Written Answers
Tuesday 9 December 2014
16-19 Bursary Fund
Questions
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much government funding has been made available for the Education Maintenance Allowance and its replacement Bursary Fund each year since 2010. [HL3320]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The amount of government funding allocated to the Education Maintenance Allowance and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund each year since 2010 is set out in the table below.
The Bursary Fund budget is £180m per academic year.
| Financial Year | Education Maintenance Allowance | 16 to 19 Bursary Fund |
* Part-year funding in the transitional year.
** Amounted to £180m over the full academic year. The academic year straddles two financial years.
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are evaluating the impact and take-up of the 16 to 19 education Bursary Fund.[HL3321]
Lord Nash: The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund was introduced in September 2011. It provides financial support to young people who face significant financial barriers to participation in education or training post-16.
An independent evaluation of the Bursary Fund commenced in April 2012 and runs until early 2015. The two strands of the evaluation examine, firstly, the effectiveness of its administration by schools, colleges and providers, and secondly, its impact on participation and attainment, especially for the poorest and most disadvantaged young people.
There are two published process reports on the administration of the scheme, which include results from institutional and student surveys. An interim impact report has also been published. Final reports from both strands are due to be published early in 2015.
All published reports are available, along with copies of the research briefs, on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-16-to-19-bursary-fund-year-1-report#history
Banks: Finance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what data they collect or intend to collect on the sale of contingent convertible bonds by banks regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority.[HL3173]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): HM Treasury does not collect any data on the sale of contingent convertible bonds by banks regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and does not currently have any plans to do so.
Children: Internet
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that children are taught the skills to use and to critique digital technologies in order to use the internet safely and knowledgeably. [HL3183]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): It is essential that we have a generation of pupils who have the knowledge and skills they need to become active creators of digital technology, not just passive consumers. This is why the Government introduced the new computing curriculum, which has been taught in schools since September 2014. It provides a core of computer science knowledge as well as ensuring that children understand how computer networks such as the internet operate.
From key stage 1, children must also be taught how to use technology safely and respectfully, how to keep personal information private, and where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies. Pupils in secondary schools will be taught a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy. They will learn how to recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct and know how to report concerns. All schools, including primary schools, are encouraged to teach children about the dangers of social media in an age-appropriate way.
Crime
Question
Asked by Lord Browne of Belmont
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level and effectiveness of the United Kingdom's co-operation with the Irish Republic in tackling cross-border serious and organised crime. [HL3396]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Crime, and especially organised crime, does not respect borders. International co-operation is therefore essential. The relationship with the Republic
of Ireland is particularly important given its land border with a part of the United Kingdom. The relationships between the law enforcement agencies in Northern Ireland, who are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as bodies such as HM Revenue and Customs, Border Force and the National Crime Agency which are UK-wide bodies, and their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, are very good. A North South cross border organised crime conference was held on 1-2 October involving all the major bodies. This is one example of the desire to develop that co-operation further. There are also plans for a cross border forum on human trafficking and forced labour in January of next year.
East Coast Railway Line
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the annual profits to be made by the successful bidders for the East Coast rail franchise. [HL3266]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The level of profit bid by Inter City Railways Limited is commercially sensitive. It is not guaranteed and is commensurate with the risks associated with a franchise of this size and nature. The Government has put in place a profit cap and profit sharing mechanism to prevent any possibility of “over-compensation”.
Embassies
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many embassies or consulates they have closed in each year since 2010.[HL3246]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not closed any Embassies over this period but has suspended operations in Tehran, Damascus and Tripoli for security reasons. Overall, the total number of FCO posts (Embassies, Consulates-General, Consulates, Multilateral Missions and Trade and Investment Offices) worldwide has risen from 257 to 267 since 2010. However, in order to help fund expansions elsewhere, we have closed a number of Consulates in Europe and elsewhere, as new technology has enabled us to deliver services in different ways.
The FCO has closed the following Consulates-General and Consulates since 2010:
2010: One: Consulate-General Geneva, Switzerland2011: Two: Consulate-General Lille, France; Consulate-General Venice, Italy2012: Three: Consulate-General Basra, Iraq; Consulate Florence, Italy; Consulate Funchal, Portugal
2013: One: Consulate Pattaya, Thailand
The FCO has also downgraded the following Consulates-General and Consulates to Trade and Investment Offices since 2010:
2012: Two: Consulate-General Lyon, France; Consulate Naples, Italy
2014: One: Consulate Bilbao, Spain
EU Budget: Contributions
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 17 November (HL2610), what are the gross contributions during the same periods.[HL3129]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): Data for the years 2009-10 to 2013-14 can be found in Table C.1 of HM Treasury’s Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses of July 2014, attached[1]:
The 2014-15 forecast can be found in Table 2.19 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and fiscal outlook supplementary and fiscal tables—December 2014, attached[2]:
This Answer, as a precedent, included the following attachment
[1] [2] Transactions with EU (Stoddart of Swindon tables.docx)
Financial Services
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the fund management industry in the light of the finding by the Financial Services Consumer Panel that it has “underlying structural deficiencies” which are working to the detriment of retail investors.[HL3144]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will introduce a single figure for costs including management and trading costs to be required of investment managers when reporting to investors. [HL3148]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The government is committed to ensuring that customers are treated fairly when they make investment decisions and are able to get the best outcomes from their investments. Ensuring that customers can easily understand and compare products is an important part of this. The Government noted the Financial Services Consumer Panel’s contribution to the debate on these issues, including introducing a single figure for costs, and will consider the recommendations made.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take in respect of “active managers” following an index despite charging for stock picking expertise; and whether they intend to impose fines for the mis-selling of such products and to pursue a clawback of costs and bonuses.[HL3149]
Lord Deighton: This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government.
This question has been passed on to the FCA. They will reply directly to the noble Lord by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to introduce legislation obliging financial companies to protect against cyberbreaches, money laundering and fraud.[HL3188]
Lord Deighton: The UK already has a comprehensive anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism regime. The international money laundering standards set by the Financial Action Task Force form the basis of EU legislation, which is incorporated into various pieces of UK law, predominantly the Money Laundering Regulations (2007) and the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), both of which apply to financial institutions.
The UK Government has no plans to introduce legislation obliging financial companies to protect against fraud. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates most financial institutions, expects firms within its supervisory remit to establish, implement and maintain adequate policies and procedures to reduce the risk that they may be used for financial crime. This includes money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption, and fraud.
The Government works very closely with the financial sector through such initiatives as the CISP (Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership) and CERT-UK (the UK’s national Computer Emergency Response Team), and has participated in cyber security exercises with the sector to test defences, such as the Waking Shark II exercise held earlier this year. In addition, the Treasury is working with the relevant Government agencies, the Bank of England (including the Prudential Regulation Authority) and the FCA to respond to the Financial Policy Committee’s recommendation to work with core parts of the UK financial sector to put in place a programme of work to improve and test resilience to cyber attack.
Free Movement of People
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British citizens are resident in each European Union country; and how many citizens of each of those countries have immigrated to the United Kingdom. [HL3428]
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 Glen Watson, Director General for ONS to Lord Laird, dated December 2014.
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking Her Majesty’s Government how many British citizens are resident in each European Union country; and how many citizens of each of those countries have immigrated to the United Kingdom. [HL3428]
ONS does not collect information regarding British citizens resident in other EU countries. However, Eurostat publishes figures on population by citizenship for EU countries, which are available at: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/population/data/database
Table 1 shows population estimates of UK citizens for each EU country based on its 2011 Census results. These are not ONS estimates.
ONS collects data on country of birth and nationality from the Annual Population Survey (APS). The APS is the Labour Force Survey (LFS) plus various sample boosts. It is a household survey and so does not include people living in most types of communal establishment.
Table 2 shows estimates of the number of EU nationals resident in the UK, for the latest period for which data is available which is January to December 2013. Estimates are shown in the table alongside their margin of error. This refers to the 95 per cent confidence interval and is a measure of the uncertainty associated with making inferences from a sample survey.
2014 estimates will be published in August 2015.
| Table 1: Estimated population of UK citizens resident in each EU country, Census 2011. | |
| Country | Estimate |
Note
: These are not ONS estimates.
Estimates are based on the census results for each country, reference dates vary between countries, ranging from 31/12/2010 (Finland) to 31/12/2011 (Sweden).
Source
: https://ec.europa.eu/CensusHub2/
| Table 2: Estimated population resident in the United Kingdom by nationality, January 2013 to December 2013 | ||
| Figures in thousands | ||
| Country | Estimate | +/- CI |
Source
: Annual Population Survey (APS), ONS
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Population+by+Nationality+and+Country+of+Birth#tab-data-tables
Free School Meals
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Welsh Government’s initiative on free breakfasts in primary schools; and what steps they will take to ensure that more schools provide breakfast clubs for pupils.[HL3382]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government has not made a formal assessment of the Welsh Government’s initiative on free breakfasts in primary schools.
Provision of breakfast was one of the issues considered in the independent School Food Plan. In response to the Plan’s recommendations, the Government is now funding the setting up of self-sustaining breakfast clubs in 184 schools in England which have free school meal entitlement of 35% or higher.
Gibraltar
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will provide a summary of the range of regulatory and other measures which have been taken by the government of Gibraltar to counter money laundering and all forms of financial criminality.[HL3139]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Measures to tackle money laundering and international financial crime in Gibraltar rest with Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG). HMGoG informs us that Gibraltar has anti money laundering legislation in full compliance with its EU obligations and has been independently reviewed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and others. We understand that Gibraltar is well advanced on meeting the FATF recommendations and preparing for the future 4th anti-money laundering directive. Gibraltar’s Financial Intelligence Unit is a member of the international Egmont Group and shares information with all members of the Group. HMGoG has recently produced a full update on its international measures to fight financial crime, and we will place a copy in the Library of the House. Notably, Gibraltar has entered into the equivalent of 125 tax information exchange agreements and is committed to automatic tax exchange with the UK, the USA and some 90 other countries via the Common Reporting Standard.
Gibraltar: Spain
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the outcome of the most recent visit of the European Union Monitoring Commission to the Gibraltarian border with Spain concerning the flow of traffic; and whether they will publish and place in the Library of the House the letters which the Commission has sent to them and to the government of Spain concerning the cross-border traffic.[HL3136]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Following the technical visit by the team of European Commission experts to the Gibraltar-Spain border, the Commission wrote to the authorities on both sides with further recommendations and sought an additional update within three months. The European Commission has publicly stated that it considers that checks giving rise to waiting several hours to cross the border are
disproportionate and has also expressed concerns about the lack of action from Spain to tackle the delays. By contrast, the Commission has welcomed the steps taken by Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG) to address its recommendations, including infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving risk-based profiling of travellers crossing the border. HMGoG has since replied to the European Commission with their update.
We will place a copy of the letter from the European Commission to the UK in the Library of the House. The Commission has not shared their letter to the Government of Spain with us.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in improving the flow of traffic across the border between Spain and Gibraltar in the last six months.[HL3137]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While it is encouraging to see that delays at the border between Gibraltar and Spain have continued to improve over the last six months, disproportionate checks by the Spanish authorities are still in place and continue to unjustly impact on the lives of ordinary EU citizens.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether proposed ad hoc talks involving them and the governments of Spain and Gibraltar are to take place; and if so, at what level and with what agenda.[HL3138]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), proposed ad hoc talks involving official and expert level participants in April 2012. The aim is to improve regional cooperation on issues of mutual interest. We are working with the other participants to agree details, including the date and agenda, and are optimistic that talks will be able to take place soon.
Gifted Children
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to replace the Gifted and Talented programme.[HL3435]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Department for Education has no plans to replace the national Gifted and Talented programme. Our plan for education is to raise standards at all schools so every child, including the most gifted, can achieve their full potential.
It is a fundamental responsibility of every school in England to ensure that their most gifted pupils receive an education that engages and stretches them at school, as well as inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Schools are best placed to know and respond to the individual needs of their pupils, including the most able.
The Government has freed schools from the constraints of excessive ring-fencing and bureaucracy. Schools leaders are free to decide how best to use their funding to provide extra support to talented children, including using the pupil premium to support gifted disadvantaged pupils. In addition, we have given teachers the freedom to tailor lessons so that every child is prepared for life in modern Britain, and Ofsted holds schools to account for how well they meet the needs of the range of their pupils, including the most able.
Insurance Bill (HL) Special Public Bill Committee (HL)
Question
To ask the Chairman of Committees what will be the remuneration of the specialist adviser to the Special Public Bill Committee on the Insurance Bill.[HL3170]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel): Specialist advisers to House of Lords Committees are typically paid a daily rate of between £240 and £280 pro rata. Certain expenses, including travel, are also met. The specialist adviser to the Special Public Bill Committee on the Insurance Bill will be remunerated within these parameters. I am grateful for the valuable public service provided by those people who act as specialist advisers to House of Lords Committees.
Large Goods Vehicles: Speed Limits
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Kramer on 1 December (WS 65), what is the evidence that “actual average speeds are unlikely to change” as a result of increasing the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles on dual carriageway roads from 50 to 60 miles per hour.[HL3374]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Government conducted an impact assessment on raising the national speed limit for heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on dual carriageway roads. The impact assessment has been deposited in the libraries of both Houses, and has been published on the GOV.UK website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/increased-speed-limit-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-over-75-tonnes-dual-carriageway
The impact assessment outlines that based on observed speeds, taken from National Statistics, heavy goods vehicles on dual carriageway roads travel at an average of 53mph in free-flow conditions. On motorways, the HGV speed limit is 60 mph but the average speed travelled by heavy goods vehicles is also 53 mph.
We believe that professional HGV drivers are likely to have the same behavioural response to road conditions as car drivers, and will drive at the same speed or more slowly on dual carriageways than on motorways. It is implausible that HGVs would choose to drive faster on dual carriageways than on motorways. In addition, HGVs are required by EU Directive 2002/85/EC to fit speed limiters to vehicles set at 56mph.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any increase in road accidents resulting from the heavy goods vehicle national speed limits on dual carriageway roads increasing from 50 to 60 miles per hour.[HL3375]
Baroness Kramer: The Government conducted an impact assessment on raising the national speed limit for heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on dual carriageway roads. The impact assessment has been deposited in the libraries of both Houses, and has been published on the GOV.UK website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/increased-speed-limit-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-over-75-tonnes-dual-carriageway.
The impact assessment estimates that raising the heavy goods vehicle national speed limit to 60mph on dual carriageways will not result in actual changes in heavy goods vehicle speeds, because these vehicles already travel at the same speed on motorways (with a 60mph limit) as on dual carriageways, and it is implausible that they would choose to drive faster on dual carriageways than on motorways. It is therefore not expected to have any impact on road safety.
Leasehold
Question
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take following the Competition and Markets Authority market study into the residential property management service sector in England and Wales.[HL3334]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): With more than 4 million properties across England subject to a long lease, leaseholders are a vital part of a growing housing market.
This Government has already increased protections for leaseholders, with limits being placed on the amount of service charges recoverable from local authority leaseholders where the works are funded by Government grant, as well as a requirement for every property manager to belong to an approved redress scheme. We will now work closely with the Competition and Markets Authority to consider what further support the Government can offer.
Housing is a devolved issue for Wales. I understand that the Competition and Markets Authority will be pursuing the issues arising out of its market study separately with the Welsh Government.
Middle East
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the economic benefits to Israel of operation Protective Edge; and to what extent the United Kingdom has benefited from the testing of weapons during that action.[HL3143]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The British Government has not made any assessment of the impact on the Israeli economy, beneficial or not, of Operation Protective Edge. The UK has not benefitted in any way from the ‘testing’ of weapons.
North Korea
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the International Democrat Union ?on the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea issued on 24 November.[HL3159]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We welcome the statement by the International Democrat Union (IDU) on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The UN General Assembly’s Third Committee has sent an important signal that systematic and widespread human rights violations will no longer be ignored by the international community. We join the IDU in urging all members of the UN to vote for the final adoption of this resolution, which strikes an appropriate balance between pursuing accountability for human rights violations and encouraging the DPRK to address international concerns through engagement and concrete actions.
Occupational Pensions
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are measuring compensation levels in the investment management industry and any changes due to auto-enrolment.[HL3146]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Compensation levels in the investment management industry are already governed by the Remuneration Code (“the Code”) which is part of the FCA Handbook. Investment firms must ensure that their remuneration policies do not encourage staff to sell inappropriate products or give rise to a conflict of interest. Firms are also required to ensure that remuneration is structured through an appropriate and suitable balance between fixed and variable compensation where the variable part is subject to
forfeiture if losses or misconduct come to light after the award has been made. Firms managing funds that accept payments from auto-enrolment schemes must adhere to the Code.
Passports
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British passports have been issued to previously non-British citizens in each of the last 10 years. [HL3003]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British passports have been withdrawn, cancelled or confiscated in each of the last five years.[HL3004]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): Records are not held centrally in the formats requested. A passport may be subject to confiscation by police and authorised persons under statutory provisions in relation the investigation of crime or in connection with immigration matters. That would be an operational decision for the agency concerned and figures are not collated centrally. People may be refused a British passport or may have their existing passport withdrawn on a number of grounds, including that their grant or continued enjoyment of a passport is contrary to the public interest. The number of passports revoked by HMPO in each of the last five years is as follows:
2009: 5122010: 6462011: 6622012: 1,5212013: 1,174
Russia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of France about the pending delivery of the Vladivostok to the Russian Navy; and what response they have received.[HL3141]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Military exports to Russia are regularly discussed among EU members. In addition to the EU decision to establish a sanctions regime that encompasses military exports to Russia, all EU Partners have been considering their export policies again. We have remained in contact with French officials and fully support their decision to further suspend the Mistral contract. This sends a very strong signal to Russia that its continuing actions in Ukraine are not acceptable.
Schools
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many new (1) academies or free schools that are part of a chain, (2) stand-alone academies or free schools, (3) voluntary aided schools, and (4) community schools, have opened since May 2010.[HL3318]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Between May 2010 and 1 December 2014: 2476 academies and free schools opened as part of a chain and a further 1985 stand-alone academies and free schools opened. 58 voluntary aided schools and 72 community schools also opened.
Slovenia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the International Democrat Union on Slovenia issued on 24 November. [HL3160]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware of the statement adopted by the International Democrat Union on 21 November 2014, concerning the imprisonment of former Slovenia Prime Minister Janez Janša. Our Embassy in Ljubljana understands that Mr Janša is continuing to appeal the conviction that lead to his imprisonment on 20 June, and will continue to monitor the ongoing judicial proceedings of this case.
Social Security Benefits: Fraud
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in how many localities, and at what cost, they have contracted with bus companies or public transport bodies to display advertisements on buses calling on people who know “benefit cheats” to inform the Department for Work and Pensions.[HL3162]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud) (Con): Advertising on buses was targeted in 25 local authority areas at a cost of £219,786.
Students: Sponsorship
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the sponsorship of students by employers.[HL3184]
Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con): The Government's view is that the best way to produce more employable graduates, with the particular ‘skill-sets’ required for the workplace, is for employers, either individually or jointly, to work directly with universities and colleges. They can and should help with course design and delivery, provide work placements, and, where appropriate, offer sponsorship for students. The Government is also promoting and making more funding available for higher apprenticeships which enables apprentices working with an employer to achieve up to degree and masters level as an in work progression route combining theoretical and applied skills.
Sudan and South Sudan
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the violence suffered by civilians since the referendum in both Sudan and South Sudan.[HL3245]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Since the independence referendum of 2011, civilians in Sudan and South Sudan have continued to be victims of violence. Over 1.9 million South Sudanese have been displaced since December 2013 and the UN estimates that 6.9 million people across Sudan are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. To seek an end to this suffering, the UK is a strong advocate of the peace processes in both countries, a leading humanitarian donor, and a firm supporter of the UN Missions in Sudan and South Sudan.
Tax Avoidance
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 20 November (HL2705), whether they have taken, or will take, any action in relation to any contracts for services by them or bodies funded by them entered into with auditors, accountants or financial advisers named in The Guardian on 6 November. [HL3163]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Government is clear that aggressive tax avoidance is totally unacceptable. That is why we are closing loopholes, bringing in a General Anti-Abuse Rule, and investing additional funding to help HMRC promote tax compliance.
The Government’s policy to promote tax compliance through public procurement is another tool that means government departments can exercise their power to exclude firms bidding for government contracts solely on the basis that they have been non-compliant in meeting their legal tax obligations.
This issue will remain under constant review by HM Government.
Taxation
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will clarify what constitutes tax evasion and tax avoidance.[HL3168]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): Tax evasion is illegal activity, where registered individuals or businesses deliberately omit, conceal or misrepresent information so they can reduce their tax liabilities.
Tax avoidance is exploiting the tax rules to gain a tax advantage that Parliament never intended. It often involves contrived, artificial transactions that serve little or no commercial purpose other than to produce a tax advantage. It involves operating within the letter, but not the spirit of the law.
For further information on this I refer the Noble Lord to Table 1.6 in the ‘Measuring Tax Gaps 2014’ publication available on gov.uk.
Trade
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the International Democrat Union on Trade issued on 24 November. [HL3161]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Government is not aware of a statement by the International Democrat Union on Trade issued on 24 November.
Transport: Rural Areas
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of existing transport initiatives with regard to facilitating youth mobility in rural areas.[HL3389]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Government set up a working group involving representatives from relevant organisations to look at existing and possible further initiatives to assist youth mobility in rural areas. I am pleased to say that this group is due to publish its conclusions and recommendation early in the new year.
Ukraine
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent allegations that abductions, murders, illegal arrests and searches, and judicial repression have been carried out against the Tatar
population of the Crimea; and whether they have requested that the United Nations send rapporteurs to that region.[HL3198]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We are deeply concerned about human rights abuses being experienced by Crimean Tatars, including a new wave of disappearances, as noted in the latest report by the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights and by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights. The UK Permanent Representative to the UN in New York raised our concerns about the intimidation and harassment of Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians and all those who have refused Russian citizenship in Crimea in his statement to the UN Security Council on 12 November.
We call on Russia to use its influence to ensure that the de facto authorities in Crimea do not violate the human rights and fundamental freedoms of any of those living there, and allow free and unconditional access by international humanitarian and human rights organisations to Crimea at all times.
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 25 November (HL Deb, col 840), whether they supported the European Union’s attempts to bring Ukraine within its sphere of influence; and what assessment they have made of the effect of those attempts on the present situation in Ukraine. [HL3206]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: This Government is a strong supporter of a closer EU-Ukraine relationship. The signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in June is a significant step towards closer relations, and a commitment by Ukraine to European norms and values. In the long term this could lead to EU membership for Ukraine, if that is what its people and government want, and if Ukraine is able to implement the wide ranging economic, political and judicial reforms that would be necessary to meet the demanding conditions of entry.
The crisis in Ukraine was not a result of the EU’s actions or the proposed signature of the Association Agreement in 2013. It is very clear where responsibility for the crisis lies—in Russia’s deliberate acts to destabilise its neighbour, its illegal annexation of Crimea and continued support of the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
United Arab Emirates
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the UAE authorities regarding their conviction of Osama al-Najjar. [HL3242]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): We are aware of the sentencing of Osama al-Najjar, following
alleged comments on twitter and other activities. While we have not made representations on this case, our views about the importance of freedom of expression as a universal human right are well known. We believe that people everywhere must be allowed to freely discuss and debate issues, challenge their governments and make informed decisions in accordance with international human rights law. Our broad strategic engagement with the United Arab Emirates provides an opportunity to openly discuss these issues.
World War I: Debts
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any countries owe money to the United Kingdom as a result of the First World War; and if so, which and how much in each case.[HL3174]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 20 November (HL2727), concerning debt for the First World War, what are the arrangements for repayment of the United Kingdom’s debt to the United States; and why that information was not included in the answer to the original question.[HL3175]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 20 November (HL2727), concerning debt for the First World War, when was the most recent repayment made to the United States.[HL3176]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): At the end of World War I, debt was owed between the UK and other countries. However, in 1931 President Hoover of the United States proposed a one year moratorium on all War debts, which allowed extensive international discussions on the general problems of debt repayment to be held. No satisfactory agreement was reached. In the absence of such an agreement no payments have been made to, or received from, other nations since 1934.
The most recent repayment made by the UK on its debt to the US from the First World War was made in the financial year 1932-33. More specific information on the date of this payment is not available.
The UK included the First World War debt to the US as part of the National Debt up until 1944-45, however all First World War debts to and from other nations are now effectively considered as having lapsed. Therefore, as explained in the answer to the original question, no arrangements have been made for repayment of the debt.
In addition, the government holds eight undated gilts in its debt portfolio, three of which stem from bonds originally issued to raise money to finance the First World War.
The Chancellor has announced that two of these undated gilts, 4% Consolidated Loan and 3½% War Loan, will be redeemed, on 1 February 2015 and 9 March 2015 respectively. These gilts account for some 99% of the bonds originally issued to finance the
First World War. The government has also announced a strategy to remove the remaining undated gilts from the debt portfolio when it is deemed value for money to do so.
The repayments on this debt will go to the holders of these bonds. The Treasury does not hold detailed information on the identity of organisations or individuals who own gilts, however information on sectoral holdings of gilts is published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics. The latest information on the breakdown of gilt holdings by sector, including a breakdown of non-UK resident holders of gilts by foreign central banks and other non-residents, is published by the ONS in Section 5.2.10 of its quarterly United Kingdom Economic Accounts publication.
Youth Services
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the quality of youth services; and what measures they plan to maintain the quality of youth workers.[HL3182]
Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD): The Government works closely with national youth organisations to look at ways in which Government can support high quality youth work through our existing programme and policies.
We are working to offer practical support to the youth sector at a time when local authorities continue to make difficult decisions on how to deliver services. Our support focuses on promoting delivery models for innovative youth services, including mutuals, and better measurement of the impact of youth services on the lives of young people. We also continue to ensure opportunities exists for young people to develop skills and confidence through programmes like National Citizen Service.
Zimbabwe
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the political situation in Zimbabwe regarding the relationship between Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change.[HL3244]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The UK remains committed to supporting the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people for a more democratic, stable and prosperous future. To this end, we actively engage with the Government of Zimbabwe, opposition parties and civil society and continue to call for constructive collaboration and dialogue between all groups.