MondayVol. 763 14 September 2015No....

Monday

14 September 2015

P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S

(HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND

WRITTEN ANSWERS

Written Statements ................................................. 1

Written Answers ..................................................... 4

Vol. 763

No. 40

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at

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Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.

This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet

at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/. Proposed corrections should be sent to [email protected] for

review.

Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or

other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister Responsibilities

Baroness Stowell of Beeston Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office and Department for

Transport

Baroness Anelay of St Johns Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Baroness Altmann Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

Lord Ashton of Hyde Whip

Lord Bates Minister of State, Home Office

Lord Bridges of Headley Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate

Change, Wales Office and Whip

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip

Earl of Courtown Whip

Lord Dunlop Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scotland Office

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Whip

Lord Faulks Minister of State, Ministry of Justice

Lord Freud Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Deputy Chief Whip and Spokesman for Department for Environment, Food and

Rural Affairs

Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland

Lord Maude of Horsham Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Foreign

and Commonwealth Office

Lord Nash Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education

Baroness Neville-Rolfe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation

and Skills and Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Lord O’Neill of Gatley Commercial Secretary to the Treasury

Lord Prior of Brampton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health

Baroness Shields Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture Media and

Sport

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip

Baroness Verma Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International

Development

Baroness Williams of Trafford Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local

Government

Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip

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Written Statements 14 September 2015 Page 1

Written Statements Monday, 14 September 2015

Charter for Budget Responsibility (Autumn

Update)

[HLWS187]

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: My right honourable friend

the Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne) has

today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

Today I have published a draft updated Charter for

Budget Responsibility, a copy of which has been

deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also

available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office.

Alongside the new fiscal framework (announced at

Summer Budget 2015), the draft includes the updates to

the Charter recommended by the HM Treasury review of

the Office for Budget Responsibility, led by Sir Dave

Ramsden and clarifications on the operation of the

welfare cap.

The draft Charter includes modified guidance to the

Office for Budget Responsibility and has been published

in line with Section 6(4) of the Budget Responsibility and

National Audit Act. This requires that if the Treasury

proposes to modify the guidance to the Office for Budget

Responsibility included in the Charter, a draft of the

modified guidance must be published at least 28 days

before the modified Charter is laid before Parliament. The

updated Charter will be laid before Parliament, and a

debate and vote scheduled, later in the autumn of 2015.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Charter for Budget Responsibility: Autumn update [PU1849 OBR

charter_autumn update_final_web (3).pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2015-09-14/HLWS187/

Cold Weather Payments Scheme 2015-16

[HLWS185]

Baroness Altmann: I am pleased to announce that the

Department for Work and Pensions intends to lay

amendments to the Cold Weather Payment scheme

regulations by the end of September 2015. The changes

detailed in these regulations will come into force on 1

November this year, in time for the beginning of the

winter period.

This year the Met Office has recommended the

replacement of two primary weather stations.

Firstly, Tibenham Airfield is proposed as a replacement

for Norwich Airport which is likely to have reduced

availability. Tibenham Airfield is a similarly

representative station for the region and therefore a

suitable replacement for Norwich Airport both

geographically and climatologically. As a direct weather

station replacement all postcodes currently linked to

Norwich Airport will be moved to Tibenham.

Secondly, Llysdinam is proposed as a more suitable

station for those areas currently covered by Sennybridge.

Llysdinam is geographically and climatologically closer

to the main populated areas of the region in and around

Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells. As a direct weather

station replacement all the current postcode links will be

transferred to this new station.

The regulations also make other minor changes to the

alternative weather stations. This will ensure that the

weather stations to postcode links are as representative as

possible.

I will be writing to each Member whose constituency

will be affected by the changes in the scheme, to make

them aware of the advice from the Met Office.

Cold Weather Payments are separate from, and in

addition to, Winter Fuel Payments.

The amendments resulted from the Department’s

annual review of the Cold Weather Payments scheme.

The review drew on expert advice from the Met Office

and took account of representations from benefit

claimants and Members of Parliament.

For winter 2015/16 the Cold Weather Payment rate will

continue to be £25 for each seven day period of very cold

weather.

Draft Plans to Improve Air Quality

(Consultation)

[HLWS186]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: My Right Hon Friend the

Secretary of State (Elizabeth Truss) has today made the

following statement.

A cleaner, healthier environment benefits people and

the economy. Clean air is vital for people’s health and the

environment, essential for making sure our cities are

welcoming places for people to live and work now and in

the future, and to our prosperity. Our ambition is to make

the UK a country with some of the very best air quality in

the world.

Over recent decades, air quality has improved

significantly thanks to a concerted action at all levels,

including investing some £2 billion since 2011 to increase

the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles and cleaner

transport, and supporting local authority action. Our

environment has never been cleaner. Even in our busiest

cities we have seen falls in harmful emissions, for

example a 15% reduction in average roadside

concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) since 2010, but

there is more we can do.

Tackling air pollution is a priority for Government. We

will achieve this by exploiting new, clean technologies,

such as electric and ultra low emission vehicles, to cut

emissions and help our great cities function more smartly

and efficiently to spur further innovation, we have opened

up our data so that the whole country – people, businesses

and the public sector – can use it to take better decisions

and action. We will also work with our great cities to help

them make the changes they need to become greater still.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2015-09-14/HLWS187/






14 September 2015 Written Statements

This could include putting in place Clean Air Zones,

improving their bus and taxi fleets, investing in cycling

infrastructure and upgrading roads so they run more

smoothly.

A key step is addressing reducing nitrogen dioxide in

the air we breathe which will also enable us to meet the

limit values laid out in the Air Quality Directive [1] . By

31st December 2015 we will submit a plan to the

European Commission detailing the UK approach. The

proposed plan sets out national and locally led measures

to bring forward compliance with the limit values in all

areas of the UK. On Saturday 12th September we

published the ‘Draft plans to improve air quality’ for

consultation. I have placed this in the library of both

Houses.

Alternative proposals to those set out in the

consultation, that achieve the same objectives, will be

considered during the consultation and we encourage

local authorities and the public to put forward their ideas. [1] European Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner

air for Europe. This sets maximum concentrations of key pollutants in

ambient air, ie the air that we all breathe.

Work of the Department during the Summer

Recess

[HLWS188]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: My Rt Hon Friend

the Secretary of State for Communities and Local

Government (Greg Clark) has made the following Written

Ministerial Statement.

I would like to update Hon. Members on the main items

of business undertaken by my Department since the

House rose on 21 July 2015.

Starter home boost to first-time buyers

On 10 August my Department launched a new £26

million fund to bring forward land for housebuilders to

demonstrate a range of high quality homes for first-time

buyers.

In a further move to support aspiring homeowners my

Department has also made available up to £10 million for

local authorities to prepare more brownfield land for

development of starter homes.

Careers in construction

The housebuilding industry was devastated by the 2008

economic crash, resulting in the loss of quarter of a

million construction jobs. Today the sector is making

progress thanks to Government efforts to get the country

building.

The Government is committed to driving up the number

of apprentices across the construction industry. Last year,

saw the start of more than 15,500 new construction

apprenticeships – a 14% increase on the previous year.

Rogue landlords

The Government is determined to crack down on the

small number of rogue or criminal landlords who

knowingly rent out unsafe and substandard

accommodation.

On 3 August my Department announced a range of new

proposed measures, including a blacklist of rogue

landlords and letting agents, the introduction of banning

orders for serious or repeat offenders, a tougher fit and

proper person test, extending Rent Repayment Orders and

introducing civil penalties.

Fairness in the planning system

On 31 August new policy came into force from my

Department that strengthens the hand of councils to tackle

unauthorised development and ensure all communities are

treated equally. The new planning policy will make

intentional unauthorised development a material

consideration that would be weighed in the determination

of planning applications and appeals.

The Government is particularly concerned about harm

that is caused by intentional unauthorised development in

the Green Belt. For this reason the Planning Inspectorate

will monitor all appeal decisions involving unauthorised

development in the Green Belt to enable direct

Government oversight.

After six months we will review the situation to see

whether it is delivering our objective of protecting land

from intentional unauthorised development.

Coastal Communities Fund

On 22 August new figures released by my Department

showed that thousands of new jobs, apprenticeships and

training places have been delivered thanks to community-

led regeneration efforts supported by the Government’s

Coastal Communities Fund.

The latest figures show there have been almost 3,000

jobs created, 860 sustained and 6,800 new training places

and apprenticeships across the UK.

Over the past 3 years, the Government has invested

some £120 million in projects across the UK to help

seaside communities achieve their economic potential.

On 3 September, a £2 million grant from our Coastal

Communities Fund helped light up Blackpool’s

Illuminations. This funding will drive investment in the

north and help seaside communities thrive.

Helping small businesses reach their full potential

In August my Department announced that local

organisations working with small firms would be able to

apply for a share of €3.6billion (currently about £2.6

billion) funding from the latest round of the European

Regional Development Fund.

European Regional Development Funds are for the first

time being targeted at Local Enterprise Partnership areas

in a shift towards more localised spending decisions. The

funding will support innovation, boost businesses and

create jobs across local economies.

Enterprise Zones have attracted thousands of new jobs

New figures released by my Department on 27 August

show that Enterprise Zones are playing a vital role in

growing the local and national economy and have

attracted 19,000 jobs to sites across the country.


Written Statements 14 September 2015 Page 3

The 24 Zones report that they have now attracted £2.2

billion of private investment and more than 500 new

businesses across a range of key industries including the

automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and renewable

energy sectors.

Funding for Child sexual exploitation outreach service

On 3 August my Department in conjunction with the

Department for Education, the KPMG Foundation and

Rotherham Borough Council announced £3.1 million of

new funding to help children and young people in South

Yorkshire who have been or who are at risk of being

sexually exploited receive more support.

Victims of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham have

been appallingly let down in the past. Through this

funding, the children’s charity Barnardo’s - which has

been working in Rotherham since September 2013 - will

employ a team of 15 specialist workers to help those who

have been sexually exploited to rebuild their lives.

These new services will support victims as they seek

justice through the courts against the perpetrators. We

will also work with schools, families and communities to

ensure that they are aware of and vigilant to possible signs

of sexual exploitation.

New domestic abuse fund now open

Domestic violence and abuse is a devastating crime that

shatters the lives of victims and families and this

Government is committed to ensuring that we have a

strong safety net for anyone who finds themselves in a

situation where they are forced to leave their home.

On 24 August we opened bids for a £3.2 million fund

announced in the Budget to provide specialist

accommodation-based support to victims of domestic

abuse.

The July Budget also announced a review of the full

range of services currently available to victims of

domestic abuse. Its findings will feed into the Spending

Review and an updated violence against women and girls

strategy to ensure that victims of domestic violence and

their families have access to the support and services they

need to keep safe.

Commemorating First World War heroes

On 21 August we marked the first year of the Victoria

Cross paving stone ceremonies, in which communities

honour local First World War heroes. The

commemorative stones - laid in the servicemen’s place of

birth or where they lived following the war - provide a

lasting legacy to their ‘most conspicuous bravery’.

Over a 4 year period, 469 stones will be laid in

communities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern

Ireland. They enable residents of all ages and

backgrounds to gain a greater understanding of the

sacrifices made by local people during the First World

War.

Community Rights

On 24 July my Department announced that a further

250 communities across England are using the

Community Rights programme to have a greater say on

local issues like job creation, health priorities and new

development.

Following the launch of the new support programme in

February, Government funding is now helping people to

apply their skills and local knowledge to making their

communities better places to live and work.

Copies of the press notices and associated documents

are being placed in the Library of the House.

14 September 2015 Written Answers

Written Answers Monday, 14 September 2015

Battle of Jutland

Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they

have to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of

Jutland in 2016. [HL1942]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: A national commemorative

event will be held on 31 May 2016 to mark the Battle of

Jutland and the wider war at sea. Further details will be

announced later this year.

BBC

Asked by Lord Birt

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment

they have made of the conclusions of the House of

Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee report

of February 2015, Future of the BBC, that (1) the

BBC’s independence could be compromised by

negotiations with government that lack transparency

and public consultation; (2) licence fee payers must be

consulted and Parliament should have an opportunity to

debate any significant changes to funding

responsibilities; and (3) that it was wholly wrong that

the 2010 licence fee settlement was not subject to any

public or parliamentary consultation. [HL1878]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The BBC Charter Review

Consultation, published on 16 July 2015, drew heavily on

the evidence heard by, and the report from, the Culture,

Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on the Future

of the BBC. The Charter Review provides an opportunity

for a wide-ranging national debate about the BBC, and

will inform the Government’s proposals for the future of

the BBC, including its funding.

BBC: Royal Charters

Asked by Baroness Grender

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how often the

members of the BBC Charter renewal advisory panel

will meet (1) each other and (2) the Secretary of State

for Culture, Media and Sport. [HL1876]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: (1) As set out in the Advisory

Group’s terms of reference the Group will meet

approximately six times a year at times agreed in advance

by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport’s

office[1].

(2) These meetings will be chaired by the Secretary of

State for Culture, Media and Sport.

[1] Can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_dat

a/file/445912/TERMS_OF_REFERENCE.pdf)

Asked by Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the terms

of reference of the BBC Charter renewal advisory

panel. [HL1882]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The BBC Charter Review

Advisory Group’s terms of reference are:

Membership of the Group is voluntary and by invitation

from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport,

who will Chair the meetings.

Members will possess a range of skills, experience and

expertise that enables them to contribute independently

and in different ways to the oversight of the

Government’s Review of the BBC Royal Charter.

Members are appointed on the basis of their personal

experience not as representatives of their respective

organisations.

Further details on the BBC Charter Review Advisory

Group can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/

attachment_data/file/445912/TERMS_OF_REFERENCE.

pdf.

Asked by Lord Clement-Jones

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the BBC

Charter renewal advisory panel will take evidence

during the course of its work; and if so, whether that

evidence will be taken in public. [HL1884]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: In its consideration of policy

and process issues for the Charter Review, it is envisaged

that the Advisory Group will consider a range of sources

of evidence – including, but not limited to, responses to

the Government’s consultation, and publicly available

sources of evidence such as the BBC’s strategy

documents. There are no current plans for evidence,

written or oral, to be taken in public by the Advisory

Group.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan

to publish the views and advice they receive from the

members of the BBC Charter renewal advisory panel.

[HL1885]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: There are currently no such

plans. The Group may make recommendations about

policy and process, but ultimate responsibility for

decisions remains with Department for Culture, Media

and Sport Ministers.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the BBC

Charter renewal advisory panel has the power to

compel evidence from the people and institutions from

whom they wish to hear. [HL1886]

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: In its consideration of policy

and process issues for the Charter Review, it is envisaged

that the Advisory Group will consider a range of sources

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Written Answers 14 September 2015 Page 5

of evidence – including, but not limited to, responses to

the Government’s consultation, and publicly available

sources of evidence such as the BBC’s strategy

documents. There are no current plans for evidence,

written or oral, to be taken in public by the Advisory

Group.

British Nationals Abroad: Germany

Asked by Lord Wallace of Saltaire

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates

they have made, if any, either from United Kingdom

sources or from access to German statistics, of the

number of United Kingdom citizens (1) resident in

Germany, (2) working in Germany, and (3) claiming

social benefits in Germany. [HL1979]

Lord Freud: According to the German National

Statistics Agency there were 103,756 UK nationals

resident in Germany as of 31 December 2014.

According to the German Federal Employment Agency,

in 2014, there were 33,536 UK nationals in regular

employment in Germany and paying national insurance

contributions.

Statistics on the number of UK nationals claiming

social benefits in Germany are not held.

Courts: Buildings

Asked by Lord Falconer of Thoroton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the

Written Statement by Lord Faulks on 16 July

(HLWS108), how many of the courts closed since 2010

remain to be disposed of, and what is the monthly cost

of each such court building. [HL1700]

Lord Faulks: The Department is committed to

disposing of surplus property assets expeditiously and

reducing holding costs. As of 4 September 2015 a total of

80 courts closed under the Court Estate Reform

Programme have been sold attracting disposal receipts of

£49.18m.

The total cumulative gross benefits expected from the

2010 Court Estate Reform Programme are £152m,

consisting of resource savings from court closures of

£98m and gross capital proceeds of £54m from the sale of

buildings.

The disposal of surplus property assets is dependent on

a number of factors, such as the market, potential future

use, location and the fact that some are occupied in part

by the police and local authorities which also make

disposal difficult. There are 13 closed court buildings

closed since May 2010 that are currently not in use, the

majority of which were closed under the Court Estate

Reform Programme. Five of the closed court buildings

which have not been disposed of are either under offer or

on the market. Of those which have not yet been brought

to the market, four court buildings have shared locations

with the police which means the future of the building is

tied in with the Police Station, one has a flying freehold

issue and the other three were closed recently. We are

working on bringing all of them to the market as soon as

possible.

There are temporary costs associated with making sure

unused buildings are kept secure, protecting the fabric of

the building and property rates payable to local councils.

In addition, decommissioning the buildings to make them

ready for sale results in some costs which cannot be

disaggregated from the overall running costs. However,

these are significantly lower than the costs of running the

courts when open, which will have included estates costs,

staffing costs and the cost of the judiciary. On average the

estates running costs alone for these courts are now more

than £4,000 lower per month, almost £50,000 less a year,

than when the courts were open. That does not include the

further substantial savings from staffing and judiciary

costs.

Table: Monthly cost of each court building which has been closed

since May 2010 but not yet disposed of as at 4 September 2015

Court building Average monthly

cost 1, 5

Alton Magistrates’ Court 2 £9,828

Bracknell Magistrates’ Court £5,319

Cirencester Magistrates’ Court £1,472

Coleford Magistrates’ Court £1,561

Keighley Magistrates’ Court (sitting at Bingley) £2,011

Knutsford Crown Court 2 £9,274

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court 4 Not available

Lyndhurst Magistrates’ Court £1,783

Oswestry Magistrates’ Court / County Court £2,269

Pontefract Magistrates’ Court £1,957

Spalding Magistrates’ Court 2 £3,909

Totnes Magistrates’ Court 3 £790

Towcester Magistrates’ Court 3 £445

Footnotes:

1. Monthly cost based on financial year data 2014/15 (unless

otherwise stated). Holding costs include rates, fuel and utilities, facilities

management, telephony and other property costs.

2. These courts closed in financial year 2014/15 and the stated

average monthly cost is therefore based on the last three months of

2014/15. The stated costs for these 3 courts are abnormally high because maintenance costs are likely to include decommissioning costs which

are incurred shortly after closure. It is not possible to strip out any

decommissioning costs from this answer without incurring disproportionate costs.

3. Monthly cost based on financial year data 2013/14 and 2014/15 in

order to address accounting adjustments made in 2014/15.

4. Liverpool (Dale Street) Magistrates' Court was integrated into the

QEII Law Courts as of 30 June, creating a single centre for crime in the

city of Liverpool.




Department for Work and Pensions:

Telephone Services

Asked by Lord Quirk

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the

Department for Work and Pensions has target times by

which members of the public can reasonably expect to

get through on the telephone and speak to an official;

by what percentage extent there has been a change over

the past three years in the number of telephone calls

from the public seeking information or assistance from

the Department for Work and Pensions; and what

training in communication skills is provided for the

officials in that Department. [HL2012]

Lord Freud: The current targets across DWP for

answering telephone calls from the public are:

· Working Age Benefits - 2 minutes (with the exception

of Universal Credit which is 1 minute 30 seconds).

· State Pension, State Pension Credit, Personal

Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance,

Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance - 1 minute 30

seconds.

· Child Maintenance Group - 1 minute.

We are unable to provide information relating to the

request for a percentage change over the past three years

in the number of telephone calls from the public, as prior

to April 2013, reporting was produced through the

telephony platform itself. As the platform has a 14 rolling

month data retention policy, and no robust archive of data

was maintained at this time, robust data is not available

for this period.

All staff working in the Department for Work and

Pensions who are new to delivering phone services

receive job specific training which includes

communication skills. New members of staff also have

the opportunity to observe experienced staff allowing

them to pick up a range of communication skills from

experienced Agents.

Education Funding Agency: Birmingham

Asked by Lord Rooker

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Education

Funding Agency did not consult all relevant partners

when purchasing Spitfire House in Castle Vale,

Birmingham. [I] [HL2073]

Lord Nash: Consultation with any partners or tenants

is a matter for the vendor of the building rather than the

Education Funding Agency as purchasers.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what date the

Education Funding Agency became involved in

purchasing Spitfire House in Castle Vale, Birmingham;

what price they paid for the building; and who received

the purchase monies. [I] [HL2074]

Lord Nash: The Education Funding Agency first

visited the property and began negotiations on 8 July

2015.

The purchase price was £1,500,000 (exclusive of VAT).

The vendor, Birmingham Metropolitan College,

received the purchase monies.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government which Department

is responsible for ensuring that the project regarding the

change of ownership and function of Spitfire House in

Castle Vale, Birmingham, complies with financial rules

under the European Regional Development Fund. [I]

[HL2075]

Lord Nash: The Education Funding Agency (EFA)

was not party to the original funding agreement with the

European Regional Development Fund and therefore

ensuring relevant consultation and compliance is a matter

for the vendor rather than the purchaser.

EFA legal team confirmed that the title contained no

caution or charge in respect of the European Regional

Development Fund.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions

took place, and with which organisations, about the

proposal to lift the restrictive covenants regarding

community access in respect of Spitfire House in Castle

Vale, Birmingham. [I] [HL2076]

Lord Nash: The property was purchased subject to

restrictions on title relating to community access. No

restrictive covenants regarding community access have

been removed or amended and therefore no consultation

was necessary.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguarding

arrangements are in place for the free school that will

operate in part of Spitfire House in Castle Vale,

Birmingham. [I] [HL2077]

Lord Nash: All schools have a responsibility to

provide a safe environment in which children can learn.

Ofsted has completed a pre-registration inspection at this

school and advised that this school is likely to meet all the

independent school standards when it opens, including

those relating to the welfare, health and safety of its

pupils.

The Trust is preparing a management plan so that the

school will be able to operate independently from the

other occupants in the premises.

The September 2015 pupil intake will be located on the

second floor which is not co-habited by others.









Government Departments: Marketing

Asked by Lord Strasburger

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times

this year the Department for Work and Pensions

has published invented quotes and stock images

purporting to be from and of real benefits claimants;

and to what extent other government departments

engage in similar practices. [HL1854]

Lord Freud: This information is not collated centrally

and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Heathrow Airport

Asked by Lord Avebury

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their

response to the report of the Independent Monitoring

Board on the non-residential short-term holding

facilities at London Heathrow Airport for the period

February 2014 to January 2015. [HL1872]

Lord Bates: The Minister of State for Immigration,

James Brokenshire, wrote to the Chairman of the

Heathrow Airport Independent Monitoring Board (IMB)

on 23 June 2015 and outlined the Home Office’s response

to the main points made in the IMB’s annual report.

The Home Office has drafted an action plan which

considers each individual recommendation made in the

report. Home Office officials met the Heathrow Airport

IMB Chairman on 28 July 2015 to discuss this action plan

and the work being undertaken by Detention Operations,

Border Force and the escort provider to implement the

report’s recommendations. These meetings will continue

to take place on a quarterly basis.

Human Trafficking

Asked by Lord McColl of Dulwich

To ask Her Majesty’s Government in (1) 2013–14

and (2) 2014–15 how many potential victims of

trafficking referred to the National Referral Mechanism

and accommodated by the National Asylum Support

Service received specialist trafficking outreach support

under the Victim Care Contract during the 45-day

reflection and recovery periods. [HL1926]

Lord Bates: The number of potential victims of human

trafficking who received outreach support under the

Victim Care Contract whilst accommodated through the

Home Office asylum contracts accommodation were as

follows:

01/07/2013 - 30/06/2014 - 202

(Male - 20; Female - 182)

01/07/2014 - 30/06/2015 - 246

(Male - 33: Female - 213)

Nuclear Power Stations: Insurance

Asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock


they have made of whether there is sufficient capacity

in the nuclear insurance market for third-party liabilities

for operators of planned nuclear power stations.

[HL1948]



they have made of whether there is sufficient capacity

in the nuclear insurance market to cover the expected

level of investment in Hinkley Point B. [HL1949]



they have made of (1) the competitiveness of the

insurance market for nuclear property damage and

nuclear liability, and (2) whether it provides the

capacity needed by nuclear operators, notwithstanding

the presence and nature of nuclear insurance pools,

including the United Kingdom nuclear insurance pool,

and any potential they may have to restrict and distort

the provision of such insurance to nuclear operators.

[HL1950]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government is in

regular contact with the insurance market to discuss the

provision of insurance for nuclear operators; this includes

both general insurance and third party liabilities. At

present there is predicted to be sufficient capacity in the

market for planned nuclear power stations, including

Hinkley Point C, although the availability of such

insurance will always depend on the circumstances at the

time. Government will continue to monitor the insurance

market for capacity in this area and to encourage insurers

to enter the nuclear insurance market.

The Government fully recognises the importance of

promoting competition in insurance markets so that

customers can get the best price possible. The Financial

Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets

Authority between them ensure effective competition, and

make sure markets work well for consumers, business and

the economy.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Asked by Baroness Parminter


they have made of the impact that remaining pre-

accreditation from the feed-in tariff scheme will have

on the United Kingdom’s ability to meet its climate

change targets. [HL1985]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Even with the removal

of pre-accreditation we are currently on track to deliver at

least 30% of our electricity from renewable sources by

2020. In 2014, renewables’ share of electricity generation

was 19.1% on an unadjusted basis.











The UK is also continuing to make progress towards the

2020 renewables target of 15% of final energy

consumption from renewable sources. We are on track to

meet the next interim target, which is an average of final

energy consumption over 2013/14. The provisional figure,

released on 25 June, showed 6.3% of final energy

consumption for 2013/14 came from renewable sources,

against a target level of 5.4%.

In order to meet the 2050 target (80% reduction on

1990 level) we know we will need significant cuts in

emissions across all parts of the economy by 2050. We

will need a balanced mix of low carbon technologies,

including nuclear, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and

renewables, to help tackle the threat of climate change

while keeping the lights on and ensuring the best value for

consumers.

Sellafield

Asked by Lord Judd


they have made of whether the Nuclear

Decommissioning Authority has sufficient human

resources of the necessary calibre and expertise to

ensure that construction work at Sellafield is being

effectively managed and supervised; whether that work

is on course to meet all the necessary deadlines; and

what progress has been made with that work. [HL1986]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Nuclear

Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is responsible for

ensuring that it and its delivery partners (the Site Licence

Companies) have the right skills and capability to deliver

its mission. The Department monitors closely the work of

the NDA – a specialist contracting authority - and its

contractors, which manage and operate the sites on its

behalf.

The current NDA team bring decades of technical and

commercial experience to the oversight of these major

contracts and the Department is assured that the NDA has

the necessary resource and expertise to oversee work at

Sellafield and its other sites.

In light of the decision, announced by the Secretary of

State in January 2015, to change the ownership model for

Sellafield, bringing the Sellafield Ltd Site Licence

Company under the direct ownership of the NDA as a

wholly owned subsidiary with effect from April 2016, the

NDA is re-assessing its future resource requirements. The

model change has prioritised accessing world class

capabilities to all levels of the site.

Performance at Sellafield has been improving steadily

since the NDA took ownership in 2005, prior to which

there was little investment in the legacy infrastructure and

no progress with decommissioning. Sellafield Ltd has on

average met 86% of its milestones in recent years and is

making good progress against its work plan for 2015/16.

The NDA publishes reports on its website on progress

on priority programmes and projects. The latest version of

the document can be viewed at:

http://www.nda.gov.uk/publication/programmes-and-

major-projects-report-pilot-3/

An update is scheduled for later this Autumn.

Slavery

Asked by Lord McColl of Dulwich

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the

Written Answer by Lord Bates on 20 July (HL1460),

whether the guidance for competent authorities will be

revised to include indicators of slavery, servitude, and

forced or compulsory labour, in accordance with the

Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Article 4 of the European

Convention on Human Rights, as distinct from cases of

human trafficking for these forms of exploitation; and if

so, when that guidance will be produced. [HL1924]

Lord Bates: Updated guidance for competent

authorities was published on 31 July 2015 to reflect the

extension of the National Referral Mechanism to identify

and support all victims of modern slavery in England and

Wales. This guidance now includes information on the

definitions and nature of all forms of modern slavery. On

the same day, similar updates were also published to the

guidance for frontline workers on identifying victims of

modern slavery.

Social Security Benefits: Carers

Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett


estimate of the number of carers who will be affected

by the reduction of the benefit cap to (1) £20,000 per

year outside London, and (2) £23,000 per year in

London. [HL1928]

Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett


estimate of the cost of exempting all those in receipt of

Carer’s Allowance from the benefit cap when it is

reduced. [HL1929]

Lord Freud: The Government set out its assessment of

the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and

Work Bill on 20th July. A copy of the impact assessment

is attached.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Benefit Cap Impact Assessment [Benefit CAp Impact

Assessmet.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:


Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many

children there were in families subject to benefit


http://www.nda.gov.uk/publication/programmes-and-major-projects-report-pilot-3/

http://www.nda.gov.uk/publication/programmes-and-major-projects-report-pilot-3/








sanctions during the most recent period for which

figures are available; and whether that number is rising,

falling, or static. [HL1954]

Lord Freud: The information as requested is not

available and could only be provided at disproportionate

cost.

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have

responded to the report Time to Rethink Benefit

Sanctions published in March by five British churches;

if so, what is their assessment of that report; and if not,

whether they intend to respond, and when. [HL1956]

Lord Freud: The Department has not responded to this

report. However we are currently considering the contents

of the Work and Pensions Select Committee report and

will be providing a government response shortly.

Universal Credit: Disqualification

Asked by Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they

are taking to ensure that the sanctions regime for

Universal Credit complies with the recommendations of

the UK Statistics Authority. [HL1934]

Lord Freud: DWP statisticians are considering all of

the points raised by UK Statistics Authority about the

publication of sanctions statistics and what additional

information and commentary is appropriate to explain this

complex area, including the future release of Universal

Credit sanctions statistics.




Index to Statements and Answers

Written Statements ................................................. 1

Charter for Budget Responsibility (Autumn

Update) ................................................................. 1

Cold Weather Payments Scheme 2015-16 ........... 1

Draft Plans to Improve Air Quality (Consultation)

.............................................................................. 1

Work of the Department during the Summer

Recess ................................................................... 2

Written Answers ..................................................... 4

Battle of Jutland .................................................... 4

BBC ...................................................................... 4

BBC: Royal Charters ............................................ 4

British Nationals Abroad: Germany ..................... 5

Courts: Buildings .................................................. 5

Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone

Services ................................................................ 6

Education Funding Agency: Birmingham ............ 6

Government Departments: Marketing .................. 7

Heathrow Airport.................................................. 7

Human Trafficking ............................................... 7

Nuclear Power Stations: Insurance ....................... 7

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs ...................... 7

Sellafield ............................................................... 8

Slavery .................................................................. 8

Social Security Benefits: Carers ........................... 8

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification ............ 8

Universal Credit: Disqualification ........................ 9

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