Written Answers
Wednesday 10 December 2014
Academies
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that academies should be funded solely by the public sector.[HL3471]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Academies receive public funding which is designed to meet their costs and to put them in the same position as comparable schools maintained by local authorities. Like maintained schools, academies can raise funds through appeals and donations and through commercial activities such as lettings. The Department for Education welcomes such additional contributions to the education system.
Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences
Question
Asked by Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Scottish Government concerning implementing the commitments agreed and announced by United Kingdom Ministers at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict held in London in June.[HL3262]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): There have been no discussions between UK Ministers and the Scottish government about the implementation of commitments agreed and announced by UK Ministers at the June Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Bahrain
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to ask the government of Bahrain to hold an independent inquiry into the death of Mr Hassan Sheikh on 12 November following his arrest and alleged torture.[HL3285]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Our Ambassador in Bahrain has raised our concerns about the death of Hasan al-Shaikh, an inmate at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre. We understand that the Special Investigation Unit has opened an investigation into the incident and we encourage the Public Prosecution Office to ensure that the investigation is thorough and transparent.
Bangladesh
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they and the European Union High Representative on Foreign Affairs respectively have made to the government of Bangladesh about its Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Bill 2014.[HL3305]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The Government is aware that the Government of Bangladesh has approved the draft Foreign Donations Act (FDA) to go to Parliament. We are following the development of the new legislation closely. The Government, EU and other like-minded partners raised our concerns over restricting civil society with the Government of Bangladesh during the drafting of the Act. This included the Department for International Development (DfID) Country Representative leading a delegation to report donors’ concerns over aspects of the Act.
During the meeting between the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Bangladesh Prime Minister in July, both agreed on the importance of an open society and political system in which democratic political participation and media freedoms are respected. Most recently in October, the former DfID Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone), set out UK concerns on the FDA during her visit to Bangladesh, stressing that the Act risked penalising genuine donor and civil society activity.
Banks
Questions
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that there are adequate banking facilities in every community.[HL3217]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many bank branches have closed in the United Kingdom during the past year; and where they were located. [HL3218]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The Government does not collect information relating to bank branch closures.
Part of the Government’s long term economic plan is to ensure that banks serve all sections of society. The Government is committed to increasing competition to deliver innovation and good financial products and services for all bank customers.
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury recently chaired a roundtable with senior representatives from UK banks and building societies to explore what more can be done to make sure that customers, wherever they live, have access to the banking services they need.
Climate Change
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord De Mauley on 18 November (HL2662), how often the Department of Energy and Climate Change-led cross Government communications group promoting unified and consistent messaging on climate change has met, and when it last met.[HL3379]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma) (Con): The group has met twice so far this year, in June and again in August.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord De Mauley on 18 November (HL2662), what are the outputs of the Department of Energy and Climate Change-led cross Government communications group promoting unified and consistent messaging on climate change.[HL3380]
Baroness Verma: The cross-Government communications group is composed of working-level officials invited from all Departments. The main aim is to share communication plans to ensure the messaging across all climate change communication is consistent across government.
Colombia
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the government of Colombia’s land restitution process.[HL3241]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Whilst security for claimants and those returning to their land is a key concern, our 2013 Human Rights Report (released on 10 April 2014) notes that some progress has been made on the issue of land restitution. Since January 2012 there have been 64,815 registered land restitution claims. In his recent meeting with President Santos on 7 November, the Deputy Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Sheffield Hallam (Mr Clegg), welcomed the Colombian government’s efforts to improve respect for human rights in Colombia, including through its land restitution and victims reparations processes. Our Embassy in Bogota runs several human rights projects to help improve Colombia’s land registry process, increase access to protection measures and raise awareness of the UN guiding principles on business and human rights. Officials from our Embassy also meet regularly with indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities and we also funded a project aimed at developing the role of organisations in protecting
communities’ rights to the territories. We are following closely several emblematic land restitution cases; our Ambassador raised the cases of the Curvaradó and Jiguamandó communities with the Ministry of the Interior in July and acts as an observer on the case.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding the Kawama demolitions.[HL3243]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Amnesty International issued a report on 17 November 2014 into the demolitions of homes and commercial buildings at Kawama in November 2009. Officials at our Embassy in Kinshasa have regular and frank dialogue with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on a number of issues, including on cases of alleged human rights violations, and will make representations urging the Government of the DRC to fully investigate the allegations made in the report.
East Coast Railway Line
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision, if any, will be made in the contract for the East Coast rail franchise to ensure that all profits accruing to the franchisees are subject to United Kingdom taxes.[HL3267]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Inter City Railways Limited is a company registered in England and Wales and thus subject to relevant tax obligations. They are purchasing East Coast Main Line Limited as part of this franchise, which is also registered in England and Wales and compliant with relevant tax obligations. In addition, the Franchise Agreement includes provisions to monitor tax compliance during the life of the franchise.
English Language: Education
Question
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve English language education for young asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. [HL3222]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): Education and social care are devolved matters. In England, schools should provide appropriate support for pupils whose first language is
not English, including asylum seeking children. Schools are best placed to assess the levels of support required by their pupils, taking into account their age and needs. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children become part of the care system and are entitled to the same support and services from the local authority as other looked-after children.
Forced Marriage
Question
Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will clarify the role of teachers in monitoring girls at risk of being forced into under-age marriage. [HL3494]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): All school staff have a responsibility to identify children who may be in need of extra help or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. All staff then have a responsibility to take appropriate action, working with other services as required. Those responsibilities, which apply to the risk of forced marriage as to any other form of abuse, are set out in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ statutory guidance for schools and their staff which the Government published in April 2014.[1]
The statutory guidance contains links to more detailed guidance on specific risks, including multi-Agency guidelines on forced marriage.[2] The chapter of those guidelines which focuses on schools, colleges and universities indicates: what teachers should look out for, such as changes in behaviour or attendance or the early marriage of a sibling; how they can support girls, by giving access to support and advice; and what they should do if they suspect a girl is being forced into marriage, including activating local child protection procedures.
This Answer included the following attachment:
[1]www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe- in-education
[2]www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/322307/HMG_MULTI_AGENCY_PRACTICE_GUIDELINES_v1_ 180614_FINAL.pdf
Indonesia
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are making representations to the government of Indonesia concerning (1) ceasing to prosecute blasphemy cases, (2) using their current draft bill revising the criminal code to remove the offence of blasphemy, (3) upholding freedom of religion and conscience, (4) ensuring freedom of legitimate expression, and (5) full protection of minorities. [HL3286]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): Our Ambassador designate met the Indonesian Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights on 18 November and raised the rights of religious minorities and freedom of expression. He was assured that the bill for the Protection of Religious People/Minorities would be submitted to parliament soon. We also maintain a regular dialogue with religious leaders, civil society and government officials on freedom of religion or belief; as well as supporting project work, such as human rights training. The third EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue was held on 12 November and, in response to concerns we raised, the new Indonesian government underlined the importance they attach to tackling discrimination against religious minorities. We are encouraged that the newly inaugurated Indonesian government has already taken some positive steps to promote freedom of religion or belief. The Minister of Religious Affairs has announced plans to develop legislation to strengthen protection to adherents of all religious beliefs and the Minister for Home Affairs has stated that he is investigating how district and regional governments can better protect the rights of minorities.
International Law
Question
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), what assessment they have made of the legal implications of (1) the United Kingdom’s invasion on Iraq, and (2) Russia’s annexation of Ukraine. [HL3207]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): (1) The UK took military action in Iraq in 2003 on the basis of UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) dating back to Resolution 678, and culminating in UNSCR 1441 which was passed unanimously on 8 November 2002.
(2) The UK does not, and will not, recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. This action violated the UN Charter, was illegal under international law and breached a number of commitments Russia had made. It is for these reasons that Russia has subsequently been isolated in the Security Council and in the wider international community.
Iran
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the potential impact on current negotiations with Iran of the report that Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has stated that agency inspectors are being denied access to nuclear plants in Iran. [HL3289]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): On 7 November 2014, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General issued his latest report on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme. We are grateful to the IAEA for continuing to verify the nuclear elements of the Joint Plan of Action (JPoA), and the confirmation that Iran continues to implement the JPoA. However, we remain extremely disappointed by the lack of genuine cooperation from Iran on ‘Possible Military Dimensions’ (PMD) to its nuclear programme as reported by the Director General, and continue to offer our full support to the IAEA in pursuing the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran continues to refuse access to certain sites to which the IAEA has requested access under PMD. However, we are not aware of reports that Iran is denying the IAEA access to nuclear plants.
A comprehensive agreement remains the most effective way to ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme is purely peaceful, and all nuclear measures under such an agreement will need to be robustly verified by the IAEA.
Iraq
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any military support has been given to the Turkmen community to help them defend themselves against ISIS.[HL3373]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The UK Government has provided military support to the official authorities, in the form of the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government, to help them counter the threat from ISIL.
Islam
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by the Lord Privy Seal on 25 November (HL Deb, col 789), what steps they intend to take to encourage British Muslims to address interpretations of the Qur’an, the Hadith and the Sunnah which deem them to form a justification for violence. [HL3208]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con): There is a central verse in the Holy Quran which states there is ‘no compulsion in religion’ a teaching which reflects the thinking and practice of many British Muslims.
The Government has worked closely with British Muslim community organisations, such as the Federation of Muslim Organisations and Leeds Makkah Mosque, to enable the voice of the vast majority of Muslims
across the country, who strongly oppose the poisonous rhetoric of violent extremists, to be heard. This is in addition to the regular contact Ministers and officials have with faith communities. We also commend the proactive community-led work such as the #notinmyname campaign and the letter signed by over 100 British Muslims leaders which categorically denounces ISIL’s barbaric actions.
Efforts such as these are valuable in challenging extremists and in bringing together the different communities in Britain.
Kenya
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conversations they have had with the government of Kenya about the requirement for United Kingdom citizens to have a visa to enter Kenya; and what steps they take within (1) the European Union, and (2) the Commonwealth, to encourage consistency in visa requirements for citizens of countries within those organisations.[HL3254]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): The British Government has not recently discussed visa requirements for UK citizens visiting Kenya with the Kenyan government. British nationals require a visa to enter Kenya, which can be purchased on arrival. Within the EU, the European Commission only seeks coherence in visa requirements for Member States party to the Schengen Visa Code. The UK is not party to this code. Within the Commonwealth the UK is taking part in discussions which seek to facilitate the movement of Commonwealth citizens between member states.
Libya
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost to the United Kingdom of the military intervention in Libya; and what is their assessment of the benefits to the United Kingdom.[HL3256]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): The net additional cost of military operations in Libya in 2011 was £234 million.
Our military actions in Libya protected civilians under threat of attack and saved lives. All our actions were consistent with our obligations under international law and with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which allowed all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack.
Offences against Children: Rotherham
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions they are taking to ensure that Rotherham Borough Council’s children’s services improve in respect of protecting children, in the light of the report by Professor Alexis Jay Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013). [HL3414]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Secretary of State for Education has appointed a Children’s Social Care Commissioner, Malcolm Newsam, to examine the nature and scale of the problems and oversee and drive improvements in children’s social care functions.
On the basis of the Commissioner’s initial work and when the review of Rotherham Council’s corporate governance reports, the Secretary of State will consider what further action is needed.
A statutory direction to Rotherham is published by the Department and is available online at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/363018/Final_direction_to_Rotherham_Council_ 10_Oct _2014.pdf
Population
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what policies they have to reduce the population size of the United Kingdom.[HL2541]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bates) (Con): We are clear that uncontrolled immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion, puts pressure on public services and can drive down wages for people on low incomes.
That is why across government we are working hard to bring net migration down and address the factors which draw people to the UK for the wrong reasons. This government has clamped down on nearly 800 bogus colleges, slashed 45,000 visas from the further education route; and cut family visas by nearly a third since it came to power. Our reforms have cut net migration from outside the EU by nearly a quarter since 2010 – close to levels not seen since the late 1990s.
Our reforms have also made it more difficult for EU migrants to claim benefits in the UK and, through the landmark Immigration Act, made it tougher for illegal immigrants to remain by restricting access to work, housing, benefits, healthcare, bank accounts and driving licences and making it easier to remove those who have no right to be here by reducing the number of appeals.
On 28 November the Prime Minister made a speech in which he set out a number of measures a future Conservative Government would take to address EU migration to the UK. The measures proposed include a four year residency requirement before an EU national
can access in-work benefits or social housing in the UK, the removal of child benefit for non-resident children of EU nationals, and stronger powers to deport EU criminals and tackle abuse.
Roads: Accidents
Question
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the eCall system to be introduced in motor cars from 31 March 2018.[HL3467]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): The Government recognises that eCall has the potential to improve road safety further, but it is important that each initiative is carefully considered on its merits. After considering the results of independent research we are concerned that the benefits of making eCall mandatory in all new cars will not justify the cost of implementing it in the UK. That is why the UK does not support the EU proposed mandatory installation of eCall in new passenger cars and vans at this time. Motorists should be free to choose a third party eCall system if they wish, and calls from these systems are already supported by UK emergency call centres.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ability of passenger train manufacturers to build diesel multiple units with motors complying with the European IIIb emission standard; and whether they have any plans to order such units to provide additional capacity on lines which are not likely to be electrified during the life of the rolling stock.[HL3376]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD): Government officials are in regular contact with train manufacturers and understand that a number of them are considering how the IIIb emission standard can be achieved on new diesel multiple units within the British loading gauge. The Hitachi IEP trains, the first of which is undergoing testing, will be fitted with IIIb compliant engines.
The Government currently has no plans to order new diesel multiple units itself, but train operators may choose to do so either in pursuit of their commercial objectives or in fulfilment of the requirements of franchise specifications.
Self-employed
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the latest recorded (1) numbers of self-employed, (2) numbers of self-employed recorded in income tax records, and (3) annual turnover of self-employed in income tax records.[HL3202]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton) (Con): The number of individuals filing a self-employment schedule in their Self Assessment tax returns for the year 2011-12 is estimated at 5.49 million.
The annual turnover of these individuals in 2011-12 is estimated at £296 billion.
These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) for the year 2011-12.
Further information about the self-employed is available in HMRC’s National Statistics Publications[1].
[1]Available at the following internet address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/personal-income-by-tax-year
Swimming: Primary Education
Question
Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent Amateur Swimming Association study on the ability of primary school pupils to swim.[HL3319]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): The Government welcomes the work that the Amateur Swimming Association has carried out over the last three years to produce research on school swimming. Their 2014 research indicates that 45% of 7-11-year olds are still unable to swim 25 metres unaided. Whilst this represents an increase of 6% since 2013, we want to see acceleration in this improvement.
Swimming remains compulsory in the national curriculum for physical education (PE) as one of only two activities specifically referenced in the programmes of study. The curriculum sets out that schools should teach pupils to swim 25 metres confidently, and use a
range of strokes. In addition to the core funding schools receive to deliver the national curriculum, we are providing over £450 million of ring-fenced funding through the primary PE and sport premium to improve the teaching of sport in primary schools. Schools have the freedom to use this funding for additional swimming provision, and many schools have already chosen to do so.
University Technical Colleges
Question
Asked by Lord Allen of Kensington
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of University Technical Colleges in providing young people with the skills required in the world of work.[HL3367]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools (Lord Nash) (Con): To date, 30 university technical colleges (UTCs) are open across the country and a further 26 plan to open by 2016. UTCs contribute towards our aim of raising standards for young people by introducing increased competition, innovation and choice. They provide high quality technical education for those 14-19-year olds that choose to follow a more practically orientated education. The involvement of universities and employers in UTCs provides more opportunities for young people than ever before. The UTCs open and in development will offer around 35,000 places for young people to help them gain skills for the world of work.
Global Academy UTC, for example, is in development and once open will offer 800 young people from across London with opportunities to gain the technical skills needed in the creative and digital media business.