HOUSE OF LORDS WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND WRITTEN ANSWERS - 16 May 2019
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Session 2017-19 Thursday
No. 273 16 May 2019
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................ 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 4[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
Baroness Barran Whip
Baroness Blackwood of North Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care
Oxford
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, 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
Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip
Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office
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
Baroness Stedman-Scott Whip
Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development
Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport, Whip
Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office and Minister for Equalities, for International Development
Lord Young of Cookham Cabinet Office Spokesperson, Treasury Spokesperson and Whip
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2019
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 16 May 2019 Page 1
Institutional Cycle Priorities
Written Statements The Presidency will inform the Council on the follow-
Thursday, 16 May 2019 up discussions in regards to priorities for the next
institutional cycle in the ECOFIN area.
ECOFIN Working Lunch
[HLWS1524]
Following on from the discussions at April informal
ECOFIN in Bucharest, EU Finance Ministers will hold a
Lord Young of Cookham: My right honourable friend working lunch to discuss the challenges of labour
the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Philip Hammond) has mobility and their potential solutions.
today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs ENABLE Guarantee Scheme
Council (ECOFIN) will be held in Brussels on 17 May
2019. The UK will be represented by Mark Bowman [HLWS1522]
(Director General, International Finance, HM Treasury). Lord Henley: My Honourable Friend the
The Council will discuss the following: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small
Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Kelly
Early Morning Session
Tolhurst MP has made the following written statement:
The Eurogroup President will brief the Council on the
ENABLE Guarantee is a scheme administered by the
outcomes of the 16 May meeting of the Eurogroup, and
British Business Bank that encourages participating banks
the European Commission will provide an update on the
and other financial institutions to lend more to small and
current economic situation in the EU. Ministers will then
medium-sized enterprises by either addressing the high
discuss the possibility of the European Investment Bank
capital consumption associated with such lending for
developing country strategies.
banks or by reducing the cost of funding for other
Excise Duties financial institutions in order to increase the supply and
The Council will be invited to reach a political diversity of finance to SMEs.
agreement on the Directive on general arrangements for British Business Bank programmes are supporting more
excise duty (recast), the Regulation on administrative than £5.9bn of finance to over 82,000 smaller businesses
cooperation of the content of electronic registers, and the (as at September 2018). The Department has approved
Directive on the structures of excise duty on alcohol and guarantee facilities totalling £1 billion within the
alcoholic beverages. ENABLE programme.
Economic and Monetary Union We are now extending the scheme to other financial
The Council will hold an exchange of views on the way institutions (as defined in the Request for Proposals
forward in areas of the Economic and Monetary Union, available on the British Business Bank’s website), in
specifically in regards to the Reform Support Programme. order to further increase the diversity of supply of funding
available to SMEs. This extension will not create a new
Current Financial Services Legislative Proposals contingent liability.
The Romanian Presidency will provide an update on The aggregate amount of the guarantees issued by the
current legislative proposals in the field of financial Department under the scheme is expected to be circa £2
services. billion, with extension beyond this subject to further
International Meetings review. Within this £2 billion, the aggregate notional
amount of the guarantees extended to other financial
The Presidency and Commission will update the
institutions is capped at £400 million. This enables the
Council on the outcomes of the G20, IMF and World
Department to manage its risk appetite and limit its credit
Bank spring meetings that took place in April, and the
risk exposure.
Council will be invited to approve the Terms of Reference
for the upcoming G20 meeting in June. As a matter of record, I will be laying a Departmental
Minute today.
The Council will then hold a policy debate on digital
taxation in the international context, and the Finnish
delegation will debrief the Council on the first meeting of EU JHA Opt-in: Cybercrime
the Finance Ministers Coalition for Climate Action. [HLWS1527]
European Semester Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the
The Council will be invited to adopt conclusions on the Minister of State for Security (Ben Wallace) has today
outcomes of the 2019 In-Depth Reviews of made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
macroeconomic imbalances in Member States as part of The Government has decided not to opt into (under the
the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure; and the UK’s JHA opt-in Protocol) either the proposed EU
implementation of 2018 Country-Specific Council Decision to participate in the negotiations of the
Recommendations. Second Additional Protocol to the Cybercrime
(“Budapest”) Convention or the proposed EU CouncilPage 2 16 May 2019 Written Statements
Decision to authorise EU US negotiations on a cross- The report is available on Gov.uk and details the
border data access agreement. progress made in discussions between the UK
The first proposed Council Decision enables the EU Government and devolved administrations regarding
Commission to participate in negotiations relating to the common frameworks in the third reporting period covered
Second Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe under the legislation, and sets out that no ‘freezing’
Cybercrime (“Budapest”) Convention, on behalf of the regulations have been brought forward under section 12
European Union. of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.
The second proposed Council Decision authorises the A copy of the “The European Union (Withdrawal) Act
EU Commission to commence negotiations with the US and Common Frameworks - 26 December to 25 March
on an EU US international data access agreement, with 2019” report has been placed in the library of both
the aim of ensuring compliance by US-established Houses." The publication of the report reflects the
Service Providers to requests from EU Member States for Government’s continued commitment to transparency.
stored electronic content. The US’s Clarifying Lawful
Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act provides that only Industrial Strategy (West Midlands)
an international agreement between the US and a foreign [HLWS1521]
government can allow for such compliance by US-
established Service Providers. Lord Henley: My Rt hon Friend, the Secretary of State
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Greg Clark)
I have decided not to opt into the EU Council Decision has made the following statement:
on participating in the Second Additional Protocol to the
Council of Europe Budapest Convention to ensure that the Our modern Industrial Strategy is a long-term plan to
UK is able to negotiate its own position and interests, boost productivity and earning power for people
without being limited or bound by the EU negotiation throughout the country.
policy. This includes enabling the UK to ensure that a Since 2010, local leaders, working in partnership with
flexible approach is taken in negotiating the Protocol to government, have delivered historic City Deals with
accommodate the different systems and processes of a Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and
wide range of participant states (beyond the participating Warwickshire and the Black Country. Having secured
EU Member States). significant Growth Deal funding, the West Midlands then
The UK is already in the process of negotiating its own came together as one to capitalise on these important new
reciprocal UK-US data access agreement, a bilateral powers and establish new leadership through two
treaty (as required under the CLOUD Act) that enables successful Devolution Deals.
US companies to comply with lawful orders from UK Building on these strong foundations, we set out in the
authorities for the production of electronic modern Industrial Strategy to work in partnership with
communications without any conflict of law. As such my places to develop Local Industrial Strategies. Local
rt hon Friend the Minister of State for Policing and the Industrial Strategies are central to our aim of creating
Fire Service has decided not to opt into the Council prosperous communities across the country. They are
Decision on opening EU US negotiations on cross-border being developed locally and agreed with government.
data access. This is in line with the UK’s decision not to They are long-term, based on clear evidence and aligned
opt into the draft EU e-evidence Regulation, which sets to the modern Industrial Strategy.
internal EU rules relating to the production of electronic Today we launched the first of these strategies – the
communications. West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy. This has been
Until the UK leaves the EU we remain a full member, developed locally by the West Midlands Combined
and the Government will continue to consider the Authority, led by Mayor Andy Street, supported by the
application of the UK’s opt-in to EU legislation on a case Local Enterprise Partnerships and agreed with
by case basis, with a view to maximising our ability to government.
protect the public. This Strategy sets out how, in partnership with West
Midlands local leaders, we will work to deliver on a range
EU Withdrawal Act: Common Frameworks of commitments including:
[HLWS1526] • delivering on our Future of Mobility Grand Challenge,
which aims to be at the forefront of the development of
Lord Young of Cookham: My right honourable friend
cleaner, safer, easier and more reliable future modes of
the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for
transport, cementing the West Midlands’ position as the
the Cabinet Office has today made the following Written
UK’s automotive heartlands;
Ministerial Statement:
• playing a leading role in the UK’s trials of connected
I am today laying before Parliament a report, ‘The
autonomous vehicles, with the West Midlands aiming
European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common
to deploy the first fully operational connected
Frameworks - 26 December 2018 to 25 March 2019’ as
autonomous vehicles in advance of the 2022
required by paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the European
Commonwealth Games;
Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.Written Statements 16 May 2019 Page 3
• driving investment into electric vehicle manufacturing the UK naval training mission training the Iraqi Navy and
in the region, completing the UK Battery entities contracted or subcontracted to the GoI, US or UK
Industrialisation Centre and maximising the impact of forces or NATO.
the Faraday Battery Challenge; In light of the deployment of military forces of non-
• putting the West Midlands at the heart of transport NATO EU countries in Iraq and in accordance with the
innovation in the UK by delivering the UK’s first large- GoI request for international support, the Government
scale 5G testbed; and wishes to make clear that it considers as exempt from the
• helping meet the Artificial Intelligence and Data embargo exports serving the purposes of UNSCR 1546 to
Grand Challenge by supporting the development of a the forces of EU as well as NATO countries deployed in
West Midlands Translational Medicine and Med-Tech Iraq at the request of the GoI. The Government also
commission to accelerate the ‘lab to patient’ ecosystem. wishes to make clear that it considers exports serving the
same purposes to United Nations agencies present in Iraq
The West Midlands is a global force and a major part of
at the request of the GoI, and their contractors and
the UK economy, generating £99bn of GVA — five per
subcontractors, as exempt from the embargo.
cent of UK output. The region is growing fast, with
output up 27 per cent over the past five years. A record Accordingly, the Government considers as exempt from
number of people are in work and the lowest number are the embargo exports to the GoI, the United Nations
out of work. Productivity is increasing too, at twice the Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), UN agencies in
rate of the UK in 2017-18, while carbon emissions have Iraq, diplomatic missions in Iraq, the NATO [training]
reduced by 18 per cent over the last five years – showing mission in Iraq, the forces of NATO or EU countries in
that while we grow our economy we can reduce the Iraq, and entities contracted or subcontracted to the GoI,
impact on our planet. NATO, the forces of such NATO or EU countries,
UNAMI or such UN agencies. As in the statement of 11
The West Midlands is a region in renaissance.
November 2010, export licence applications to these end
Together, this work sets the long-term future for how the
users will not therefore require the approval of the GoI
West Midlands can fully realise its potential.
prior to approval of the application but may require extra
A copy of the West Midlands Industrial Strategy will be information to be provided by the entity seeking the
placed in the Libraries of the House. export licence. For exports serving the purposes of
UNSCR 1546 to entities other than these, the exporter is
Iraq: Export Licence System required to provide a supporting document from the GoI
to demonstrate that the proposed export is required and
[HLWS1525]
thus exempt from the embargo. All export licence
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Right Honourable applications for Iraq as elsewhere will be assessed on a
Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and
Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Jeremy Hunt), has made the National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and the
following written Ministerial statement: Government will not issue a licence where to do so would
This Statement updates and supersedes the Written be inconsistent with the criteria.
Ministerial Statement of 11 November 2010 on the ‘Iraq:
Export Licence System’ (Official Report, 11 Nov 2010: NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Column 24WS).
[HLWS1523]
UN Security Council Resolution 1546 of 2004 (UNSCR
1546) includes an exemption to the arms embargo on Iraq Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My Right Honourable
for supplies of arms and related materiel required by the Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and
Government of Iraq (GoI) or the multinational force to Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Jeremy Hunt), has made the
serve the purposes of the resolution. The Written following written Ministerial statement:
Ministerial Statement on 11 November 2010 stated that The hon. Member for Slough (Mr Tanmanjeet Singh
Her Majesty’s Government would consider as exempt Dhesi) has replaced the hon. Member for Ilford South
from the embargo exports to the GoI, the United Nations (Mike Gapes) as a Member of the United Kingdom
Assistance Mission for Iraq, diplomatic missions in Iraq, delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
the US forces in Iraq, the NATO training mission in Iraq,Page 4 16 May 2019 Written Answers
Baroness Williams of Trafford: After reports
Written Answers indicated that an asylum decision was not drafted in
accordance with Home Office policy guidance, Asylum
Thursday, 16 May 2019
Operations conducted an investigation into this matter. A
small number of religious conversion cases were sampled
A1 and no further cases were identified during this sampling
exercise.
Asked by Baroness Randerson
All such decisions are currently subject to further
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any of the scrutiny, pending the roll out of additional specialist
11 planned road building schemes announced by training, which has been developed in collaboration with
Highways England in April as being paused indefinitely the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for
affect the A1; and if so, which parts. [HL15474] International Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: In delivering the road The Asylum Learning and Development Team started
investment strategy, Highways England routinely reviews to deliver the specialist training package on religious
its delivery plans to ensure that proposed road schemes claims on Monday 8 April, which will be mandatory for
will deliver value for money and minimise disruption for all asylum decision-makers.
motorists. Highways England publishes its annual
Delivery Plan each year to provide details of its planned Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
work programme for the next 12 months and beyond. The Asked by Baroness Golding
next regular update of this is scheduled to be published
this summer. To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cattle
have been tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and
then following slaughter have been negative on post-
Asia Bibi mortem testing; and what progress has been made in
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool producing an accurate test before cattle are slaughtered.
[HL15458]
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 2 Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The early detection and
May (HL15272), what was the most recent response removal of tuberculosis (TB)-infected cattle before they
they received from the government of Pakistan about develop advanced pathology and/or clinical signs of the
the right of Asia Bibi to join her family in Canada; and disease (and thus become highly infectious) is a key
when they anticipate that this will take place. element of bovine TB eradication programmes, including
[HL15530] England’s 25 Year Bovine TB Strategy. To that effect, we
use ante-mortem tests that measure the animals’ immune
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government response to infection with the bovine TB bacterium
welcomes reports that Asia Bibi has been able to travel (Mycobacterium bovis – M. bovis), rather than rely on
freely out of Pakistan and is now able to make decisions direct detection methods.
about her future. The single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin
We also welcome the Pakistan Government’s (SICCT) test, commonly known as the ‘skin test’,
commitment to the rule of law, following the Supreme together with the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA),
Court of Pakistan’s decision in January to uphold her is the legal standard approved in the EU legislation for the
acquittal of blasphemy charges. diagnosis of TB in live cattle in the UK. As with cases of
Our primary concern has always been Asia Bibi’s TB in humans, only a proportion of those animals infected
safety and security. Since Asia Bibi’s sentencing in 2010, with M. bovis and reacting to a tuberculin skin test or
we have been in close and extensive contact with a range IGRA display gross lesions of TB when subjected to post-
of international partners to support a positive outcome for mortem meat inspection in the slaughterhouse.
her. In 2017 (the last year for which an analysis of post-
mortem findings is available), approximately 60% of the
Asylum: Religion 32,000 cattle compulsorily removed for bovine TB
control reasons in England as skin test reactors or IGRA
Asked by Baroness Cox positives did not have visible lesions of TB on post-
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the mortem and were also negative for M. bovis on
Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 4 bacteriological culture (where performed).
April (HL14728), what were the findings of their Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency
investigation into reports which indicated that some (APHA) are constantly striving for new ways to maximise
asylum decisions were not drafted in accordance with the effectiveness of TB testing of cattle to achieve the
Home Office policy guidance on how asylum decision- objectives of the Strategy. APHA may exceptionally
makers are expected to approach religious-based authorise the private use of non-validated diagnostic tests
claims. [HL15495] for bovine TB in herds where the disease is persistent, inWritten Answers 16 May 2019 Page 5
order to help detect additional infected animals that may workless households compared with 2010. A copy of my
have been missed by the approved official tests (rather letter has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
than to negate a positive result to such tests). A policy
position paper on non-validated diagnostics for TB in Commonwealth: Midwives and Nurses
cattle is now available on the APHA Vet Gateway
(http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/index.htm). Asked by Lord Crisp
Over £4 million was allocated to TB research and To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will
development in 2018/19, with the anticipation of a similar be raising the proposal that 2020 be designated the Year
spend this financial year. The majority of these finds are of the Nurse and Midwife at the Commonwealth Health
being invested in improving diagnostic tests alongside Ministers Meeting on 19 May. [HL15454]
vaccine development. However, validation for a new test
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK recognises the
to World Organisation for Animal Health standards would
vital work conducted by nurses and midwives across the
only lead to official adoption if it demonstrated proven
Commonwealth and supports the WHO Executive Board's
advantages in the detection of disease alongside the
proposal for 2020 to be recognised as the “Year of the
current test portfolio.
Nurse and Midwife”. We look forward to discussing
important topics such as this at the Commonwealth Health
Channel Ferries: Contracts Ministers Meeting later this month.
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick Eggs
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
they have made of the effects of the recent decision to
cancel the remaining contracts with no-deal Brexit ferry To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they
operators on supply chains in the freight sector. have made of the number of eggs produced in the UK
[HL15489] for enriched colony systems in 2019. [HL15501]
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government does not Lord Gardiner of Kimble: UK Packing Station egg
expect there to be a significant impact on supply chains in throughput figures are collated quarterly and cover the
the freight sector. Shippers will continue to have access to vast majority of total eggs produced. Eggs produced from
ferry and Channel Tunnel freight services provided on a hens in enriched colony systems accounted for 42% of the
commercial basis, as usual. total throughput in the first quarter of 2019 in the UK.
This equates to 1.2 billion eggs.
Children: Poverty Forced Marriage: Children and Young
Asked by Baroness Primarolo People
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Asked by The Lord Bishop of St Albans
answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 30 April (HL Deb, To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times in
col 857), to what period the “huge progress on child 2018 the Forced Marriage Unit provided advice or
poverty” refers. [HL15605] support on forced marriage to (1) a person aged 15 or
Lord Agnew of Oulton: I issued a letter of correction under, and (2) a person aged 16 or 17. [HL15521]
on 9 May 2019 explaining that my reference to children Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK is a world-
moving out of poverty since 2010 should have been a leader in the fight to stamp out the brutal practice of
reference to the number of children in workless forced marriage, with our joint Home Office and Foreign
households. There are now 665,000 fewer children in and Commonwealth Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)
workless households compared with 2010. A copy of my which leads efforts to combat it both at home and abroad.
letter has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. We made forced marriage a criminal offence in 2014 to
Asked by Baroness Primarolo better protect victims and send a clear message that this
abhorrent practice is totally unacceptable and will not be
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the tolerated in the UK.
answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 30 April (HL Deb,
col 857), how many children have (1) moved out of The joint Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Home
poverty, and (2) moved into poverty, in each year since Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) operates a public
2010 for which figures are available. [HL15606] helpline to provide advice and support to victims, those at
risk, and professionals. Statistics on the number of cases
Lord Agnew of Oulton: I issued a letter of correction dealt with by the FMU, including a breakdown by region
on 9 May 2019 explaining that my reference to children and age, are published annually and available online at
moving out of poverty since 2010 should have been a https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage#statistics-
reference to the number of children in workless on-forced-marriage
households. There are now 665,000 fewer children in Figures for 2018 will be published soon.Page 6 16 May 2019 Written Answers
Heritage Lottery Fund: Public Records information. Data regarding the Fund’s grant decisions
has recently been released as part of its commitment to
Asked by Lord Aberdare Open Data.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
reply by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 24 April (HL Deb, High Speed 2 Railway Line
cols 600–602) on records held by the National Lottery
Asked by Lord Berkeley
Heritage Fund that the fund took legal advice and that
even if it had retained the records, “it would not have To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they
been able to make them available”, what was the nature intend to publish an up-to-date cost estimate and
of the legal advice taken; and on what grounds it was business case for HS2 Phase 1; and whether they will
argued that such records could not be made available. table a motion for approval of each in both Houses of
[HL15448] Parliament before permanent works begin. [HL15451]
Lord Ashton of Hyde: The National Lottery Heritage Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Full Business Case
Fund (the Fund) took advice from its professional legal for Phase One will be published later in 2019 and will
advisors as to the legal status of the Conservation include an assessment of the latest estimates of cost,
Management Plans, which included advice on copyright schedule and benefits. Publication of the Full Business
and on the implications to the Fund if they were to make Case will support authorisation of Notice to Proceed for
the CMPs available to third parties. The advice concluded Phase One which is when HS2 Ltd instructs its main
that if the Fund disclosed the Conservation Management works civil contractors to commence construction of the
Plans it would risk being in breach of copyright railway.
Asked by Lord Aberdare The Government already has the statutory powers to
build HS2 Phase One. Authorisation of Notice to Proceed
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the is a commercial and administrative process conducted
reply by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 24 April (HL Deb, between the Government, HS2 Ltd and its main works
cols 600–602), what specific steps the National Lottery civil contractors, and does not therefore require a motion
Heritage Fund will take to “strengthen the emphasis on of parliamentary approval.
creating a legacy record for funded projects and on
making this publicly accessible wherever possible”. Asked by Lord Berkeley
[HL15449] To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they
Lord Ashton of Hyde: The National Lottery Heritage intend to publish an up-to-date cost estimate and
Fund (the Fund) is in discussions with various business case for HS2 Phase 2A at least two weeks
representatives from the archives sector, including The before the High Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe)
National Archives and the Archives and Records Bill has its second reading in the House of Lords.
Association. The aim of these discussions is to find ways [HL15452]
to ensure that grant recipients make application material Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department for
more widely accessible in future, partly by removing Transport will periodically update the phase 2a cost
practical obstacles to doing so. estimate and business cases in line with the Government’s
The Fund is also expediting the compilation of a list of protocol for developing major projects. The HS2 Phase 2a
1300 park and garden projects for which Conservation Outline Business Case was published alongside the
Management Plans may have been produced, which they deposit of the Phase 2a hybrid Bill in July 2017. The
will make available to interested parties upon request. Department intends to update the Phase 2a Business Case
and cost estimate to inform the Full Business Case after
Asked by Lord Aberdare
the Phase 2a hybrid Bill achieves Royal Assent.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
reply by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 24 April (HL Deb, House of Lords Terrace: Smoking
cols 600–602), whether records held by the National
Lottery Heritage Fund were digitally recorded before Asked by Lord Storey
the physical copies were de-stroyed; if so, what form To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment
this digitisation took; what facilities the digital version he has made of smoking on the Lords’ Terrace.
offers; who holds the digitised version; and what access [HL15608]
there is for the public and other users. [HL15450]
Lord Laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked
Lord Ashton of Hyde: The National Lottery Heritage me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond
Fund (the Fund) digitally recorded documents critical to on his behalf. Smoking is permitted on the Lords’ Terrace
its grant contracts, and securely destroyed records no in the designated smoking area adjacent to the House of
longer required for retention. The documents that were Commons and on the Peers’ smoking table, which is
retained were scanned in PDF format. The retained located near the top of the ramp and is currently outside
records are held by the Fund, and are not accessible to the the designated smoking area. The Services Committee
public because they contain confidential commercial will consider a paper on this matter at its meeting in June.Written Answers 16 May 2019 Page 7
Immigrants: Detainees Lewes-Uckfield Railway Line
Asked by Baroness Lister of Burtersett Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
reply by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 3 April (HL have, if any, to reconsider their decision to not reopen
Deb, col 165), what is their definition of "indefinite" as the Uckfield to Lewes railway line. [HL15475]
applied to the term "indefinite detention". [HL15466]
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government has no
Baroness Williams of Trafford: It is not possible to current plans to reinstate the line between Lewes and
detain people for an indefinite – or unrestricted – period. Uckfield, but are committed to improving services on
In order for detention to be lawful there must be a both the Uckfield line and the wider Brighton Main Line.
realistic prospect of the individual’s removal within a You may also be aware that £19.2m has been spent on
reasonable timescale. the Uckfield line to enable longer ten car trains to operate,
providing much needed extra seating and space for
passengers.
Immigration: EU Nationals
Asked by Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws Motorways
To ask Her Majesty's Government which Asked by Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill
organisations they have commissioned to provide
support to applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme. To ask Her Majesty's Government what
[HL15513] assessment they have made of the effectiveness of
smart motorways; and how many penalty notices have
Baroness Williams of Trafford: Details of the 57 been issued for non-compliance with smart motorway
organisations awarded EU Settlement grant scheme restrictions on each motorway. [HL15488]
funding will be announced mid-May once the commercial
activity has been concluded. Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Smart motorways are an
important part of the modernisation of England’s
motorways. The Government’s policy is to implement
Israel: Palestinians smart motorways on the busiest sections of motorway, as
Asked by Lord Hylton they provide a way to increase capacity and improve
performance without the need to widen the road.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
representations they are making to the government of Smart motorways have reduced congestion and
Israel about their current withholding of tax revenues improved journey time reliability, by making the hard
which are due to be paid to the Palestinian Authority. shoulder available as a traffic lane and using variable
[HL15460] speed limits to smooth traffic flow. Each scheme has to
meet a strict safety objective, which is to be at least as
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have regularly raised safe as a traditional motorway.
with the Government of Israel our concerns about Israel's
An assessment of the first two smart motorway ‘all lane
decision to withhold tax revenues to the Palestinian
running’ schemes, on the M25, shows that they are
Authority (PA). We expect economic and fiscal
delivering the intended benefits. This assessment is
agreements between Israel and the PA to continue to be
detailed in the ‘M25 J5-7 Monitoring Third Year Report’
fully implemented, including Israel's obligations under the
and the ‘M25 J23-27 Monitoring Third Year Report’,
Oslo Accords and Paris Protocol.
both published on 16 July 2018 by Highways England.
The issuing of penalty notices is a matter for the police
Israeli Settlements: Water force in each area, since Highways England is not an
Asked by Lord Hylton enforcement body.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
representations they are making to the government of Motorways: Cameras
Israel about the plans of Mekorot Water to build a water Asked by Lord Bradshaw
pipeline through the West Bank (Area C) province of
Qalqilya and Salfit in order to supply nearby Israeli To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they
settlements. [HL15459] have made of the amount of time that has been spent on
giving type approval for the cameras needed to enforce
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have repeatedly regulations on smart motorways. [HL15491]
made clear to the Israeli authorities our concerns about
the damage to water sources and the destruction of Baroness Williams of Trafford: It is important that
Palestinian agricultural land that has been caused by systems which are approved by the Home Office can be
settlement-related activity. We will continue to call on the relied upon in court. They are therefore subjected to a
Israeli authorities to cease such activity. stringent and robust process.Page 8 16 May 2019 Written Answers
The length of time that takes depends on many welcomes any steps towards the peaceful resolution of
variables, not all of which are under the control of the tensions and the end of hunger strikes; we welcome
Home Office, for example meeting the technical Egypt's role in this process. We regularly raise the
requirements, meeting deadlines for submission of situation of Palestinians in Israeli prisons with the Israeli
devices and documentation and then performing authorities who have reiterated their commitment to treat
satisfactorily during the testing stages. prisoners and detainees humanely and in accordance with
international law.
Pakistan: Minority Groups
Peat
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
Asked by Lord Teverson
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they
are taking to assist Pakistani Ahmadi and Christian To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
refugees, fleeing persecution in Pakistan and awaiting have to introduce regular reporting on the proportion of
determination of their asylum cases in Sri Lanka, who peat being sold in compost and used as a growing
are seeking refuge in police stations and elsewhere due medium in horticulture. [HL15522]
to fear of targeted attacks on minorities. [HL15526]
Asked by Lord Teverson
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
has agreed with Sri Lankan counterparts the need for
assessment they have made of progress towards their
inclusivity and respect for human rights in their response
voluntary targets for the phasing out of the use of peat
to the Easter Sunday attacks and underlined the
from compost and horticulture for (1) 2020, and (2)
importance of Sri Lankans working together to reduce
2030. [HL15523]
intercommunal tensions. Minister for Security and
Economic Crime Ben Wallace visited Sri Lanka on 2-3 Asked by Lord Teverson
May and reiterated these points.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
We have raised concerns with the Sri Lankan have to introduce mandatory targets for the phasing out
Government at reports of incidents of violence and of the use of peat for compost and horticulture; and
intimidation against Muslims, refugees and asylum whether any such targets will be earlier than the current
seekers since the Easter Sunday attacks. We have also voluntary targets. [HL15524]
raised concerns specifically about the situation in
Negombo, where approximately 1,050 refugees were Lord Gardiner of Kimble: We are working with the
displaced from their ordinary places of residence and are industry to put in place a replacement for our previous
now being temporarily housed. monitoring of peat use in growing media, which last
reported in 2016.
The British High Commission in Colombo is in regular
contact with the Sri Lankan Government, UN agencies The 2016 report showed that peat use in 1) the amateur
and civil society organisations who are working towards a sector (2020 target) was down 21% in 2015 compared to
sustainable solution, including to identify secure 2011, and 2) the professional grower sector (2030 target)
relocation options to ensure protection of both refugees was down 26% since 2011. Nevertheless, whilst progress
and asylum seekers. had been made in reducing peat use, it appears to be
stalling.
The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific and I
have both met the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in We stated in the 25 Year Plan for the Environment that
recent weeks to raise concerns about refugees and if by 2020 we have not seen sufficient movement to peat
minority rights in Sri Lanka. The Minister of State for alternatives, we will look at introducing further measures.
Asia and the Pacific also addressed this issue in the House We have been discussing how we should judge what
of Commons on 9 May. constitutes “sufficient movement” away from peat use
and what potential further measures could look like.
Palestinians: Prisoners These discussions are ongoing.
Asked by Lord Hylton Political Parties: Finance
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Asked by Baroness Tonge
they have made of the ending of a hunger-strike by
Palestinian prisoners in Israel affiliated to Hamas, and To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions
of the provision of access by the government of Israel they have had with the Electoral Commission about
to public telephones in order for such prisoners to speak putting in place safeguards to ensure that political
to their families; and whether they intend thank the parties do not receive donations from people promoting
government of Egypt for its assistance in this matter. the interests of other countries during and between
[HL15461] election campaigns. [HL15749]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: While we have made no Lord Young of Cookham: The Electoral Commission
assessment on this specific issue, the British Government in its 2018 report ‘Digital campaigning - IncreasingWritten Answers 16 May 2019 Page 9
transparency for voters’, included recommendations Lord Agnew of Oulton: The department is clear that
relating to foreign donations and campaigning. The off-rolling is unacceptable, and whilst the department
Government has discussed these with the Electoral believes this practice is relatively rare, the government is
Commission. committed to continue working with Ofsted to define and
On 5th May 2019, the Government announced it will tackle the practice of off-rolling.
consult on safeguarding UK elections. The consultation Pupils leave school rolls for many reasons including:
may consider recommendations for increasing permanent exclusion, moving to another school, or
transparency on digital political advertising, including by changes of circumstances (such as when a pupil moves to
third parties; closing loopholes on foreign spending in a new area). All schools must notify the local authority
elections; preventing shell companies from sidestepping when a pupil’s name is to be deleted from the admission
the current rules on political finance and on action to register. There is no legal definition of ‘off-rolling’.
tackle foreign lobbying. However, the law is clear that a pupil’s name can only be
deleted from the admission register on the grounds
Political Parties: Limited Liability prescribed in regulation 8 of the Education (Pupil
Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended.
Asked by Lord Wigley
Following media coverage of off-rolling in 2017, the
To ask Her Majesty's Government which registered department wrote to all secondary schools, reminding
political parties in the UK have the status of also being them of the rules surrounding exclusion.
companies with limited liability. [HL15752] Ofsted already considers records of children taken off
Lord Young of Cookham: The Electoral Commission roll and has also recently consulted on proposals that will
registers political parties and maintains the registers of see a strengthened focus on this issue. It has proposed that
political parties in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is where inspectors find off-rolling, this will always be
independent of the Government and accountable to addressed in the inspection report, and where appropriate
Parliament. will lead to a school’s leadership being judged
inadequate. Ofsted will publish the outcome of its
The Electoral Commission publishes a database of
consultation soon.
registered political parties on its website. This includes
whether a political party is also a campaigner. Further In March 2018, the government launched an externally-
information can be found at: led review of exclusions practice, led by Edward Timpson
http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk. CBE. The review explored how head teachers use
exclusion, and why pupils with particular characteristics
are more likely to be excluded from school. It has also
Prisons: Bahrain considered the differences in exclusion rates across
Asked by Lord Scriven primary and secondary schools in England.
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports The Timpson review and the government’s response
that a delegation headed by the director of Bahrain’s were published on 7 May. The review makes 30
Jau Prison, Brigadier General Abdul Salam al-Araifi, recommendations and highlights variation in exclusions
visited correctional facilities in the UK before Easter, practice across different schools, local authorities and
by whom the visit was funded; and if it was funded by certain groups of children. The government agrees with
the Government, from which funding stream this came. all 30 recommendation in principle, and the department
[HL15484] has committed to working with education leaders over the
summer to design a consultation on making schools
Lord Keen of Elie: In April 2019, a delegation of accountable for the outcomes for permanently excluded
officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior visited HMP children, to be launched in the autumn. Among other
Berwyn and HMP Whitemoor. This delegation included things, the department will seek views on how to mitigate
Brigadier Abdulsalam al-Arifi, the Director General of the potential unintended consequences Edward Timpson
Reformation and Rehabilitation in Bahrain’s Ministry of has identified in his review, including how to tackle the
Interior. HMP Berwyn and Whitemoor provided practice of off-rolling.
complimentary refreshments for the delegation during
their visits, at a cost of approximately £69.00 total. All Railways: Compensation
other costs associated with the visit were borne by the
delegation. Asked by Baroness Randerson
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
Pupil Exclusions they have made of the reasons for the variation between
Asked by Lord Storey train operating companies in the percentage of
compensation claims from passengers which are
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they rejected; and what steps they are taking, if any, to
have taken against those schools who are illegally off- ensure a more consistent approach to such
rolling their pupils. [HL15609] compensation claims. [HL15477]Page 10 16 May 2019 Written Answers
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department has not promoting a negative view of religious and ethnic
collected or made assessments as to the reasons for minorities in Sri Lanka; what discussions they have had
passenger claims being rejected. The Office of Rail and with the government of Sri Lanka and UN agencies
Road (ORR), as the industry regulator, is responsible for about this; and what were the outcomes of any such
approving and monitoring train operator’s complaint discussions. [HL15528]
handling procedures under which compensation claims
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has not made
are managed and deciding whether action is necessary.
such an assessment. The UK regularly discuses human
We are mandating increased use of technology through rights, reconciliation and the importance of social
the introduction of simple and speedy ‘one-click’ inclusion with the government of Sri Lanka, including
automated claims systems, available via smartphones and through encouraging the implementation of UNHRC
smartcard registration. This forms part of obligations for resolution 30/1. The UK has supported civil society
future train operators under new franchises. organisations that have engaged children and youth across
the country through social media, youth exchange
Social Security Benefits: Disability programmes and the arts in breaking racial stereotypes
and creating better ethnic and religious understanding and
Asked by The Countess of Mar
relations between communities. The British Council has
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the initiated research on school culture in Sri Lanka that will
Tribunals Service intends to proceed with the look at issues including equality, rights, attitudes and
introduction of Continuous Online Resolution for community engagement to foster social inclusion.
personal independence payments and employment and Through its Active Citizens programme the British
support allowance appeals; and in what circumstances a Council brings together youth from different communities
case would be considered unsuitable for consideration to work together on projects that address issues at the
by such a process. [HL15467] community level.
Lord Keen of Elie: The system to support Continuous
Online Resolution (COR) is currently being tested with Tenants’ Associations
the Tribunal’s judiciary. As soon as testing has shown the Asked by Baroness Thornhill
system to be robust, a small number of people with a
pending Personal Independence Payment appeal will be To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
invited to take part in an initial pilot of COR. Current they have made of the difficulties of forming and
indications are this is likely to commence before the sustaining Recognised Tenants’ Associations since
summer. the Tenants' Associations (Provisions Relating to
Recognition and Provision of Information) (England)
The Tribunal’s judiciary intend, following successful
Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 November 2018;
testing, to be able to offer COR to all appellants. A case
and whether there are now exemptions which allow
would be unsuitable if the parties did not wish to undergo
landlords to avoid recognition of proposed and existing
that process or the panel thought it unsuitable.
Recognised Tenants’ Associations. [HL15615]
Southern: Standards Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: At this stage, the
Government has not received evidence of any difficulties
Asked by Baroness Randerson related to the Statutory Instrument. However, we do
To ask Her Majesty's Government why there are recognise that it has only been in force for just over 6
continuing weekend closures of the railway lines months. We are monitoring the operation of the Statutory
between Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Instrument and will review it in Autumn 2019 if
Hastings and London; and by which date such closures necessary.
are expected to cease. [HL15476]
Tenants’ Associations (Provisions Relating to
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: I recognise these closures
are inconvenient to passengers but they are nonetheless Recognition and Provision of Information)
vital so that Network Rail can upgrade the railway and (England) Regulations 2018
provide better reliability and improved passenger journeys Asked by Baroness Thornhill
for years to come.
A further closure is required so that signaling work can To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
take place later this year and once a date is agreed, it will have to review the Tenants' Associations (Provisions
be published so that passengers will be made aware. Relating to Recognition and Provision of Information)
(England) Regulations 2018 which came into force on 1
November 2018. [HL15614]
Sri Lanka: Minority Groups
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government is
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool working with the Tribunal to monitor the operation of the
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment Statutory Instrument. If necessary, we will seek to review
they have made of the role of school textbooks in it in Autumn 2019.Written Answers 16 May 2019 Page 11
Trade Fairs: Iraq and offenders, and appropriate for the provision of care
for detainees. [HL15472]
Asked by Lord Hylton
Lord Keen of Elie: Carrying on the youth justice
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK reforms from 2017, we are providing funding for every
construction and professional firms they expect to Prison Officer in the Youth Custody Service to undertake
attend the Erbil International Fair in northern Iraq in a youth justice qualification and, on completion, transition
June. [HL15462] into a new youth justice specialist role on promotion and
Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Construction fair at a higher pay-grade. Over 400 frontline staff are
taking place in Erbil in June (26 June – 29 June) is currently enrolled on this qualification.
advertised as a ‘Made in Iraq’ fair, so consequently will To better support young people in custody, we are
attract primarily local dealers and contractors, and we are rolling out the Custody Support Plan (CuSP) and
not aware of any UK firms planning to attend. implementing the use of Promoting Risk Intervention by
Situational Management (PRISM). CuSP will provide
The Erbil International Trade Fair (30 Sept - 03 Oct) is
each young person with a personal officer to work with in
the biggest international multi-sector trade fair organised
order to build trust and consistency. PRISM is an
in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. UK companies that
evidence-based process specifically designed and tested
attend the Fair are likely to decide to participate closer to
for use within custodial institutions. It provides a
the time, though are more likely to participate as delegates
comprehensive framework for reviewing features of an
or visitors rather than as exhibitors. In previous years, the
environment that are known to contribute to the likelihood
local distributors of JLR and JCB have exhibited.
and emergence of violence.
As well as this we are working closely with the NHS on
Youth Custody ‘Secure Stairs’, which is a new integrated approach to
strengthen the provision of health care to address the
Asked by Lord Ouseley needs of young people holistically and co-ordinates
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are services through a coherent, joined up approach. In
being applied to young offender institutions and secure addition, we are increasing psychology staff and support,
training centres to make them safe and secure for staff and opening Enhanced Support Units for young people
with the most complex needs.Index to Statements and Answers
Written Statements ................................................. 1 Social Security Benefits: Disability ................... 10
ECOFIN................................................................ 1 Southern: Standards ........................................... 10
ENABLE Guarantee Scheme ............................... 1 Sri Lanka: Minority Groups............................... 10
EU JHA Opt-in: Cybercrime ................................ 1 Tenants’ Associations ........................................ 10
EU Withdrawal Act: Common Frameworks ........ 2 Tenants’ Associations (Provisions Relating to
Industrial Strategy (West Midlands)..................... 2 Recognition and Provision of Information)
(England) Regulations 2018 .............................. 10
Iraq: Export Licence System ................................ 3
Trade Fairs: Iraq ................................................ 11
NATO Parliamentary Assembly........................... 3
Youth Custody ................................................... 11
Written Answers ..................................................... 4
A1 ......................................................................... 4
Asia Bibi ............................................................... 4
Asylum: Religion.................................................. 4
Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control ................. 4
Channel Ferries: Contracts ................................... 5
Children: Poverty.................................................. 5
Commonwealth: Midwives and Nurses................ 5
Eggs ...................................................................... 5
Forced Marriage: Children and Young People ..... 5
Heritage Lottery Fund: Public Records ................ 6
High Speed 2 Railway Line .................................. 6
House of Lords Terrace: Smoking........................ 6
Immigrants: Detainees .......................................... 7
Immigration: EU Nationals .................................. 7
Israel: Palestinians ................................................ 7
Israeli Settlements: Water..................................... 7
Lewes-Uckfield Railway Line .............................. 7
Motorways ............................................................ 7
Motorways: Cameras ............................................ 7
Pakistan: Minority Groups ................................... 8
Palestinians: Prisoners .......................................... 8
Peat ....................................................................... 8
Political Parties: Finance ...................................... 8
Political Parties: Limited Liability ....................... 9
Prisons: Bahrain ................................................... 9
Pupil Exclusions ................................................... 9
Railways: Compensation ...................................... 9You can also read
