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Tuesday
23 October 2018
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 ..................................................... 2
Session 2017-19
No. 165
[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/
Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.
This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet
at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.
Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or
other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.
Minister Responsibilities
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development
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
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
Baroness Manzoor Whip
Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care
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 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International
Development
Lord Young of Cookham Cabinet Office Spokesperson and Whip
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2018
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 23 October 2018 Page 1
Written Statements Tuesday, 23 October 2018
Independent Reporting Commission
[HLWS996]
Lord Duncan of Springbank: My Right Honourable
friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen
Bradley) has today made the following Written
Ministerial Statement:
I have received the first substantive report from the
Independent Reporting Commission (IRC).
The IRC was established by the UK Government and
the Irish Government by way of an International Treaty to
report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity
connected with Northern Ireland. This emanated from the
Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015. The
Agreement set out the Northern Ireland Executive’s
responsibility for tackling paramilitary activity and
associated criminality. This work is being taken forward
through a Northern Ireland Executive Action Plan which
contains 43 recommendations.
This is a significant report which benchmarks the
progress which has been achieved to date and reminds us
of the challenging work still to be done to ensure that
communities are freed from the threat of paramilitarism.
The absence of a functioning Executive has obviously
had an impact on this important work. Despite intensive
efforts it has not yet been possible for the parties in
Northern Ireland to reach political agreement. I remain
resolute in finding a way forward in relation to that. This
is why I am taking legislation through this House to
provide for a limited period in which the parties can
engage in talks and form an Executive.
I have today presented this report, along with the IRC's
Annual Report and Accounts for 2017-18, before
Parliament.
I would like to thank the Commissioners for all of their
work to date.
Mutual Deferred Shares
[HLWS995]
Lord Bates: My honourable friend the Economic
Secretary to the Treasury (John Glen) has today made the
following Written Ministerial Statement.
The government has decided not to lay the secondary
legislation required to give effect to the provisions in the
Mutuals’ Deferred Shares Act 2015 which enable mutual
insurers to raise equity by issuing Mutual Deferred Shares
(MDS). The government has consulted widely with
industry representatives in reaching its decision. During
that consultation, industry representatives informed the
government that mutual insurers would only issue MDS if
they qualified as Tier 1 regulatory capital and would not
alter the tax status of any mutual that issued MDS. It has
not been possible to design MDS which meet both these
criteria. The government has, therefore, decided not to lay
the regulations. The government would reconsider its
position if any material factors changed in the future.
Prison Service Pay Review Body: Interim
Chair
[HLWS994]
Lord Keen of Elie: My honourable friend, Rory
Stewart OBE MP, Minister of State for Justice, has made
the following Written Ministerial Statement.
“I am pleased to announce that the Prime Minister has
appointed Mr Jerry Cope as interim Chair of the Prison
Service Pay Review Body for a period of one year which
commenced on 10 September 2018 and which ends on 9
September 2019. The appointment has been made in
accordance with the Governance Code on Public
Appointments.
Mr Cope will ensure that the Pay Review Body has the
necessary leadership while a recruitment campaign takes
place to identify a permanent Chair.”
Page 2 23 October 2018 Written Answers
Written Answers Tuesday, 23 October 2018
Ali Hajji
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the most
recent representations they have made concerning the
health of Bahraini political prisoner Ali Hajji; and
what assessment they have made of the investigation of
his case by oversight bodies. [HL10581]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office and our Embassy in Bahrain
continue to monitor the case of Ali Hajji and have raised
it with the Government of Bahrain.
We encourage those with concerns about treatment in
detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini
human rights oversight body. We continue to encourage
the oversight bodies in Bahrain to carry out thorough and
swift investigations into any such claims.
Armed Forces: Numerical Strength
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the
numerical strength of (1) the Royal Navy, (2) the Royal
Naval Reserve, and (3) the Royal Marines. [HL10524]
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the
numerical strength of (1) the British Army, and (2) the
Army Reserve. [HL10525]
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the
numerical strength of (1) the Royal Air Force, and (2)
the Royal Air Force Reserve. [HL10526]
Earl Howe: The following table contains the numerical
strength of the Regular and Reserve Forces at July 2018.
Full Time Trained and
Trade Trained
Strength
Trained Future
Reserves 2020
Royal Navy/Royal
Marines
29,154 2,774
Army 76,877 26,789
RAF 30,276 2,557
Full Time Trained and Trade Trained includes UK
Regulars, Gurkhas and elements of Full Time Reserve
Service Personnel.
The figures are published in the Quarterly Service
Personnel Statistics at the following link:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl
oads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/735714/1_July
_2018_-_SPS.xlsx
Audit: Fines
Asked by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Henley on 1 February
(HL5096), how much in fines was received and passed
on to other bodies in each of the years from 2004 to
2011 before the Statutory Auditors and Third Country
Auditors Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/649) came into
effect. [HL10459]
Lord Henley: We are informed by the Financial
Reporting Council (FRC) that the following fines were
imposed under the FRC’s Accountancy Scheme from
2004 to 2011 and passed to the participating body which
met the related case costs.
Year Total Fines received Fines passed to the accounting bodies
2004 NIL
2005 NIL
2006 NIL
2007 NIL
2008 £12,000 CAI
2009 NIL
2010 NIL
2011 £1,640,000 ICAEW
Key
ICAEW: The Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales
CAI: Chartered Accountants Ireland
Bahrain: Political Prisoners
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the investigation conducted by the
National Institute for Human Rights in Bahrain which
denies the reported assault against female activists
Hajer Mansoor, Najah Yusuf and Medina Ali; and
what steps, if any, they have taken to ensure the
wellbeing of those activists. [HL10583]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Bahrain
and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continue to
monitor the cases of Hajer Mansoor, Najah Ahmed Yusuf
and Medina Ali. We have raised the cases at a senior level
with the Government of Bahrain.
We understand family members of Ms Mansoor have
been in direct contact with the oversight bodies. The UK
continues to encourage the oversight bodies in Bahrain to
carry out thorough and swift investigations into any
concerns about treatment in detention raised with them.
Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 3
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the statement issued by Bahraini
political prisoners Hajer Mansoor, Medina Ali and
Najah Yusuf in relation to the restrictions that have
been imposed by the prison administration and Major
Mariam Albardoli; and how they intend to respond to
those women’s call for international intervention in
their case. [HL10584]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Bahrain
and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continue to
monitor the cases of Hajer Mansoor, Najah Ahmed Yusuf
and Medina Ali. We have raised the cases at a senior level
with the Government of Bahrain.
We encourage those with concerns about treatment in
detention to report these to the appropriate oversight
body. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift
and thorough investigations into any such claims. We
understand that the National Institution for Human Rights
and the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman are aware of
these cases and have been in contact with the three
individuals.
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the reported rape of Bahraini female
activists Ebtisam Alsaegh and Najah Yusuf by members
of Bahrain’s National Security Agency. [HL10585]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: I refer the noble Lord to
the answer I gave to Question HL844 on 26 July, when
the allegations from Ebtisam Alsaegh were first made.
The UK continues to encourage the Government of
Bahrain to deliver on its international and domestic
human rights commitments. We also encourage those
with concerns about treatment in detention to report these
to the relevant human rights oversight bodies, including
the National Institute for Human Rights and the National
Security Agency Ombudsman Office.
Bahrain: Prisons
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the research conducted by Amnesty
International Continuing Lack of Adequate Medical
Care in Bahrain's Prisons, published on 28 September,
which found that 11 political prisoners suffering from
serious medical conditions were deliberately denied
treatment and that oversight bodies repeatedly failed to
provide effective protection or remedy in cases of
human rights violations. [HL10580]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office notes the report by Amnesty
International published on 28 September. We continue to
closely monitor events in Bahrain and where we have
concerns, including on prison conditions, we raise them
with the Bahraini authorities.
We continue to encourage the oversight bodies to carry
out swift and thorough investigations into any such
claims.
Benin: Human Rights
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest
assessment of the human rights situation in Benin.
[HL10547]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government
strongly supports the delivery and upholding of human
rights for all. Benin have made welcome progress on
human rights, abolishing the death penalty and
implementing the Children's Code, adopted in 2015.
The continued practice of ritual infanticide in Benin
remains deeply troubling and we continue to urge the
Government to eradicate this practice.
The Government of Benin continues to harmonize
national legislation with international conventions, taking
measures, particularly in the security sector, to improve
the human rights situation.
Buses: Exhaust Emissions
Asked by Lord Bradshaw
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 17 September
2018 (HL10203), how much capital grant was paid to
the bus industry to develop low emission vehicles in
2015/16 and 2016/17; and what is their estimate of the
capital grant for each of the next two financial years.
[HL10460]
Baroness Sugg: In the 2015/16 financial year there was
no capital grant paid to the bus industry for low emission
buses. For 2016/17 bus operators and local authorities
received £11.82 million to support the purchase of low
emission buses and supporting infrastructure, and for
2017/18 they received £13.95 million. They will receive
£4.63 million in 2018/19
From 2019 to 2021 they will receive a further £48
million to support the purchase of ultra-low emission
buses and supporting infrastructure.
Local authorities also received £7 million in 2015 for
retrofitting existing bus fleets to a Euro VI standard, with
an additional £40 million awarded in February 2018.
Channel Tunnel Railway Line
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has so
far been spent by HS1 in settling Part 1 claims in
accordance with its Compensation Code; and what
percentage of HS1’s overall property spend that
represents. [HL10455]
Page 4 23 October 2018 Written Answers
Baroness Sugg: This is not information the Department
for Transport holds and is something that would be held
by London & Continental Railway (LCR).
China: Human Rights
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of alleged human rights violations
against China's Uighur population and of reports that up
to one million Uighur have been sent to re-education
camps; and what representations they have made to the
government of China on these issues. [HL10450]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have serious
concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and
continued reports of the Chinese Government’s deepening
crackdown; including credible reports of re-education
camps and wide spread surveillance and restrictions
targeted at ethnic minorities. I raised our concerns about
Xinjiang with Vice Minister Guo Yezhou during my visit
to China on 22 July 2018. The Foreign Secretary also
raised our concerns about the region with Chinese State
Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit
to China on 30 July 2018. The UK raised our concerns
about Xinjiang in our Item 4 statement at the September
UN Human Rights Council.
Company Accounts: Standards
Asked by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their
Framework for the UK–EU partnership: Company law
(accounting and audit) presentation, published on 13
June, what is their intended process for endorsing the
International Accounting Standards for use in the UK.
[HL10458]
Lord Henley: The Department for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is working to develop a
UK framework for endorsement and adoption of
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
following the UK’s departure from the EU.
The new framework will be brought into effect by
secondary legislation made under the EU (Withdrawal)
Act 2018. The Act places limitations on government
powers with regard to transferring functions that are
currently undertaken by EU agencies to UK authorities.
As a result, any UK specific process will replicate the
existing EU process for endorsement and adoption of
IFRS to the extent it is possible to do so within the
context of the existing UK companies’ reporting and
regulatory framework.
BEIS is working with stakeholders to ensure that
decisions about the process are informed by the views of
stakeholders that represent users and preparers of
accounts as well as their regulators.
We will lay the Statutory Instrument in Parliament in
due course.
Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many adults
are currently sectioned under the Mental Health Act
2007; and what is the (1) average, and (2) median
lengths of the restrictions to which they are subject.
[HL10624]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: The information is not available
in the format requested.
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the
powers to restrict an individual’s liberty in the Mental
Health Act 2007 are used differently within the regions
of England, and between England, Wales and Scotland.
[HL10625]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Mental Health Act 1983, as
amended in 2007, operates in England and Wales only.
The powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 are the
same within the regions of England.
Diabetes: Medical Equipment
Asked by Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate
To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance
they will provide to Clinical Commissioning Groups for
making available the FreeStyle Libre glucose
monitoring system to all diabetics who require it.
[HL10616]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: In January 2018, NHS England
issued guidance in the form of a letter to clinical
commissioning groups (CCGs) concerning the provision
of glucose monitoring devices. The guidance states that
the treatment of diabetes and the provision of glucose
monitoring devices is a service commissioned by
individual CCGs. Local CCGs are responsible for
deciding how they allocate resources dependant on the
needs of their local population. A copy of this guidance
has been attached.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Letter to CCGs on glucose monitoring devices [NHS England
Blood glucose monitoring systems letter.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-10-11/HL10616
Director of Labour Market Enforcement
Asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend
to respond to the Director of Labour Market
Enforcement's Strategy Document for 2018–19; and
what plans they have to implement its
recommendations. [HL10587]
Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 5
Lord Henley: The Government is carefully considering
all 37 recommendations made by the Director of Labour
Market Enforcement and we will respond in due course.
Elias Faisal Al-Mulla
Asked by Lord Scriven
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent
representations they have made about the case of
Bahraini prisoner Elyas Al-Mulla, following research
conducted by Amnesty International Continuing Lack
of Adequate Medical Care in Bahrain's Prisons,
published on 28 September. [HL10582]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office notes the report by Amnesty
International published on 28 September. We continue to
closely monitor events in Bahrain and where we have
concerns, including on prison conditions, we raise them
with the Bahraini authorities.
We encourage those with concerns about treatment in
detention to raise them with the appropriate Bahraini
human rights oversight body.
Energy: Waste
Asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they
have to encourage greater use of energy from waste.
[HL10559]
Lord Henley: We recognise the important role of
energy from waste in promoting clean growth,
decarbonisation and reducing waste to landfill, but it must
not compete with greater recycling, reuse and prevention.
We provide support for Energy from Waste with
Combined Heat and Power through the Contract for
Difference and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes, but
we do not provide support for energy generation alone as
it is economically viable without support
Environment Protection: Taxation
Asked by Baroness Brown of Cambridge
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they
intend to maintain the Carbon Price Support rates, set in
the 2016 Budget, for the period through to 2020–21;
and how their policy in the area relates to the Total
Carbon Price, established in the Autumn Budget 2017.
[HL10463]
Lord Bates: The government announced at Spring
Budget 2016 that the Carbon Price Support rates would
remain at £18/tCO 2 in 2019-20 and then be uprated by
RPI in 2020-21.
At Autumn Budget 2017, the government stated that the
Total Carbon Price - currently made up of the Carbon
Price Support Rate and the EU Emissions Trading System
- was set at the right level and that the government would
continue to target a similar price.
All taxes are kept under review and any changes to the
Carbon Price Support rates, and therefore the Total
Carbon Price, will be made at fiscal events in the usual
way.
Eritrea: UN Human Rights Council
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
assessment they have made of the likelihood of Eritrea
being elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the
period 2019–21. [HL10608]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Eritrea were elected to
the Human Rights Council on 12 October along with
Burkina Faso, Togo, Cameroon, and Somalia for the five
African Group seats.
Financial Services: Regulation
Asked by Lord Myners
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the (1) data, and (2) powers available
to regulators to manage the systemic risk linked to the
non-bank lending, or "shadow banking" sector.
[HL10501]
Lord Bates: The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) of
the Bank of England is the body responsible for
monitoring systemic risks in the financial sector including
risk outside the core banking sector, such as non-bank
lending.
The FPC performs an annual review of risk and
regulation beyond the core banking sector. Following on
from this assessment the FPC decides on whether to make
a recommendation to the Treasury to grant the FPC an
expansion of its regulatory perimeter or additional tools.
However, the FPC is not limited to making requests at
this time, it can make a recommendation as soon as it
identifies a need. The last review was in November 2017
where they decided no such recommendations were
needed. The next review will be in their next meeting
which is currently scheduled for November 2018. The
FPC’s recent assessment (October 2018) on the systemic
risks posed by non-bank lending has highlighted the
growth in leveraged lending as a concern and the
Committee will review the issue again in its next meeting
in November.
Forestry
Asked by Lord Greaves
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they
have made in appointing the National Tree Champion.
[HL10481]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Sir William Worsley,
Chair of the National Forest Company, was appointed as
the National Tree Champion on 13 June.
Page 6 23 October 2018 Written Answers
Gambling
Asked by Lord Chadlington
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the case for the development of a
national strategy for the prevention and treatment of
harms resulting from gambling. [HL10471]
Lord Ashton of Hyde: The Review of Gaming
Machines and Social Responsibility has taken action to
reduce gambling-related harm and ensure that those
experiencing problems can access the help they need. As
well as reducing the maximum stake from £100 to £2 on
B2 gaming machines, government's response announced
increased safeguards on online gambling and strengthened
protections around gambling advertising. We also set out
measures to improve understanding of gambling-related
harm, how to prevent and reduce it, the need for treatment
and the most effective means of delivering it. We are
working closely with the Gambling Commission, Public
Health England, GambleAware and health bodies on the
follow up to these initiatives.
Prior to the Review, the Responsible Gambling Strategy
Board (RGSB), the independent advisors to the Gambling
Commission, published a three year National Responsible
Gambling Strategy in 2016. The strategy identified 12
areas for action by a range of bodies, including
developing a better understanding of gambling-related
harm and identifying improvements in treatment. Regular
progress reports have been published and the Commission
is working with the RGSB and partners on the shaping of
a future strategy.
Gambling: Mental Illness
Asked by Lord Chadlington
To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of
police call outs in the last 12 months they estimate can
be attributed to mental health problems connected with
gambling-related harm. [HL10469]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office
does not hold the information requested centrally.
Government Departments: Databases
Asked by Lord Freyberg
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any
Government controlled data sets are cited as capital
assets on the Whole of Government Accounts; and if
so, which ones. [HL10476]
Lord Bates: The UK follows standards as set by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Data
sets are an intangible asset and would therefore be
covered by IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The UK
government follows IAS 38 as adapted for the public
sector. The Government Financial Reporting Manual
2018-19 sets out these interpretations and adaptations.
The latest available publication of Whole of Government
Accounts 2016-17 reports government’s intangible assets
as totalling £34.5 billion at 31 March 2017. HM Treasury
does not collect information on the value of data sets
within this total or where they are held. The accounting
policy used by the Whole of Government Accounts in
recognising intangible assets is as follows (per page 82 of
the 2016-17 accounts): “Intangible assets are recognised
if it is probable that they will result in future economic
benefits to the government and if their cost can be
measured reliably. Intangible assets are initially
recognised at cost and subsequently valued based on
current value in existing use. Where no active market
exists, intangible assets are revalued using indices or
another suitable model.”
Asked by Lord Freyberg
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is an
internationally accepted methodology for valuing raw
data assets on government balance sheets; and if not,
what consideration they have given to developing one
with international partners. [HL10479]
Lord Bates: The UK follows standards as set by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which
is an internationally recognised standard setter. The UK
Government applies International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) as adapted and interpreted for the public
sector. Data sets are an intangible asset and would
therefore be covered by IAS 38 Intangible Assets. The
UK government follows IAS 38 as adapted for the public
sector.
Under this standard, raw data would be unlikely to meet
the definition of a recognisable asset. The government is
unlikely to diverge from IFRS accounting standards in the
Whole of Government Accounts
Asked by Lord Freyberg
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the extent to which their
methodology for valuing raw data assets on government
balance sheets differs from private sector practices.
[HL10538]
Lord Bates: The UK Government follows standards as
set by the International Accounting Standards Board
(IASB), which are the same standards used by the
majority of private sector bodies (for more information
please see the Companies Act 2006). Raw data is an
intangible asset and would therefore be covered by IAS
38 Intangible Assets. The UK government follows IAS 38
as adapted for the public sector. The Government
Financial Reporting Manual 2018-19 sets out these
interpretations and adaptations.
Greece: Immigration
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of (1) the UK contribution to EU funds,
and (2) British seconded personnel to EU agencies to
improving conditions for refugees and migrants who
have entered Greece; and to what extent such work has
Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 7
reduced overcrowding and improved sanitation in
camps on Aegean islands, particularly the Moria camp.
[HL10488]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK contributes
to the EU budget, through which funding has been made
available for Greece. The Greek Government is
responsible for the humanitarian response in Greece and
makes use of EU funding for this purpose.
In support of the EU-Turkey Statement the UK
continues to second experts to the EU Commission to
support its efforts in working with Greece to improve
living and security conditions for migrants in the camps
on the island hotspots. The UK also continues to provide
experts (flow managers, vulnerability experts, and
caseworkers) to support the work of the European Asylum
Support Office in Greece in line with the needs identified.
UK experts pay attention to protecting vulnerable
migrants, including unaccompanied children, from
smuggling, trafficking and exploitation.
The UK separately provides interpreters to support the
work of the Greek Reception and Identification Service in
the island camps. Our interpreters support the processing
of arriving migrants, including through facilitating
vulnerability and medical assessments to ensure those
most in need of help can access it from the Greek
authorities.
Our experts and interpreters receive consistent positive
feedback from the EU Commission and the Greek
authorities for the valuable work they continue to carry
out on the islands.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government how HS2 will
ensure the stability of the tracks when they pass over
large sink holes in the areas of old mine workings;
when a detailed geological survey will be done in those
areas; and how the track alignment and levels will be
maintained in areas where continuous settlement is
likely. [HL10453]
Baroness Sugg: HS2 Ltd is following an established
process of risk management to ultimately ensure the
stability of high-speed rail infrastructure in all areas. This
includes detailed desk study (the acquisition and
interpretation of existing available data), field
investigation including geological survey, interpretation
of ground conditions, design, construction and
maintenance through operation.
At each stage the level of site-specific knowledge
increases and the risk is reduced. Mining-related hazards
will be investigated within this process, and will be
mitigated. Voiding in the ground due to the presence of
mineworkings is such a hazard, since if left untreated it
could result in sinkholes.
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government what UK and
European standards are being used by HS2 to determine
the design and layout of rolling stock, tunnels and cross
passages, the procedures for evacuation of passengers,
and fire safety in its tunnel sections. [HL10454]
Baroness Sugg: HS2s design complies with the EU
Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) as
required under Railways (Interoperability) Regulations
2011. These specifications define the basis of an
integrated mainline railway covering rolling stock;
energy; infrastructure; control, command & signalling,
safety in railway tunnels and persons of reduced mobility
structural and transverse subsystems.
In addition HS2 is compliant with wider UK legislation
(e.g. the Railways Act 1993 or various electrical safety
legislation etc) which imparts additional requirements and
standards onto the railway.
HS2 Rolling stock is also compliant with the Railway
Group Standards (RGSs) and (where appropriate)
Railway Industry Standards (RISs) as this is part of the
licence conditions for operating on Network Rail
infrastructure.
India: Dalits
Asked by Lord Harries of Pentregarth
To ask Her Majesty's Government what
representations they are making to the government of
India about the arrest on 28 August of five Indian Dalit
human rights activists during simultaneous police raids
conducted in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Faridabad, Pune,
Ranchi, and Goa. [HL10484]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Any allegation of human
rights abuse is of conern and the FCO believe must be
investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. The
Government remains committed to promoting and
defending human rights and we expect all countries to
comply with their international legal obligations in this
regard.
We have not raised this particular case with the
Government of India, but we do raise concerns more
broadly where necessary. The British High Commission
in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High
Commissions continue to monitor the human rights
situation in India and work with civil society on projects
that protect and promote human rights. For example, our
officials in India helped create the first ever network of
Dalit Women Human Rights Defenders trained as
paralegals.
Iran: Guided Weapons
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have
sought information from the Iranian authorities about
the purpose of a development in Wadi Jahannam near
Page 8 23 October 2018 Written Answers
Baniyas in northwest Syria reported by ImageSat in
August, further to reports that it is an Iranian missile
factory. [HL10557]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of reports
of an Iranian missile factory in northwest Syria. The
Government is concerned about Iranian activity in Syria
and the risks of escalation of regional tensions. We
regularly raise these concerns with the Iranian
Government, including during the Minister for the Middle
East and North Africa’s visit to Tehran in September,
when he was accompanied by the UK’s Special
Representative for Syria.
Iran: USA
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions
they have had with the government of the United
States about the objectives of the Iran Action Group
created by the United States State Department on 16
August, in particular the commitment to a whole-of-
government effort to change the Iranian regime’s
behaviour. [HL10554]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Ministers and officials
across Government regularly discuss Iran policy with
their US counterparts, including staff in the Iran Action
Group. The Prime Minister and President Trump most
recently discussed Iran policy when they met at the UN
General Assembly in September. Where we have
differences, we discuss these frankly, but we are also
clear about the areas where we agree, such as the need to
address Iran’s destabilising regional behaviour and
missile activity. We await more detail from the US on
their proposals on the way forward.
Israel: Bedouin
Asked by Baroness Tonge
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will
take action to protect the village of Khan al-Ahmar in
the Occupied West Bank against the reported attempt
by settlers to drive the villagers out using waste water.
[HL10592]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is monitoring
the situation in Khan al-Ahmar closely. The Minister for
the Middle East urged the Israeli Ambassador to
reconsider plans to demolish the village on 11 October
and our Ambassador to Israel raised the proposed
demolition with the Israeli authorities on 3 October. We
have also stressed to the Israeli authorities the importance
of Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection
to the Palestinian civilian population from settler violence
and intimidation.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many firm
orders for F-35 Lightning aircraft have been placed; and
when they are expected to be delivered. [HL10497]
Earl Howe: The UK has placed 18 firm orders for F-
35B Lightning aircraft, 16 of which have been delivered.
The 17th aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of
the year, and the 18th is expected in summer 2019.
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the
Deployable F-35 Operations Facility at RAF Marham is
expected to achieve Initial Operating Capability;
and whether it is air-portable. [HL10498]
Earl Howe: The Deployable F-35 Operations Facility
at RAF Marham is ready for use, with formal initial
operating capability expected in February 2019. The
facility is air-portable.
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1)
Royal Air Force, and (2) Royal Navy, pilots are
qualified to fly the F-35 Lightning aircraft. [HL10499]
Earl Howe: There are currently 26 pilots qualified to
fly the F-35 Lightning aircraft, 15 Royal Air Force and 11
Royal Navy.
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the
Deployable F-35 Operations Facility could be deployed
on an aircraft carrier. [HL10500]
Earl Howe: Yes. However, the Deployable F-35
Operations Facility is intended for deployments on land.
Mental Health Services
Asked by Lord Crisp
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will
publish their response to the report by the Independent
Commission on Adult Acute Psychiatric Care in
England Old Problems, New Solutions, published in
February 2016; and if so, when. [HL10537]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: NHS England intends to publish
a formal response to the Independent Commission on
Adult Acute Psychiatric Care in England as soon as the
contents of the acute mental healthcare pathway have
been finalised.
An acute mental health care pathway for adults,
including best practice case studies, has been developed.
This is currently being reviewed to ensure that it is in line
Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 9
with and supports the wider Five Year Forward View for
Mental Health and the long-term plan for the National
Health Service (which is currently in development
following the Government’s announcement of a new five-
year funding settlement for the NHS, which would deliver
an average annual growth of 3.4% over the next five
years). The aim is to ensure that the pathway provides the
most helpful and relevant guidance to both commissioners
and providers within the current context.
Mental Health Services: Children and Young
People
Asked by Lord Chadlington
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the report by the Education Policy
Institute Access to children and young people's mental
health services—2018, published 7 October, which
states that the number of referrals to specialist child and
adolescent mental health services in England has
increased by 26 per cent over the last five years.
[HL10470]
Lord O'Shaughnessy: It is not possible to assess any
meaningful trend in referral data. The current data
available through the mental health services monthly
statistics releases are experimental data and the data
quality and coverage is improving over time.
The information in the Education Policy Institute’s
report is based on 54 Freedom of Information responses.
We cannot be certain whether the 54 responses received
are representative of all providers. It is difficult therefore
to be confident in the rise in referrals suggested in the
report.
Music
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the effect of Brexit on the UK music
industry. [HL10514]
Lord Ashton of Hyde: We are committed to
supporting and promoting a thriving live music industry
and ensuring the continued growth of this vital and
vibrant sector. The music industry is one of the UK's
greatest success stories, producing an extraordinary level
of talent recognised and respected the world over. The
UK's decision to leave the EU will not change that.
Neither will it diminish our outstanding creativity.
My department has held a series of roundtables with the
creative sector on the impacts and opportunities affecting
the creative industries as a result of the UK’s exit from
the EU, including representatives from the music industry
regarding touring musicians and crews and we continue to
work closely with the sector at official level.
We understand that outward mobility of creative talent
is key to the success of the creative industries, especially
for sub-sectors like music where touring is the life-blood
of the industry, and we recognise the importance of
temporary movement of goods and equipment for touring
musicians.
The phased introduction of the Facilitated Customs
Arrangement (FCA) we have proposed in the White Paper
on The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom
and European Union would remove the need for customs
checks and controls between the UK and the EU, as if
they were a combined customs territory.
The UK has made significant progress in the separation
negotiations, including on intellectual property. In
particular, we have agreed that any EU trade mark or
Community design that is registered or published before
the end of the implementation period will continue to be
protected in the UK by a comparable right.
The UK-level right will be granted automatically and
without any charges or re-examination. We are currently
engaging in discussions with the EU on the remaining
issues, with the aim of moving swiftly on to the
substantive discussions for our future relationship.
The UK has one of the best IP regimes in the world, and
leaving the EU will not change that.
We will continue to deliver quality rights granting
services, lead the world in enforcement and actively
engage in international IP discussions.
National Cyber Security Centre
Asked by Lord Campbell-Savours
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the role of
the National Cyber Security Centre. [HL10612]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The National Cyber
Security Centre (NCSC) was created in 2016 as part of
the Government's five-year National Cyber Security
Strategy. The NCSC was set up to help protect our critical
services from cyber attacks, manage major incidents,
develop cyber skills and technology, and provide advice
to citizens and organisations. Its vision is to help make the
UK the safest place to live and do business online. The
NCSC provides a single point of contact for private and
public sector organisations for all matters relating to cyber
security.
National Insurance
Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
National Insurance numbers were (1) issued, and (2)
deleted in each of the last three years for which records
are available. [HL10644]
Baroness Buscombe: The requested information at
point (1) is not available and can only be provided at
disproportionate cost.
The requested information at point (2) National
Insurance Numbers (NINO) are not deleted. Once they
have been allocated they are registered on Her Majesty’s
Revenue and Customs (HMRC) E-NIRS system where
they remain indefinitely.
Page 10 23 October 2018 Written Answers
Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
National Insurance numbers were issued in each of the
(1) countries of the UK, and (2) regions of England in
each of the last three years for which records are
available. [HL10645]
Baroness Buscombe: The requested information is not
available and can only be provided at disproportionate
cost.
National Insurance: Foreign Nationals
Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
To ask Her Majesty's Government which five
countries had the most overseas nationals being
allocated National Insurance numbers in each of the last
three years for which records are available. [HL10728]
Baroness Buscombe: The available information on the
five countries with the most overseas nationals being
allocated National insurance numbers can be found within
our published statistics National Insurance Number
Allocations to Adult Overseas Nationals entering the UK.
The latest available information is up to June 2018
Below is a table of allocated NINos per country for the
top 5 countries for the last three calendar and financial
years. Taken from the published stats
Calendar
Year
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
2015 Romania
169,888
Poland
111,270
Italy
58,653
Spain
50,028
Bulgaria
39,189
2016 Romania
189,023
Poland
93,372
Italy
62,984
Spain
47,741
Bulgaria
42,342
2017 Romania
154,014
Poland
61,821
Italy
50,880
Bulgaria
38,744
Spain
35,642
Financial
Year
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
2015/16 Romania
179,242
Poland
108,672
Italy
57,293
Spain
48,498
Bulgaria
39,643
2016/17 Romania
181,882
Poland
83,589
Italy
61,751
Spain
44,075
Bulgaria
42,052
2017/18 Romania
147,956
Poland
58,370
Italy
47,887
Bulgaria
37,223
Spain
34,599
Ports
Asked by Lord Mendelsohn
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of (1) the impact of Brexit on the
productivity of the UK's ports, and (2) the likely impact
on the UK's ports of a no-deal Brexit. [HL10561]
Baroness Sugg: Her Majesty's Government is seeking
to negotiate arrangements whereby trade will flow as
frictionlessly as possible, facilitating continuing growth in
unit load traffic and port productivity. In the event of a
no-deal outcome, the aim is to ensure that UK border
controls at the frontier enable traffic to continue to flow
efficiently through our ports.
Public Bodies: Intellectual Property
Asked by Lord Freyberg
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether for
accounting purposes they treat intellectual property
generated by public bodies in the same way as other EU
Member States. [HL10478]
Lord Bates: The UK follows standards as set by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The
UK Government applies International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) as adapted and interpreted for the public
sector. EU Member States may also apply IFRS,
International Public Sector Accounting Standards
(IPSAS) or prepare their accounts on a cash basis. There
are no material differences in the standards issued by
IASB (IAS 38) and IPSASB (IPSAS 31) on the
accounting treatment of intellectual property.
Public Sector: Assets
Asked by Lord Freyberg
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK’s
intangible assets are accounted for using an
internationally recognised methodology. [HL10477]
Lord Bates: The UK follows standards as set by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which
is an internationally recognised standard setter. The UK
Government applies International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) as adapted and interpreted for the public
sector. The relevant financial standard for intangible
assets is IAS 38. The Government Financial Reporting
Manual 2018-19 sets out these interpretations and
adaptations.
Railway Stations: Cambridge
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 18 September
(HL10000), whether the estimated £46.8 million
national and regional economic benefit derived from the
building of the new Cambridge South station represents
an annual benefit or the total over a period of time.
[HL10507]
Baroness Sugg: The estimated national and regional
benefits in the Strategic Outline Business Case are for the
standard 60 year appraisal period used by the Department
for infrastructure schemes.
Railways: Flood Control
Asked by Lord Patten
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they
have taken to protect the railways in Somerset, Devon
Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 11
and Cornwall from flood water damage since 2012.
[HL10503]
Baroness Sugg: Network Rail have undertaken flood
resilience work since 2012 at the following locations in
Devon and Somerset: Cowley Bridge, Athelney, Hele &
Bradninch, Flax Bourton, Whiteball and Axe & Broom.
These were part of a programme of ten flood resilience
schemes representing an investment of £31.3m by the
Government.
Railways: Freight
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of industry support for continuing to
link UK rail freight networks to European Rail Freight
Corridors after Brexit; and what impact that would have
on the level of rail freight traffic in the UK. [HL10452]
Baroness Sugg: Rail freight plays an important role in
supporting the UK’s future prosperity after we leave the
EU, and our connections to the continent through the
Channel Tunnel are vital.
Use of the North Sea – Mediterranean Corridor has
been negligible in the UK, with only one path requested
to date. Freight operating companies prefer to use access
rights granted under national rules which offer greater
certainty, with over 2,000 rail freight services running
through the Channel Tunnel in 2017. To facilitate the
continued smooth functioning and operation of cross-
border rail services, the Government has agreed with the
Article 50 Task Force that the UK will negotiate bilateral
arrangements with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands,
as well as the Republic of Ireland.
Religious Freedom
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government in what ways, if
any, they plan to mark the International Day for
Freedom of Religion or Belief on 27 October; and
whether they will issue guidance to all embassies and
overseas missions on the UK policy on such freedom.
[HL10613]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Prime Minister
demonstrated the British Government's commitment to
promoting freedom of religion or belief when in July this
year she appointed me as her special envoy. The British
Government sees International Religious Freedom Day on
27 October as an opportunity to reflect on the persecution
suffered around the world by people due to their religion
or beliefs; and to promote respect between communities .
The British Government will mark the day on social
media, and through an event jointly hosted by myself and
Lord Bates on 7 November to mark the occasion. We will
also use the occasion to re-issue the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office's toolkit on Freedom of Religion
or Belief to all of our overseas embassies and missions
across our global network, and encourage them to
promote and defend this important human right. Finally
we are pleased that almost £1 million of funding has been
allocated to pursue our freedom of religion or belief
policy objectives through the Magna Carta Fund for
Human Rights and Democracy.
Royal Navy Ships: Days Spent at Sea
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days
each Type 23 frigate has spent at sea from 2016 to date.
[HL10495]
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days (1)
the HMS Albion, (2) the HMS Bulwark, and (3) all the
bay-class LSD(A)s have spent at sea from 2016 to date.
[HL10496]
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days
each Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker has spent at sea from
2016 to date. [HL10566]
Earl Howe: The normal operating cycle of every ship
involves them entering different readiness levels
depending on their programmes and Departmental
planning requirements.
From records scrutinised, the number of days HMS
Albion, HMS Bulwark, all the bay-class Landing Ship
Dock Auxiliaries, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Tankers
and Type 23 Frigates spent at sea in each year from 1
January 2016 to 30 September 2018, is shown below:
YEAR 2016 2017 2018
HMS ALBION 0 72 120
HMS BULWARK 133 0 0
RFA CARDIGAN BAY 107 145 124
RFA LYME BAY 114 65 107
RFA MOUNTS BAY 202 127 130
RFA WAVE KNIGHT 171 201 46
RFA WAVE RULER 0 137 0
RFA TIDEFORCE 0 0 46
RFA TIDERACE 16 43 37
RFA TIDESPRING 1 82 118
RFA TIDESURGE 0 4 41
HMS ARGYLL 0 111 117
HMS LANCASTER 0 0 0
HMS IRON DUKE 132 94 0
HMS MONMOUTH 113 209 82
HMS MONTROSE 0 41 95
HMS WESTMINSTER 0 126 116
HMS RICHMOND 73 51 0
HMS NORTHUMBERLAND 0 0 65
Page 12 23 October 2018 Written Answers
HMS SOMERSET 113 95 61
HMS SUTHERLAND 127 103 154
HMS KENT 67 0 36
The records for the RFA Tide Class also reflect their
customisation and trials packages required for their entry
into service. While deployed away from the UK, ships
will spend days at sea and alongside in ports around the
world.
Small Businesses: Digital Technology
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment,
if any, they have made of the research conducted by
Atos UK & Ireland which found that more than 1.6
million small businesses could grow radically if they
improved their digital skills. [HL10590]
Lord Ashton of Hyde: Government welcomes this
addition to the digital skills evidence base from Atos, and
will consider it alongside other research.
As part of Government’s ongoing commitment to raise
digital capability, it has established the Digital Skills
Partnership (DSP). Lloyds Banking Group and the
Federation of Small Businesses lead a DSP delivery
group on digital enterprise, which specifically focuses on
increasing digital skills among SMEs and charities.
Trans-European Networks
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the effect the European
Commission’s draft proposal for a Regulation of the
European Parliament and of the Council (1.8.2018
COM(2018) 568 final 2018/0299 (COD)), amending
Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, with regard to the
withdrawal of the UK from the EU will have on the UK
economy after Brexit. [HL10451]
Baroness Sugg: The Government has made no
assessment of the effect of this proposal, which is the
result of the European Union’s own preparations for a “no
deal” scenario. It is a change to the definition of the
corridor which will enable the Republic of Ireland to
maintain direct links to the mainland of Europe. The
government is making similar plans for the unlikely event
of a “no deal” scenario, but is confident of achieving a
deal, which is in the interests of all parties.
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding
the UK has received under TEN-T programmes during
the last five years; and whether they will make a similar
amount of funding available for the five years after
Brexit. [HL10456]
Baroness Sugg: For the current Multi-Annual Financial
Framework (2014-2020), we have received approximately
€345 million.
Under the draft Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will
continue to participate in all EU programmes, including
the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), until programme
closure. This means that UK projects will continue to be
able to bid for CEF funding until the end of the
programme in 2020.
To provide even more certainty, the Chancellor has
guaranteed funding for certain EU funded projects agreed
before the end of 2020. This ensures that UK
organisations, such as charities, businesses and
universities, will continue to receive funding over a
project’s lifetime if they successfully bid into EU-funded
programmes before the end of 2020, even in the unlikely
event of a no-deal scenario.
Type 31 Frigates
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of why they have not received any
compliant bids in the first round of bidding for the Type
31e frigate. [HL10568]
Earl Howe: I am withholding the information
requested as its release would prejudice the commercial
interests of the bidders and of the Ministry of Defence.
UK Permanent Representation to the EU:
Staff
Asked by Lord Empey
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people
are currently employed at the UK Representation Office
in Brussels; and what estimate they have made of the
cost of their employment in the current financial year.
[HL10472]
Asked by Lord Empey
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people
they estimate will be employed at the UK
Representation Office in Brussels in the financial year
2019–20; and what they estimate to be the cost of that
employment. [HL10473]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Permanent
Representation to the EU (UKRep) in Brussels currently
employs over 150 people, comprising both permanent
civil servants from multiple Government Departments and
locally recruited staff. We are therefore unable to provide
a breakdown of employment costs as this data is not held
centrally by the FCO and to compile it would incur
disproportionate cost. We keep the size and shape of
UKRep under constant review to ensure it is appropriate
to deliver the UK’s objectives.
Warships
Asked by Lord Moonie
To ask Her Majesty's Government to which city or
town each Type 23 frigate and Type 45 destroyer is
Written Answers 23 October 2018 Page 13
affiliated; and how many official visits or events with
its affiliated city or town each has taken part in from
2016 to date. [HL10567]
Earl Howe: Royal Navy ships can be affiliated with a
number of cities, towns and local bodies and
organisations. Official visits can be by either Royal Navy
ships or by members of a ship’s company attending local
engagements. The records of the Royal Navy Regional
Commands show the following affiliation visits for Type
23 and Type 45 ships:
Type 23 Town/City Visits
HMS ARGYLL Argyll and Bute
HMS IRON DUKE Kingston Upon Hull
and Jersey
Visit to
Kingston Upon Hull in 2017
HMS KENT County of Kent and The Confederation of
Cinque Ports
Visits to both affiliates in
2016
HMS LANCASTER City of Lancaster
HMS MONMOUTH County of Monmouthshire;
Monmouth Town
and Borough
Visits to both affiliates in
2016
HMS MONTROSE Angus District
Council, Town of Montrose and Fowey
Visits to both
affiliates in 2018
HMS
NORTHUMBERLAND
County of
Northumberland
Visit to the
county in 2018
HMS PORTLAND Borough of Weymouth and
Portland and
Portland Town Council
Visits to both affiliates in
2016
HMS RICHMOND Richmond and Richmond Upon
Thames
Visits to both affiliates in
2017
HMS SOMERSET County of Somerset,
City of Wells and the
City of Bath
Visit to the
county and the
city of Wells in 2017
HMS St ALBANS City and District of St Albans
Visit to the city in 2018 and
District in 2016
HMS SUTHERLAND County of Sutherland Visit to the
county in 2016
HMS WESTMINSTER City of Westminster Visit in 2018
Type 45 Town/City Visit
HMS DARING City of Birmingham
and Guernsey
Visit to
Guernsey in 2016
HMS DAUNTLESS City of Newcastle and town of Great
Yarmouth
HMS DEFENDER City of Glasgow and City of Exeter
Visit to Exeter in 2017
HMS DIAMOND City of Coventry and City of Aberdeen
Visit to Aberdeen in
2018
HMS DRAGON City of Cardiff and
City of York
HMS DUNCAN City of Dundee and
City of Belfast
Visit to Belfast
in 2016
Work Experience
Asked by Lord Holmes of Richmond
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the
Written Answers by Lord Henley on 17 May (HL7805,
HL7806, HL7807, and HL7809), what progress they
have made in fulfilling their commitments, in particular
the commitments to (1) hold a roundtable discussion
with employers and leaders from sectors that commonly
use interns, (2) update guidance for employers and
workers on the rules for paying interns, and (3) publish
further details on enforcement of the National
Minimum Wage. [HL10486]
Lord Henley: The Government is clear that all interns
who are conducting work should be paid at least the
National Minimum Wage. We will publish updated
guidance in due course to ensure employers are clear on
their responsibilities. This guidance clarifies the checks
employers need to make to ensure they are paying interns
properly.
The Government has been focusing enforcement efforts
towards employers of interns. HM Revenue and Customs
have contacted over 2,000 employers found to be
advertising on the internet for unpaid internships. Each
employer is written a letter to make the law clear, and to
set out the risk of further enforcement action. HM
Revenue and Customs will shortly expand this approach.
Government Ministers are planning a roundtable meeting
with employers later this year.
The Government recently published National Living
Wage and National Minimum Wage: government
evidence on compliance and enforcement, 2017 to 2018.
This is publicly available in the attached.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND NATIONAL MINIMUM
WAGE [nmw-nlw-enforcement-compliance-report-2018.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-10-09/HL10486
Index to Statements and Answers
Written Statements ................................................. 1
Independent Reporting Commission .................... 1
Mutual Deferred Shares ........................................ 1
Prison Service Pay Review Body: Interim Chair . 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 2
Ali Hajji ................................................................ 2
Armed Forces: Numerical Strength ...................... 2
Audit: Fines .......................................................... 2
Bahrain: Political Prisoners .................................. 2
Bahrain: Prisons ................................................... 3
Benin: Human Rights ........................................... 3
Buses: Exhaust Emissions .................................... 3
Channel Tunnel Railway Line .............................. 3
China: Human Rights ........................................... 4
Company Accounts: Standards ............................. 4
Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients ........ 4
Diabetes: Medical Equipment .............................. 4
Director of Labour Market Enforcement .............. 4
Elias Faisal Al-Mulla ............................................ 5
Energy: Waste ...................................................... 5
Environment Protection: Taxation........................ 5
Eritrea: UN Human Rights Council...................... 5
Financial Services: Regulation ............................. 5
Forestry ................................................................. 5
Gambling .............................................................. 6
Gambling: Mental Illness ..................................... 6
Government Departments: Databases .................. 6
Greece: Immigration ............................................. 6
High Speed 2 Railway Line .................................. 7
India: Dalits .......................................................... 7
Iran: Guided Weapons .......................................... 7
Iran: USA ............................................................. 8
Israel: Bedouin ..................................................... 8
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft .................................. 8
Mental Health Services ......................................... 8
Mental Health Services: Children and Young
People .................................................................. 9
Music ................................................................... 9
National Cyber Security Centre ........................... 9
National Insurance ............................................... 9
National Insurance: Foreign Nationals .............. 10
Ports ................................................................... 10
Public Bodies: Intellectual Property .................. 10
Public Sector: Assets ......................................... 10
Railway Stations: Cambridge ............................ 10
Railways: Flood Control .................................... 10
Railways: Freight ............................................... 11
Religious Freedom ............................................. 11
Royal Navy Ships: Days Spent at Sea ............... 11
Small Businesses: Digital Technology .............. 12
Trans-European Networks ................................. 12
Type 31 Frigates ................................................ 12
UK Permanent Representation to the EU: Staff 12
Warships ............................................................ 12
Work Experience ............................................... 13
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