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Thursday
7 December 2017
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 ..................................................... 7
Vol. 786
No. 35
[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/
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/.
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 Evans of Bowes Park 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 Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development and Treasury Spokesman
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local
Government and Wales Office
Baroness Buscombe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Callanan Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip
Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip
Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office
Baroness Fairhead Minister of State, Department for International Trade
Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs
Baroness Goldie Whip
Lord Henley Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy
Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland and Ministry of Justice Spokesperson
Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health, Whip
Baroness Stedman-Scott Whip
Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport
Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Whip
Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office and Women and Equalities Spokesperson
Lord Young of Cookham Whip
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip and Wales and Scotland Office Spokesperson
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2017
This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/
Written Statements 7 December 2017 Page 1
Written Statements Thursday, 7 December 2017
Agriculture and Fisheries Pre-Council
Statement
[HLWS315]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: My Hon. Friend the
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
(George Eustice) has today made the following statement:
Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on
December 11-12 in Brussels.
As the provisional agenda stands, the primary focus for
fisheries will be reaching a political agreement on
Atlantic and North Sea total allowable catches and quotas
for 2018.
The primary focus for agriculture will be a presentation
from the European Commission on ‘The Future of Food
and Farming’.
There are currently five items scheduled under ‘Any
other business’:
- stakeholder conference on the European Maritime and
Fisheries Fund and its future: "Beyond 2020: Supporting
Europe's coastal states communities"
- implementation of the landing obligation, choke
species risk in January 2019
- outcome of the conference on "Modern
Biotechnologies in Agriculture: Paving the way for
responsible innovation"
- outcome of the high-level conference on African
swine fever (ASF) (Prague, 8-9 November 2017)
- tackling unfair trading practices with an aim to
achieve a more balanced food supply chain and strengthen
the farmers' position.
On 23 June 2016, the EU referendum took place and the
people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the
European Union. Until exit negotiations are concluded,
the UK remains a full member of the European Union and
all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in
force. During this period the Government will continue to
negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation. The
outcome of these negotiations will determine what
arrangements apply in relation to EU legislation in future
once the UK has left the EU.
Changes in Immigration Rules
[HLWS319]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the
Minister of State for Immigration (Brandon Lewis) has
today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
My rt hon Friend the Home Secretary is today laying
before the House a Statement of Changes in Immigration
Rules, copies of which will be available in the Vote
Office.
The offer the UK makes to highly-skilled international
leaders in science, research digital technology and the arts
is being enhanced by doubling the number of Tier 1
(Exceptional talent) places to 2000 visas per year.
As announced in the Autumn Budget, and to support
our ambitions on innovation and research and
development, the changes also include provisions to
enable internationally recognised global leaders in
science, as well as those in digital technology, and the arts
and creative sectors, endorsed under the Tier 1
(Exceptional talent) route, to apply for settlement after 3
years, amend Tier 2 rules to allow for faster switching for
Tier 4 students below PhD level, while also making it
easier to employ international researchers and members of
established research teams by relaxing the labour market
test under Tier 2. The changes also provide for additional
flexibility within our settlement rules to enable scientists
and researchers who are called to assist with humanitarian
and environmental crises to be absent from the UK for
more than 180 days, if required.
The changes make other amendments to the settlement
rules for work routes, for consistency. These relate to the
180-day absence provision, breaks in employment, time
spent in the Crown Dependencies, and the calculation of
the qualifying period.
The rules for entrepreneurs are being simplified
following customer feedback, to make them clearer and
easier to follow (the requirements themselves are largely
unchanged).
We continue to improve and modernise the UK’s
border and immigration system, which will now include
moves toward further digitisation. These changes are
required to facilitate the planned move toward introducing
immigration permissions issued in electronic form. This
will also allow trials to be undertaken that will test the
operation of any new system. The rules are also being
changed to permit holders of standard visit visas to transit
the UK rather than having to get a different type of visa.
This builds on the work, begun in April 2015, to simplify
the Immigration Rules for visitors.
Correction
[HLWS323]
Earl Howe: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of
State for Defence (Gavin Williamson) has made the
following Written Ministerial Statement.
I wish to inform the House that an error has been
identified in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for
East Devon (Sir Hugo Swire) in Defence Oral Questions
on 27 November 2017, Official Report, column 21, on the
subject of funding defence nuclear capabilities.
To clarify, the UK’s nuclear deterrent has always been
funded from the Defence budget.
Page 2 7 December 2017 Written Statements
Energy Infrastructure
[HLWS316]
Lord Henley: My hon friend Richard Harrington
(Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy) has made the following
written ministerial statement:
Nuclear power generation
New nuclear power stations have an important role to
play. As confirmed in the Industrial Strategy, nuclear is a
vital part of our energy mix, providing low carbon power
now and into the future. The Government’s framework to
bring forward new nuclear power stations was established
in the 2008 White Paper on Nuclear Power, as was the
principle the Government should take active steps to help
facilitate the construction of new nuclear.
The overarching National Policy Statement (“NPS”) for
Energy (“EN-1”) published in July 2011, made clear that
nuclear power is a low-carbon, proven technology which
can play an important role increasing the resilience and
diversity of the UK’s energy system. The assessment of
the need for new electricity generation carried out to
support EN-1 remains valuable and continues to be
relevant.
My Department’s annual updated energy and emissions
projections state that by 2035 overall demand for
electricity is expected to have increased. Therefore, with a
number of the existing coal and nuclear fleet due to close
by 2030, new nuclear power generation remains key to
meeting our 2050 obligations. This is in line with the
2017 Clean Growth Strategy. Government has noted
previously that there are technical and commercial
barriers to deploying other technologies to produce the
same annual generation as that of nuclear power. The
need for the UK to continue to transition to a low-carbon
electricity market is underlined by the 2015 United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(“UNFCCC”) Paris Agreement. The Government believes
that it is important that there is a strong pipeline of new
nuclear power to contribute to the UK’s future energy
system.
Government consultation
Government has today published a Consultation on the
Process and Criteria for Designating Potentially Suitable
Sites in a National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power
between 2026-2035. This begins the process towards
designating a new National Policy Statement (“the new
NPS”) applicable to nuclear plants expected to be
deployed after 2025 and capable of deployment by the
end of 2035 and with over 1GW of single-reactor
electricity generating capacity.
Nuclear National Policy Statements
Applicability of EN-6
Government considers that the current nuclear NPS,
EN-6, only “has effect” for the purposes of section 104 of
the Planning Act 2008 (“the Act”) for development which
forms parts of a project able to demonstrate expected
deployment by the end of 2025. Applications for a
Development Consent Order under the Act will be
considered in the first instance by an Examining
Authority appointed by the Secretary of State to consider
any specific project proposals. For the purpose of the
applicability of EN-6, Government considers
“deployment” to mean the point when a generating station
first begins to feed the electricity it generates into the
national grid, noting this will likely be at a point before
full commercial operation.
For projects yet to apply for development consent and
due to deploy beyond 2025, Government continues to
give its strong in principle support to project proposals at
those sites currently listed in EN-6. Even if EN-6 is
considered not to have effect under section 104 of the Act
for such a project, section 105 of the Act would apply to
the decision on whether or not to grant development
consent for the project.
Government is confident that both EN-1 and EN-6
incorporate information, assessments and statements
which will continue to be important and relevant for
projects which will deploy after 2025, including
statements concerning the need for nuclear power – as
well as environmental and other assessments that continue
to be relevant for those projects. As such, in deciding
whether or not to grant development consent to such a
project, the Secretary of State would be required, under
section 105(2)(c) of the Act, to have regard to the content
of EN-1 and EN-6, unless they have been suspended or
revoked. In respect of matters where there is no relevant
change of circumstances it is likely that significant weight
would be given to the policy in EN-1 and EN-6.
Applicability of the new NPS
The new NPS, once designated, will “have effect” for
the purposes of section 104 of the Act for development
which forms parts of a project able to demonstrate
expected deployment after 2025 and before the end of
2035.
The Government also considers that a published new
NPS in draft form would be considered as relevant to a
decision on whether or not to grant development consent
under section 105 of the Act.
Energy Policy
[HLWS317]
Lord Henley: My hon friend Richard Harrington
(Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy) has made the following
written ministerial statement:
Today we have announced our next steps for the
development of advanced nuclear technologies in the UK.
The advanced nuclear sector has the potential to play an
important part in the UK’s Industrial Strategy building on
our existing economic strengths and competitive
advantages in nuclear while shaping new advanced
nuclear markets and contributing to tackling the Clean
Growth Grand Challenge. To help deliver this, the
Government will be providing up to £56m for advanced
nuclear technologies over the next 3 years.
Written Statements 7 December 2017 Page 3
The Government launched the first phase of the Small
Modular Reactor (SMR) competition in March 2016 as an
evidence-gathering phase with the goal of gauging market
interest among technology developers, utilities, and
potential investors. That exercise is now closed.
My department received expressions of interest from 33
eligible participants. Officials have worked with these
participants to understand the technological and
commercial viability of new reactors in development. As
an information gathering process, phase one did not
involve down-selection. All eligible participants were
given the opportunity to engage with the Government to
inform policy development.
This exercise provided valuable insight into the
advanced nuclear technologies market. We are grateful to
the participation of all entrants.
What we have learnt
Phase one demonstrated that SMRs could potentially
play an important part of a broader nuclear market. There
is a large variety of potential technologies. These
comprise technologies which range in scale between
micro, small and medium scale reactors and which span
technology types from conventional water-cooled
reactors, to 4th generation reactors using novel fuels and
coolants, as well as fusion reactor concepts. Given this
breadth, the Government believes that “SMR”, as
commonly understood, is too narrow a description for
technologies coming forward after the current generation
of nuclear power stations. Instead the Government
considers this to be the “Advanced Nuclear” market.
Engagement with competition participants helped shape
our thinking for the next steps for advanced nuclear
policy. Three key requests came through. The first was
that technology developers need better and earlier access
to Regulators in order to address regulatory requirements
by design and to provide confidence to potential
investors. The second was support to turn new
developers’ ideas into detailed designs, bridging the
investment gap between innovation and
commercialisation. The third request was to create the
right market conditions to enable developers to bring new
reactors to market as commercially viable businesses.
Advanced Nuclear Technologies – Next Steps
The competition demonstrated that there is the potential
for the UK to become a world-leader in developing the
next generations of nuclear technologies. The UK’s
nuclear sector is well placed to compete globally in this
emerging market. The policies announced today are
intended as the first steps to achieve that potential.
We are providing up to £7m of funding to regulators to
build the capability and capacity needed to assess and
license small and novel reactor designs, as announced in
the Clean Growth Strategy. This funding will also provide
support for pre-licensing engagement between vendors
and regulators.
Over the next three years we will also provide funding
to support advanced reactors through a two-stage
Advanced Modular Reactor Programme. Up to £4m in
Stage 1 will support around 8 reactor vendors to carry out
detailed technical and commercial feasibility studies.
Subject to Stage 1 demonstrating clear value for money
through a formal re-approval process with the Treasury,
up to £40m of further funding could then support 3-4
vendors to accelerate the development of their designs.
Up to a further £5m may also be made available to
regulators to support this.
The Government will also continue to work closely
with the advanced nuclear industry stakeholders to foster
the market conditions needed to enable developers to
bring privately-financed small and novel reactors to
market. A crucial element of this is demonstrating
commercial viability – in particular, the ability of new
designs and delivery mechanisms to attract investment
and generate cost-competitive electricity.
Therefore the Government is setting up an Expert
Finance Group to advise how small and advanced reactor
projects could raise investment in the UK. By bringing
together nuclear and financial sector expertise we
anticipate that this group will help demonstrate the
commercial proposition of small reactors in the emerging
nuclear market. The Group will be asked to report in the
Spring.
Subject to further evidence on the commercial viability
of advanced nuclear technologies, we will continue to
look closely at other market failures which inhibit new
reactors competing in our diverse energy markets.
Foreign Affairs Council (Foreign and
Defence Ministers)
[HLWS322]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Right Honourable
Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alan Duncan), has made the
following written Ministerial statement:
I will attend the Foreign Affairs Council (Foreign and
Development Ministers) on 11 December. The Foreign
Affairs Council will be chaired by the High
Representative (HRVP) of the European Union (EU) for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
The meeting will be held in Brussels.
Foreign Affairs Council
The agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is
expected to include Iraq, the Middle East; as well as the
Democratic Republic of Congo under any other business.
There will be a lunch focused on the G5 Sahel Joint Force
and a joint FAC and FAC (Development) session on the
recent European Union-African Union (AU-EU) Summit.
There will be a short FAC (Development) in the
afternoon.
Page 4 7 December 2017 Written Statements
The HRVP is expected to open the meeting with
introductory remarks on the Eastern Partnership Summit,
Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Libya,
Zimbabwe and the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea (DPRK).
Iraq
Ministers will discuss the situation in Iraq, including
winning the peace post-Daesh and managing recent
tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdish Region. The
EEAS will provide an update on the EU Iraq Strategy that
is due to be released in January. We will underline the
need to continue de-escalating tensions between Baghdad
and Erbil, ensuring that all parties focus on the fight
against Daesh, preventing its re-emergence and working
together to build a more stable, prosperous and inclusive
future for all of Iraq’s people, including Iraqi Kurds.
Middle East
Ministers will discuss developments in the Middle East.
We continue to be concerned by the humanitarian
situation in Yemen and continued restrictions on
commercial and humanitarian supplies entering Yemen
while understanding Saudi Arabia’s legitimate security
concerns. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have
both engaged on this pressing matter. We are also
concerned by the recent developments in Yemen which
underline the need for a comprehensive political solution.
We will encourage European partners to work with us to
find solutions.
G5 Sahel Joint Force
Ministers will meet representatives of countries which
have stood up the G5 Sahel Joint Force - Mauritania,
Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad.
EU-Africa
Ministers will discuss the outcomes of the EU-AU
Summit and follow-up to the Conclusions the Summit
adopted on 30 November. The UK will note the
opportunity that Zimbabwe has to embrace a free and
democratic future. We have shared, with EU and Five
Eyes partners, our expectations for the new Government
in order for the international community to re-engage and
provide support: free and fair elections, economic and
political reform, commitment to human rights and a clear
message that Zimbabwe is open to international trade and
investment.
FAC (Development)
Development Ministers will discuss next steps on Aid
for Trade following the publication of the European
Commission’s Communication on ‘Achieving Prosperity
through Trade and Investment: Updating the 2007 Joint
EU Strategy on Aid for Trade.’ This discussion will focus
on how EU cooperation can help developing economies
take better advantage of trade opportunities as a means to
finance their own way out of poverty.
The FAC is also expected to adopt Conclusions on
Thailand and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It hopes
to adopt the Council Decision launching PESCO and
identify initial PESCO projects.
National Transfer Scheme
[HLWS318]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the
Minister of State for Immigration (Brandon Lewis) has
today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
The Government remains committed to helping and
supporting children in need of international protection. In
the year ending September 2017, the UK granted asylum
or another form of leave to almost 9,000 children and
nearly 49,000 children since 2010. Last month, we
published a safeguarding strategy which sets out our
vision and commitment to caring for and supporting
unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee children. We
look forward to working with partners to implement the
actions in that strategy.
We have seen a significant increase in the number of
unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK in
recent years and this has placed pressure on a small
number of local authorities; particularly those - such as
Kent and Croydon. On 1 July 2016, the Government
launched the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) for
unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The NTS is a
voluntary scheme that supports local authorities to
transfer responsibility for unaccompanied children who
are already in the UK to another local authority. The
scheme seeks to achieve a fairer allocation of caring
responsibilities across the country so that all children get
the care and support they need.
The NTS has made significant progress. As at 1
October 2017, the scheme had transferred 555
unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to other local
authorities. The Government is very grateful for the way
that participating local authorities have volunteered to
care for unaccompanied children through the NTS.
However, it is clear that there is more to do to ensure that
no local authority is asked to look after more children
than its local services can cope with and that the children
receive the right level of care. There are approximately
4,500 unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee
children in local authority care in England and a small
number of local authorities continue to look after a
disproportionately high number of unaccompanied
asylum-seeking children.
The NTS is underpinned by provisions in the
Immigration Act 2016. However, these provisions
currently only apply to English local authorities, which
makes it difficult for the other nations of the UK to
participate.
I am pleased to be able to announce that the
Government is introducing secondary legislation to
extend the NTS to the whole of the United Kingdom. The
statutory instrument provides a legislative base for
transfer arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland. This will allow the relevant authorities in each
nation of the UK to participate in the NTS and ensure it is
Written Statements 7 December 2017 Page 5
a truly national scheme. The NTS is voluntary and
participation will remain a decision for each respective
authority. We are committed to working closely with
relevant authorities and partners to ensure the NTS takes
account of the unique circumstances in each nation of the
UK. However, we hope that by introducing this statutory
instrument, we will encourage more local authorities to
step forward and volunteer to support these children.
Paterson Case
[HLWS320]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: My hon. Friend the Minister of
State for Health has made the following written statement:
Ian Paterson, a consultant breast surgeon who was
employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
(HEFT), and had practising privileges in the independent
sector at Spire Parkway and Spire Little Aston, was found
guilty in April this year of 17 counts of wounding with
intent. He was sentenced to jail for 20 years.
The Government is appalled by the actions of Ian
Paterson and the harm that has affected a significant
number of patients. The disclosures about the seriousness
and extent of his malpractice are deeply and profoundly
shocking.
The Government committed to ensuring lessons were
learnt in the interest of patient protection and safety, both
in the independent sector and the NHS.
Today, I am announcing the establishment of an
independent, Non-Statutory Inquiry into the
circumstances and practices surrounding Ian Paterson that
have affected so many patients. I have asked The Right
Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich to chair the
Inquiry.
The Inquiry should be informed by the victims of
Paterson and families’ concerns, and seek to learn from
their experience. Therefore, the Inquiry will look at the
local care and treatment for private patients in the Solihull
area, and review current and past practices to establish if
safeguards for patients treated at independent healthcare
providers have fallen short of the standards the public has
a right to expect. This will help to inform the broader
lessons applicable to care provided by the independent
healthcare sector across the country.
The Inquiry is likely to consider issues including, but
not limited to:
• the responsibility for the quality of care in the
independent sector; appraisal, revalidation and multi-
disciplinary working in the independent sector
• information sharing, reporting of activity and raising
concerns between the independent sector and the NHS;
• and the role of insurers of independent sector
providers (including sharing of data), and arrangements
for medical indemnity cover for clinicians in the
independent sector.
The Inquiry will also draw on issues raised in previous
relevant reports about Paterson.
It is not intended to revisit the evidence that we already
have about Paterson and that led to his conviction.
The terms of reference and other arrangements relating
to the inquiry will be published in due course after a
period of engagement.
The Inquiry will be formally established from January
2018 and will report in summer 2019.
I am confident that Bishop Graham will oversee a
thorough and independent non-statutory inquiry and
deliver his recommendations swiftly.
Tailored Review of ICAI
[HLWS321]
Lord Bates: My Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State
for International Development, has today made the
following statement:
I am today publishing a mandated review of the
Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), in
accordance with my responsibility as the Minister
accountable to Parliament for it. In line with standard
Cabinet Office guidance the review examined the case for
ICAI to exist and assessed its efficiency and governance
arrangements.
In recognition of ICAI’s role as a scrutiny body, an
independent Challenge Panel was appointed to ensure the
objectivity and impartiality of the review process, and
included members of the National Audit Office and
Institute for Government. The Cabinet Office was
satisfied that the review demonstrated an appropriate level
of independence. The review acknowledges the
importance of ICAI’s independence and its
recommendations have been formulated to ensure this is
preserved. The review gathered evidence from a wide
range of stakeholders, drawn from Parliament,
government, the wider development sector and ICAI
itself.
The review concluded that ICAI is necessary and that it
should continue to be delivered by ICAI in its current
form as a Non-Departmental Public Body with advisory
functions. ICAI’s functions are of particular importance
given the statutory obligation for independent evaluation
of the impact and value for money of aid arising from the
2015 International Development (Official Development
Assistance Target) Act.
The review found that ICAI’s work has contributed to
increasing the impact and value for money of UK aid, and
that ICAI is appreciated across the development sector for
its scrutiny of aid impact. The review made a number of
recommendations for further improving ICAI’s
effectiveness, including by developing improved
measures of its own performance and by adopting a more
consultative approach to developing recommendations
that will increase their value.
Though the review found that ICAI should continue in
its current form, it recommended changes to its delivery
model to improve both its efficiency and effectiveness,
including making its Chief Commissioner full-time. The
Page 6 7 December 2017 Written Statements
review also assessed ICAI’s governance arrangements
and found them to be largely in-line with best practice for
public bodies.
I am grateful to all those who contributed to the review,
which will be placed in the libraries of both Houses and is
available online at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tailored-
review-of-the-independent-commission-for-aid-impact-
icai.
Written Answers 7 December 2017 Page 7
Written Answers Thursday, 7 December 2017
Alcoholic Drinks: Minimum Prices
Asked by Lord Chadlington
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are
considering introducing minimum unit pricing of
alcohol in England. [HL3657]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government has
noted the recent ruling of the UK Supreme Court in
favour of the Scottish Government in the legal case
brought by the Scotch Whisky Association on Minimum
Unit Pricing. Minimum Unit Pricing will continue to
remain under review pending the impact of its
implementation in Scotland.
The Government continues to consider a range of
measures available to control excessive alcohol
consumption, including through the creation of a new still
cider and perry band to tackle white ciders, as announced
by the Chancellor in his Budget.
Australia: Asylum
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions,
whether through Commonwealth channels or otherwise,
they have had regarding the achievement of humane
improvements in the current treatment of refugees and
asylum applicants seeking to enter Australia. [HL3495]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our High Commission
to Canberra most recently discussed the issue with the
Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade in
November 2017. We also raised this at the UN Human
Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Australia in
November 2015.
Brexit
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the £3 billion
announced in the Budget Statement to support
preparations for exiting the EU will be allocated to
support those preparations; and what the process of
allocating those funds will be. [HL3580]
Lord Bates: HM Treasury will work with departments
and the Department for Exiting the European Union over
the coming weeks to refine estimates of departmental
requirements for 18/19 and will allocate funding
accordingly in early 2018. Departmental allocations for
19/20 will be agreed at a later date, when there is more
certainty on the status of our future relationship with the
European Union. Departmental allocations from the
Reserve will be set out at Supplementary Estimates in the
relevant year as is usual.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they
have made of the timescale for which financial support
will be needed to aid the UK's exit from the EU; and
what assessment they have made of the extent to
which the allocation of the £3 billion announced in the
Budget Statement for that purpose for the 2018–19 and
2019–20 financial years will meet this need. [HL3582]
Lord Bates: The future funding requirements and the
timescale over which they will be needed are dependent
on the outcome of our negotiations with the European
Union. The £1.5 billion set aside in both 18/19 and 19/20
is to ensure departments have sufficient resources to
undertake key preparatory activities over the next two
years.
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
assessment they have made of the resources needed to
support preparations for exiting the EU, and of the
extent to which the £3 billion announced in the Budget
Statement will be sufficient to support those
preparations. [HL3581]
Lord Bates: The future funding requirements and the
timescale over which they will be needed are dependent
on the outcome of our negotiations with the European
Union. The £1.5 billion set aside in both 18/19 and 19/20
is to ensure departments have sufficient resources to
undertake key preparatory activities over the next two
years.
China: Religious Freedom
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the revisions to the regulations on
religious affairs in China, and of their potential impact
on freedom of religion or belief in that country.
[HL3566]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We remain concerned
about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in
China and are concerned that new draft guidelines on
religion in China may restrict lawful and peaceful
observance of religion.
We raised these matters directly with the Chinese
authorities at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in
Beijing on 27 June. We also issued an item IV statement
at the 35th UN Human Rights Council in June reiterating
our concerns.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
representations they have made to the government of
China concerning restrictions on freedom of religion or
belief for Tibetan Buddhists in China, including the
detention of religious leaders and the demolition of
places of worship. [HL3568]
Page 8 7 December 2017 Written Answers
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We pay close attention
to the human rights position including restrictions on
religion or belief, and the wider political situation in
Tibet.
We set out our human rights concerns about China, and
specifically the Tibet Autonomous Region, in the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office annual report on Human
Rights and Democracy, which was issued on 20 July 2017
(available on gov.uk).
We raised these concerns about Tibet, a number of
individual cases of concern, and our concerns about
demolitions of the Larung Gar monasteries at the latest
round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue which
took place in Beijing on 27 June 2017. We also made an
item IV statement at the UN's Human Rights Council in
Geneva in June 2017 where we reiterated our concerns
over restrictions on civil and political freedoms,
particularly minority rights, and freedom of religion in
China.
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty's Government what information
they hold about the demolition of religious sites and
buildings in China, including Tibetan Buddhist
institutions and Christian churches in the past two
years. [HL3569]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are concerned by
reports of the closure or demolition of churches and
monasteries, and that individuals are being harassed or
detained for their beliefs across China.
We routinely obtain information and updates from a
wide range of sources and use these to help build a
credible picture of the extent of the situation.
We consistently urge China to respect all rights across
the People's Republic of China, including in Tibet, in line
with both its own constitution and the international
frameworks to which it is a party.
Clean Air Zones
Asked by Lord Bradshaw
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 21
November (HL2990), whether the Clean Air Zone
Framework published in May instructs local authorities
to take account of the greater passenger capacity
afforded by buses when compared to cars, in order that
buses are not unreasonably targeted when setting up
Clean Air Zones. [HL3517]
Baroness Sugg: The Clean Air Zone Framework sets
out a range of measures which local authorities can take
to reduce pollution in their areas, including encouraging
the use of buses and public transport. In general, vehicles
such as lorries and buses, or high frequency users such as
taxis and private hire vehicles, emit higher levels of
pollution on a per vehicle basis. The framework therefore
sets out an approach under which, where charging zones
are being introduced, Local Authorities are required to
address these vehicles first, ahead of cars.
The Framework is clear that local authorities should
work with bus operators to reduce emissions from buses,
for example through developing quality partnership
schemes to support cleaner vehicles and the use of
vehicles with higher vehicle emission standards. To
support improvements in the bus fleet, the Government in
2016 allocated £100m to 2020/21 for new low emission
buses and the retrofitting of existing buses.
Diplomatic Relations
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
To ask Her Majesty's Government with which
countries in the world the UK does not have diplomatic
relations. [HL3531]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has diplomatic
relations with all UN Member States, either maintained
by representatives based in a country, or by staff
appointed to cover a State from elsewhere. However, our
dealings with the current Syrian State have been minimal
and only in relation to essential consular or administration
issues.
Domestic Violence: Children
Asked by Lord Wasserman
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on
20 November (HL2794), what steps they intend to take
to encourage other police forces in England and Wales
to participate in Operation Encompass. [HL3560]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The government
recognises the significant harm that domestic abuse can
cause to children. That is why our new programme of
work on domestic abuse will look at how to better support
all those affected by domestic abuse with a specific focus
on children.
The National Oversight Group on domestic abuse,
chaired by the Home Secretary, shares learning from
innovative practice designed to tackle domestic abuse
such as Operation Encompass. Both the National Police
Lead for domestic abuse and the College of Policing sit
on this group and are responsible for disseminating good
practice to forces.
Domestic Violence: Males
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following
the publication by the Office for National Statistics of
the Statistical bulletin: Domestic abuse in England and
Wales: year ending March 2017 on 23 November,
which states that more than one third of the victims of
domestic violence in that period were men, they will
clarify the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford
on 27 November (HL Deb, col 486) that “the
Written Answers 7 December 2017 Page 9
breakdown of victims of domestic violence is thought
to be about 96% women and 4% men”. [HL3731]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: Data shows that
women are much more likely than men to be the victims
of high risk or severe domestic abuse and this is clearly
demonstrated through a greater number of cases going to
a Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference and
accessing an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
service, who deal with the most severe cases of domestic
abuse. 95% of these victims are female.
Electric Vehicles
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of how vehicle battery technology will
develop; and what is their estimate of the number of (1)
electric vehicles there will be, and (2) charging points
that will be required, in the next (a) five, (b) 10, and (c)
15, years. [HL3589]
Baroness Sugg: The Government recognises the
important future role batteries will have as a primary
energy source for vehicles. The recently announced
Faraday Challenge is a £246m commitment to battery
development in the UK to make the most of the
automotive electrification market opportunity.
We expect most motorists to continue to charge at
home, but we have put in place support schemes for those
unable to do so with schemes to fund domestic on-street,
off-street and workplace chargepoints. As announced at
Autumn Budget 2017, a new £400m electric car Charging
Infrastructure Investment Fund (£200m new Government
investment to be matched by private investors) will
accelerate the roll-out of charging infrastructure by
providing access to finance to companies that deliver
chargepoints.
The Government is due to publish a strategy on
Government support for the transition to zero emission
vehicles by March 2018.
European City of Culture
Asked by Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
advised local authorities of the 2013 EU criteria for
applicants to be the European City of Culture 2023.
[HL3624]
Lord Ashton of Hyde: The application, rules, guidance
and other information for cities wishing to enter the
competition to be European Capital of Culture 2023 were
published on 16 December 2016 on gov.uk, which I
attach.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Application Form
[European_Capital_of_Culture_2023_application_form.docx]
Guidance
[Guide_for_candiadate_cities_for_the_European_Capital_of_Cult
ure.pdf]
Rules
[Rules_of_Procedure_for_the_2023_European_Capital_of_Culture
_in_the_UK.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-27/HL3624
Football: Arrests
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the
distribution of football banning orders for football fans
for each club in each year from 2010–11 to the last year
for which records are held. [HL3526]
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
football-related arrests there were in each year from
2010–11 to the last year for which records are available,
for (1) each competition, and (2) each club. [HL3527]
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
To ask Her Majesty's Government for what type of
offences football-related arrests were made in each year
from 2010–11 to the last year for which records are
available. [HL3528]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office
publishes information on football-related arrests and
banning orders in the ‘Football-related arrests and
banning order statistics, England and Wales, 2016 to
2017 season’ publication and is available from the Home
Office webpage on GOV.UK at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/football-
related-arrests-and-banning-orders-england-and-wales-
season-2016-to-2017. Providing the complete information
requested would exceed the word limit for response to a
Parliamentary Question.
Gao Zhisheng
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
representations they have made to the government of
China about the disappearance and current situation of
Chinese lawyer Gao Zhiseng, who went missing in
August. [HL3567]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply
concerned about the case of Gao Zhisheng, particularly
after his reported disappearance in August. We are
continuing to work with international partners and others
to seek further information about his whereabouts and his
condition and to highlight our concerns about his case.
Page 10 7 December 2017 Written Answers
We raised Mr Gao's case with the Chinese authorities in
a list of 'cases of concern' ahead of the UK/China Human
Rights Dialogue in Beijing in June 2017.
FCO officials met Gao Zhisheng's daughter, Grace Gao,
and representatives of a UK NGO on 16 October to
discuss his case and obtain more information.
Garden Communities
Asked by Baroness Byford
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 14
November (HL Deb, col 1928), how many of the
proposed new garden cities, towns and villages will be
located in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. [HL3690]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government is
already, through our garden cities, towns and villages
programme, supporting garden towns at Bicester, Didcot
and Aylesbury and a garden village close to Eynsham.
Decisions are still being made on the location of the five
new garden towns which the government committed to
supporting at Autumn Budget.
High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many high-
rise buildings in England have flammable insulation
similar to that in Grenfell Tower; what plans they have,
in conjunction with local authorities, to ensure that such
insulation is replaced; and over what length of time.
[HL3522]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Metropolitan
Police are leading a detailed investigation into the fire at
Grenfell Tower and we await the outcome of that. Given
the particular concerns around Aluminium Composite
Material cladding, our initial priority through the
Department's Building Safety Programme has been
testing those cladding systems. The large-scale tests of
cladding systems with Aluminium Composite Material
panels and various types of insulation are now complete
and advice on the results was published on 5 September.
This advice is available here (attached):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-
safety-programme-update-and-consolidated-advice-for-
building-owners-following-large-scale-testing
The Expert Panel is considering whether there may be
any heightened risks linked to other issues, such as other
cladding systems and broader safety issues.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Advice on the Composite Material panels [171206 Update and
consolidated advice for building owners large-scale testing
HL3522.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-23/HL3522
Home Office: Disclosure of Information
Asked by Lord Greaves
To ask Her Majesty's Government with which (1)
other departments, (2) Government agencies, (3) other
public bodies, (4) voluntary sector bodies, and (5)
private sector bodies, the Home Office has data sharing
arrangements in connection with (a) the identification
of individuals (b) their rights to receive public services,
(c) their rights to reside in the UK, and (d) other
matters. [HL3521]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: In line with the ICO
Code of Practice on data sharing the Home Office
maintains a number of agreements which oversee the
exchange of key information necessary to support the
effective delivery of departmental and government
functions, including the prevention and detection of
crime, immigration control and public safety. This
includes agreements with government and non-
government partners both in the UK and overseas.
All such sharing is in line with the Data Protection Act
1998 and other relevant legislation such as the Human
Rights Act 1998, the Immigration Act 2014 or the
Criminal Justice and Data Protection Regulations 2014.
The Home Office keeps such data sharing agreements
under review but does not currently maintain a central
register of all such agreements.
House of Lords: Beverage Containers
Asked by Baroness Redfern
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what steps are
being taken, including through procurement processes,
to reduce the number of plastic cups used in catering
outlets in the House of Lords. [HL3551]
Lord Laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked
me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond
on his behalf.
House of Lords Catering and Retail Services (CRS) is
taking a pro-active approach to reducing the use of
disposable cups within the House’s catering facilities. The
River Restaurant and Millbank House Restaurant both
provide disposable cups, and in both areas CRS runs an
incentive scheme for customers whereby the price of a hot
beverage is reduced by 10p (broadly the price of a
disposable cup) if a customer brings their own cup. We
also provide china cups in the River Restaurant and
Millbank House Restaurant and encourage customers to
use these when they are dining in, instead of using a
disposable cup.
Regarding procurement, CRS is not aware of a
disposable cup for hot beverages that is fully bio-
degradable, and until such a product becomes available
CRS will have to continue with its current supply. CRS
works closely with its suppliers to ensure it would
become aware of any new appropriate products should
they emerge.
Written Answers 7 December 2017 Page 11
Through the procurement process, CRS objectives
include sourcing products that come from renewable
sources (such as those supporting sustainable forestry or
low carbon processes). The disposable hot beverage cups
currently used are made from sustainable and recycled
materials and are an insulated, double walled cup. This
reduces disposable consumption by negating the need for
an additional sleeve or the practice of customers doubling
up cups if thinner, single walled cups are provided.
CRS has recently received accreditation from the
Sustainable Restaurant Association, and looks forward to
working alongside the Association to implement
innovative solutions for reducing the amount of total
disposable products, including cups, that are used across
the House of Lords catering venues.
Housing: Construction
Asked by Lord Shipley
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their
estimate of the number of new homes built in the UK in
the financial year 2016–17; and, of those, how many
were (1) the conversion of houses into flats, and (2) the
conversion of shops and offices into homes. [HL3558]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Estimates of the
number of new homes completed, net conversions
between houses and flats, and net change of use between
non-domestic and residential are available for England, in
2016-17.
Annual housing supply in England amounted to
217,350 net additional dwellings in 2016-17, up 15 per
cent on 2015-16.
The 217,350 net additions in 2016-17 resulted from
183,570 new build homes, 37,190 gains from change of
use between non-domestic and residential, 5,680 from
conversions between houses and flats and 720 other gains
(caravans, house boats etc.), offset by 9,820 demolitions.
18,887 of the net additions from change of use were
through ‘permitted development rights’ (full planning
permission not required). These comprised 17,751
additional dwellings from former offices, 330 from
agricultural buildings, 106 from storage buildings and 700
from other non-domestic buildings
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not publish a
similar series on net supply of housing, although house
building estimates are published by the devolved
administrations. A time series showing demolitions and
conversions in Scotland is also available, please see
below the link.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-
Regeneration/HSfS/ConDem
Kenya: Politics and Government
Asked by Lord Carlile of Berriew
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they
intend to provide support to the new government of
Kenya to develop its state institutions. [HL3605]
Lord Bates: The UK is committed to working in
partnership with Kenya, to promote jobs, new industries,
development, devolution, and regional security. We will
discuss shared priorities with the new Kenyan
Government, once its ministerial team is appointed.
Strong and durable institutions are essential to Kenya’s
long-term prosperity. We will continue to work with them
and wider civil society.
Midwives: Labour Turnover
Asked by Lord Mawson
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the last five
years, what percentage of midwives have left the
profession within (1) one, (2) two, and (3) three years
of completing their training. [HL3534]
Asked by Lord Mawson
To ask Her Majesty's Government, of those midwives
who completed their training in the last five years, what
was the average length of time they stayed in the
profession. [HL3535]
Asked by Lord Mawson
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of why midwives are leaving the
profession; and whether (1) salary levels, and (2) the
culture of the NHS, are relevant factors. [HL3536]
Asked by Lord Mawson
To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the
cost to the NHS over the last five years of midwives
leaving the profession; and what is their estimate of
such future costs. [HL3537]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: The information requested is
not collected by the Department.
To help secure a sustainable National Health Service
workforce for the future, NHS Improvement recently
launched a new Retention Programme to improve staff
retention in trusts across England and bring down the
leaver rates in the NHS by 2020.
NHS Improvement has developed plans for a raft of
measures, tools and support to help trusts understand why
employees are leaving their organisation and how to keep
them on. This includes launching new Direct Support
Programmes to provide intensive targeted support to
trusts with above average leaver rates.
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties
Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan
to review the decision to abolish paper tax discs for
vehicles, following publication of data showing an
increase in the number of untaxed vehicles. [HL3548]
Baroness Sugg: There are no plans to review the
decision to abolish paper tax discs for vehicles, as more
than 98% of motorists license their vehicles correctly.
Page 12 7 December 2017 Written Answers
Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
vehicles failed to pay vehicle excise duty in the most
recent year for which figures are available; and what is
the total cost to the Exchequer of this tax evasion.
[HL3549]
Baroness Sugg: More than 98% of vehicles are
properly licensed and this demonstrates that the vast
majority of motorists comply with the law. The vehicle
excise duty evasion statistics estimated that around
755,000 vehicles in stock in the UK were unlicensed at
the point of the survey in June 2017. It is estimated that
this may potentially result in a loss of vehicle excise duty
revenue of £107 million, a proportion of which will be
recovered. The maximum penalty for using an untaxed
vehicle if a case comes to the Magistrates Court is the
greater of £1,000 or five times the amount of tax
chargeable; or the greater of £2,500 or five times the
amount of tax chargeable if using an untaxed vehicle and
also having declared a SORN. The Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency’s enforcement action led to £41 million
being recovered in the last financial year.
Motor Vehicles: Technicians
Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they
intend to introduce a licensing and accreditation scheme
for technicians working on electric and automated
vehicles. [HL3550]
Baroness Sugg: The Government does not currently
have any plans to introduce a licensing and accreditation
scheme for technicians working on electric and automated
vehicles. However, the Department recognises the need to
develop servicing skills to support the UK’s transition to
these vehicles. With regards to electric vehicles, the 2020
Vision for English Apprenticeships supports an industry-
led approach to skills training that allows employers to
lead on new apprenticeship standards. The establishment
of the employer-led Institute for Apprenticeships and the
introduction of an employer levy fund provides an
opportunity for these sectors to shape the development of
training programmes to meet the skills needs they have
identified.
It is too early to develop a training, licensing, and
accreditation scheme for automated vehicles. We will
continue to liaise with the relevant technology and
professional bodies; as automated vehicle technology
matures, we will be able to consider if such a scheme
would be suitable, and what, if any, Government
intervention would be needed.
Motorcycles: Licensing
Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the risks associated with regulations
which allow riders to operate mopeds without any
training or experience. [HL3545]
Baroness Sugg: Only car drivers who passed a driving
test before 1 February 2001 are permitted to ride a moped
without first completing Compulsory Basic Training. The
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has not
carried out a specific assessment of the risks associated
with this regulation that allows such persons to operate
mopeds without any training or experience.
However, we believe that the number of people who
take advantage of this provision is very small and the
number will reduce slightly every year as older drivers in
the cohort stop driving.
These risks have been considered several times since
compulsory basic training (CBT) for learner moped riders
motorcyclists was introduced in 1990.
Non-domestic Rates
Asked by Lord Beecham
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, and to
what extent, they intend to compensate local authorities
for the loss of £2.3 billion over the next five years
resulting from their decision that business rates will
increase by CPI rather than RPI. [HL3516]
Lord Bates: Autumn Budget 2017 announced that the
planned switch in the indexation of business rates from
RPI to CPI will be brought forward by two years to April
2018. Central government will fully compensate local
authorities for income lost as a result of this measure.
Oakhill Secure Training Centre
Asked by Baroness Stern
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan
to review the contract held by G4S to operate Oakhill
Secure Training Centre, following the report published
by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, Ofsted and the Care
Quality Commission on 21 November, which
concluded that the overall functioning of Oakhill Secure
Training Centre was inadequate. [HL3559]
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Ofsted inspection
report on Oakhill Secure Training Centre is completely
unacceptable and we have taken urgent action to address
the concerns raised by Ofsted. A new interim Director,
with extensive experience, has been appointed at Oakhill
and an experienced HMPPS Governor has been brought
in to provide extra scrutiny.
We are robustly monitoring performance against the
contract and are clear that we will take further steps, if
needed, to improve delivery.
More widely across the estate, we are investing £64
million to reform youth custody and increase staffing, to
improve safety and reduce violence.
Written Answers 7 December 2017 Page 13
Palm Oil
Asked by Baroness Cavendish of Little Venice
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they
are taking to implement the UK Statement Sustainable
production of palm oil, published on 30 October 2012,
and to reduce the amount of palm oil in food and
bathroom products purchased by consumers, in order to
prevent further loss of tropical habitats and species
from deforestation. [HL3518]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The 2012 Commitment on
Sustainable Palm Oil has been a success. Nearly all palm
oil imported to the UK is now certified sustainable.
This Government is building on that success by
continuing to support zero-deforestation supply chains for
key commodities, including palm oil. The UK is a
signatory to the Amsterdam Declarations, has endorsed
the New York Declaration on Forests and is a member of
the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020, all of which support
action to prevent deforestation and encourage the
production of sustainable palm oil.
Through our international climate finance, the
Government is supporting a number of programmes
focused on sustainable palm oil production. Those
programmes are designed to strengthen governance,
promote market-based solutions and put in place
incentives, policies and actions that support sustainable
production alongside forest protection.
PKK
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) they,
and (2) the EU, intend to review their decisions to
classify the Kurdistan People’s Party as a terrorist
organisation, following the decision of the Belgian
Court of Appeal on 14 September that that organisation
is a party to an armed conflict. [HL3496]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government
keeps its list of proscribed organisations under constant
review. The EU reviews its CT Sanctions Regime every
six months. The UK Government currently has no plans
to remove the proscription of the Kurdistan People's Party
(PKK).
Police and Crime Commissioners
Asked by Lord Wasserman
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on
22 November (HL2814), whether any Police and Crime
Commissioner in England and Wales has commissioned
a review into an investigation undertaken by their force.
[HL3562]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: As set out in the
Policing Protocol Order 2011, it is for police forces, in
line with the strategic direction and objectives set by the
democratically elected Police and Crime Commissioner
through their police and crime plan, to determine how
best to use their investigative resources. How forces
conduct an investigation is a matter for the relevant Chief
Officer, and it is for the Police and Crime Commissioner
to ensure that these duties are fulfilled in an effective and
proportionate manner on behalf of the public they serve.
The Government is not aware that any Police and Crime
Commissioner has commissioned a review into an
investigation undertaken by their force.
Police: Ministers of Religion
Asked by Lord Wasserman
To ask Her Majesty's Government which police
forces in England and Wales employ police chaplains;
and of those, which employ chaplains on a full-time
basis. [HL3561]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office
does not collect data on the number of police forces who
employ police chaplains.
The Home Office does collect data annually on the
function of police staff, including the number of full time
equivalent staff employed in support functions. Within the
support functions category is those in ‘Human Resources’
roles, which includes chaplaincy. However, this group
also includes staff in other related roles, therefore it is not
possible to separately identify chaplains.
This information can be found in the data tables
published alongside the annual ‘Police workforce,
England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, which can be
accessed here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-
workforce-england-and-wales
Prisons: Unmanned Air Vehicles
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have
any evidence that drones have been used to smuggle
items into HM Prisons; and what counter measures are
available. [HL3588]
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We know that drones are
used to smuggle prohibited articles and illicit substances
into prison, including mobile phones, Class A drugs and
psychoactive substances. They present a significant threat
to the safety and security of our prisons as they can carry
up to 2kg worth of contraband.
We are taking decisive steps to tackle the use of drones
as a supply route for organised criminals to bring drugs
and mobile phones into prisons. In April 2017, we
announced the launch of Operation Trenton, a specialist
team of police and Prison Service investigators, to work
together to intercept drones and track down the criminals
behind them. Additionally, we are carrying out a series of
Page 14 7 December 2017 Written Answers
intelligence-led operations to disrupt drones as they enter
prison airspace. This tactic has already been used
successfully in several establishments. These targeted
counter measures are used alongside a range of security
measures in place across the estate to stop items coming
into prison, including surveillance, detection dogs, body
scanners and intelligence-led searches.
To date, there have been at least 17 convictions related
to drone activity, with those convicted sentenced to a total
of more than 50 years in prison.
We are also working closely with government partners
on the UK’s response to the drone threat and the
development of counter drone technology, including the
piloting of technical counter measures to block signals.
This is keeping the Prison Service at the forefront of the
work being progressed nationally and internationally to
stop the criminal use of drones.
Refugees: Children
Asked by Lord Watson of Invergowrie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
children under the age of 18 have been resettled under
the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme to date,
broken down by (1) region, and (2) local authority.
[HL3680]
Asked by Lord Watson of Invergowrie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of those
children resettled under the Vulnerable Children’s
Resettlement Scheme to date are currently accessing
education. [HL3681]
Asked by Lord Watson of Invergowrie
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average
waiting time from arrival in the UK to starting full-time
education for children resettled under the Vulnerable
Children’s Resettlement Scheme. [HL3682]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: Latest statistics
published on 30 November 2017 confirmed that a total of
412 vulnerable people have been resettled under the
Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme (VCRS)
across various local authorities. Around half of those
resettled under the VCRS were children.
The Home Office is committed to publishing data in an
orderly way as part of the regular quarterly Immigration
Statistics, in line with the Code of Practice for Official
Statistics. The statistics are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-
statistics-quarterly-release
The Home Office does not hold data in relation to the
number of children resettled through this scheme who are
currently accessing education or the average waiting time
for children to start full-time education.
We continue to work with local authorities to make sure
that every child has a school place.
Road Traffic Offences: Mobile Phones
Asked by Baroness Redfern
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people
have been prosecuted for the use of hand-held mobile
devices while driving in the past 12 months. [HL3556]
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: In 2016, the most recent
period for which figures are available, 12,853 defendants
were proceeded against at magistrates courts in England
and Wales for using or causing others to use a handheld
mobile phone whilst driving.
Ross Fund
Asked by Baroness Sheehan
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much of the
Ross Fund has been (1) allocated, and (2) disbursed.
[HL3634]
Lord Bates: The Ross Fund is a portfolio of
programmes, identified in the UK Aid Strategy, led by
either DFID or Department of Health (DH), aimed at
combatting the world's most serious diseases.
DFID was allocated £547m and DH £461m from the
Ross Fund Portfolio. To date DFID has (1) allocated
£445m and (2) disbursed £40m to end of financial year
2016/17. DH has (1) allocated £461m and has (2)
disbursed £22.3m to end of financial year 2016/17.
Details for the current financial year will be available
after March 2018.
Asked by Baroness Sheehan
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has
been spent in each year through the Ross Fund since it
was set up. [HL3635]
Lord Bates: The Ross Fund is a portfolio of
programmes, identified in the UK Aid Strategy, led by
either DFID or Department of Health (DH), aimed at
combatting the world's most serious diseases.
Since the Ross Fund Portfolio was established, DFID
spent £40m in the financial year 2016/17. DH spent
£4.5m in 2015/16 and £17.8m in 2016/17. Details for the
current financial year will be available after March 2018.
Asked by Baroness Sheehan
To ask Her Majesty's Government which projects
have been funded by the Ross Fund since it was set up.
[HL3636]
Lord Bates: The Ross Fund is a portfolio of
programmes, identified in the UK Aid Strategy, led by
either DFID or Department of Health (DH), aimed at
combatting the world's most serious diseases.
DFID projects funded within the Ross Fund Portfolio
are in four areas: 1) product development research, with
support to the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative,
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Medicines
for Malaria Venture, International AIDS Vaccine
initiative, Aeras – TB vaccine development, TB Alliance,
Written Answers 7 December 2017 Page 15
Innovative Vector Control Consortium, International
Partnership for Microbicides, PATH diarrhoeal diseases
vaccines and treatments, PATH meningitis vaccine
project and PATH malaria diagnostics; 2) research for
epidemic response with support to the World Health
Organisation (WHO) R&D Blueprint, joint DFID-
Wellcome programme for epidemic response; 3)
implementation research, with support to the Febrile
Illness Evaluation in a Broad Range of Endemicities, the
Coalition for Operational Research for Neglected Tropical
Diseases; and 4) implementation programmes, with
support to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria,
Global Guinea Worm Diseases Eradication Programme,
Nigeria: Tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases through an
integrated approach, Support for the Elimination of
Lymphatic FILARIASIS, Capacity building through the
WHO Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
DH projects funded within the Ross Fund Portfolio are
the Fleming Fund, Vaccine Network, UK Rapid Support
Team and the Global AMR Innovation Fund.
Secondary Education: Finance
Asked by Baroness Whitaker
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the £4,800
per secondary school pupil to be allocated in 2018–19
under the national funding formula will be spent in the
case of home-educated children. [HL3564]
Lord Agnew of Oulton: The department does not
provide funding to local councils, schools or academies
for electively home-educated children. It remains the case
that when parents choose to home educate their children
they assume financial responsibility.
The department continues to recommend that local
councils should take a flexible approach to support for
home educating parents where appropriate. Further
guidance on funding for home-educated students is
available (attached) at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/elective-
home-education.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Revised Funding Guidance [revised_funding_guidance_-
_local_authorities_on_home_educated_children.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-23/HL3564
Social Media: Children
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the
Ofcom report Children and Parents: media use and
attitudes, what steps they intend to take to address the
issue of underage social media use. [HL3708]
Lord Ashton of Hyde: We expect social media firms
to have robust processes in place around the use of their
sites by children and to act promptly against any activity
that does not comply with their policies.
Social Rented Housing
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many social
housing units, whether owned by local authorities or by
other providers, have been (1) demolished, and (2) sold;
and of those, how many have been replaced by new
units. [HL3523]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Figures for social
housing demolished (Social housing refers to Social Rent,
Affordable Rent and Intermediate Affordable Rent).
Demolitions Local Authority Private Registered
Providers
2010/11 3,508 4,584
2011/12 3,884 3,989
2012/13 4,082 4,672
2013/14 4,361 5,061
2014/15 3,042 2,786
2015/16 3,623 2,923
Source: DCLG Local Authority Housing Statistics
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-housing-
data, HCA Statistical Data Return https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistical-data-return-
statistical-releases
Figures for social housing sold (Social housing refers to
Social Rent, Affordable Rent and Intermediate Affordable
Rent).
Social Housing Sales Local Authority Private Registered
Providers
2010-11 3,112 5,319
2011-12 3,108 4,953
2012-13 6,743 6,533
2013-14 11,740 8,904
2014-15 12,489 7,965
2015-16 12,557 9,435
Source: DCLG Live table 678
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-social-housing-sales
Data on direct replacement of social housing sales is
only collected as part of the Right to Buy 141 replacement
policy and not for other sales or demolitions. The
following table on stock shows the annual net change in
social rented dwellings which combines the total loses
from sales and demolitions with new supply. Since 2010
the overall stock of social housing (social rent, affordable
rent and intermediate affordable rent) has increased by
76,000.
Page 16 7 December 2017 Written Answers
Dwelling stock:
by tenure
Rented from
Private Registered
Providers
Rented from
Local Authorities
Total
2010 2,180,000 1,786,000 3,966,000
2011 2,255,000 1,726,000 3,981,000
2012 2,304,000 1,693,000 3,997,000
2013 2,331,000 1,682,000 4,013,000
2014 2,343,000 1,669,000 4,012,000
2015 2,387,000 1,643,000 4,030,000
2016 2,430,000 1,612,000 4,042,000
Source: DCLG Live table 104
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-
sets/live-tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants
Social Rented Housing: Housing Starts
Asked by Lord Jones
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many social
housing starts on site were made in (1) 2008, (2) 2010,
(3) 2012, and (4) 2016. [HL3434]
Asked by Lord Jones
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many starts
on site were made by Housing Associations in (1) 2010,
and (2) 2015. [HL3435]
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Building more
affordable homes is an absolute priority for this
Government. On 4 October, the Prime Minister
announced an extra £2 billion funding for affordable
housing, on top of the £1.4 billion announced last year,
increasing the affordable Homes Programme 2016-2021
budget to over £9 billion.
The Department does not hold figures for affordable
housing starts before 2009/10, as information was
previously only collected by completion.
The number of affordable housing starts on site in
England, funded by the Homes and Communities Agency
and the Greater London Authority for the requested years
are as follows:
• 2010/11: 48,488 starts.
• 2012/13: 35,337 starts.
These figures do not include starts funded solely by
local authorities and other sources.
For 2016/17 onwards, the total number of affordable
starts also includes starts funded solely by local
authorities and other sources. Under this criteria, the
following figures are available:
• 2016/17: 49,420 starts.
Figures for the total number of starts on site made
specifically by Housing Associations are available in
DCLG live table 1000S. However, this live table only
shows data from 2016/17 onwards.
Terrorism: Finance
Asked by Lord Empey
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of whether there is a relationship
between the governments of Qatar and Iran and the
funding and support for global Islamist terrorism.
[HL3429]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The government has
undertaken an internal review into the nature, scale and
origin of the funding of Islamist extremist activity in the
UK, including any overseas sources. On 12 July, the
Home Secretary announced the main findings of the
Home Office's review and I refer the noble Lord to
Written Statement HCWS39
Terrorism and violent extremism are an evil that steals
lives, saps resources and divides communities. No society
is immune and no single country has the answer to this
scourge. In July, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the
Emir of Qatar's commitment to tackle terrorism in all its
manifestations, including terrorism financing. We remain
concerned about reports of Iran's financial and military
support to militant and proscribed groups, such as
Hizballah, Hamas and Palestinian rejectionist groups.
This support directly undermines prospects for regional
security and lasting peace in the region.
Yemen: Armed Conflict
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of reports that attacks which violate
international humanitarian law are continuing in
Yemen. [HL3470]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of reports
of alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law
(IHL) by actors in the conflict and take these very
seriously. It is important that all sides conduct thorough
and conclusive investigations into incidents where it is
alleged that IHL has been breached. We regularly raise
the importance of compliance with IHL with the Saudi
Arabian Government and other members of the military
Coalition. Saudi Arabia has publicly stated that it is
investigating reports of alleged violations of IHL, and that
lessons will be acted upon. The Saudis have their own
internal procedures for investigations. The Saudi-led
Coalition Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) has
announced the findings of a total of 41 investigations and
the most recent was released on 19 November 2017.
Yemen: Military Intervention
Asked by Lord Lea of Crondall
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
statement made by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 20
Written Answers 7 December 2017 Page 17
November (HL Deb, col 46), what actions they are
taking within the UN to ensure that action is taken to
allow the immediate provision of supplies to Yemen;
what representations they have made to the government
of Saudi Arabia regarding ending their blockade of
Yemen; whether a timescale has been established for
such action to be taken; and whether, given the UK's
alliance with Saudi Arabia, they have any plans to
review licences for arms supplies to that country.
[HL3497]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is deeply
concerned by the humanitarian situation and calls for all
parties to immediately provide unhindered commercial
and humanitarian access. The Prime Minister met with the
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia during her visit to Riyadh
on 29 November and was clear on the importance of a
resolution to the conflict and humanitarian and
commercial access to all of Yemen. The Foreign
Secretary raised the urgency of the humanitarian situation
with the Crown Prince on 23 November and has also
spoken with the Secretary-General of the UN.
On 22 November, the Saudi-led Coalition announced
that they would allow humanitarian flights and shipments
to resume. We welcome progress towards reopening the
ports in Hodeidah, Salif and Sana'a airport. A small
number of humanitarian and commercial vessels have
been able to berth at these ports. To prevent a
humanitarian catastrophe, more needs to be done and
quickly. The UK will continue pressing at the very
highest levels for complete and unhindered commercial
and humanitarian access to all of Yemen.
The UK Government takes its arms export licensing
responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the
most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All
export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case
basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms
Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant
factors at the time of the application.
Index to Statements and Answers
Written Statements ................................................. 1
Agriculture and Fisheries Pre-Council Statement 1
Changes in Immigration Rules ............................. 1
Correction ............................................................. 1
Energy Infrastructure ............................................ 2
Energy Policy ....................................................... 2
Foreign Affairs Council (Foreign and Defence
Ministers) .............................................................. 3
National Transfer Scheme .................................... 4
Paterson Case ....................................................... 5
Tailored Review of ICAI ...................................... 5
Written Answers ..................................................... 7
Alcoholic Drinks: Minimum Prices ...................... 7
Australia: Asylum ................................................. 7
Brexit .................................................................... 7
China: Religious Freedom .................................... 7
Clean Air Zones .................................................... 8
Diplomatic Relations ............................................ 8
Domestic Violence: Children ............................... 8
Domestic Violence: Males ................................... 8
Electric Vehicles ................................................... 9
European City of Culture ...................................... 9
Football: Arrests ................................................... 9
Gao Zhisheng ....................................................... 9
Garden Communities .......................................... 10
High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention ........................ 10
Home Office: Disclosure of Information............ 10
House of Lords: Beverage Containers ................ 10
Housing: Construction ........................................ 11
Kenya: Politics and Government ........................ 11
Midwives: Labour Turnover ............................... 11
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties ........................... 11
Motor Vehicles: Technicians .............................. 12
Motorcycles: Licensing ...................................... 12
Non-domestic Rates............................................ 12
Oakhill Secure Training Centre .......................... 12
Palm Oil ............................................................. 13
PKK ................................................................... 13
Police and Crime Commissioners ...................... 13
Police: Ministers of Religion ............................. 13
Prisons: Unmanned Air Vehicles....................... 13
Refugees: Children ............................................ 14
Road Traffic Offences: Mobile Phones ............. 14
Ross Fund .......................................................... 14
Secondary Education: Finance .......................... 15
Social Media: Children ...................................... 15
Social Rented Housing ...................................... 15
Social Rented Housing: Housing Starts ............. 16
Terrorism: Finance ............................................ 16
Yemen: Armed Conflict .................................... 16
Yemen: Military Intervention ............................ 16