremism occurring in the types of schools to which my noble Friend refers.
Cyprus
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 24 October (HL2012), what is their assessment of the conduct over 40 years of the UN-led talks on the Cyprus problem that began in 1975; what impact
they consider that the Greek-Cypriot rejection of the United Nation’s Annan Plan in 2004 has had on the right of Turkish-Cypriots to recognition; and on what grounds they still subscribe to an international embargo in respect of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.[HL2461]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Over the years, variable progress has been made to reach a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. In 2004, the Government assessed that the Annan Plan represented the best available blueprint for settlement. Although the Greek Cypriots did not accept that plan, UN-led efforts continued. We support the current round of talks, which resumed in February on the basis of the Joint Declaration agreed by the two communities. A comprehensive settlement remains the best way to address the concerns of both communities, and for all Cypriots to enjoy the benefits of EU membership.
No country, except Turkey, recognises the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. However, the UK strongly supports the ending of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. We continue to work with European Commission to promote economic development and other opportunities for the Turkish Cypriots. We would also support measures to increase trading opportunities for the Turkish Cypriot community, including across the Green Line.
Developing Countries: Health Services
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to promote integrated healthcare structures and policy in the United Nations post-2015 development agenda.[HL2444]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): The UK government supports the inclusion of integrated approaches to healthcare in a post 2015 agenda, as shown through the emphasis on Universal Health Coverage in the Report of the High-Level Panel, chaired by the Prime Minister, and its inclusion as a target in the proposal of the Open Working Group for Sustainable Development Goals.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to promote innovative medical technologies and product development partnerships as part of the post-2015 development agenda.[HL2445]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on the potential role of product development partnerships in the post-2015 development agenda. [HL2447]
Baroness Northover: The UK Government recognises the important role of new health technologies and product development partnerships (PDPs) in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and in the post-2015
agenda. The UK is the second largest government supporter of this research and will continue to promote it along with international partners.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with international counterparts on including product development partnerships in the post-2015 development agenda.[HL2446]
Baroness Northover: Officials from my Department regularly discuss the importance of product development partnerships (PDPs) and the continued important role for technology development in the post-2015 development agenda. The UK currently chairs the international Product Development Funders’ Group, including both bilateral and multilateral agencies as well as private foundations. Officials also participate in the annual Product Development Forum arranged by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the outcomes arising from the Department for International Developments-sponsored product development partnerships.[HL2448]
Baroness Northover: Public private product development partnerships (PDPs) have been shown to expedite the development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests, achieving results faster than either the public or private sectors alone.
Prior to the creation of PDPs, only 20 drugs were developed for neglected diseases between 1975 and 2000. Since 2000, UK Government funded PDPs have developed 19 new products including drugs for malaria, TB, neglected tropical diseases (such as sleeping sickness and visceral leishmaniasis), one vaccine for diarrhoea (rotavirus) and six new diagnostic tests (5 for TB and the first ever rapid diagnostic test for sleeping sickness).
Developing Countries: Sanitation
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial commitment they have made in the development aid budget to improving sanitation in the last four years; and what percentage of the development aid budget it represents.[HL2449]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): Please see the table below for the UK’s financial commitments to the development aid budget to improve water supply and sanitation for the last four years (statistics are only given for broad sector rather than by individual intervention):
| Year | Spend in £ | Spend as % |
Full details of the UK’s financial commitments to the development aid budget are published annually in ‘Statistics on International Development’ (SID). The most recent version, for 2014 is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-2014 .
Electoral Register
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve electoral registration rates among those attaining the age of 18.[HL2451]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Electoral registration is the responsibility of local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), supported by the Electoral Commission.
To support the transition to Individual Electoral Registration, the Government has invested £4.2 million in 2013/14 shared across every ERO in Great Britain and 5 national organisations to support the costs of activities aimed at increasing the rate of voter registration.
The Government has also introduced online registration in Great Britain. As of midnight 28 October, 478,177 16-24 year olds had registered online.
The Government has made freely available the Rock Enrol! resource aimed at engaging young people in democracy. This is free to download on GOV.UK, Guardian Teach and on the Times Educational Supplement website.
EU Aid
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the European Union's annual development aid contribution; and what is the contribution of each member state as a percentage of gross domestic product.[HL2568]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): The provisional estimate for net Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the EU and its Member States in 2013 is € 56.6 million (approximately £44 billion). The ODA contribution for each member state as a percentage of their Gross National Income for 2013 can be found on the European Union website at http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-263_ en.htm.
EU Budget: Contributions
Questions
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the approval of the House of Commons will be sought before the £1.7 billion additional contributions to the European Union are paid.[HL2462]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Own Resources payments requested by the European Union can be made by HM Treasury under the European Communities (Finance) Act 2008.
The Prime Minister, in his statement to the House of Commons on 27 October, was clear that the Government will not pay the amount requested on 1 December and will challenge this in every way possible.
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what effect they expect the request from the European Union for a further payment of £1.7 billion to the European Union budget will have on the Autumn Statement and the 2015 United Kingdom budget; and whether, if paid, it will be financed from additional taxation or by further borrowing.[HL2463]
Lord Deighton: The Government adopts the independent Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) fiscal and economic forecasts as the official forecasts for the Budget and Autumn Statement Report.
The Prime Minister, in his statement to the House of Commons on 27 October, was clear that Britain will not pay the amount requested on 1 December and will challenge this in every way possible.
EU Economic Policy
Questions
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why paragraphs 7 and 8 of the European Council’s Conclusions of its meeting of 23 and 24 October were excluded from their Statements about that meeting to both Houses of Parliament on 27 October.[HL2530]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Paragraph 7 of the October European Council Conclusions refers to the first of five priority areas (stronger economies with more jobs) of the Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change, the EU’s priorities for the next five years, as agreed by EU Leaders in the June 2014 European Council.
Paragraph 8 focuses on European Council support for concrete policy actions to boost investment, especially the Commission’s proposed €300 billion investment initiative, encouraging full use of all existing and allocated EU resources. The UK successfully pushed for private investment to be a key part of this language. The investment package is currently a policy initiative to be discussed by EU Heads of State at the December European Council. The economic growth and jobs that the package aims to stimulate in the economies of EU Member States is of significant importance to the UK economy.
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by the Prime Minister in response to Cheryl Gillan MP on 27 October (HC Deb, col 36), when they will inform Parliament of the share of
the European Commission’s new €300 billion investment package which will be borne by the United Kingdom, whether through the European Investment Bank or otherwise; and when the United Kingdom will have to pay it.[HL2532]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Exact details of the package, including financing, are yet to be determined but the European Commission’s Task Force will report to the European Council in December about the next steps. The UK has a great deal of experience to share in this area by virtue of our National Infrastructure Plan and Guarantee Scheme. The Government will inform Parliament about the details at the earliest opportunity.
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether at the European Council meeting on 23 and 24 October the Prime Minister agreed to the European Commission's new €300 billion investment package over 2015 to 2017, known as the Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change, or whether he was outvoted.[HL2533]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Strategic Agenda and the European Commission’s proposed €300billion investment package are different things. The Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change, as agreed by EU Leaders in the June 2014 European Council, outlines five priorities to guide the EU over the next five years. These priorities are stronger economies with more jobs; societies enabled to empower and protect; a secure energy and climate future; a trusted area of fundamental freedoms and effective joint action in the world. The planned investment package is a proposed way to work towards the first of these priorities. Exact details of the package, including financing, are yet to be determined. The European Commission’s Task Force will report to the European Council in December about the next steps. The UK has a great deal of experience to share in this area by virtue of our National Infrastructure Plan and Guarantee Scheme.
EU Enlargement
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what stance they intend to take on the accession of any new countries to the European Union in respect of such countries' ability to be net contributors to the European Union budget.[HL2464]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Any future UK assessment of the costs and benefits of any future accession of a country to the EU would depend on a number of factors including the budgetary impact of any new accession, the benefits that enlargement can bring in terms of increased opportunities for trade, cooperation against organised crime and greater political stability in Europe. The impact of accession of any
new countries to the EU upon the EU’s budget would depend on the relative wealth of the new Member State. Wealthier Member States would be additional net contributors to the EU budget while less wealthy Member States, would be net recipients. We support the focus of the European Commission on the need for economic convergence to be a central element in the accession process of any candidate country.
The economic element of the Copenhagen Criteria—the rules that identify whether a country is ready to join the EU—provides that, to join the EU, a candidate country must become a “functioning market economy and have the capacity to withstand competitive pressures and market forces within the Union.”
Foreign Policy
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 24 October (HL2012), on what moral or humanitarian basis they have developed their policies in respect of (1) Bosnians, (2) Palestinians, and (3) Turkish-Cypriots; and what underlying principles are being applied in each case.[HL2460]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): UK interests and values remain at the heart of our foreign policy development. We also take into account international law (including human rights treaties and obligations), relevant UN resolutions and applicable provisions of the relevant regional organisations. However, a one-size-fits-all approach to countries or territories, or to groups of countries or regions would fail to recognise the often varied, complex and unique circumstances in which the international community and we are engaged.
Insurance
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the fees and charges levied by the insurance industry.[HL2520]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Decisions regarding the pricing of insurance products, including fees and levies charged are commercial decisions for individual insurers and the Government does not seek to intervene in these decisions. However, the Government is determined that customers should be treated fairly. The Financial Conduct Authority regulates the conduct of the insurance industry and requires firms to disclose information on fees to be paid for insurance products.
As part of the Government’s automatic enrolment reforms, measures have recently been put forward to cap fees for workplace pensions to 0.75 per cent so that pensions savings are invested in value for money schemes.
Iraq Committee of Inquiry
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what remuneration is currently paid per day to each member of the Chilcot Inquiry.[HL2622]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Members of the Inquiry are paid at the following rates: Chairman—£790 per working day; Committee members—£565 per working day. These rates have not changed since the beginning of the Inquiry.
Muslim Brotherhood
Questions
Asked by Baroness Falkner of Margravine
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish the report of the inquiry by Sir John Jenkins into the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United Kingdom.[HL2437]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): I refer the noble peer to the answer I gave on 13 October, Official Report, Column WA13.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to complete their review of the Muslim Brotherhood; and whether they intend to publish the review’s findings in full.[HL2590]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a full list of organisations investigated by their review of the Muslim Brotherhood will be made public, together with any recommended actions.[HL2591]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Cordoba Foundation, Middle East Eye, British Muslim Initiative and Interpal have featured in their review of the Muslim Brotherhood.[HL2592]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 13 October 2014, Official Report, Column WA13.
National Insurance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to provide a live online service by which citizens may obtain a reminder of their National Insurance number.[HL2452]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are exploring options for what information could be presented to an authenticated customer via an online service as part of a digital tax account. The digital tax account is a key component of HMRC’s Digital Strategy.
NHS: Drugs
Question
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards exist to ensure that the pricing of “specials” drugs prescribed within the National Health Service is consistent and non-discriminatory, including when prescribed by general practitioners.[HL2433]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe) (Con): The Drug Tariff sets out what National Health Service dispensing contractors will be paid for the products supplied as part of providing pharmaceutical services and the fees for providing those services in primary care.
The current arrangements in the Drug Tariff for paying for specials were introduced in 2011. The Drug Tariff sets the price that the NHS pays to dispensing contractors for dispensing some of the most popular specials. Setting a reimbursement price encourages dispensing contractors to obtain best value for the NHS while also ensuring patients received the medicines they need, when they need them. The products listed and their reimbursement prices are agreed with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and reviewed regularly. However, due to the number of specials that can potentially be prescribed, it is not possible to list a reimbursement price for all available specials.
Where the reimbursement price of a product has not been set, dispensing contractors are paid according to how the product is sourced. Where a dispensing contractor buys the product from a specials manufacturer or an importer, they must claim the invoice price of the pack size used to dispense the product minus any discounts or rebates received.
NHS England is responsible for commissioning pharmaceutical services in primary care and it is for NHS England to consider whether dispensing contractors have acted appropriately. In addition, the General Pharmaceutical Council is responsible for regulating the pharmacy professions should there be any concerns of professional misconduct.
Many hospital pharmacies manufacture their own specials on the premises. Any procurement of unlicensed medicines via framework agreements for the use of NHS secondary care establishments in England is undertaken through tenders governed by the Public Contracts Regulations (2006), as amended, which require the procurement to be conducted in a transparent and equitable manner.
Ofsted
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether further consideration is being given to extending Ofsted’s remit to cover all state-funded schools; and if not, why not.[HL2620]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): As set out in section 5(2) of the Education Act 2005 (as amended) all state-funded schools are subject to inspection by Ofsted. This includes all community, foundation and voluntary schools, community and foundation special schools, pupil referral units, maintained nursery schools, academies (which includes free schools), city technology colleges, city technology colleges for the technology of the arts and certain non-maintained special schools approved by the Secretary of State under section 342 of the Education Act 1996.
Orchestras: Northern Ireland
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to hold discussions with the BBC about the future funding of the Ulster Orchestra. [HL2670]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Con): The Government has no current plans.
Palestinians
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with other European governments concerning the apportioning of contracts to rebuild Gazan housing and infrastructure.[HL2479]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): No such discussions have taken place.
Pensions
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk and impact of people spending their pensions irresponsibly following changes to the system to allow them to receive a lump sum; and whether they are going to take any steps further to assist pensioners to manage their finances. [HL2471]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government believes that individuals should be trusted with their pension savings; it should not be for the state to dictate how someone spends their savings in retirement.
The new right to free and impartial guidance at retirement will help savers make confident and informed decisions on how they use their pension savings, making sure that they are clear on their retirement income options before they make any decisions about what to do with their savings.
Pupils: Disadvantaged
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist those who cannot afford non-core costs associated with state education.[HL2512]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department for Education recognises that meeting the incidental costs of state education can be a challenge for some low-income families. We already have a range of policies in place to help ensure that all children benefit from a good education, regardless of their background, and to support low-income families with the non-core costs of education.
The additional funding provided to schools through the pupil premium is helping schools to transform the way they educate disadvantaged children. Schools are made accountable for this additional funding, worth £2.5 billion this year and protected in real terms next year, through performance tables and Ofsted inspection. A recent Ofsted report showed that this policy is working, and schools are using the funding more effectively than ever before.
In addition, the Department has invested £340 million to support cultural education and announced an additional £18 million funding boost for music education, giving thousands more disadvantaged pupils access to instruments.
The Department issues very clear guidance to schools which seeks to minimise the impact of school uniform costs and emphasises the need for schools to consider the cost and availability of uniform when setting their policy. Individual local authorities and academies may choose to provide grants to help with the cost of school clothing in cases of financial hardship, and we would also encourage individual schools to consider running their own schemes.
The Department has also published advice on charging for school activities to support schools in fulfilling their statutory duties in relation to charging and remission for school activities and school visits. This guidance advises schools to make it clear to parents that there is no obligation to make any contribution. As ever, schools have the discretion to use their additional funds to help with the cost of visits and activities for pupils whose families cannot afford it.
Finally, from 1 September the Government has expanded free school meals to all children in reception, year 1 and year 2. As a result, up to 100,000 more poor children are benefiting from a healthy and nutritious meal every day, saving low-income families around £400 per year per child.
We know that education is the key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. As a Government, we are committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of background, benefit from an education which allows them to achieve their full potential.
Schools: Immigrants
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to address the concerns of HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Sir Michael Wilshaw, that schools “faced with an influx of children from other countries” need to be given “the resources and capacity to deal with it”.[HL2621]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): As part of our plan for education the Government is ensuring that local authorities have the resources and flexibility to provide the school places needed by their communities.
We are giving councils £5 billion to spend on new school places over the course of this parliament and have announced a further £2.35 billion to create the places needed by September 2017. This has already enabled local authorities to create 260,000 additional pupil places between May 2010 and May 2013, with many more in the pipeline for September 2015.
Funding for the day-to-day running of a school is based primarily on the number of pupils in the school. Local authorities are able to allocate additional funding for pupils with particular needs – including pupils for whom English is not their first language.
Schools: Standards
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to withdraw practical courses in agriculture and horticulture from assessment towards school league tables.[HL2581]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government has no such plans. There are 20 qualifications in agriculture, countryside management and environment sustainability for 16-19 year olds that meet the Government’s quality standards for reporting in school and college performance tables. The Department for Education is currently considering qualifications for teaching from September 2015, and we are hopeful that new land-based provision will be approved against our standards for 14-16 year olds.
Turkey
Question
Asked by Lord Harris of Haringey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about its plans to conduct seismic surveys within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus from 20 October to 30 December this year; and what are the implications of the actions of that government for the United Kingdom's Treaty of Guarantee obligations to the Republic of Cyprus. [HL2434]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Our Ambassador in Ankara has conveyed UK concerns to Turkey about plans to conduct commercial seismic surveys in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone. This ongoing dispute puts at risk UN-facilitated efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement. We and our partners will continue to urge the parties to reduce tensions, and we strongly support the resumption of settlement talks. The UK’s commitments under the Treaty of Guarantee are unchanged.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are monitoring the growth in use of unmanned aerial vehicles ("drones"); and whether they consider the current legal framework is adequate for the purpose of regulating the use of drones.[HL2438]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Operators undertaking commercial aerial work using Remotely Piloted Aircraft need the permission of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA keeps a record of permissions given to those operators.
The regulation of small unmanned aircraft is specifically covered by two articles within the Air Navigation Order, which legislate for the ‘general’ flying aspects and the flight of those equipped for surveillance. However, as well as these specific articles, a more general article, which prevents a person ‘causing or permitting an aircraft to endanger the safety of any person or property’, also remains applicable.
We do not believe that any additional regulatory changes are needed to ensure adequate privacy and data protection.