WednesdayVol. 786 6 December 2017No. 34qnadailyreport.blob.core.windows.net/qnadaily... ·...

Wednesday

6 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 ..................................................... 5

Vol. 786

No. 34

[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/.

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

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which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/

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http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Written Statements 6 December 2017 Page 1

Written Statements Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Employment, Social Policy, Health and

Consumer Affairs Council

[HLWS311]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Employment, Social

Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will meet

on 8 December in Brussels.

For the health part of the meeting there will be three

main agenda items on the Draft Council Conclusions on

Health in Digital Society; the Draft Council Conclusions

on the cross border aspects in alcohol policy; and

Pharmaceutical Policy in the EU – which will cover the

following:

• Report on the State of Paediatric Medicines in the EU

– 10 Years of the EU Paediatric Regulation–

Information by the commission.

• Issues related to European Patients Access to

treatment – Information from the Romanian Delegation.

• Lack of drug availability in Greece – Information

from the Greek delegation.

Under Any Other Business, there will also be reports

on:

• Valproate and teratogenic medicinal products –

Information from the Belgian delegation.

• State of Health in the EU – Information from the

Commission, OECD, and the European Observatory.

• Annual Growth Survey 2018 – Information from the

Commission.

• Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease

Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable

Disease – Information from the Commission.

• Outcome of the high level meeting ‘AMR: One Health

Action Plan and evidence based policy making’

(Brussels, 23 November 2017) – Information from the

Presidency.

• Work Programme of the Incoming Presidency –

Information from the Bulgarian Delegation.

EU Insolvency Regulation

[HLWS310]

Lord Henley: My hon Friend the Minister for Small

Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility

(Margot James), has today made the following statement:

The UK has opted in to the proposal for a Regulation of

the European Parliament and of the Council updating the

lists of insolvency proceedings and insolvency office-

holders in Annexes A and B to Regulation (EU) 2015/848

on insolvency proceedings. The UK had previously opted

in to the underlying Regulation on insolvency

proceedings in 2015. Amendments to the annexes of the

Regulation trigger a new opt-in decision.

The annexes list the different insolvency procedures

and insolvency office-holders in each Member State

governed by the Regulation. Amendments are made from

time to time to reflect changes to Member States’

domestic insolvency laws. The current proposal relates to

new Belgian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Latvian and Portuguese

insolvency procedures and the amendments are

considered necessary to ensure that the lists of Member

States’ domestic insolvency laws are kept up to date. My

officials have reviewed the new procedures and agree

with the European Commission’s assessment that they

properly fall within the scope of insolvency proceedings

governed by the Regulation.

Government Asset Sale

[HLWS313]

Viscount Younger of Leckie: My honourable friend

the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research

and Innovation (Jo Johnson) has made the following

written ministerial statement.

Today, I can update on the Government’s sale of part of

the pre-2012, commonly known as ‘Plan One’, English

student loan book.

The sale included loans issued by English Local

Authorities under the previous (pre-2012) system,

specifically those that entered repayment between 2002

and 2006.

Throughout the process, Government’s decision on

whether to proceed remained subject to market conditions

and a final value for money assessment. I can update

Parliament that the transaction achieved a value of

£1.7bn, exceeding the HMT Green Book valuation.

Ministers will shortly be laying before Parliament a

report on the sale in accordance with Section 4 of the Sale

of Student Loans Act 2008. This will provide more detail

on the sale arrangements and the extent to which they

give value according to HM Treasury Green Book rules.

In advance of that, I would like to reiterate the points I

have made previously about the impact of the sale on

borrowers and on Government policy.

The position of all borrowers, including those whose

loans have been sold, will not change as a result of the

sale. The sale does not and cannot in any way alter the

mechanisms and terms of repayment: sold loans will

continue to be serviced by Her Majesty’s Revenue and

Customs (HMRC) and the Student Loans Company

(SLC) on the same basis as equivalent unsold loans.

Purchasers have no right to change any of the current loan

arrangements or to contact borrowers directly. Those

whose loans have been sold will be notified in writing by

the Student Loans Company within 3 months, for

information only. No action will be required. Government

has no plans to change, or to consider changing, the terms

of pre-2012 loans.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2017-12-06/HLWS311/



6 December 2017 Written Statements

Higher Education: Resolution

(13 September)

[HLWS312]

Viscount Younger of Leckie: On 13 September 2017,

the House agreed the motion that the Higher Education

(Higher Amount) (England) Regulations 2016 (S.I., 2016,

No. 1206) and the Higher Education (Basic Amount)

(England) Regulations 2016 (S.I., 2016, No. 1205), both

dated 13 December 2016, copies of which were laid

before this House on 15 December 2016, in the last

Session of Parliament, be revoked. These Regulations

cover maximum fee caps for the current academic year,

2017/18.

The Government listened carefully to the views

expressed in the House on 13 September 2017, and to

those expressed by young people and their parents. I

therefore made a Written Ministerial Statement to the

House on 9 October 2017 setting out changes to higher

education student finance which will benefit students

further in 2018.

In that statement, I confirmed that the Government had

decided to maintain maximum tuition fees at their current

level for the 2018/19 academic year. This means that the

maximum level of tuition fees for a full-time course will

remain at £9,250 for the next academic year (2018/19).

This is around £300 less than it would have been had the

maximum fee been uprated with inflation.

I also confirmed changes to the earnings threshold

above which borrowers are required to make

contributions to the costs of their education. From April

2018, the repayment threshold for loan repayments will

increase from its current level of £21,000 to £25,000 from

the 2018-19 financial year. Thereafter the threshold will

be adjusted annually in line with average earnings. These

changes apply to those who have taken out, or will take

out, loans for full-time and part-time undergraduate

courses in the post-2012 system. They also apply to those

who have taken out, or will take out, an advanced learner

loan for a further education course.

Increasing thresholds will put more money in the

pockets of borrowers by lowering their monthly

repayments with the greatest overall lifetime benefit for

those on middle incomes. Borrowers earning less than the

repayment threshold (currently £21,000 a year, rising to

£25,000 for 2018-19) will continue to be exempt from

repayments.

Following the Written Ministerial Statement to the

House on 9 October, I can now make a further

announcement on student finance arrangements for higher

education students undertaking a course of study in the

2018/19 academic year beginning in August 2018.

Maximum grants and loans for living and other costs

will be increased by forecast inflation (3.2%) in 2018/19.

And for the first time, students starting part-time degree

level courses from 1 August 2018 onwards will qualify

for loans for living costs.

Further details of the student support package for

2018/19 are set out in the attached document.

I expect to lay regulations implementing changes to

student finance for undergraduates and postgraduates for

2018/19 early in 2018. These regulations will be subject

to Parliamentary scrutiny. The Department of Health will

be making a separate announcement on changes to student

finance for postgraduate healthcare students and dental

hygiene and dental therapy students in 2018/19.

These announcements build on the Government’s

existing reforms to Higher Education, which have

delivered a 25% increase in university funding per student

per degree since 2012. University funding per student is

today at the highest level it has ever been in the last 30

years.

We have world class universities accessed by a record

number of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds

and a progressive funding system which ensures that costs

continue to be split fairly between graduates and the

taxpayer. The entry rate for disadvantaged 18 year olds is

already at a record high this year, and significantly higher

than at the end of the 2016 cycle. People recognise that

degrees from our universities provide a route to rewarding

and well-paid jobs, and that is why more people are

deciding to go to university than ever before.

We will build on those strengths through our planned

reforms, which seek to improve the quality of teaching

and incentivise universities to focus on graduate outcomes

through the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes

Framework.

We will be consulting shortly on widening provision of

accelerated degrees to enable students to study more

intensively, obtain degrees at lower cost, and secure a

quicker entry or return to the workplace.

And the Government is committed to conducting a

major review of funding across tertiary education to

ensure a joined-up system that works for everyone. As

current and significant reforms move into

implementation, this review will look at how we can

ensure that our post-18 education system is accessible to

all; and is supported by a funding system that provides

value for money and works for both students and

taxpayers, incentivises choice and competition across the

sector, and encourages the development of the skills that

we need as a country.

The Statement includes the following attached material:

Higher Education Student Finance for 2018/19 [Higher Education

Student Finance for 2018.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-

answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2017-12-06/HLWS312/

Justice and Home Affairs Council

[HLWS309]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the

Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber






Written Statements 6 December 2017 Page 3

Rudd) has today made the following Written Ministerial

Statement:

The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council of Ministers

will meet on 7 and 8 December in Brussels. I will

represent the UK for Interior day. The Lord Chancellor

and Secretary of State for Justice, the rt hon David

Lidington MP will represent the UK for Justice day.

Interior day (07 December) will begin with an exchange

of views on the interim report and recommendations of

the High-level Expert Group on Radicalisation (HLEG-

R), which was set up to consider how best to address

radicalisation in EU Member States. The non-EU

Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) will present to Council

their assessment of the terrorist threat in the EU, and

update on recent capability developments, including on

work needed to improve cooperation with the law

enforcement community. I will intervene positively in

support of HLEG-R and CTG activities.

This will be followed by a discussion on cooperation

between Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

operations and EU JHA agencies. This work aims to join

up the activity of JHA agencies more effectively with EU

security and defence missions in third countries. The

Commission will identify lessons that can be learnt from

existing cooperation, such as Operation Sophia (tackling

migrant traffickers in the Central Mediterranean) for other

CSDP operations and JHA agencies. The UK supports

improving cooperation in this area and I will endorse this

work-stream.

The Commission will update on the state of play on

implementation of the Directive on the use of Passenger

Name Record (PNR) data. The UK has the most

developed capability for processing PNR data in Europe

and will continue to offer advice and support to Member

States in the development of their own capabilities.

There will be a progress report on the technical

discussions on improving interoperability of EU

information systems, following the recommendations

made by a High Level Expert Group in June. The

Commission is also expected to set out the principles

behind their forthcoming legislative proposal on this

issue. The UK supports efforts to improve interoperability

of EU information systems, but we will need to scrutinise

the proposal when it is published.

This will be followed by a progress report from the

Presidency on negotiations on the reform of the Common

European Asylum System. The UK has not opted in to the

majority of these measures, and I am unlikely to intervene

on this item.

The Presidency will then seek a General Approach on

the proposed EU-LISA Regulation. The Government has

opted in to the draft Regulation and has no concerns with

the text, but as the proposals have not cleared

Parliamentary Scrutiny, I will abstain on the vote in

Council.

At a working lunch Ministers will debate the

strengthening of the Schengen area which is likely to

focus on improving Schengen border management

through a variety of coordinated actions, including the

proposed Schengen internal borders legislative package

which was published in September. The UK does not

participate in the Schengen border free zone and I will not

intervene in this discussion.

In the afternoon, the Presidency will provide an update

on discussions exploring the implications of the Court of

Justice of the European Union judgment in the

TELE2/Watson case from December 2016, and the

circumstances in which Member States can require the

retention of communications data. The UK continues to

play a leading role in these discussions. I will update the

Council on the proposed UK approach reflecting the

principles set out in our consultation, launched on 30

November, on new safeguards for the use of

communications data.

In addition, there will be a policy debate on best

practice in tackling encrypted data. The UK is supportive

of work in this area and is keen to ensure that law

enforcement can access the data they need to protect the

public, but that any proposals do not weaken internet

security or jeopardise existing good cooperation with

service providers.

Finally the Council will received updates on the Third

meeting of the Central Mediterranean Contact Group

which took place in Bern on 13 November 2017; the

outcomes of the EU Internet Forum meeting on 6

December; and the Presidency’s mid-term review of the

JHA strategic guidelines. The incoming Bulgarian

Presidency will also give a presentation on their work

programme and priorities.

Justice day (08 December) will begin with the

Presidency seeking a General Approach on the European

Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) Directive

and the Regulation regarding exchange of information on

third country nationals (ECRIS-TCN). There appears to

be broad agreement on the text prior to the JHA Council,

which the Government can support, although as the

proposals have not cleared Parliamentary Scrutiny, we

will abstain on any vote in Council.

A second General Approach will be sought on Justice

day for the proposed Regulation on mutual recognition of

freezing and confiscation orders. Whilst there is not yet

agreement among Member States on whether this should

take the form of a Regulation or a Directive, we expect

the Presidency to seek a Qualified Majority on the basis

of a Regulation. The UK remains neutral on this question.

This proposal has not yet cleared Parliamentary Scrutiny

and so we will abstain should there be a vote.

There will be an update from the Presidency to

Ministers on progress on the EU accession to the

European Convention of Human Rights, following ECJ

Opinion 2/13 in December 2014. Although progress has

been slow, the responsible working group in the Council

has now held a first discussion on all but one of the issues

raised by the Court’s opinion. The outstanding issue is the

question of whether Common Foreign and Security Policy

(CFSP) would fall within the jurisdiction of the ECtHR

after accession; a paper on this is expected from the

6 December 2017 Written Statements

Commission. The Presidency is expected to ask the

Commission for an update on the timing of this paper, but

no questions will be posed of Ministers.

The lunchtime discussion will be on preparations for

the next e-justice strategy and action plan.

Justice day will resume with a policy debate on the

recast Brussels IIa Regulation. The Presidency will be

asking Ministers to confirm that the recast Brussels IIa

Regulation should abolish for all types of judgments the

procedure by which judgments from one country are

recognised for enforcement in another (known as

exequatur) and that the method by which this is done

should be considered further by the negotiations working

group. The UK continues to support the abolition of

exequatur subject to the inclusion of sufficient safeguards.

Finally, there will be a policy debate on the draft

proposals for a Directive on Preventive Restructuring,

Second Chance and Insolvency Proceedings. The

Presidency has set out conclusions for agreement by

Ministers on the future direction of work. The UK is

generally supportive of these conclusions.

NHS Pay: Resolution (13 September)

[HLWS314]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: My Rt. Hon. Friend the

Secretary of State for Health has made the following

written statement:

We know pay restraint has been challenging for staff

but it has helped the NHS to recruit an additional 32,300

professionally qualified clinical staff since 2010.

Increasing pressures on the NHS due to, amongst other

things, an ageing population and changing public

expectations continue to create increased demand and

activity and this means that there have been shortages of

some groups. We have been working hard to tackle this.

Since 2010 there are 10,100 more nurses on our wards.

There are currently over 52,000 nurses in training. In

addition, since September 2014 more than 2,400 nurses

have completed the Return to Practice Scheme.

This year there were nearly two applicants for every

available nurse training place. On 4 December UCAS

published their end-of-cycle data which shows 22,575

applicants with confirmed places to study pre-registration

nursing and midwifery in England from August 2017.

These figures show there still is strong demand for

nursing and midwifery courses. There were more 18 to 20

year olds from England accepted to nursing courses than

ever before from August 2017.

We have already confirmed that the across-the-board

1% public sector pay policy will no longer apply to pay

awards for 2018-19. This is due to a recognition that in

some parts of the public sector flexibility to go above the

one per cent may be required to ensure continued delivery

of world class public services.

At the budget we announced that, in order to protect

frontline services in the NHS, we are committing to fund

pay awards as part of a pay deal for NHS staff on the

Agenda for Change contract, including nurses, midwives

and paramedics.

We will make final decisions on funding at the

appropriate time after listening to the Pay Review Bodies

who will, as is usual practice, consider written and oral

evidence from a range of stakeholders, not just from the

government. They will look at issues such as recruitment,

retention and affordability, and will then come back with

a recommendation. We expect their reports in May next

year.

Public sector pay packages will continue to recognise

workers’ vital contributions, while also being affordable

and fair to taxpayers as a whole.


Written Answers 6 December 2017 Page 5

Written Answers Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Adult Education

Asked by Lord Smith of Clifton

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much of the

adult education budget in England in 2016–17 was

allocated to 16–24 year olds (1) in total, (2) for those on

first full Level 2 courses, and (3) for those on first full

Level 3 courses. [HL3513]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The adult education budget

funds learners aged 19 and over. It is not allocated by age

group or qualification type and through freedoms and

flexibilities providers can earn their allocation in line with

the funding rules we set each year.

Information on volumes of full level 2 and 3

qualifications can be found in table 3 of the further

education and skills: November 2017 main table which is

attached and also available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-

education-and-skills-november-2017. Please note that this

includes Offenders’ Learning and Skills Service provision

and shows all level 2 and 3 qualifications not just first full

level 2 and 3 qualifications.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Information on volumes of full level 2 and 3 [HL3513

attachment.xlsx]


answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-22/HL3513

Arms Trade: Exports

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy

regarding the ongoing sale of weapons to nations which

have been shown to have used UK-manufactured

weapons for the purpose of illegal attacks or other

human rights abuses. [HL3471]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government takes

its arms export responsibilities very seriously and

operates one of the most robust arms export control

regimes in the world. We examine every application

rigorously on a case-by-case basis against the

Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing

Criteria. Risks around human rights abuses are a key part

of our assessment. We do not export equipment where we

assess there is a clear risk that it might be used for internal

repression or in the commission of a serious violation of

international humanitarian law or would provoke or

prolong conflict within a country, or would be used

aggressively against another country.

Aviation: Egypt

Asked by Lord Stone of Blackheath

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment

they have made of the risk to UK citizens resulting

from their decision to ban flights between the UK and

Sharm el Sheikh. [HL3732]

Baroness Sugg: Department for Transport makes

regular assessments of the risk posed to flights inbound to

and outbound from the UK. We share the former with the

relevant host government, to agree on appropriate security

measures, but for obvious reasons do not publish such

assessments.

Canada: Foreign Relations

Asked by Lord Northbrook

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have to improve political relations with the government

of Canada. [HL3509]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK and Canada are

already close allies. We work closely on defence and

intelligence matters and enjoy close cooperation on many

issues where we have commons aims and values. We are

the only two countries that are members of all four of The

Commonwealth, NATO, the G7, and the G20.

The Prime Minister visited Ottawa on 18 September, to

strengthen ties between the UK and Canada. During her

visit, a new framework for cooperation was agreed, a new

Strategic Dialogue involving our Foreign, Defence and

Development Secretaries will be supported by a Public

Policy Forum.

Caribbean: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Asked by Lord Tebbit

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any part

of the costs of aid given in connetion with the recent

hurricanes and storms in the Caribbean and South-

Western United States has come from the budget of the

Ministry of Defence. [HL3739]

Earl Howe: I refer my noble Friend, the noble Lord

Tebbit, to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the

Minister for the Armed Forces (Mark Lancaster), in the

House of Commons on 28 November 2017 to Question

number 115053.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

115053 - Islands: Hurricanes and Tornadoes [20171128_WQnA

extract on Islands - Hurricanes and Tornadoes.docx]


answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-29/HL3739

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-11-22/HL3513

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-november-2017

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/further-education-and-skills-november-2017











6 December 2017 Written Answers

Comprehensive Economic and Trade

Agreement

Asked by Lord Northbrook


they have made of the future involvement of the UK in

the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

between the government of Canada and the EU.

[HL3511]

Baroness Fairhead: The UK Government is

committed to seeking to ensure continuity in its current

trade and investment relationships as we leave the

European Union, including those covered by free trade

agreements such as the EU-Canada Comprehensive

Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

On 18 September, the Prime Minister and PM Trudeau

announced that both would work together to ensure a

seamless transition of agreements such as CETA into new

bilateral arrangements.

Custodial Treatment: Private Sector

Asked by Lord Beecham

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much have

(1) G4S, (2) Sodexo, and (3) other private providers,

been paid since 2010 in relation to the management of

custodial services. [HL3476]

Lord Keen of Elie: The following table displays how

much has been paid to each provider for each financial

year between 2010 and 2017.

Provider 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17

Serco 106,940,025 111,661,751 138,650,582 137,921,550 129,425,771 127,005,297 114,800,695

G4S 123,010,997 145,362,804 184,584,750 170,218,302 170,601,923 178,001,324 162,964,503

Sodexo 94,060,071 96,234,517 95,770,086 110,074,702 138,045,759 135,270,682 110,094,491

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has

undertaken any evaluation of glucose monitors used by

people living with diabetes; if so, whether such

monitors are approved for use; and what assessment

they have made of the decision taken by some Clinical

Commissioning Groups not to prescribe such monitors

to diabetes patients. [HL3502]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The National Institute for

Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has evaluated the

following glucose monitors used by people living with

diabetes:

- Integrated sensor-augmented pump therapy systems

for managing blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes (the

MiniMed Paradigm Veo system and the Vibe and G4

PLATINUM CGM system). NICE has evaluated these

products through its diagnostics programme. The

MiniMed Paradigm Veo system is recommended as an

option for managing blood glucose levels in people with

type 1 diabetes only if they have episodes of disabling

hypoglycaemia despite optimal management with

continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

- MiniMed 640G system with SmartGuard for

managing blood glucose levels in people with type 1

diabetes. This is a NICE advice product, developed under

its Medtech innovation briefings (MIBs) programme.

MIBs provide a summary of the best available evidence

for selected new technologies and are designed to assist

National Health Service planning and decision-making.

MIBs are not designed to include treatment advice but

provide a critical review of the strengths and weaknesses

of the relevant evidence, therefore NICE do not make any

recommendations for (or against) funding the device.

- FreeStyle Libre for glucose monitoring, which

measures interstitial fluid glucose levels in people with

diabetes. This is also a Medtech innovation briefing

therefore NICE do not make any recommendations for

funding the device.

In addition, the Regional Medicines Optimisation

Committee (North), one of four Committees established

by NHS England to provide advice to the NHS, reviewed

the use of the Freestyle Libre at its meeting on 26 October

2017. In developing its advice, the Committee took into

account the MIB published by NICE. The Committee has

issued guidance on the use of Freestyle Libre suggesting a

careful start to its use and data collection to better

understand the benefits. Freestyle Libre has been

approved for reimbursement on NHS prescription from 1

November through listing in Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

NICE does not have a role in proactively monitoring the

delivery of local services, so it has not made any

assessment of decisions taken by some clinical

commissioning groups not to fund these technologies.

Diplomatic Immunity

Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the number

of people accredited to Embassies and High

Commissions in the UK who have diplomatic

immunity. [HL3530]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: A list of foreign heads of

mission accredited to the UK is published on GOV.UK

and can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-

embassies-in-the-uk. The precise number of people posted

to foreign diplomatic and consular missions in the UK can







vary from day to day, depending on the commencement

and termination of individual tours. According to FCO

records, on 24 November 2017 there were 5383 such

individuals posted to the UK with immunity

Diplomatic Service

Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the latest

list of Ambassadors and High Commissioners

accredited to the UK. [HL3529]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: A list of foreign heads of

mission accredited to the UK is published on GOV.UK

and can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-

embassies-in-the-uk. The precise number of people posted

to foreign diplomatic and consular missions in the UK can

vary from day to day, depending on the commencement

and termination of individual tours. According to FCO

records, on 24 November 2017 there were 5383 such

individuals posted to the UK with immunity

Ferries: Irish Sea

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno


they have made of the impact of Brexit on ferry

services in the Irish Sea. [HL3723]

Baroness Sugg: The Government's aim is that maritime

trade with the EU, including Ireland, should continue to

be as frictionless as possible. With that aim in mind, we

are looking at the impact of exit on ferry services

throughout the United Kingdom.

Israel: Palestinians

Asked by Lord Judd

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the date

of their most recent representations to the government

of Israel about the treatment of Palestinian children

arrested by the army of Israel, including representations

about the practice of blindfolding; by whom, and to

whom, those representations were made; what was the

response; and what further action they will take (1)

bilaterally, and (2) multilaterally. [HL3524]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK continues to

have strong concerns about continued reports of ill-

treatment of Palestinian minors in Israeli military

detention, notably use of painful restraints and insufficient

notification of legal rights. Our Ambassador to Israel

raised concerns with Israeli Attorney-General Mandelblit

on 3 October and the Minister for the Middle East Alistair

Burt also raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities

during his visit to Israel in August 2017.

We will continue regularly raising this issue with the

Israeli authorities, and to press them to secure needed

improvements to the practices surrounding military

detention of minors. Whilst we have not engaged in

formal multilateral discussions on the matter, we have

nonetheless engaged on this alongside a number of

European Partners.

Littoral Warfare

Asked by Baroness Crawley


they have made of the contributions of (1) HMS

Albion, and (2) HMS Bulwark, to the UK’s overall

amphibious capability; and whether they intend to

decommission either vessel. [HL3694]

Earl Howe: The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security

Review stated that one of the Royal Navy's two Landing

Platform Docks would in future be placed at low

readiness while the other is held at very high readiness for

operations. HMS ALBION and HMS BULWARK have,

accordingly, alternated in the low and high readiness

profile since 2010. HMS ALBION recently exited her

five-year period of low readiness following a successful

regeneration programme and is now undertaking

operational sea training.

On current plans, the decommissioning dates for HMS

ALBION and HMS BULWARK are 2033 and 2034

respectively. Speculation about the potential outcome of

the National Security Capability Review is exactly that:

speculation.

Motorcycles: Licensing

Asked by Baroness Randerson

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they

have made of the number of mopeds operating in the

fast-food delivery business whose riders have only a

provisional licence. [HL3546]

Baroness Sugg: No estimate has been made. However,

there are currently about 380,000 riders who hold a

certificate of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). CBT is

valid for two years, during this time learner riders are

expected to gain experience and take further training prior

to taking their motorcycle theory and practical tests. CBT

is valid to ride motorcycles and scooters up to 125cc as

well as mopeds.

Asked by Baroness Randerson

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they

collect statistics regarding the number of accidents

involving moped riders with provisional licences; and if

so, whether those statistics are available by

geographical area. [HL3547]

Baroness Sugg: Statistics on the number of accidents

involving moped riders with provisional licences are

available for around half of the police forces in Great

Britain. Consequently, comparisons by geographical area

will not be complete or comparable.








Offences against Children

Asked by Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the

Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 7

November (HL2758), whether they have any evidence

of public concern caused by Operation Conifer, which

was undertaken by Wiltshire Police. [HL3512]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office has

received a small number of letters from members of the

public about Operation Conifer.

Prison Sentences

Asked by Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many

prisoners in England and Wales who had been released

after serving a prison sentence of less than a year went

on to re-offend in each of the last five years. [HL3454]

Lord Keen of Elie: The proven reoffending data for the

last five years, for those released from a custodial

sentence of less than 12 months is contained in the table

below:

New Data Source

Jan-Mar

2011

Apr-Jun

2011

Jul-Sep

2011

Oct-Dec

2011

Adult offenders

Proportion of offenders who

reoffend (%)

62.5 62.2 62.8 61.4

Adjusted2011

proportion of

offenders who reoffend (%)

62.5 62.3 62.6 61.4

Average OGRS4/G

score

55.6 55.5 55.8 55.5

Average

number of

reoffences per reoffender

5.53 5.43 5.5 5.47

Number of reoffences

28,160 29,026 30,157 29,827

Number of reoffenders

5,096 5,341 5,483 5,448

Number of offenders in

cohort

8,148 8,586 8,726 8,876

Juvenile offenders


reoffend (%)

79.7 80.8 74.1 71.8

Average

number of

reoffences per

reoffender

5.01 4.7 4.49 4.48

Number of

reoffences

1,237 1,171 1,077 1,196

Number of

reoffenders

247 249 240 267

Number of

offenders in

cohort

310 308 324 372

All offenders

Proportion of

offenders who

reoffend (%)

63.2 62.9 63.2 61.8

Average

number of reoffences per

reoffender

5.5 5.4 5.46 5.43

Number of

reoffences

29,397 30,197 31,234 31,023

Number of

reoffenders

5,343 5,590 5,723 5,715

Number of

offenders in

cohort

8,458 8,894 9,050 9,248

Jan-Mar

2012

Apr-Jun

2012

Jul-Sep

2012

Oct-Dec

2012

Adult offenders

Proportion of

offenders who

reoffend (%)

61.6 62.6 62.2 62.1

Adjusted2011

proportion of offenders who

reoffend (%)

60.7 61.8 61.5 61.4

Average

OGRS4/G

score

56.4 56.4 56.2 56.3

Average


reoffender

5.45 5.58 5.7 5.68

Number of

reoffences

29,585 30,320 30,811 30,957

Number of

reoffenders

5,426 5,429 5,407 5,452

Number of

offenders in

cohort

8,814 8,675 8,698 8,775

Juvenile offenders

Proportion of


74.5 69.1 81.6 74.8

Average number of

reoffences

per reoffender

4.58 4.6 4.5 4.49

Number of

reoffences

1,109 865 1,080 812

Number of

reoffenders

242 188 240 181





cohort

325 272 294 242

All offenders


reoffend (%)

62 62.8 62.8 62.5

Average

number of


5.42 5.55 5.65 5.64


30,694 31,185 31,891 31,769


5,668 5,617 5,647 5,633


cohort

9,139 8,947 8,992 9,017

Jan-Mar

2013

Apr-Jun

2013

Jul-Sep

2013

Oct-Dec

2013

Adult offenders


reoffend (%)

63.7 63.9 64.4 63.7

Adjusted2011

proportion of

offenders who

reoffend (%)

62.2 62.5 62.6 61.7

Average OGRS4/G

score

57.1 57 57.5 57.6

Average

number of


5.82 5.71 5.98 5.92


29,430 30,303 31,101 31,014


5,053 5,309 5,199 5,239


cohort

7,934 8,307 8,067 8,221

Juvenile offenders


reoffend (%)

78.8 73.7 77.5 79.3

Average


reoffender

4.81 5.28 5.04 4.86

Number of

reoffences

875 665 675 724

Number of

reoffenders

182 126 134 149

Number of

offenders in

cohort

231 171 173 188

All offenders

Proportion of


64.1 64.1 64.7 64.1

Average number of

reoffences per

reoffender

5.79 5.7 5.96 5.89

Number of

reoffences

30,305 30,968 31,776 31,738

Number of

reoffenders

5,235 5,435 5,333 5,388

Number of

offenders in cohort

8,165 8,478 8,240 8,409

Jan-Mar 2014

Apr-Jun 2014

Jul-Sep 2014

Oct-Dec 2014

Adult offenders

Proportion of


65.1 64 64 64.4

Adjusted2011 proportion of

offenders who

reoffend (%)

62.7 61.5 62.3 61.9

Average

OGRS4/G

score

58 58.1 57.3 58

Average number of

reoffences per

reoffender

6.09 6.13 6.14 6.08

Number of

reoffences

30,614 29,777 30,493 30,313

Number of

reoffenders

5,025 4,856 4,967 4,982

Number of

offenders in cohort

7,722 7,591 7,760 7,741

Juvenile offenders

Proportion of


78 77.6 75.6 79.6

Average number of


4.98 5.13 5.5 5.54


777 728 666 693


156 142 121 125


cohort

200 183 160 157


All offenders


reoffend (%)

65.4 64.3 64.2 64.7

Average

number of


6.06 6.1 6.12 6.07


31,391 30,505 31,159 31,006


5,181 4,998 5,088 5,107


cohort

7,922 7,774 7,920 7,898

Jan-Mar

2015

Apr-Jun

2015

Jul-Sep

2015

Oct-Dec

2015

Adult offenders


reoffend (%)

63.7 62.6 61.3 65.5

Adjusted2011

proportion of


61.9 61.2 60.1 61.7

Average OGRS4/G

score

57.4 57 56.8 59.5

Average

number of


6.21 6 5.93 6.01


28,285 28,074 26,349 34,641


4,558 4,682 4,441 5,767


cohort

7,157 7,479 7,247 8,798

Juvenile offenders


reoffend (%)

78.6 75.6 70.4 69.4

Average

number of


5.6 5.73 5.71 5.86

Number of

reoffences

677 567 639 545

Number of

reoffenders

121 99 112 93

Number of

offenders in

cohort

154 131 159 134

All offenders

Proportion of

offenders who

reoffend (%)

64 62.8 61.5 65.6

Average

number of


6.19 5.99 5.93 6


28,962 28,641 26,988 35,186


4,679 4,781 4,553 5,860


cohort

7,311 7,610 7,406 8,932

Notes

1. These figures have been derived from administrative

IT systems, which as with any large scale recording

system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and

processing.

2. A proven reoffence is defined as any offence

committed in a one year follow-up period that leads to a

court conviction, caution, reprimand or warning in the one

year follow-up or within a further six month waiting

period to allow the offence to be proven in court.

3. Number of offenders in each disposal category do not

sum to the total number of offenders. This is due to a

difference in methodology to provide a realistic and

relevant view of proven reoffending by disposal type. The

first event within each disposal is taken as the start point.

Therefore, some offenders will appear in more than one

disposal category.

4. From October 2015 onwards, reoffending data are

collected using different data sources to previous quarters.

Therefore, users should be cautious when making any

comparison between the October to December 2015

cohort and earlier cohorts.

5. The average OGRS4/G (Offender Group

Reconviction Scale) score is used to control for some

differences in offender characteristics across different

offender groups. OGRS4/G is based on a well-

established, peer-reviewed methodology for assessing and

representing reoffending risk.

6. Adjusted2011 proportion of offenders who reoffend

(%) is the OGRS4/G-adjusted reoffending rate for a given

cohort. It is calculated as the observed reoffending rate for

that cohort plus any difference between the OGRS4/G

score in that cohort and the 2011 baseline cohort. This

calculation standardises the mix of offenders in each

cohort to the 2011 mix for that same cohort.

Pupils: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Asked by The Countess of Mar

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether parental

consent was obtained by school attendance officers

before parents were sent letters by researchers for the

study entitled Unidentified Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis is a major cause

of school absence: surveillance outcomes from school-


based clinics, published by the British Medical Journal

in 2011. [HL3501]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The department has no direct

knowledge of the study entitled ‘ Unidentified Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis is a major

cause of school absence: surveillance outcomes from

school-based clinics’, published by the British Medical

Journal in 2011 or any activity undertaken by schools in

connection with this study.

Sentinel Aircraft

Asked by Lord Moonie

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have

any plans to keep Sentinel aircraft in service beyond

2021; and if not, how they plan to meet that capability

requirement. [HL3584]

Earl Howe: The planned out of service date for the

Sentinel aircraft is 2021. There are currently no plans to

extend the out of service date. As with all capabilities, this

is kept under review.

Shared Spaces: Disability

Asked by Baroness Deech

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are

taking to ensure that shared space schemes address the

needs of disabled people; and whether they intend to

commit, in the Department for Transport Accessibility

Action Plan, to update the 2011 Local Transport Note,

as recommended by the Select Committee on the

Equality Act 2010 and Disability (Session 2015–16).

[HL3485]

Baroness Sugg: Local authorities are responsible for

the design of their public spaces and have a duty to take

account of the needs of disabled people. The Government

is absolutely clear that the needs of the whole community

should be considered when councils are looking to

introduce any public realm scheme, including shared

space.

The Department for Transport has been working with

the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation

(CIHT) on its review of shared space and other street

design schemes. The review has considered a wide range

of issues regarding shared space, and we expect CIHT’s

report to make recommendations for further work,

including in relation to current guidance. The Government

will respond to those recommendations in due course.

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Asked by Lord Beecham

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they

have made of the cost to local authorities of the new

requirement to comply with a social care providers

scheme linked to payments for sleep-in care; and

whether the new burdens doctrine will apply to such

costs. [HL3477]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Work conducted by the

Government during the summer highlighted the risk

posed to the social care sector as a consequence of

historical liabilities associated with "Sleep-in" shifts. The

Government is exploring options to minimise the impact

on the social care sector, including holding discussions

with the European Commission. On 1 November 2017, in

recognition of the extraordinary circumstances affecting

the social care sector, HMRC introduced the Social Care

Compliance Scheme. This is an interim enforcement

scheme designed to facilitate a solution to the issue of

National Minimum Wage underpayment for sleep-in

shifts in the social care sector.

South Georgia: Rescue Services

Asked by Lord West of Spithead

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Antarctic

Circumnavigation Expedition was denied approval to

operate a rescue helicopter in South Georgia earlier this

year. [HL3414]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government of

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands takes very

seriously its responsibilities for the protection of the

remote and environmentally sensitive territory it

administers. The operating environment on the islands is

such that the Government requires that any helicopter

activity meets its stringent rules in relation to safety and

environmental protection, consequently helicopter use is

only permitted in exceptional circumstances, such as the

recent South Georgia rodent eradication programme.

Given the requirements of the Antarctic Circumnavigation

Expedition it was not feasible to develop similar

arrangements on this occasion in the timeframe available.

South Sudan: Peace Negotiations

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool


they have made of the Intergovernmental Authority on

Development's South Sudan peace process; whether

they intend to propose any new diplomatic approach to

ending the conflict; and what steps the international

community has taken to involve a broad section of civil

society, including (1) faith groups, (2) young people,

and (3) women’s groups, in that process. [HL3472]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK continues to

encourage all sides to respond positively to the IGAD

initiative to revive the peace process, negotiate a

ceasefire, and improve humanitarian access. IGAD's

Revitalisation Forum is a critical opportunity. With his

Troika counterparts, the UK Special Representative for

Sudan and South Sudan has recently held discussions

with key senior officials and ministers of IGAD member

states, and the leaders of a range of South Sudanese

parties to the conflict (including from the Government of









South Sudan), to urge them to commit themselves to the

process.

We have been clear that any initiatives supported and

delivered by the region must be complementary to the

IGAD Revitalisation Forum.

The renewed peace process must also allow full

engagement of non-armed actors, including faith groups,

young people, and women's groups, as well as refugees,

those who have been internally displaced, and the

diaspora. We have recently agreed a package of funding

that will help the South Sudan Council of Churches to

implement their Action Plan for Peace, which promotes

the development of neutral fora in South Sudan where an

inclusive dialogue can take place.

Students: Loans

Asked by Lord Smith of Clifton

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the

resource accounting budgeting charge in England for

(1) fee-loans for part-time higher education

undergraduate students, (2) loans for adult learners at

Level 3, (3) loans for adult learners at Levels 4 and 5,

and (4) future maintenance loans for part-time higher

education undergraduate students. [HL3514]

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Resource

Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) charge for fee loans for

part-time higher education undergraduate students is

estimated to be around 40%.

The RAB charge for Advanced Learner Loans at Level

3 is estimated to be around 50%-55%. The estimate

includes Access to Higher Education (HE) courses which

allow any learner progressing to HE to have their loan

written off at the point of completing their HE course.

The RAB charge for Advanced Learner Loans at Level

4 and above is estimated to be around 20%-25%.

It is estimated that the RAB charge for part-time higher

education undergraduate loans will increase to around

45% once maintenance loans have been made available to

part-time students.

The cost of the system is a conscious investment in

young people. It is the policy subsidy required to make

higher and further education widely available, achieving

the government’s objectives of increasing the skills in the

economy and ensuring access to university for all with the

potential to benefit.

Taiwan: Sustainable Development

Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they

intend to support the participation of Taiwan in the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [HL3515]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom

believes that Taiwan has a valuable contribution to make

on global issues such as the Sustainable Development

Goals

The UK's longstanding policy on Taiwan remains the

same. The UK supports Taiwanese membership of

international organisations where statehood is not a pre-

requisite for membership. In situations where Taiwanese

membership of international organisations is not possible,

we welcome pragmatic solutions that allow Taiwan to

contribute to the global good, such as Taiwan's voluntary

efforts to support the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development.



Index to Statements and Answers

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

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer

Affairs Council ..................................................... 1

EU Insolvency Regulation .................................... 1

Government Asset Sale ........................................ 1

Higher Education: Resolution (13 September) ..... 2

Justice and Home Affairs Council ........................ 2

NHS Pay: Resolution (13 September) .................. 4

Written Answers ..................................................... 5

Adult Education .................................................... 5

Arms Trade: Exports ............................................ 5

Aviation: Egypt .................................................... 5

Canada: Foreign Relations ................................... 5

Caribbean: Hurricanes and Tornadoes ................. 5

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement 6

Custodial Treatment: Private Sector ..................... 6

Diabetes: Medical Equipment .............................. 6

Diplomatic Immunity ........................................... 6

Diplomatic Service ............................................... 7

Ferries: Irish Sea ................................................... 7

Israel: Palestinians ................................................ 7

Littoral Warfare .................................................... 7

Motorcycles: Licensing ........................................ 7

Offences against Children .................................... 8

Prison Sentences ................................................... 8

Pupils: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ..................... 10

Sentinel Aircraft ................................................. 11

Shared Spaces: Disability ................................... 11

Social Services: Minimum Wage ....................... 11

South Georgia: Rescue Services ......................... 11

South Sudan: Peace Negotiations ....................... 11

Students: Loans .................................................. 12

Taiwan: Sustainable Development ..................... 12

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