Session 2015-16
House of Lords Business
Contents
- Future Business
- Motions for Balloted Debate
- Select Committee Reports
- Questions for Short Debate
- Questions for Written Answer
- Affirmative Instruments
- Negative Instruments
- Legislative Reform Orders
- Forthcoming Retirements
- Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday 27 May 2015
- Papers Laid
Items marked † are new or have been altered
[I] indicates that the member concerned has a
relevant registered interest.
Thursday 28 May 2015 at 11.00am
†Lord Dunlop and
†Lord Maude of Horsham will be introduced.
†Committee of Selection The Chairman of Committees to move that in accordance with Standing Order 63 a Committee of Selection be appointed to select and propose to the House the names of the members to form each select committee of the House (except the Committee of Selection itself and any committee otherwise provided for by statute or by order of the House) or any other body not being a select committee referred to it by the Chairman of Committees, and the panel of Deputy Chairmen of Committees; and that the following members together with the Chairman of Committees be appointed to the Committee:
|
L Bassam of Brighton |
B Smith of Basildon |
†Queen’s Speech Adjourned Debate on the Motion that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty as follows:
"Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to thank Your Majesty for the most gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament."
†It is expected that the principal topics for debate will be foreign affairs, European affairs, international development and defence.
Future Business
Monday 1 June at 2.30pm
†Baroness Altmann will be introduced and
†James O’Neill will be introduced as a Baron.
†*Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to recognise the State of Palestine.
†*Baroness Ludford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Health and Social Care Information Centre that they have been unable to process up to 700,000 requests for individuals to opt out from sharing medical data with third parties.
†*Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to consider proposals to allow 16 and 17 year-olds to vote in any referendum on membership of the European Union.
†*Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they and their international partners have made in deterring the trafficking of migrants and creating safe havens in North Africa and the Middle East.
†It is expected that the debate on the address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be constitutional affairs, legal affairs, and devolved affairs.
†Tuesday 2 June at 2.30pm
†George Bridges MBE and
†David Prior will be introduced as Barons.
†*Lord Spicer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that Sir Howard Davies’ recommendations for London’s airports should be accepted, what assessment they have made of proposals to develop an airport in the Thames Estuary already discounted by Sir Howard’s Commission.
†*Baroness Thornton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to give legal recognition to humanist marriages in England and Wales, and if so, by what date.
†*Lord Lea of Crondall to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the United Kingdom’s market share of international investment in the manufacturing and service industries under the European Union’s existing regulatory regime.
†Topical oral question. Ballot to be drawn at 1pm on Friday 29 May.
†It is expected that the debate on the address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be home affairs, local government, energy, environment and agriculture.
†Wednesday 3 June at 3.00pm
†*Lord Harris of Haringey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to give additional powers and responsibilities to Police and Crime Commissioners.
†*Baroness Falkner of Margravine to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the candidates and process for appointing the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
†*Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to encourage the use of brownfield sites in the North of England for public and private housing developments.
†Topical oral question. Ballot to be drawn at 1pm on Monday 1 June.
†It is expected that the debate on the address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be health, education, welfare and culture.
†Thursday 4 June at 11.00am
†*Lord Fowler to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to consult the public on the renewal of the BBC Royal Charter.
†*Lord Lexden to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent of postal voting fraud at the recent general election.
†*Lord Empey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve the United Kingdom’s airborne maritime patrol capability.
†Topical oral question. Ballot to be drawn at 1pm on Tuesday 2 June.
†It is expected that the debate on the address will conclude and that the principal topics for debate will be business, economic affairs and transport.
†Monday 8 June at 2.30pm
†*Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they regard the implementation of the recommendations of the Smith Commission as an adequate response to the outcome of the general election in Scotland.
†*Lord Haskel to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to increase productivity as compared to that forecast in Table 5b of the Bank of England May inflation report.
†*Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the current deficit position of NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts on the ability of the National Health Service to move to seven-day working.
†*Lord Naseby to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the anticipated timescale of the new deal for Greater Manchester.
†Tuesday 9 June at 2.30pm
†*Lord Bradley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of charges on drawndown pension products; what plans they have to assess such charges on an ongoing basis; and whether they have any plans to impose a cap on those charges.
†*Baroness Gardner of Parkes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to consult Housing Associations, local authorities and the general public before finalising the proposal to extend the right to buy to Housing Association properties.
†*Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the 29 April Supreme Court judgment on nitrogen dioxide levels, when they will bring forward plans to ensure that the whole of the United Kingdom complies with air pollution limits by 2020.
†Wednesday 10 June at 3.00pm
†*Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to allow the Food Standards Agency to obtain full cost recovery in respect of meat inspections.
†*Lord Bach to ask Her Majesty’s Government, given the fall in the number of citizens who now receive legal advice in the field of social welfare law, whether they will bring forward the review of Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
†*Lord Lennie to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expand the apprenticeship programme for 16 to 18 year-olds.
†Thursday 11 June at 11.00am
†*Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are responding to recent developments in Burma.
†*Baroness Quin to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to undertake a review into zero-hours contracts of employment.
†*Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to deal with the late payment of debt to small businesses.
†Balloted debates. Ballot on 28 May.
†It is expected that a topical question for short debate will be asked after the first debate this day. Ballot opens at 10am on Monday 1 June, to be drawn at 12 noon on Tuesday 2 June.
†Monday 15 June at 2.30pm
†*Lord Whitty to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to decarbonise the electricity supply system in the United Kingdom, with which targets and over what timetable.
†*Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for funding public service broadcasting.
†*Baroness Benjamin to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement a whole school approach to nutrition and the health and wellbeing of children.
†*Lord Foulkes of Cumnock to ask Her Majesty’s Government what changes they propose to the calculation of the block grant to Scotland, in the light of the recent and proposed increased tax-raising powers of the Scottish Parliament.
†Tuesday 16 June at 2.30pm
†*Baroness Gale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are undertaking to ensure that women who have suffered domestic violence and abuse have access to the legal and emotional support they may require.
†*Baroness Hollis of Heigham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of those affected by the social rented sector size criteria who have downsized into smaller properties.
†*Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to recognise the killings of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians in 1915 as genocide.
†Wednesday 17 June at 3.00pm
†*Baroness Worthington to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to address the risk of climate change.
†*The Countess of Mar to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to lift the moratorium on the use of neonictinoid pesticides for agricultural crops.
†*Baroness Meacher to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to reclassify cannabis from class 2 to class 3 to enable its use for medicinal purposes.
†Thursday 18 June at 11.00am
†*Baroness Berridge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Burma concerning the persecution and trafficking of the Rohingya Muslims and ethnic minorities in Burma.
†*Lord Howarth of Newport to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they will prioritise to reduce economic and social inequality in a One Nation Britain.
†*Lord Ramsbotham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been let for the proposed secure college.
†It is expected that a topical question for short debate will be asked after the first debate this day. Ballot opens at 10am on Monday 8 June, to be drawn at 12 noon on Tuesday 9 June.
†Monday 22 June at 2.30pm
†*Baroness Wheeler to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of general practitioners.
†*Lord Hunt of Chesterton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of withdrawal from the European Union on investment in science and technology in the United Kingdom.
†*Baroness Jones of Whitchurch to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to review the governance and oversight of free schools.
†*Baroness Tyler of Enfield to ask Her Majesty’s Government which Minister has responsibility for family and relationship support policy; and what steps they are taking to deliver the commitment in the Conservative Party Manifesto 2015 to invest at least £7.5 million a year in relationship support.
†Tuesday 23 June at 2.30pm
†*Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to protect tenants in the private rented sector.
†*Lord Farmer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Dying without Dignity, what steps they are taking to ensure that everyone in need has access to good palliative care.
†*Lord Storey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to develop mental health services for pupils and young people.
†Wednesday 24 June at 3.00pm
†*Lord Patel of Bradford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to achieve parity of esteem between mental health and physical health in prisons.
†*Viscount Ridley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the cost (£/tCO2e) of greenhouse gas emissions abatement in the most recent year for which there is data from each of wind offshore, wind onshore and solar, taking into account the additional electricity system costs appropriate to each technology. [I]Blagdon and Blyth estates in Northumberland, with income from farming, forestry, commercial property, residential property, leisure, coal and clay mining
†*Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that the referendum on membership of the European Union does not overshadow the Welsh Assembly elections in 2016.
Motions for Balloted Debate
Ballot on 28 May for debate on 11 June. Time limit 2½ hours
†The Lord Bishop of Chester to move that this House takes note of the impact of pornography on society.
†Lord Cormack to move that this House takes note of craft apprenticeships.
†The Lord Bishop of St Albans to move that this House takes note of the role played by civil society, in the light of the pastoral letter from the Church of England’s House of Bishops Who is my neighbour.
†Lord Wigley to move that this House takes note of the relative role of the two chambers of Parliament in any future constitutional settlement regarding devolution.
†Lord Alton of Liverpool to move that this House takes note of the human rights and security challenges posed by North Korea.
†Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale to move that this House takes note of the case for significant and comprehensive change to the government of the United Kingdom following devolution in 1999 and subsequent developments.
†Baroness Cox to move that this House takes note of the historic killings of Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians in 1915, and allegations of contemporary genocide and crimes against humanity.
†Lord Kennedy of Southwark to move that this House takes note of the case for allowing 16 and 17 year-olds to vote in the forthcoming referendum on membership of the European Union.
†The Earl of Selborne to move that this House takes note of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser’s annual report, Innovation: Managing Risk, not avoiding it, published on 19 November 2014.
†Lord Loomba to move that this House takes note of the case for empowering women, including widows, in the developing world in order to aid conflict resolution and the long-term sustainability of more stable societies.
Select Committee Reports
The dates on which the reports were published are in italics
†Lord Lang of Monkton to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Constitution Committee on The office of Lord Chancellor (6th Report, Session 2014–15, HL Paper 75). 11 December 2014
†Lord Hollick to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Economic Affairs Committee on The Economic Case for HS2 (1st Report, Session 2014–15, HL Paper 134). 25 March 2015
Questions for Short Debate
Time limit 1 hour or 1½ hours
†Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of corruption in the United Kingdom in the light of the recent report of Transparency International UK Corruption on your Doorstep - How corrupt capital is used to buy property in the UK. (27 May)
†Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to support England’s biodiversity and to promote farming methods that help ensure a healthy ecosystem that includes pollinators, butterflies and farmland birds. (27 May)
†Lord Forsyth of Drumlean to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. (27 May)
†Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy regarding possible proposals for co-ordination from other EU member states regarding the rescue of Middle East and African asylum seekers in Europe. (27 May)
†Lord Cormack to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to tackle litter in both urban and rural areas.(27 May)
†Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Royal Horticultural Society’s report Why we all need Greening Grey Britain, how they will address the impact of the increase in paving over front gardens, and whether they plan to change the regulations and development rights relating to front gardens. (27 May)
†Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to combat Lyme disease and other tick-related illnesses. (27 May)
†Baroness Hayman to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current situation in Sierra Leone, and what are their plans to assist the country to recover from the effects of the Ebola outbreak. (27 May)
†Lord Wills to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage innovation by NHS England. (27 May)
†Lord Lipsey to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to regulate the opinion-polling industry. (27 May)
†Lord Fowler to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of the BBC. (27 May)
†Baroness Randerson to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that the 2016 Welsh Assembly elections provide an opportunity to reflect recent and planned changes to the Welsh devolution settlement. (27 May)
†Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their priorities for the Sustainable Development Goals to be agreed by the United Nations in September. (27 May)
†Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government how the powers promised to Wales and Scotland will operate within new, balanced United Kingdom governmental structures. (27 May)
†Baroness Gardner of Parkes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the requirement for all leaseholders to agree if they wish to become holders in common. (27 May)
†Baroness Falkner of Margravine to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in Syria. (27 May)
†Lord Harries of Pentregarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy towards promoting the shared values that underpin British public life. (27 May)
†Lord Sterling of Plaistow to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the current defence budget is sufficient to enable the armed forces to meet the needs of the United Kingdom’s long-term foreign policy. (27 May)
†Lord Bilimoria to ask Her Majesty’s Government what activities have taken place relating to the 200th anniversary of the Gurkhas’ service to the Crown and the Government’s support of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, particularly in the light of the recent earthquakes in Nepal.(27 May)
†The Lord Bishop of St Albans to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure the sustainability of rural communities, in the light of the additional costs and challenges of service provision in rural areas. (27 May)
†Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in the Gaza strip. (27 May)
†Lord Boateng to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of lessons that can be learnt from the outbreak of Ebola in Sierra Leone regarding the strengthening and development of sustainable healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. (27 May)
†Baroness Hussein-Ece to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the prospects for the reunification of, and a lasting peace in, Cyprus. (27 May)
†Baroness Berridge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of Britain’s ethnic minorities to faith communities and public institutions in the United Kingdom. (27 May)
†Baroness Tyler of Enfield to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to respond to the recommendations of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Task Force Report Future in Mind. (27 May)
†Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the process for preparing official histories. (27 May)
†Lord Storey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they will bring forward regarding mental health services in schools and colleges. (27 May)
†Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to assist those with Type 1 and 2 diabetes to educate themselves about the management of the disease. (27 May)
†Lord Morris of Aberavon to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the case for discharging the Chairman and members of the Chilcot Inquiry, and inviting the Cabinet Secretary to set out a mechanism for an interim report to be produced on the basis of the evidence gathered. (27 May)
†Lord Kennedy of Southwark to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the law governing elections in the United Kingdom. (27 May)
†Lord Green of Deddington to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent the population of the United Kingdom reaching an unsustainable level. (27 May)
†Lord Hunt of Chesterton to ask the Leader of the House what plans she has to change the arrangements for the tabling of parliamentary questions to give priority to those who ask few questions, so that more members of the House can ask questions. (27 May)
†Baroness Hollins to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to safeguard the physical and mental health of children and young people. (27 May)
†Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they will take to address the situation of women suffering from religiously sanctioned gender discrimination, in particular regarding the operation of sharia councils and courts in the United Kingdom. (27 May)
†Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to promote Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights. (27 May)
†Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the United Nations, in particular the selection processes for the Secretary-General and other senior appointments. (27 May)
†Lord Freeman to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the present and future strength of the reserves of the British armed forces. (27 May)
†Lord Holmes of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact shared spaces have on blind and vision-impaired people and whether guidance for local authorities on shared spaces is fit for purpose. (27 May)
†Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish a national strategy for the treatment of lymphoedema in the NHS. (27 May)
†Lord Patel to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the financial sustainability of the five-year NHS plan. (27 May)
†Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for developing the bus industry. (27 May)
†Lord Grocott to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to review the operation of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. (27 May)
†Baroness Wheeler to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve stroke services, care and support, and to update the National Stroke Strategy to commence implementation in 2017 when the existing 10-year plan ends. (27 May)
†Lord Black of Brentwood to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation. (27 May)
†Lord Farmer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Dying without Dignity, what steps they are taking to ensure that everyone who needs it has access to good palliative care and a level of social care that ensures the end of life is valued. (27 May)
†Viscount Ridley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the relative merits of different forms of nuclear technology. (27 May) [I]Category 5: Land and property
Blagdon and Blyth estates in Northumberland, with income from farming, forestry, commercial property, residential property, leisure, coal and clay mining
Questions for Written Answer
Tabled on 27 May and due for answer by 10 June.
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb to ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the number of days elapsing between the end of financial support from the UK Border Agency for asylum seekers, and the first receipt of other forms of state financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions, across all cases between 1 January and 31 December 2014, how many cases there were in which the number of days was greater than zero; and what were the figures for (1) the minimum and maximum, (2) the mean and median, (3) the first and third, and (4) the fifth and 95th percentiles. HL1
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb to ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the number of days elapsing between the end of housing support from the UK Border Agency, or their contractors, for asylum seekers, and the first receipt of other forms of state housing support from the Department for Work and Pensions, across all cases between 1 January and 31 December 2014, how many cases there were in which the number of days was greater than zero; and what were the figures for (1) the minimum and maximum, (2) the mean and median, (3) the first and third, and (4) the fifth and 95th percentiles. HL2
Lord Trefgarne to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to regulate the sale of flammable fancy dress clothing. HL3
Lord Beecham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of defendants in criminal cases who were required to pay some or all of their own legal costs and who have been acquitted, or whose charges have been withdrawn, have in the last twelve months (1) had their full legal costs reimbursed, or (2) have been reimbursed their costs at the equivalent of legal aid rates. HL4
Lord Beecham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current estimate of the proportion of defendants in criminal cases appearing without legal representation; whether that proportion has increased since 2013–14; and if so, by how much. HL5
Lord Beecham to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many lay magistrates there were, and how many criminal cases lay magistrates presided over, in England and Wales in 2009; what are their current estimates of how many criminal cases lay magistrates will preside over in 2015, and how many lay magistrates and district judges are required to meet this volume of cases; and what are their plans for recruiting lay magistrates and district judges over the next three years. HL6
Lord Beecham to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the February 2015 Ofsted Report on Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre and the dismissal of six of its staff for misconduct, what steps they are taking to review the performance of G4S in providing custodial services, and whether G4S will be allowed to tender for new or renewed contracts. HL7
Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel regarding that country’s co-operation with the International Criminal Court concerning charges of war crimes. HL8
Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of President Carter’s failed attempt to enter Gaza, what support they will give to United Kingdom Ministers who wish to assess the humanitarian situation in Gaza first-hand. HL9
Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for lifting the blockade of Gaza; and what plans, if any, they have to achieve this. HL10
Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Egypt regarding free passage of goods and people via the Rafah crossing. HL11
Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with European partners regarding stationing a UN force within Gaza, including NATO coast patrols. HL12
Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu that "circumstances have to change" for a two-state solution with Palestine to be achievable, what assessment they have made of the possibility of peace negotiations resuming. HL13
Lord Blencathra to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered declaring a Marine Protection Zone around Ascension Island and, if so, what factors they took into account. HL14
Lord Blencathra to ask Her Majesty’s Government between 2010 and 2013, what criteria were used for granting fishing licences for the waters surrounding Ascension Island; and how licensing restrictions were enforced. HL15
Lord Blencathra to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to prevent shark finning in the waters surrounding Ascension Island. HL16
Lord Blencathra to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the fall in the number of children being offered for adoption; and whether, in the light of this decrease, they plan to conduct a review of adoption legislation. HL17
Lord Blencathra to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many United Kingdom nationals returning from fighting for Islamic State have been (1) charged with an offence, and (2) not charged with an offence; what charges the former have faced; and why charges have not been laid against the latter.
HL18
Lord Blencathra to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many United Kingdom nationals who have returned from fighting for Islamic State in either Iraq, Syria, or both, or are currently believed to be fighting for Islamic State in those countries, were or are in receipt of state benefits whilst abroad.
HL19
Baroness Hollins to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much was spent on emergency and urgent care for children and young people as a proportion of the total 2013–14 budget for emergency and urgent care. HL20
Baroness Hollins to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much was spent on acute care in hospitals for children and young people as a proportion of the total 2013–14 budget for acute care in hospitals.
HL21
Baroness Hollins to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much was spent on general practitioner and community services for children and young people as a proportion of the total 2013–14 budget for general practitioner and community services. HL22
Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the increase in employment tribunal fees on the number of claims brought. HL23
Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government why fees in criminal proceedings are, on average, higher when a defendant pleads not guilty. HL24
Baroness Wolf of Dulwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of how much training away from the workplace has been provided by employers over the last 20 years.
HL25
Baroness Wolf of Dulwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of funding paid out under the 24+ Advanced Learning Loans programme in (1) 2013–14, and (2) the first six months of 2014–15. HL26
Baroness Wolf of Dulwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what resource accounting and budgeting charge they are currently using to estimate the long-term cost of the 24+ Advanced Learning Loans programme. HL27
Baroness Wolf of Dulwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many undergraduate places were funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England under the Employer Engagement Co-funded Students scheme for employer co-funded additional student numbers in each of the years during which the scheme operated, and at what percentage rates; and what was the total cost of the scheme, including expenditure over and above direct full-time equivalent funding for each student.
HL28
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much is outstanding of the loans provided to the government of the Republic of Ireland following the financial crisis of 2007 to 2008; and what are the arrangements and dates for repayment. HL29
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what checks they have carried out on the full-body scanners, built by L3 Communications Holdings, which are used at United Kingdom airports; when these checks were carried out, and by whom; what was the outcome of the checks with respect to safety; and whether that outcome was shared with the airport authorities. HL30
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, prior to the general election, what were the total and percentage figures for (1) the number of postal voters registered in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales, and (e) Northern Ireland; and (2) the number of postal votes cast in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales, and (e) Northern Ireland. HL31
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government which 20 constituencies had the highest number of postal votes in the United Kingdom during the general election; which five constituencies in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales and (4) Northern Ireland had the highest number of postal votes; and what percentage of the total number of postal voters these figures represent in each case. HL32
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 19 January (HL4116), which public sector pensions and social security benefits will be exempt from reduction in September 2015 if price deflation continues until then; by how much such pensions and benefits will rise; and whether they will reduce pensions and benefits not so protected in line with the consumer price index. HL33
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government which strand talk sessions representatives of the government of the Republic of Ireland attended during the Stormont House talks; on what dates those sessions occurred; on whose invitation those representatives were invited; and, if such information is not available, why not. HL34
Lord Berkeley to ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each port, airport and Channel Tunnel service, and for each mode of transport where passengers leave the United Kingdom, what proportion of passengers have their travel documents checked, and when 100 per cent exit checks are expected to come into operation. HL35
Lord Berkeley to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Planning Inspectorate invited comments from the applicant and interested parties regarding the Swansea Bay Lagoon Application (EN010049), including the consideration of alternatives to the proposed lagoon project, but did not do so in respect of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. HL36
Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many social housing units there are in (1) England and (2) the Borough of Pendle; in each case, how many of these units were occupied by tenants who were subject to loss of spare room subsidy when that measure was introduced; and of these affected tenants, how many (1) have since relocated to other accommodation, and (2) still live in the same accommodation. HL37
Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Neighbourhood Development Plans have been subject to community referendums, and of these, how many were approved, what locations they cover, and which were instigated by (1) parish councils and (2) neighbourhood forums. HL38
Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many full draft Neighbourhood Development Plans have reached the consultation stage, and what locations those plans cover. HL39
Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many communities have taken the first formal steps towards the creation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan but have not yet reached the consultation stage, and what locations those plans cover. HL40
Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Neighbourhood Development Orders have been approved, what locations those plans cover, and what are the purposes of each. HL41
Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether parish councils can make a Neighbourhood Development Plan jointly for all or part of their areas, and if so, under what provision. HL42
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Drayson on 19 May 2009 (WA 290), Baroness Wilcox on 3 October 2011 (WA 114–5), Baroness Garden of Frognal on 5 November 2012 (WA 168) and Lord Marland on 4 December 2012 (WA 131), whether the journal article "detailing further findings on the therapeutic potential and efficiency" of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) still remains unpublished following the end of Professor Mary Herbert’s research study; if so, what are the reasons for the apparent lack of progress; if not, when they advised that the article had been published; how the derivation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) following nuclear transfer as described in the article has improved on the efficiency of ESC derivation from clones as previously described by others in 2013 in the journal Cell (Volume 153, Issue 6, pages 1228–38) and the journal Cell Stem Cell (Volume 14, Issue 6, pages 777–80); and what were the novel "technological advances" described by Professor Herbert "to improve the efficiency of SCNT in human oocytes" and thus "develop a reproducible method of generating human embryonic stem cells".
HL43
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Drayson on 19 May 2009 (WA 290), to what extent the stated aim to "develop a reproducible method of generating human embryonic stem cells following the transfer of the nucleus of an adult somatic cell into an oocyte" was achieved following the end of Professor Mary Herbert’s research study; and when a sample of the stem cell lines derived following nuclear transfer was deposited in the United Kingdom Stem Cell Bank. HL44
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the circumstances faced by Rohingya refugees; what action they have taken to encourage the international community to support these refugees; and, in particular, what discussions they have had with the Burmese authorities about the challenges facing the Rohingya people. HL45
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are actively discussing with international partners the creation of safe havens in North Africa and in the Middle East to provide refugees with humanitarian support and assessment for resettlement or return to their home. HL46
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many migrants from the Middle East or North Africa are thought to have died in the past twelve months; how many are being held within the European Union; what progress is being made in deterring human traffickers from exploiting and endangering such migrants; and what are their short- and long-term policies regarding such migrants.
HL47
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent reports of the execution of senior officials, and others, in North Korea; when they last raised human rights violations with the North Korean regime; what was discussed and what response was received. HL48
Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the European Rail Traffic Management System on the development of the Digital Railway. HL49
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to address United Kingdom household debt and to make domestic finances more sustainable. HL50
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to introduce financial inclusion support into programmes to reduce unemployment and benefit dependency. HL51
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to consult publicly on the proposed scale of reductions in social security budgets and the form in which those reductions may be delivered. HL52
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to make a statement on the adequacy of existing levels of Discretionary Housing Payments, and if so, when.
HL53
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to bring forward the draft Law Commission bill on medical regulation for parliamentary consideration. HL54
Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current equivalent of the Cabinet Office’s Central Government War Book of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, if any. HL55
Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the percentages of the Muslim populations in (1) Birmingham, (2) Blackburn, (3) Bradford, (4) Leicester, (5) Luton, (6) Manchester, (7) Slough and (8) the London Boroughs of (a) Newham and (b) Tower Hamlets; what was the percentage growth of those Muslim populations between 2004 and 2014; what percentages are under the age of 15; how these compare with the non-Muslim populations; and what were the comparative birthrates between the Muslim and non-Muslim populations in those areas.
HL56
Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether employment in government departments has been given to Muslims with links to Islamic extremist groups. HL57
Lord Wills to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to monitor the adoption across England of the pilot fast-track clinical pathway for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant-cell arteritis being developed in Southend University Hospital. HL58
Lord Wills to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that NHS England produces prompt and comprehensive replies to correspondence from MPs and Members of the House of Lords. HL59
Lord Empey to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the failure by the Northern Ireland Assembly to pass the Welfare Reform Bill, whether they will continue to make additional finance available to the Northern Ireland Executive as set out in the Stormont House agreement. HL60
Lord Empey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the respective borrowing limits for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly. HL61
Lord Empey to ask Her Majesty’s Government whom they now recognise as the legitimate government of Libya. HL62
Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 19 March 2015 (HL5545), why those listed as receiving support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 cannot be returned to their countries of origin. HL63
Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people have received support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 for more than (1) one year, (2) 5 years, and (3) 10 years. HL64
Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that shops and outlets that are part of the Azure card scheme do not refuse to serve customers using the card. HL65
Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage more outlets, including local shops, to sign up to the Azure card scheme. HL66
Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Azure card users can apply for travel assistance (1) for medical appointments, (2) for legal appointments, and (3) to reach the closest outlet that will accept the Azure card; and, if so, how such information is provided to users.
HL67
Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the time asylum seekers wait to take up employment. HL68
Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the United Kingdom’s capacity to conduct research into mesothelioma and associated diseases. HL69
Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether on-shore fracking for gas in Wales will become the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales. HL70
Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will respond to the letter sent by Lord Wigley to the Home Secretary on 29 April concerning Lisa Hughes, an Argentine citizen of Welsh descent and the case for her to be allowed to remain in the United Kingdom until 9 August to participate in celebrations of the establishment of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia in 1865. HL71
Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representation they will have in the official celebrations in Liverpool on 30 May to mark the 150th anniversary of the sailing of the Mimosa carrying the first settlers to establish the Welsh community in Patagonia. HL72
Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recently announced reduction in the number of employees working on the decommissioning of nuclear power stations and the possible safety implications for those locations. HL73
Lord Wigley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Wales concerning the implications for the National Assembly for Wales of any changes to the Human Rights Act 1998. HL74
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the Staffordshire Distressed Health Economy report by KPMG into the long-term affordability of the Staffordshire local health economy. HL75
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government which public bodies commissioned the report by KPMG into the long-term affordability of the Staffordshire local health economy. HL76
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost to public funds of the Staffordshire Distressed Health Economy report by KPMG. HL77
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the report commissioned on the Staffordshire local health economy by KPMG has not been published. HL78
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they agree with the assessment of the Staffordshire Distressed Health Economy report by KPMG into the Staffordshire local health economy that the annual financial deficit across the NHS providers and commissioners in Staffordshire could reach £216.8m by 2018–19. HL79
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the financial viability of the Staffordshire local health economy. HL80
Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure cross-government policy coherence regarding child exploitation and neglect. HL81
Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what the Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation’s responsibilities include in relation to preventing child neglect.
HL82
Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale to ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation and the Department for Education will work together to tackle child neglect. HL83
Lord Willoughby de Broke to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Basic Payment Scheme was not rolled out online as originally announced: what was the additional cost to the taxpayer of returning to paper-based British Payment Scheme applications; what assessment they have made of the reasons for the failure of the online roll-out; and in the light of the date for final submissions of completed Basic Payment Scheme forms being extended from 15 May to 15 June, whether there will be any delay in making payments to farmers by the end of 2015. HL84
Lord Northbourne to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to publish a statement of their objectives for education in secondary schools in the maintained sector, in particular their objectives regarding academic achievement and preparing pupils for wellbeing in adult life and for their prospective roles in the workplace and as parents. HL85
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Chairman of the Chilcot Inquiry regarding the early publication of the final report. HL86
Affirmative Instruments in Progress
The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has drawn attention to certain instruments in the reports indicated
|
Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee |
To be considered |
|
|
Waiting for consideration by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments |
||
|
Draft Health and Care Professions (Public Health Specialists and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2015 |
30th Report |
|
|
Draft Merchant Shipping (Alcohol) (Prescribed Limit Amendment) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Draft Electricity Capacity (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Draft Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Draft Flood Reinsurance (Scheme and Scheme Administrator Designation) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Draft Flood Reinsurance (Scheme Funding and Administration) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Draft Byelaws (Alternative Procedure) (England) Regulations 2015 |
||
|
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) Order 2015 |
Negative Instruments
Instruments reported by the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee
|
Praying time expires |
To be considered |
|
|
30th Report |
||
|
Local Government (Transparency Requirements) (England) Regulations 2015 |
4 June |
|
|
Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General (Amendment) Regulations 2015 |
5 June |
|
|
33rd Report |
||
|
Local Government (Prohibition of Charges at Household Waste Recycling Centres) (England) Order 2015 |
11 June |
|
|
Police Federation (Amendment) Regulations 2015 |
11 June |
|
|
Temporary Exclusion Orders (Notices) Regulations 2015 |
2 June |
|
|
Instrument subject to disapproval |
||
|
29th Report |
Scrutiny Period Expires |
To be considered |
|
Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC1025) |
28 May |
Legislative Reform Orders in Progress
|
Date of Laying |
Parliamentary procedure |
|
|
Draft Orders laid before the House and referred to the Regulatory Reform Committee |
||
|
Draft Legislative Reform (Duchy of Lancaster) Order 2015 |
24 March |
Negative |
|
Draft Legislative Reform (Further Renewal of Radio Licences) Order 2015 |
25 March |
Affirmative |
|
Draft Legislative Reform (Combined Authorities and Economic Prosperity Boards) (England) Order 2015 |
26 March |
Affirmative |
Forthcoming Retirements
The following members of the House have given notice of their intention to retire
|
Date of retirement |
||
|
1 June |
||
|
11 June |
||
|
30 July |
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|
|
Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday 27 May 2015
The House met at 11.30am.
1 Queen’s Speech The Queen being seated on the Throne, and the Commons being at the Bar with their Speaker, Her Majesty was pleased to make a Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, and then retired.
The House adjourned. The House resumed at 3.30pm.
Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Southwark.
2 Oaths and affirmations The following Lords took and subscribed the oath, or made and subscribed the solemn affirmation, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct:
Rosalind Carol Baroness Scott of Needham Market
Valerie Georgina Baroness Howarth of Breckland
Estelle Baroness Morris of Yardley
Margaret Ann Baroness Jay of Paddington
Audrey Caroline Baroness Emerton
Charles Leslie Lord Falconer of Thoroton
Joan Margaret Baroness Walmsley
Ronald Timothy Lord Renton of Mount Harry
Clive Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe
Donald Martin Lord Thomas of Gresford
John Michael Edward Duke of Somerset
Richard Rashleigh Folliott Lord Scott of Foscote
David Martin Scott Lord Steel of Aikwood
Onora Sylvia Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve
Ewen James Hanning Lord Cameron of Dillington
Delyth Jane Baroness Morgan of Drefelin
Margaret Theresa Baroness Prosser
Elizabeth Jean Baroness Barker
Christopher George Walter Lord Northbourne
William Richard Lord Inglewood
John Olav Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
William Waldorf Viscount Astor
Robert Jacob Alexander Lord Skidelsky
John Roundell Earl of Selborne
Francis Michael Earl of Listowel (Lord Hare)
Alexander Henry Earl of Dundee
Marcia Matilda Baroness Falkender
John Arthur Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington
3 Retirements The Lord Speaker informed the House that the following members of the House had retired under section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014:
Lord Prys-Davies and Lord Roper with effect from 23 May.
4 Leave of Absence Leave of absence was granted to the following members of the House for the remainder of this Parliament:
The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres
Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover
5 Select Vestries Bill The Bill was presented by the Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) and read a first time pro forma.
6 Queen’s Speech The Lord Speaker reported the Queen’s Speech. Then Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone moved that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty as follows:
"Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to thank Your Majesty for the most gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament."
The motion was seconded by Lord Finkelstein and after debate, the debate was adjourned till tomorrow.
7 Chairman of Committees Lord Sewel was appointed to take the chair in all committees for this Session nemine dissentiente.
8 Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees Lord Boswell of Aynho was appointed Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees for this Session nemine dissentiente.
9 Stoppages in the Streets It was ordered that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis do take care that the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Lords to and from this House during the sitting of Parliament; or to hinder Lords in the pursuit of their Parliamentary duties on the Parliamentary Estate; and that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner.
10 Members of the House It was ordered that a list of members of the House, prepared by the Clerk of the Parliaments, be published. (HL Paper 1)
11 Hereditary peers: by-elections The Clerk of the Parliaments laid before the House, in accordance with Standing Order 10(5), a register of hereditary peers (other than peers of Ireland) who wish to stand in any by–election for membership of the House held in accordance with section 2(4) of the House of Lords Act 1999; it was ordered that the register be published. (HL Paper 2)
12 Registration of Interests It was ordered that the Register of Lords’ Interests be published.
13 Code of Conduct It was ordered that the House of Lords Code of Conduct and Guide to the Code be published. (HL Paper 3)
14 Companion to the Standing Orders The 24th edition of the Companion to the Standing Orders and Guide to the Proceedings of the House of Lords was laid on the Table by the Clerk of the Parliaments.
The House adjourned at 4.58pm until Thursday 28 May at 11.00am.
David Beamish
Clerk of the Parliaments
Papers
All statutory instruments laid before the House are accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum presented by command of Her Majesty, unless otherwise indicated.
Command Paper
The following paper was presented to the House by command of Her Majesty on the date shown:
Explanatory Memorandum (Revised)-Replacement Explanatory Memorandum to the Nagoya Protocol (Compliance) Regulations 2015, originally laid on 23 March. (21 May) (-)
Negative Instrument
The following instrument was laid before the House:
Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2015, laid under the Traffic Management Act 2004. (1001)
Instrument coming into operation before being laid
The Lord Speaker informed the House that she had received, under the proviso to section 4(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946, notification that the following instrument had come into operation before being laid before Parliament, together with an explanation:
Common Agricultural Policy (Amendment) Regulations 2015. (1325)