Written Answers
Monday 24 November 2014
Afghanistan
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, at the planned London Development Conference there will be scheduled opportunities for Afghan women representatives to speak in the Conference itself. [HL2784]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): The full engagement of women and girls in political processes is essential for the success of Afghanistan. Integrating women and girls into the event – including but not limited to speaking slots – is a priority.
A critical element of the conference will be the civil society associated event, ‘Ayenda’ on 3 December and the follow-up event on 4 December. I will attend both of these events and women and girls will be central to them.
Africa
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the European Union on the promotion of scientific research in Africa (1) generally, and (2) in relation to infectious diseases.[HL2770]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): The UK regularly engages with the European Union on the promotion of scientific research in Africa, including in relation to infectious diseases. Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is embedded in the Joint Africa EU Strategy (JAES), agreed by Heads of State in 2007. Under the JAES, the EU and Africa engage in an STI partnership, governed by an EU-Africa senior officials high-level policy dialogue (HLPD). Through the UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS), a group of 14 UK government departments and research funders, the UK plays a particularly active role in the HLPD Bureau, the body that implements the recommendations of HLPD. The HLPD and its Bureau is currently engaged, with UK support, in promoting an EU-Africa roadmap for STI cooperation in food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. In addition, the EU has established the Pan Africa programme as a funding instrument to support the JAES and DFID officials are involved in regular discussions on the management of this fund. The funds from this programme support cooperation on a number of priority areas including research cooperation and improved higher education.
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) was established in 2003, to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines and other health technologies. EDCTP brings
together countries in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, to pool resources and skills, to effectively co-ordinate and implement clinical research and to build research capacity in Africa. The UK is a leading bilateral investor in the EDCTP and has worked actively to promote its work; the UK is currently Chair of the European Economic Interest Group (representing European Member States) and the overall General Assembly.
Airports
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to couple any expansion of airport capacity with the carbon pricing mechanism proposed by the Davies Commission which aims to ensure that demand remains below the level that can be supplied by the new capacity across the United Kingdom. [HL2754]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Coalition agreement rules out current airport expansion in the South East for the life of this Parliament.
To ensure our long term connectivity needs can be met, this Government established the independent Airports Commission to identify and recommend to Government options for maintaining this country’s status as an international hub for aviation. Although options for expansion have been shortlisted by the Commission for further examination, its final recommendations are not due to be published until the summer of 2015.
It will be for the Government of the day to consider the environmental impacts, including CO2 emissions, of any proposed expansion with reference to the Airports Commission’s recommendations.
Antisemitism
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the current law is sufficient to deal with hate messages against Jews on social media, including Twitter.[HL2806]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con): Yes. The Government is absolutely clear that abusive and threatening behaviour online – whoever the target - is totally unacceptable. A number of offences may be committed by abusing others on social media. A message sent by means of a public electronic communications network, such as a message on Twitter, which is grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing may be an offence under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003. Sending indecent, grossly offensive or threatening material to another with the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to a person to whom the material is communicated, including by means of the internet, is an offence under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.
Internet abuse could also amount to an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 if it is carried out as part of a ‘course of conduct’ which amounts to harassment or puts someone in fear of violence.
Changes to the law being taken forward in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will increase the maximum penalty for offences under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 to 2 years imprisonment, and will mean that the current requirement that prosecutions are brought within 6 months of the offence being committed will no longer apply. The Bill will also extend the time within which prosecutions under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 may be brought, to up to three years from commission of the offence, as long as this is also within 6 months of the prosecutor having knowledge of sufficient evidence to justify proceedings.
These steps will help to ensure that people who commit these awful crimes are prosecuted and properly punished. Where any crime is motivated by or demonstrates hatred based on the race or religion of the victim, the courts will take this into account in passing sentence.
British Nationals Abroad: Armed Conflict
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to prosecute jihadis who have fought with ISIS and return to the United Kingdom; and if not, why not.[HL2804]
The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness) (LD): If there is evidence that people are going to Syria to engage in terrorist activity they can be arrested and prosecuted. Each case is considered individually in accordance with the rules of the applicable criminal law jurisdiction. In England and Wales if the police refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), they consider whether the test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met; that is whether there is sufficient evidence of any offence, and if so, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute. A similar public interest approach is taken by the office of the Lord Advocate, the sole prosecuting authority for Scotland.
Whether an individual is arrested or prosecuted for a terrorism offence will always depend on the facts and circumstances of the case and is an operational decision for the police and responsible prosecuting authority. Safeguards are built in to our legislation and we rely on the professionals involved to make sure that prosecutions are pursued in appropriate cases. Whether any specific act falls within the definition of ‘terrorism’ and whether any individuals or groups have committed an offence will always depend on all facts and circumstances of the case. Depending on the specific circumstances, anyone who becomes involved with fighting overseas may be prosecuted under the applicable law on their return.
A very wide range of offences already exists on the statute books that can be used to prosecute such individuals and to manage the risk they may pose on return, including in the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006
which provide extra-territorial jurisdiction in relation to certain activities. In particular, where there is evidence that individuals are planning, promoting, funding, facilitating or participating in terrorist activities overseas - including involvement in fighting for terrorist groups - the relevant authorities will seek to prosecute them, before they go or on their return.
Civil Servants
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 28 October (HL2121), whether they consider civil servants who believe in an Islamic State in the United Kingdom brought about by peaceful means a source of concern; and whether they consider such views to be extremist.[HL2808]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Government’s Prevent strategy defines extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Any civil servant seen as opposing those values would be a cause for concern.
As mentioned in my written answer of 28 October, Civil Servants are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code.
The Home Secretary recently announced that the Home Office will, for the first time, assume responsibility for a counter-extremism strategy that goes beyond terrorism. The strategy will aim to build up the public sector and civil society to identify extremism in all its forms, confront it, challenge it and defeat it. The need to protect British values will be at the heart of the new strategy.
Co-operatives
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 15 September (HL1801), whether they are content with the regulatory protection afforded to members and creditors of cooperative societies; and whether they intend to review regulatory oversight of cooperative societies. [HL2782]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the registrar for cooperatives and community benefit societies. It has no regulatory functions over societies which are not authorised to carry out financial services activities.
On 6 April 2014, the government implemented a package of measures which introduced insolvency procedures for cooperative societies and gave the FCA additional powers to investigate societies suspected of improper or unlawful behaviour. These measures provide increased protection of members and creditors of cooperative societies.
The government will keep the oversight of cooperatives and community benefit societies under review, but has no plans to undertake further reform of this area at the current time.
Developing Countries: Health Services
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of investment in (1) health system strengthening, and (2) public health, in the developing world.[HL2768]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): There is no internationally recognised methodology for calculating investment in either health systems strengthening or public health.
Estimates of the need for investment in health systems in developing countries and the adequacy of resources available have been made. Most recently, the Commission on Investing in Health estimated that around an additional $15 billion per annum would be required between 2016 and 2025 to strengthen health systems in developing countries.
Developing Countries: Infectious Diseases
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for the promotion of scientific innovation in the developing world in combatting infectious life-threatening diseases.[HL2769]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): The UK is the second largest government supporter of research to promote scientific innovation to develop new health technologies to combat infectious life-threatening diseases in the developing world. In August 2013 the Government announced support for a number of product development partnerships, with funding scheduled to continue until 2018[1] . The Government is also providing support (awarded in 2010) for the Meningitis Vaccine Development Programme, a product development partnership.
In addition the UK Government supports the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), a partnership between European Member States and African Countries which plays a leading role facilitating innovative research and development for new health technologies for diseases of the developing world.
[1]. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dfid-invests- to-save-millions-from-deadly-diseases.
European Fighter Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the expected cost of fitting Brimstone missiles to the United Kingdom Typhoon Force and enabling them to be used.[HL2764]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (Philip Dunne) in the House of Commons on 8 September 2014 (Official Report, columns 490-491W).
This Answer included the following attachment: 20140908 - Hansard extract on Typhoon (20140908 - Hansard extract Typhoon.doc)
European Union
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 24 October (HL2132), whether there are any similar investment protection treaties between the European Union and other countries.[HL2779]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) (Con): A large number of EU treaties offer some level of protection to investors or investment. All of these are publically available and can be found on the EUR-lex database of law at http://eur-lex.europa.eu.
Foreign Policy
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact on policy coherence in countries such as Denmark and Norway as a result of development and foreign policy being brought together.[HL2783]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Con): Denmark and Norway have different political systems to ours and as such are not easily comparable.
However, whichever organisational model is adopted, it is vital to ensure policy coherence. This remains a priority for the Government and we believe the structures we have in place provide for a focus on humanitarian intervention and development through DFID, while maintaining coherence with other departments, including FCO, MoD and BIS.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) considers the effectiveness of policy coherence in their regular peer reviews of member countries’ development work.
Harrier Aircraft
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the savings accrued from the disposal of the United Kingdom Harrier Force after the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010.[HL2763]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): We estimate the savings from the withdrawal from service of the Harrier Force to be around £1.225 million over the ten years from 2011-12 to 2020-21.
Iraq
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much United Kingdom financial aid has been distributed to meet the needs of displaced Iraqis, broken down by ethnicity of beneficiary.[HL2776]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): The UN estimates that 1.9 million people in Iraq have been displaced by the humanitarian emergency in total. DFID has allocated £23 million to the crisis since June and we continue to monitor the evolving humanitarian situation. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or ethnicity.
Leasehold
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend that residential leases are to be considered consumer contracts and therefore covered by the Consumer Rights Bill.[HL2824]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Neville-Rolfe) (Con): Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Consumer Rights Bill applies to contracts between a trader and a consumer, for the trader to supply a service to a consumer. A residential lease itself is not considered a service, as it is an “interest in land”, and, as such, chapter 4 of the Consumer Rights Bill does not apply. Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Consumer Rights Bill applies to contracts between a trader and a consumer, for the trader to supply goods to a consumer. Goods are defined as “tangible moveable items”, so do not include land which is immoveable property.
Rights and protections specific to long residential leases are provided through landlord and tenant legislation, including the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, and the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.
Leases are also contractual arrangements between a landlord and tenant or leaseholder which defines each party’s interests, rights and obligations in respect of the leasehold and, as such, Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Bill on Unfair Terms would apply where the landlord is a “trader” and the leaseholder a “consumer”.
Part 1 and Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Bill will apply to contracts between a trader and a consumer entered into after the Bill comes into force.
M1
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the M1 motorway is currently subject to roadworks reducing traffic speeds to 50 miles per hour; and how long any such roadworks will take to complete. [HL2794]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The percentage of the M1 currently subject to roadworks reducing traffic speeds to 50 mph is 25 percent.
The table below provides details of the projects on the M1 which are currently under construction or are undertaking works that require a 50mph speed limit to be in place. It also advises when those speed limits will be removed, and where applicable, when the project is expected to complete.
| Scheme | Removal of 50mph speed restriction | Publically committed scheme completion |
The M1 J19-16 scheme is a project identified for delivery post 2015. The works currently being undertaken at this location are central barrier work, replacing the existing, life expired, steel central reserve with a concrete barrier. The Highways Agency will also take the opportunity to undertake some associated smart motorway enabling works at the same time in readiness for scheme start.
Mediterranean Sea
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of statements by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Caritas Internationalis, Save the Children Fund and others on the case for effective search and rescue measures to prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean. [HL2546]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): The Government has considered the statements made by the UN High Commissioner and other organisations calling for effective search and rescue measures to prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean. The Italian Government took the decision to end the current operation, Mare Nostrum, after careful consideration and with the unanimous support of EU Ministers.
Middle East
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to seek compensation from the government of Israel for the damage to nine schools in Gaza, whose construction had been funded by the United Kingdom.[HL2777]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Con): The UK is concerned at the destruction of internationally funded structures, and will look closely at any allegations that these were deliberately targeted. The UN is leading on a comprehensive assessment of destroyed and damaged infrastructure.
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to redeploy any ground troops returning from Afghanistan to Syria, Iraq or both.[HL2793]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): There is no intention to redeploy ground troops from Afghanistan into the current non-combat training role in Iraq. While it is possible, though unlikely, for individuals through promotion or career moves to be posted immediately into Iraq roles, any formed units would first be expected to undertake appropriate regeneration and training before any deployment.
We have no plans to redeploy ground troops to Syria.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions they are taking to ensure that disabled people and women are regularly consulted about their specific needs and the needs of their children when provision is made for refugees and displaced people from Syria and Iraq.[HL2839]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Northover) (LD): All UK aid partners responding on the ground in Syria and in refugee hosting countries target the most vulnerable individuals caught up in conflict – particularly women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. Programmes are designed in close collaboration with disabled people and their families to ensure due consideration of their particular needs and all new DFID projects must demonstrate compliance with the International Development Gender Equality Bill.
Overseas Trade: Cuba
Question
Asked by Lord Hutton of Furness
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the level of trade between Cuba and the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [HL2890]
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) (Con): The data we have is as below. Please see notes for further explanation.
| Value of UK Trade (exports plus imports) with Cuba: current prices (£ million) | |||
| Year | Goods | Services | Goods + Services |
Sources are:
Goods: HMRC, Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS) database, figures are on a border basis, not seasonally adjusted.
Services: ONS, special request from the ONS, figures are on a balance of payments (BPM6) basis, seasonally adjusted.
Data on trade in goods with Cuba is available from HMRC and trade in services from the ONS. Services data on the most recent basis (new balance of payments method) are not available before 2007. The goods and services data are on a different basis as figures on the same basis are not available. This information has not been adjusted for inflation.
Public Expenditure
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, when announcing new expenditure on grants to national and international organisations and programmes, they will state whether such expenditure is met through savings elsewhere or by borrowing; and, if the latter, whether they will state the source of the borrowing.[HL2792]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The total level of government spending is set in advance through the Spending Review process. Spending within this envelope is adjusted at fiscal events. Spending is primarily funded through tax receipts, with any shortfall met by borrowing.
The majority of borrowing is financed through the issuance of gilts Treasury bills. Additionally, the public can lend money to the Government through National Savings and Investments (NS&I). The Treasury does not hold details on the holders of this debt.
The government does not differentiate between these funding channels when meeting its obligations.
Railways: North of England
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they yet have any concrete plans for the development of HS3.[HL2985]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): In October this year, the Secretary of State for Transport, invited northern cities to come together and work with the government on the options for HS3, alongside a wider transport strategy for the north. This will include options, costs and a delivery timetable for a HS3 east west rail connection. An interim report will be produced next March.
Roads: Safety
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government for how many years road safety audits are retained by the Highways Agency; and what is the minimum period that Transport for London and local highways authorities are required to keep them.[HL2752]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Highways Agency follow an internal procedures manual that recommends that the Road Safety Audits they undertake should be retained for 30 years either from the date of the opening of the scheme, or following the completion of the final phase.
In accordance with Transport for London’s document retention policy for Road Safety Audit reports and related information, these records must be retained for a period of 21 years from the date the report is issued. Local highway authorities will have their own individual processes for retention of Road Safety Audits.
Russia
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many close encounters between Russian and NATO aircraft and ships took place in (1) 2012, (b) 2013, and (3) 2014 to date.[HL2765]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): NATO is unable to provide the information for release in the form requested especially regarding ships. However, NATO aircraft have conducted over 100 intercepts of Russian military aircraft in 2014 to date. This is about three times more than were conducted in 2013. There are no figures for public release available for 2012. At a national level, the RAF's Quick Reaction Alert aircraft launched on five days this year (up to 30 September), eight days in 2013 and nine days in 2012 in response to Russian military aviation that approached or entered the NATO air policing area for which the UK has responsibility. The Royal Navy, so far this year, has conducted eight short notice tasks, which includes responding to Russian Federation Navy vessels that approach UK waters, and completed 13 in 2013 and six in 2012.
Social Security Benefits
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the position of the government of the Republic of Ireland in respect of disregarding monies paid under its scheme to compensate sufferers of abuse in the Magdalene laundries and other institutions for the purposes of calculating benefits, why such payments are not disregarded, as a consequence of being made in response to a personal injury, in relation to benefits otherwise payable to such sufferers resident in the United Kingdom.[HL2924]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of potential applicants for United Kingdom benefits who have received compensation for abuse in the Magdalene laundries and other institutions under the scheme established by the government of the Republic of Ireland; and what is their estimate of the cost which would arise from a disregard being applied to such applications.[HL2925]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to amend the relevant regulations to include specific disregards for payments to compensate sufferers of abuse in the Magdalene laundries and other institutions for the purposes of calculating benefits along the lines of those established for the McFarlane (Special Payments) Trusts, MFET Limited, the Skipton Fund and the Caxton Foundation; and if not, why not.[HL2926]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): The Government has sympathy for the women who suffered by their admission to and work in the Magdalene institutions. However, payments made under the Republic of Ireland’s ex gratia scheme do not meet GB legal criteria to be treated as personal injury payments. The payments are not being made ‘in consequence of any personal injury’, but are made in consequence of being admitted to a laundry, regardless of the effects. The amount each woman will receive is dependent on the length of time spent in the laundries and not on the specific effect that it has had on their health. They are also being made as part of a broader process of restorative justice by the Republic of Ireland Government.
The Government has no plans to amend GB income-related benefit legislation to include specific disregards along the lines of the schemes mentioned. There is already provision in the benefit system to disregard payments made in respect of personal injury to avoid the need to disregard specific payments on an ad hoc basis. To amend legislation as new compensation schemes are introduced would add complexity to the benefit system and its administration.
There is already provision in legislation to disregard some elements of the ex gratia payments. For example, Pension Credit – the income-related benefit most likely to be claimed - has no capital cut off limit. Where compensation in excess of the €50,000 lump sum maximum ex gratia award is payable as weekly payments, these will be disregarded under current Pension Credit and pension age Housing Benefit legislation.
We understand that as of 6 August 2014 there had been a total number of approximately 760 applications to the scheme, around 160 of which were from UK residents. However, neither information regarding the number of UK applicants who are also in receipt of Pension Credit or other benefits, nor the amount of any ex gratia payments made is available. We are therefore unable to estimate the potential cost of a disregard.
Tornado Aircraft
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the reasons for their decision to extend the operational life of some GR4 Tornado aircraft.[HL2932]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The RAF maintains the flexibility to adapt to a changing world and we have decided that the Tornado GR4 force should sustain three, rather than two, frontline squadrons based out of RAF Marham, for another year beyond 31 March 2015. This is a pragmatic measure to provide resilience during the transition from Tornado to Typhoon. The planned out of service date for the Tornado GR4 fleet remains 2019.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures presently exist to control unmanned aerial vehicles. [HL2829]
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 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 use of unmanned aircraft is specifically covered by the Air Navigation Order, which legislates for the ‘general’ flying aspects and the flight of those equipped for surveillance. 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.