wednesdayvol. 770 16 march 2016no....
TRANSCRIPT
Wednesday
16 March 2016
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
Vol. 770
No. 16
[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 Stowell of Beeston Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office and Department for
Transport
Baroness Anelay of St Johns Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Baroness Altmann Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Ashton of Hyde Whip
Lord Bates Minister of State, Home Office
Lord Bridges of Headley Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate
Change, Wales Office and Whip
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip
Earl of Courtown Whip
Lord Dunlop Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scotland Office
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Whip
Lord Faulks Minister of State, Ministry of Justice
Lord Freud Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Gardiner of Kimble Deputy Chief Whip and Spokesman for Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs
Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland
Lord Maude of Horsham Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Foreign
and Commonwealth Office
Lord Nash Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Baroness Neville-Rolfe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation
and Skills and Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Lord O’Neill of Gatley Commercial Secretary to the Treasury
Lord Prior of Brampton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
Baroness Shields Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture Media and
Sport
Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip
Baroness Verma Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International
Development
Baroness Williams of Trafford Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local
Government
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2016
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 March 2016 Page 1
Written Statements Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Machinery of Government change
[HLWS607]
Baroness Stowell of Beeston: My Rt Hon. Friend the
Prime Minister has made the following statement to the
House of Commons:
This written ministerial statement confirms that
responsibility for the regulation of claims management
companies will transfer from the Ministry of Justice to the
Financial Conduct Authority. The date for the transfer
will be announced in due course.
March Environment Council
[HLWS606]
Lord Gardiner of Kimble: My Hon Friend the
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Rory Stewart)
has today made the following statement.
I attended the EU Environment Council in Brussels on
4 March along with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State for Climate Change, Lord Bourne. The Scottish
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land
Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod MSP, also attended Council.
I would like to update the House on the matters discussed.
Follow-up to COP 21 (Climate change)
The Council welcomed the Presidency’s summary of
the implications of the Paris Agreement with a number of
Member States criticising the Commission’s
Communication for lacking sufficient positive messages
to maintain the momentum of Paris. The UK, supported
by other Member States, emphasised the importance of
2020 as a moment for raising global ambition. A number
of other Member States expressed their support for the
EU increasing its ambition in light of Paris. However,
some Member States noted this was not the time to
discuss raising the EU’s mitigation ambition. In response
the Commission confirmed their view that the EU needed
to focus now on the implementation of existing
commitments.
Endocrine Disruptors
The Council gave unanimous support for the
Presidency’s draft statement on the General Court’s ruling
on the Commission’s failure to adopt delegated acts
setting out the criteria for endocrine disruptors.
Circular Economy
The Council debated the EU Action Plan for the
Circular Economy. The UK highlighted work that had
been done domestically, expressed support for elements
of the Action Plan such as industrial symbiosis, and
expressed overarching concerns for the proposed waste
targets, stressing the need to pay close attention to the
costs and benefits. Most Member States wanted
reassurance that a joined up approach was being taken by
the Commission. The Presidency stated that they will aim
for Council Conclusions on the Action Plan to be agreed
at June Environment Council.
European Semester/ Annual Growth Survey 2016
The Presidency introduced the discussion of the
contribution of the environment to jobs and growth. The
UK emphasised that the Semester and EU 2020 should
continue to be focused on jobs and growth.
Any Other Business: International Wildlife Trafficking
The Commission introduced the recently released EU
Action Plan on Wildlife Trafficking. This was welcomed
by several Member States. The UK highlighted the
valuable nature of member states working on issues such
as an import/export ban on raw ivory. The UK
encouraged other member states to follow the UK’s move
to an importation ban on lion trophies in 2017 if a
sustainable approach could not be found.
Any Other Business: Real Driving Emissions
France provided a paper calling for greater political
transparency regarding the third and fourth real driving
emission packages and for using the ordinary legislative
procedure for the adoption of conformity factors in the
future. The UK welcomed the agreement of the second
Real Driving Emissions package as a major step forward
in tackling air quality issues in member states. In support
of the Commission’s approach, the UK and other Member
States warned against changes to the current process for
determining the test procedure and requirements through
the technical committee, which would risk delaying
agreement of the remaining legislative packages and
implementation of this important regulation.
Any Other Business: Further Points
The Council noted the information from Austria of the
desire to hold a discussion on Energy Transition.
The Council noted the information from Belgium for
further action and speeding up of the implementation of
the 7th Environmental Action Plan. The Commission
announced the first review date would be in 2018.
The Council noted the information provided by the
Commission on the ratification of the Minimata
Convention (Mercury Regulation).
The Commission introduced a paper on innovation
deals and noted recent initiatives such as the International
Green Deal on the North Sea Resources Roundabout
which was formally agreed the day before Council by the
Netherlands, France, the UK and Flanders.
Lunchtime Discussion
Over lunch, Ministers discussed the ratification of the
Paris Agreement where the UK confirmed that ratification
would only be possible following completion of the
negotiations on effort sharing.
Page 2 16 March 2016 Written Answers
Written Answers Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Aegean Sea: Refugees
Asked by Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Prime
Minister, on 7 March in Brussels, described those
fleeing across the Aegean Sea as illegally crossing, in
the light of the fact that Turkey is not a party to the UN
Convention on Refugees, which Greece and other EU
member states are. [HL6936]
Lord Bates: Migrants travelling across the Aegean Sea
may be referred to as illegally crossing if they have no
permission (such as a visa) to enter Greece or another
Member State. The same would apply if someone applied
for asylum in the UK: if they have entered the UK
illegally, then they would be treated as an illegal entrant,
irrespective of whether they make a claim for asylum or
not.
Antisemitism
Asked by Baroness Deech
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment
they have made of the reported rise in anti-Semitism in
the UK, in particular at universities, and what action
they plan to take to tackle anti-Semitism in the light of
that assessment. [HL6686]
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: There is no place in
our society, including higher education, for bigotry,
hatred and any form of racism such as anti-Semitism. We
expect universities to act swiftly to investigate and
address any anti-Semitic incidents reported to them.
Responsibility for ensuring students do not face
harassment, abuse or violence rests with individual
institutions, as a clear part of their duties under the 2010
Equality Act. The higher education sector is committed to
tackling discrimination and challenging intolerance on
campus. Bodies such as Universities UK (UUK), Guild
HE and the Equality Challenge Unit provide support to
institutions to help discharge their responsibilities through
the provision of practical guidance, discussion and
networking events to help share best practice across the
sector.
In addition, at the request of the Government, UUK
have set up a task force to consider what more can be
done to address harassment on campus, including on the
basis of religion and belief. The Union of Jewish Students
are part of the wider advisory group.
Belfast Agreement
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answers by Lord Dunlop on 23 February
(HL5589 and HL5590) concerning the Belfast
Agreement 1998, why they have not answered the
question, and whether the Agreement applies to all
residents of the UK and Republic of Ireland. [HL6428]
Asked by Lord Laird
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 28 January
(HL5591) concerning the Belfast Agreement 1998, why
they have not answered the question, and whether the
Belfast Agreement applies to members of the British
Security Forces. [HL6429]
Lord Dunlop: My previous replies to the Noble Lord
on questions about the application of the Belfast
Agreement to specific groups explain that the Agreement,
with its three-stranded approach, paved the way for power
sharing in Northern Ireland and provides the basis for
devolved government there. The three-stranded approach
is:
• Strand 1 concerns the status and system of
government of Northern Ireland within the United
Kingdom. This provides for the creation of a
democratically elected Northern Ireland Assembly.
• Strand 2 concerns the relationship between Northern
Ireland and Ireland. This provides for the creation of a
North /South Ministerial Council.
• Strand 3 concerns the relationship between the Ireland
and the United Kingdom. This provides for the creation
of a British-Irish Council and the British-Irish
Intergovernmental Conference.
Borders: Personal Records
Asked by Lord Marlesford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of
passengers departing overseas from each British (1)
airport, (2) port, or (3) railway station, are currently
having their passports checked by Border Force
officers, and when they expect to reach 100 per cent
checking for each departure point. [HL6914]
Lord Bates: Exit checks have been in place since April
2015 across all scheduled commercial services departing
the UK from air and sea ports and from international rail
stations, except those services not within scope such as,
for example, journeys within the Common Travel Area.
Departure data is collected by carriers and port operators
and transmitted to Home Office systems, where work
takes place to match it to arrival data, visa conditions and
other information as appropriate.
Exit checks are not conducted by Border Force officers;
however Border Force officers do from time to time carry
out intelligence led operations and interventions which
are not part of the exit checks procedures.
Written Answers 16 March 2016 Page 3
Charities: Lobbying
Asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answers by Lord Bridges of Headley on 25
February (HL6102 and HL6103), whether the Cabinet
Office's new rules on grant funding mean that (1)
Citizen's Advice, (2) the Territorial Army Rifles
Association, (3) the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption
Agencies, (4) English Heritage, (5) Imperial College,
and (6) the Marine Management Organisations, can no
longer make representations to them, Parliament or the
European Commission, on legislation or policy.
[HL6517]
Lord Bridges of Headley: The clause ensures that
taxpayers' funds are not diverted away from their intended
purpose and wasted on political lobbying. The clause does
not stop any grant recipients from campaigning using
other sources of funding.
Children: Day Care
Asked by Baroness Garden of Frognal
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they
have taken to ensure that adequate ring-fenced funding
is provided to local authorities to enable them
successfully to deliver the Government’s childcare
provision targets. [HL6906]
Lord Nash: We have already announced over £1bn
funding for the early years entitlements within the ring-
fenced Dedicated Schools Grant by 2019-20, which
includes £300m to uplift the funding rate to providers.
The increase to the funding rate is based on robust
evidence from the Review of the Cost of Childcare. We
have made clear our commitment to maximise the amount
of this funding which reaches front line childcare
providers, and will consult on proposals for achieving this
as part of our consultation on early years funding reform
later this year.
Children's Play
Asked by Baroness Garden of Frognal
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment
they have made of the value of strategic local
approaches to play, and the case for local authorities to
submit regional play strategies to them for review.
[HL6907]
Lord Nash: I refer my Noble Lady to the answer given
on 8 March to PQ 29737, which I have also set out below:
The Department for Education recognises that play has
an important role in supporting all young children to
develop and prepare for later learning.
Play is covered in the statutory Early Years Foundation
Stage framework which states: “Each area of learning and
development must be implemented through planned,
purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-
initiated activity.”
The staff working in early years settings as Early Years
Educators (level 3) and Early Years Teachers (graduates)
are required to have an understanding different
pedagogical approaches, including the role of play in
supporting early learning and development. The criteria
for the Early Years Educator and standards for Early
Years Teacher Status qualifications are set by the
department.
Ofsted registers childcare provision on the Early Years
Register and the General Childcare Register and conducts
a regular cycle of inspection to ensure that provision
meets the required quality and safety standards.
In judging the quality and standards of early years
provision, Ofsted inspectors must assess the extent to
which the learning and care provided by the setting meets
the needs of the range of children who attend, including
the needs of any children who have special educational
needs or disabilities. At August 2015, 85 per cent of
providers on the Early Years Register were rated good or
outstanding for overall effectiveness. This is an increase
of 11 percentage points since 2012.
Local Authorities provide and offer Continuous
Professional Development and training to early years
settings; some of which may include training on play.
However, it is not a requirement for local authorities to
deliver regional play training as it is already a
requirement in the Early Years Foundation Stage to cover
play in a setting.
Civil Partnerships
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on
10 February (HL5715), whether they now intend to
legislate to allow heterosexuals to form civil
partnerships, and if not, why not. [HL6809]
Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Noble Lord
wrote to me on this topic previously (HL5715). As I
previously said:
In 2014, after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act
2013 was passed, the government carried out a review of
the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Act 2004,
including a thorough public consultation on potential
changes to civil partnership. Views were invited on three
options: Abolishing, or phasing out civil partnerships; or
extending them to opposite sex couples.
The review found that there was no clear consensus on
the future of civil partnerships. A majority of respondents
to the consultation were against extending civil
partnerships to opposite sex couples and several important
organisations thought it was too soon to consider making
changes to civil partnerships until the impact of extending
marriage to same sex couples is known. Given the lack of
any consensus the Government has no current plans to
make changes to the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
Page 4 16 March 2016 Written Answers
On 29 January 2016 the High Court dismissed a legal
challenge to the lack of availability of civil partnerships to
opposite sex couples. The Court ruled unequivocally that
the current regime of marriage and civil partnership does
not disadvantage anyone nor does it infringe anyone’s
right to family or private life. We also welcome the
Court’s view that it is entirely reasonable for the
Government to wait to see the impact of extending
marriage to same sex couples before deciding on the way
forward.
Easter Act 1928
Asked by Lord Lisvane
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what their policy
is towards the commencement of the Easter Act 1928.
[HL6697]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Easter Act 1928 would
set the date for Easter to fall on the Sunday that follows
the second Saturday in April (i.e. between 9 and 15
April). The Act has not been brought into force. To do so
would require an Order in Council, with the approval of
both Houses of Parliament. The Act requires that, before
the Order is made, “regard shall be had to any opinion
officially expressed by any Church or other Christian
Body." If the Christian churches were to agree on moving
to a fixed date for Easter then the Government would
consider, depending on what date is agreed, whether to
bring into force the Easter Act 1928 or to make such other
legislative provision as may be needed.
Faith Schools: Admissions
Asked by Lord Storey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what
consideration they have given to limiting the proportion
of places that schools can allocate using religious
admissions criteria, in line with the cap that currently
exists for free schools. [HL6796]
Lord Nash: The Government greatly values the
contribution that existing church and faith schools play in
our education system, including those of free schools, and
we have no plans to change their admission arrangements
since they are providing places for the communities they
serve.
Not all faith schools choose to allocate places by faith.
It is for the admission authority of the school to decide
whether or not to include faith-based priorities within
their oversubscription criteria.
When constructing faith-based oversubscription criteria,
including deciding how membership or practice of the
faith will be determined, admission authorities must have
regard to the guidance of their relevant religious authority
and their arrangements must comply with the statutory
School Admissions Code.
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Nash on 8 March (HL6382),
in how many religiously selective schools the Schools
Adjudicator has found admission arrangements that do
not comply with the Schools Admissions Code in each
of the last three 12 month periods for which information
is available; how those numbers compare with all
schools for the same periods; and what
recommendations the Chief Schools Adjudicator has
made to the Department for Education about remedying
breaches by religiously selective schools. [HL6879]
Lord Nash: The Department does not hold data about
the outcome of objections considered by the Schools
Adjudicator in this format.
The Chief Schools Adjudicator reports annually to the
Secretary of State on fair access. We are giving careful
consideration to the findings and recommendations of her
report for 2014-15 as part of our current review of the
School Admissions Code. This report is attached.
We will be conducting a full public consultation in due
course.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Schools Adjudicator Annual Report 2014-15 [HL6879 - Office-of-
the-Schools-Adjudicator-annual-report-September-2014-to-
August-2015.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2016-03-09/HL6879
Freedom of Information
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows publicly
funded bodies that are individually bound by that Act to
form what is described as a private institution that is
claimed to be exempt from that Act, and if so, in which
clause or clauses. [HL6503]
Lord Bridges of Headley: Public authorities subject to
the Act are listed in Schedule 1, and companies wholly
owned by the public sector are automatically covered
through section 6.
Government Departments: Newspaper Press
Asked by Lord Tebbit
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any (1)
minister, (2) official, or (3) ministerial special adviser,
have played any part in the drafting of letters
subsequently signed by retired military officers or
business people and published in national newspapers
in the last year. [HL6672]
Lord Bridges of Headley: In carrying out government
business, Ministers, officials and special advisers must
abide by their respective Codes of Conduct.
Written Answers 16 March 2016 Page 5
Govia Thameslink Railway
Asked by Lord Lucas
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 3
March (HL6266), what improvements Govia
Thameslink Railway have implemented since the
commencement of their franchise. [HL6699]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Govia Thameslink
Railway (GTR) have implemented numerous
improvements since the commencement of their
franchise. These include, but are not limited to:
• Extension of smart ticketing functionality meaning
that ‘the Key’ smartcard is now available at an
additional 80 stations, taking the total number of
stations to 220;
• Oyster PAYG and CPAY has been extended to
Gatwick Airport station;
• An increase in overnight services serving Luton
Airport Parkway station;
• An increased number of Rail Enforcement Officers,
with an additional 19 officers;
• An increase in customer information screens;
• A single source of customer information across
website, app and stations;
• Access to radio microphones for all platform staff to
improve information provision at stations;
• First to last staffing at an additional 25 Great Northern
and Thameslink stations;
• Ordered new trains comprising 150 vehicles for the
Great Northern Moorgate route to replace rolling stock
from the 1970s;
• Services on the Moorgate branch in the evenings and
at weekends;
• iPads for customer facing staff to improve information
provision;
• 24 hour Twitter team;
In addition, the following key improvements are on
course to be delivered by Govia Thameslink Railway in
the coming months:
• Introduction of a new fleet of trains for the Gatwick
Express – the first of which went into passenger service
on 29 Feb;
• New state of the art Class 700 trains will start to be
introduced across the GTR network from the spring;
• WiFi at 104 stations.
More details on the committed obligations and
improvements GTR are contracted to deliver can be found
in the Franchise Agreement which is available at the
government website.
Intelligence Services: Recruitment
Asked by Lord Strasburger
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the
timetable for the recruitment of the 1,900 additional
intelligence personnel announced in November 2015,
and what is being done to ensure that the salary package
offered attracts sufficiently talented applicants.
[HL6541]
Lord Bridges of Headley: 1,900 additional staff across
the three intelligence agencies will be recruited over the
Spending Review period to 2020. Specific pay and reward
details cannot be disclosed for national security reasons
however pay and reward packages for staff at the
intelligence agencies are under regular review to ensure
that what can be offered reflects both the unique
challenges the agencies face, and the high level of ability
and skill required to meet them.
Ministers' Private Offices
Asked by Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
extended ministerial offices have been established, and
in which departments; which staff have been recruited
to them; and which of those were drawn from outside
the civil service. [HL6552]
Lord Bridges of Headley: Extended Ministerial
Offices have been established (or are being established) in
the Cabinet Office, the Department for Communities and
Local Government, the Department for Education, the
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
and the Scotland Office.
The government regularly publishes information on the
job titles and pay grades of senior civil servants along
with the numbers of staff they manage and the budgets
they are responsible for. A similar approach will apply to
staff in extended ministerial offices.
National Insurance
Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
applications for National Insurance numbers were
outstanding on 31 December in each of the last five
years for which figures are available. [HL6829]
Lord Freud: The information requested is not readily
available and could only be provided at disproportionate
cost.
Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
National Insurance numbers were issued to non-
residents in each of the last five years for which figures
are available. [HL6830]
Lord Freud: In order to be allocated a NINo via the
DWP Adult NINo Allocation process an individual must
Page 6 16 March 2016 Written Answers
be resident in the UK at the time of application. However,
a very small proportion of NINos are allocated by the
International Pension Centre to those who are resident
abroad for the purposes of Social Security Benefit
administration. These figures are not included in the
published statistics National Insurance Number
Allocations to Adult Overseas Nationals entering the UK.
NINos Issued to non-UK residents
2013-2014 5,390
2014-2015 4,150
2015 -16* 3,830
Figures are only available from 2013 and are rounded.
*is to end of February 2016.
New Businesses: Cambridge
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have
any plans to help more businesses in Cambridge in the
light of reports that it has the best rates for startup
survival. [HL6705]
Baroness Neville-Rolfe: Government’s Start-Up Loans
scheme supports people wanting to start a business and
has provided over 35,000 loans worth over £200 million.
We’re committed to supporting start-ups by cutting taxes
on small businesses, extending rate relief and increasing
the Employment Allowance.
In Cambridge, Government has invested £4.8m in the
establishment of the Sir John Bradfield Technology
Centre to support business incubation on Cambridge
Science Park. This is in addition to a range of other
growth-enabling investments made through the £500m
Greater Cambridge City Deal, the £109.1m Greater
Cambridge Greater Peterborough Growth Deal and a
three year funding package to support development of a
local business Growth Hub
NHS: Employment Agencies
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they
have made of (1) how many health professionals will
return to permanent NHS jobs as a result of price caps
on agency staff spending, and (2) how many nurses will
leave nursing as a result of those caps. [HL6711]
Lord Prior of Brampton: No formal assessment has
been made by the Department to estimate the specific
numbers of health professionals that will return to
permanent National Health Service jobs as a result of the
introduction of price caps on agency staff spending, or on
the number of nurses that may leave nursing as a result.
Trust boards have primary responsibility for monitoring
the local impact of the price caps and ensuring patient
safety.
Asked by Lord Warner
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether NHS
trusts can breach price caps on agency spending if they
consider that it is essential to do so in order to ensure
patient safety. [HL6712]
Lord Prior of Brampton: NHS trusts are able to
override the price caps on agency spending if it is
considered essential to do so to ensure the safety of
patients.
The circumstances in which trusts can override the caps
is set out in the attached guidance: ‘Price Caps for
Agency Staff: Rules’.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Price Cap Rules [price cap rules.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2016-03-03/HL6712
Passports
Asked by Lord Marlesford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many valid
British passports are currently held, and how many of
those passport holders also hold passports of another
state. [HL6915]
Lord Bates: There are 49 million valid UK passports in
circulation. Records are not held centrally of persons
holding both a UK passport and foreign passport.
Police and Crime Commissioners: Elections
Asked by Lord Wasserman
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 23
February (HL5871), whether the activities of Police and
Crime Commissioners themselves are subject to a
purdah period, and if so, when that period begins in
relation to the elections in May. [HL6403]
Lord Bridges of Headley: The pre-election restrictions
for Police and Crime Commissioners are governed by
Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986, as amended
in 1988. It is permissible for a Police and Crime
Commissioner to campaign individually on a political
basis, but without recourse to the resources of the Office
of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The
Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority
Publicity would also apply in these circumstances and
covers the full range of Local Authorities (including
Police and Crime Commissioners and the Mayor’s Office
for Policing and Crime). The purdah period for Police and
Crime Commissioners and their offices, like other Local
Authorities, begins with the publication of the notice of
election by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO),
which must happen no later than the 25th day before the
day of the election, but can be issued at any point before
then. PAROs are responsible for deciding on the date on
Written Answers 16 March 2016 Page 7
which they will issue the notice of election – they may
issue individually, or simultaneously.
Postgraduate Education
Asked by Baroness Burt of Solihull
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they
are taking to raise awareness of the Postgraduate Loans
Scheme in 2016–17 and 2017–18. [HL6729]
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Student Loans
Company has produced a suite of information and
guidance materials for institutions and prospective
students and this is available from SLC’s website, The
Student Room and Gov.UK. Additionally, BIS and the
SLC are working together with a number of organisations,
including Universities UK, to ensure that information and
guidance is also disseminated through their own channels.
Plans for 2017-18 will be drawn up later this year once
the loan has been launched
Asked by Baroness Burt of Solihull
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much is
being spent on promoting the Postgraduate Loans
Scheme in 2016–17 and 2017–18. [HL6730]
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park: The Department is
working alongside its delivery partner The Student Loans
Company and stakeholders such as Universities UK and
Prospects to ensure the correct information and guidance
is readily available. The Student Loans Company
produces information and guidance materials for
institutions and prospective students and expenditure for
the financial year 2016-17 is expected to be in the region
of £57,000. Budget for 2017-18 has not yet been
allocated.
Pre-school Education: Special Educational
Needs
Asked by Baroness Garden of Frognal
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they
have taken to ensure that there is adequate funding for
children with special educational needs in early years
education. [HL6905]
Lord Nash: We have already announced over £1bn
funding for the early years entitlements within the ring-
fenced Dedicated Schools Grant by 2019-20, which
includes £300m to uplift the funding rate to providers. We
are also providing protection for high needs funding that
will ensure that the level of funding rises in proportion to
the number of children, including those under 5. This will
mean that local authorities continue to have the flexibility
to target funding where it is most needed to help children
with special educational needs and disabilities and their
families, including the youngest children. Further
consideration will be given to funding for children with
special educational needs in early years education as part
of our consultation later this year.
Local authorities are required by law to secure free
entitlement places for parents that want their child to take
them up. The Government is committed to ensuring that
all families have access to high quality, flexible and
affordable childcare and parents with children with
special educational needs should have the same
opportunities as other parents through access to high
quality childcare. The Children and Families Act requires
local authorities to have a ‘local offer’ which includes a
statement on how they intend to tailor the childcare on
offer for children with special educational needs and
disabilities. Early implementation of 30 hours from
September 2016 provides a real opportunity to develop
innovative approaches to providing flexible childcare for
working parents whose children are disabled or have
special educational needs.
Through Early Implementation, York, Northumberland,
Newham and Wigan are among 8 Local Authorities
delivering the 30 hours entitlement from September 2016,
a year earlier than planned. This will include delivering
targeted places focusing on children with Special
Educational Needs and Disabilities.
They will also be supported by Early Implementer
Innovator areas including Brighton and Hove, Hampshire
and Trafford, who will test the offer and how it works
under specific circumstances, including developing
approaches to support children with Special Educational
Needs and Disabilities.
Proscribed Organisations
Asked by Lord Empey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their
estimate of the number of persons involved in each of
the following proscribed terrorist organisations: (1)
Continuity Army Council; (2) Cumann na mBan; (3)
Fianna na hEireann; (4) Irish National Liberation Army;
(5) Irish People’s Liberation Organisation; (6) Irish
Republican Army; (7) Loyalist Volunteer Force; (8)
Orange Volunteers; (9) Red Hand Commando; (10) Red
Hand Defenders; (11) Saor Eire; (12) Ulster Defence
Association; (13) Ulster Freedom Fighters; and (14)
Ulster Volunteer Force. [HL6803]
Lord Dunlop: It is not possible to provide an accurate
estimate of the number of people involved in these
organisations. Involvement and support for illegal
proscribed organisations can take many different forms
and the true extent of involvement is often hidden.
Statistics on charges brought in relation to support for
paramilitary organisations can be found in Northern
Ireland Terrorism Legislation: Annual Statistics 2014/15,
Table 9 on the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upload
s/attachment_data/file/465088/Terrorism_Bulletin_2014-
2015.PDF
The relevant information is also shown below for ease
of reference:
Page 8 16 March 2016 Written Answers
Table: Charges brought against persons detained in Northern
Irelandunder section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000
Number of
Charges
Offence 19 Feb 2001-Mar
2013/14
April-Sept 2014/15
Oct-Mar 2014/15
2014-15 Total
Supporting a proscribed
Organisation
21 0 0 0
Making contributions
to a proscribed
organisation
47 0 0 0
Dressing as a member of
a proscribed
organisation
10 0 0 0
Source: Police Service of Northern Ireland
Railways: Franchises
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the
Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 3
March (HL6235), what assessment they have made of
whether a procurement process where there are only
two genuine bidders complies with the EU rules and
procedures for public contracts, which state that a
minimum of three bids are required, and whether they
have sought from the EU a derogation from that rule.
[HL6724]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Rail franchising
competitions are governed by Regulation 1370/2007 and
not the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Therefore,
although the Department fully applies the EU treaty
principles of transparency, equal treatment and non-
discrimination, it is not obliged to follow the processes
and procedures set out in the Public Contracts Regulations
2015.
Where a competition is to be held, Regulation
1370/2007 requires a fair competitive procedure, but does
not stipulate the minimum number of bidders that is
required to evidence this.
Refugees
Asked by Baroness Berridge
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the
light of the ongoing problems faced by the Yazidi
community and children affected by the conflict in Iraq
and Syria, they will reassess the criteria for eligibility
for the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement
Programme and other UK resettlement schemes.
[HL6675]
Lord Bates: Under the current scheme, only UNHCR
registered Syrian refugees are eligible under the Syrian
Resettlement Scheme, which has been expanded to
resettle up to 20,000 during this Parliament. We work
closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) to identify cases that they deem in
need of resettlement according to seven agreed
vulnerability criteria for the Syrian Resettlement Scheme.
The Syrian Resettlement Scheme is operated in addition
to our global resettlement schemes: Gateway and
Mandate, which are not nationality specific.
Roads: City of Westminster
Asked by Lord Trefgarne
To ask the Chairman of Committees what assessment
he has made of the progress made in respect of the
roadworks underway in Bridge Street at the northern
end of Westminster Bridge, and when he expects those
works to be completed. [HL6709]
Lord Laming: The work on Bridge Street,
Westminster Bridge and Victoria Embankment is due to
be completed by the end of this month; remaining works
around Parliament Square should be completed by the end
of April as planned. There have been detailed and helpful
discussions, and ongoing liaison, between the
Administrations of both Houses and Transport for London
about the scheduling of the work in order to ensure that
the plans for the cycle superhighway disrupt access to
Parliament as little as possible. Since the works began,
there have been no reports that they have adversely
affected or disrupted the business of Parliament.
Parliament has shared information about these works on
the intranet.
Secondary Education: Performance
Standards
Asked by Lord Northbourne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the
Department for Education's research brief, Factors
associated with achievement: key stage 4, does not
make any reference to the family structure in which the
child is growing up, and in particular makes no
distinction between a child being brought up by both
parents living together and a child living in a single-
parent family. [HL6891]
Asked by Lord Northbourne
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the
Department for Education's research brief, Factors
associated with achievement: key stage 4, does not
mention whether they have considered the impact of
domestic violence, alcohol addiction, drugs or parental
mental health problems on children's lives. [HL6892]
Lord Nash: The aims of the research reported in
Factors associated with achievement: key stage 4, were to
assess the quality of the current measure of socio-
Written Answers 16 March 2016 Page 9
economic deprivation used by the Department for
Education and to identify potential alternative proxy
indicators for deprivation.
The attached research brief and full report examines the
relationship between attainment and household
employment characteristics, including whether it is a
single-parent household, and whether at least one parent
was in full-time employment. This model was not
included in the research brief because it was not
considered a feasible alternative.
The background characteristics used in the research
were collected as part of the first wave of the
Longitudinal Survey of Young People in England
(LSYPE), which did not ask questions directly addressing
the other factors mentioned. The research was
exploratory, but also pragmatic, examining a broad range
of measures but also mindful that not all measures would
be available to the Department in the future. Measures
such as domestic violence, alcohol addiction, drugs or
parental mental health problems are not collected by the
Department and were therefore not included in this
analysis.
The Answer includes the following attached material:
Full report - Factors Associated with Achievement [HL6891 and
HL6892 - RR407_-_Factors_associated_with_achievement_-
_key_stage_4.pdf]
Research brief [HL6891 and HL6892 - RB407_-
_Factors_associated_with_achievement_-_key_stage_4_brief.pdf]
The material can be viewed online at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2016-03-09/HL6891
Slavery: Children
Asked by Baroness Doocey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many
children who have received a positive conclusive
grounds decision in the National Referral Mechanism in
the past three years have been refused asylum after
claiming. [HL6823]
Lord Bates: Since January 2013, three (3) children
received an initial decision to refuse asylum having
previously received a positive Conclusive Grounds
decision. Of these three refusals two (2) were
subsequently overturned on appeal.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define
the "best interests of the child" under the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child. [HL6860]
Lord Bates: Consistent with Article 3 of the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child, we define the
“best interests of the child” as those factors which
contribute to a child’s well-being and which are to be
considered in light of the evidence as a primary
consideration alongside other factors in making
immigration decisions and carrying out immigration
functions.
These include, but are not limited to, taking account of
the child’s health, age and maturity, and the child’s family
and social relationships. We remain committed to giving
due consideration to the Articles in the Convention when
developing policy and legislation.
Unmanned Air Vehicles
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the
risks posed to the UK by terrorists using drones, and the
recent comments by the British Airline Pilots
Association and others regarding the risks posed by
drones, what consideration they have given to (1) the
introduction of a system of mandatory drone
registration in the UK, (2) the introduction of
mandatory geo-fencing by all drone manufacturers, and
(3) the possible banning of private ownership of drones
exceeding a certain payload capacity. [HL6659]
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures
they will take to reduce the risk posed by civilian
drones to aircraft. [HL6660]
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Cross
Government Working Group on Drones has conducted
an assessment of the risks posed (1) by terrorists using
drones, and (2) by drones to aircraft. [HL6661]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Department for
Transport (DfT) is currently working with the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent,
EU-wide safety rules for drones.
The Department and the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) work with a wide range of industry partners across
the aviation sector, (including manufacturers, airports,
and airlines), to ensure our understanding of potential
hazards to aircraft remains up-to-date and mitigations
effective.
This collaboration is also considering the need for other
potential drone policies, such as geo-fencing. There are a
number of drone models already sold in the UK with
types of this technology installed and we are assessing the
potential for solutions that could restrict drone operations
around airports and other key infrastructure.
We are also in contact with other governments about
the potential costs and benefits of registration systems,
and, in particular, whether this improves the transparency
of ownership.
The Cross Government Working Group has undertaken
analysis of the use of drones for criminal purposes,
including the potential use of drones for terrorist
purposes, and the impacts of their negligent use near
Page 10 16 March 2016 Written Answers
sensitive locations, such as airports. This work is kept
under review and is being used to inform research and
testing to improve mitigation techniques and strategies.
Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has
been provided to constabularies across the UK.
Education of drone users is vital. The DfT is working
with the CAA on raising awareness of responsible drone
use. This includes the CAA’s ‘Drone Code’ safety
awareness campaign and the issuing of safety leaflets at
the point of sale.
Visas: Turkey
Asked by Lord Marlesford
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what
circumstances the UK would be able to opt out of
implementing the agreement contained in the statement
of the Heads of State or Government of the EU issued
on 7 March to "accelerate the implementation of the
visa liberalisation roadmap with all member states with
a view to lifting the visa requirements of Turkish
citizens at the latest by the end of June 2016". [HL6913]
Lord Bates: The UK Government cannot be obliged by
the EU to lift visa requirements. Visa liberalisation for
Turkish citizens as referred to in the Statement of 7 March
is in respect of the Schengen area only. In accordance
with the Schengen Protocol (No.19), the UK does not
participate in the Schengen acquis concerning visas. The
UK is free to request to participate in some or all of the
provisions of the Schengen acquis which it does not
already participate in, but is explicitly not obliged to do
so. Nor is the UK bound by any Justice and Home Affairs
measures in the area of EU visa policy unless the UK
explicitly chooses to opt in, in accordance with the UK
and Ireland’s JHA Protocol (No 21).
Index to Statements and Answers
Written Statements ................................................. 1
Machinery of Government change ....................... 1
March Environment Council ................................ 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 2
Aegean Sea: Refugees .......................................... 2
Antisemitism ........................................................ 2
Belfast Agreement ................................................ 2
Borders: Personal Records ................................... 2
Charities: Lobbying .............................................. 3
Children: Day Care ............................................... 3
Children's Play ...................................................... 3
Civil Partnerships ................................................. 3
Easter Act 1928 .................................................... 4
Faith Schools: Admissions ................................... 4
Freedom of Information ....................................... 4
Government Departments: Newspaper Press ....... 4
Govia Thameslink Railway .................................. 5
Intelligence Services: Recruitment ....................... 5
Ministers' Private Offices ..................................... 5
National Insurance ................................................ 5
New Businesses: Cambridge ................................ 6
NHS: Employment Agencies ............................... 6
Passports ............................................................... 6
Police and Crime Commissioners: Elections........ 6
Postgraduate Education ........................................ 7
Pre-school Education: Special Educational Needs
.............................................................................. 7
Proscribed Organisations ...................................... 7
Railways: Franchises ............................................ 8
Refugees ............................................................... 8
Roads: City of Westminster .................................. 8
Secondary Education: Performance Standards ..... 8
Slavery: Children .................................................. 9
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child .......... 9
Unmanned Air Vehicles ....................................... 9
Visas: Turkey 10