mondayvol. 784 3 july 2017no. 6qnadailyreport.blob.core.windows.net/qnadailyreportxml/... · 2017....

Monday

3 July 2017

P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S

(HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND

WRITTEN ANSWERS

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

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

Vol. 784

No. 6

[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 Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Baroness Anelay of St Johns Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union

Lord Ashton of Hyde Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development and Treasury Spokesman

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local

Government, Northern Ireland Office

Baroness Buscombe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions

Lord Callanan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip

Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs

Baroness Goldie Whip

Lord Keen of Elie Advocate-General for Scotland and Ministry of Justice Spokesperson

Lord Nash Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education

Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health, Whip

Lord Price Minister of State, Department for International Trade

Lord Prior of Brampton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy

Baroness Sugg Whip

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip

Baroness Vere of Norbiton Whip

Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office and Women and Equalities Spokesperson

Lord Young of Cookham Whip

Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip and Wales and Scotland Office Spokesperson

© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2017

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

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http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Written Statements 3 July 2017 Page 1

Written Statements Monday, 3 July 2017

Crossrail: Annual Update

[HLWS20]

Lord Callanan: My Honourable Friend, the

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport

(Paul Maynard) has made the following Ministerial

Statement.

I am pleased to report that earlier this month, the first

new Class 345 train entered passenger service on the TfL

Rail line between Shenfield and Liverpool Street.

Although the trains were due to enter service in May 2017

some of the testing, assurance and approvals took a little

longer than originally expected. The successful

introduction of the train marked the first stage of the five

staged Crossrail Opening Strategy 1. The service will be

named the Elizabeth line when the Central Section opens

in central London from December 2018.

Stage 2 of the Crossrail Opening Strategy which will

see TfL Rail services operating with the new trains

between Heathrow Terminals 2,3 and 4 and Paddington

(high level station), is due to start from May 2018. A

major step forward in delivering this new service was the

installation of new digital signalling in the Heathrow

Tunnels in April 2017. Testing and commissioning of the

new signalling system is now underway, ahead of the new

trains commencing testing later this year.

I am pleased to report the Crossrail project’s health and

safety indicators demonstrate strong performance over the

year with all the key indicators exceeding the corporate

objectives for the year 2016/17.

In the past year significant progress has been made

across the project. The Crossrail Programme is

approaching 85% complete. In the Central tunnel section

all platforms have now been completed, track installation

is over 90% complete, power and ventilation installation

have reached 70% and 30% complete respectively, and

installation of platform edge screen doors has commenced

at Bond Street and London Paddington. Architectural

finishes are being applied and escalator and lift

installation has commenced across the central stations.

Testing of the new Central Section infrastructure and

systems will commence by the end of 2017, with the new

Central Section stations being completed during 2018.

The critical works for the stabling facility at Ilford

depot was completed in May 2017, to support the

introduction of new trains into passenger service. Further

work at Ilford Depot to support Stage 4 (Paddington to

Shenfield) opening continues and is expected to be

delivered by May 2019. Works continue at Old Oak

Common depot to support Stages 2 and 3 (Paddington to

Abbey Wood).

Major surface works were delivered by Network Rail

on the existing rail network this year. During the

Christmas 2016 blockade an unprecedented level of

works were successfully delivered on the Great Western

and Anglia railways. These works included the entry into

service of the new Acton Dive Under and the Stockley

Flyover, both of which will improve capacity and

reliability between Heathrow and Paddington. Christmas

2016 also saw the start of the remodelling of tracks at

Shenfield, which was completed during May 2017.

Manufacturing of the new trains is progressing. Trains

will be progressively introduced over the next few

months, with eleven in service by autumn, replacing just

over half the existing train fleet. In preparation for the

operation of the Elizabeth line services a purpose built

facility has been commissioned to simulate the operation

of passenger services and ensure key components and

software are tested. The Crossrail Integration Facility is

an essential element to support the next stages and

success of the Crossrail Opening Strategy.

Training of the new operations workforce is well

underway. Drivers are familiarising themselves with the

new trains and route. There are now circa 700 apprentices

who have gained experience across the project.

Crossrail’s purpose built training facility, the Tunnelling

and Underground Construction Academy has now

become part of Transport for London and will continue to

offer apprenticeships and training to support the next

generation of skills for rail and tunnelling projects.

The Crossrail Board forecast that the cost of

constructing Crossrail will be within the overall £14.8bn

funding envelope (excluding rolling stock costs). Cost

pressures are increasing across the project and Crossrail

Ltd is identifying and implementing initiatives to deliver

cost efficiencies until completion in 2019. Crossrail’s

Joint Sponsors (Department for Transport and Transport

for London) will continue to meet regularly with Crossrail

Ltd to ensure that the project is being effectively managed

and will be delivered within funding and on schedule.

During the passage of the Crossrail Bill through

Parliament, a commitment was given that a statement

would be published at least every 12 months until the

completion of the construction of Crossrail, setting out

information about the project’s funding and finances.

In line with this commitment, this statement comes

within 12 months of the last one, which was published on

30 June 2016. The relevant information is as follows:

Total funding amounts provided to Crossrail Limited by the Department for Transport and

TfL in relation to the construction of Crossrail

to the end of the period (22 July 2008 to 29 May 2017)

£10,860,539,046

Expenditure incurred (including committed land and property spend not yet paid out) by

Crossrail Limited in relation to the

construction of Crossrail in the period (30 May 2016 to 29 May 2017) (excluding

recoverable VAT on Land and Property purchases)

£1,636,471,000

Total expenditure incurred (including

committed land and property spend not yet

paid out) by Crossrail Limited in relation to

the construction of Crossrail to the end of the

£10,886,978,000

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2017-06-30/HLWS20/

3 July 2017 Written Statements

period (22 July 2008 to 29 May 2017)

(excluding recoverable VAT on Land and

Property purchases)

The Amounts realised by the disposal of any

land or property for the purposes of the construction of Crossrail by the Secretary of

State, TfL or Crossrail Limited in the period

covered by the statement.

Nil

The numbers above are drawn from Crossrail Limited’s

books of account and have been prepared on a consistent

basis with the update provided last year. The figure for

expenditure incurred includes monies already paid out in

relevant period, including committed land and property

expenditure where this has not yet been paid. It does not

include future expenditure on construction contracts that

have been awarded.

Notes

1. Crossrail’s Opening Strategy introduces services in 5

phases to gradually increase the number of services. The

phases are:

i. May 2017 – The new rolling stock is introduced on

existing suburban services between Liverpool Street and

Shenfield.

ii. May 2018 – The Heathrow Connect service will

cease and Crossrail will operate a stopping service

between Heathrow Terminal 4 and Paddington High

Level which from this date will double in frequency to 4

trains per hour.

iii. December 2018 – Crossrail services commence in

the central tunnel section between Paddington Low Level

and Abbey Wood.

iv. May 2019 – Crossrail services commence between

Paddington Low Level to destinations on the Great

Eastern route (Shenfield).

v. December 2019 – Full Crossrail services between

Reading, Heathrow and Paddington in the West to

Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the East.

2. The total funding amounts provided to Crossrail Ltd

by the Department of Transport and Transport for London

refers to the expenditure drawn down from the Sponsor

Funding Account in the period 22 July 2008 and 29 May

2017. Included within the amount is £642,959,962 of

interim funding that has been provided to Network Rail to

finance the delivery of the On-Network Works. This

amount is due to be repaid to Crossrail Ltd by 30

September 2017.

DCMS: Digital

[HLWS22]

Lord Ashton of Hyde: My Rt Hon Friend the

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

(Karen Bradley) has made the following Statement:

With agreement of the Prime Minister, we can confirm

an addition to the department name. DCMS will change

from Department for Culture, Media and Sport to

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The

Secretary of State's full title will be the Secretary of State

for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. All responsibilities

and portfolios within the department remain the same.

The department will still be referred to as DCMS.

Energy Post-Council Statement

[HLWS21]

Lord Prior of Brampton: My hon Friend the Minister

for Energy and Industry has today made the following

statement.

The second Energy Council of the Maltese Presidency

took place in Luxembourg on 26 June. I represented the

UK.

The Council began with the Commission (Vice

President Šefčovič) presenting the recommendation for a

mandate to commence negotiations with the Russian

Federation on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. It reiterated its

commitment to ensuring energy supply routes to the EU

complied with the rules of the Third Energy Package,

including diversification and security of supply, which

was supported by the Member States that intervened. The

Presidency noted the legal and political concerns raised

by the Council.

The Council then discussed the Energy Efficiency

Directive on which the main outstanding issues were

whether the EU-level energy efficiency target should be

binding or indicative, and whether early efforts generating

long term savings could be counted towards the 2030

energy-saving obligation. Some Member States supported

maximum ambition; others called for more flexibility so

that ambitious targets could be met.

The Presidency made further efforts to find a

compromise that could command a sufficient majority but

texts which might have been acceptable to the UK were

blocked by a group of Member States demanding a more

ambitious target yet less flexibility for Member States to

be able to meet them. Ultimately a General Approach was

adopted that included a higher EU level energy efficiency

target of 30% and some limited flexibilities for Member

States to achieve their binding national energy savings

target. Eight Member States voted against the proposal,

on the basis that it ran counter to the position of the

European Council in 2014. Although the balance of the

proposal would have been acceptable to the UK, we were

unable to support the text because the Commission

refused to confirm the joint understanding reached with

the UK in 2013 on what could be counted towards our

2020 binding national energy savings target. This could

materially impact on our ability to meet our 2020 target.

Next, the Presidency presented its compromise proposal

on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive,

emphasising the uptake of electric vehicle charging points

as the centrepiece of the revisions, and the increased

flexibility for Member States compared to the

Commission’s initial proposal. The Commission

(Commissioner Cañete) highlighted what it saw as a loss

of ambition. Member States supported the balance of the

Presidency’s proposal and the Council agreed on a

General Approach, although some Member States,



Written Statements 3 July 2017 Page 3

including the UK, noted the need for measures to be

economically and technically feasible.

The Council then discussed energy interconnectors at

the request of Spain and Portugal, who sought binding

targets for interconnection and funding for the required

infrastructure. The Commission reiterated its commitment

to the 2015 Madrid declaration on developing

interconnectors, and highlighted the future discussion of

this issue at the High Level Group in September.

Finally, the Presidency noted the intention of working

groups to move forward on the six remaining legislative

files that comprise the Clean Energy Package; the

Commission updated Council on a number of external

energy relations issues over the past six months, including

discussions on energy cooperation with China, Japan,

Africa and Iran, and the development of the Eastern

Mediterranean as a gas supplier, in order further to

improve diversification of supply. The Estonian

delegation presented the priorities for its upcoming

Presidency, which focused on Electricity Market Design

but also included negotiations on other elements of the

Clean Energy Package and the mandate for Nord Stream

2.

Fisheries

[HLWS23]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: My Right Hon Friend the

Secretary of State (Michael Gove) has today made the

following statement.

As part of the wider process of becoming an

independent Coastal State, the UK will be withdrawing

from the London Fisheries Convention. My Rt Hon friend

the Foreign Secretary will today formally give notice

under the Convention.

This is the first step towards taking back control of our

fishing waters and creating a policy that leads to a more

competitive, profitable and sustainable fisheries industry

for the whole of the UK.

We are committed to acting as a responsible Coastal

State. We look forward to working closely with the EU

and other Coastal States to ensure the sustainable

management of fish stocks in accordance with our rights

and obligations under international law including the UN

Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the

UN Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA).

Resettlement

[HLWS24]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: My rt hon Friend the

Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber

Rudd) has today made the following Written Ministerial

Statement:

As the Syria crisis enters its seventh year, civilians

continue to bear the brunt of a conflict marked by

unparalleled suffering, destruction and disregard for

human life. This crisis, and wider instability across the

world, is driving thousands of refugees and migrants

towards Europe’s borders.

The UK has been at the forefront of the international

response and has pledged £2.46 billion to help address the

humanitarian crisis, complemented by continued

diplomatic efforts in the region to end the conflict. Our

direct support has reached hundreds of thousands of

people in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

By meeting basic humanitarian needs and helping to

create new opportunities we aim to help Syrians to build a

life in neighbouring countries.

As part of our comprehensive approach to the Syria

crisis, the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement

Scheme (VPRS) was launched in January 2014 and

expanded in September 2015. In 2016 the UK resettled

more refugees from outside Europe than any other EU

member state. The scheme, to date, has focused on Syrian

nationals because they formed an easily identifiable

cohort of vulnerable refugees who have fled the conflict

and whose needs are clearly evident. This focus has

enabled us to provide a quick and effective response to

the crisis.

The scheme sees us working closely with the UNHCR

to identify individuals who are most at risk in the region

and whose particular needs can only be met in countries

like the UK. Up to the end of March 2017, 7,307 Syrian

nationals had been resettled across the UK under the

Syrian VPRS, half of whom are children, and we are on

track to meet our commitment of resettling 20,000

refugees by 2020. This is in addition to our Vulnerable

Children’s Resettlement Scheme launched last year,

which will see us resettle up to 3,000 of the most

vulnerable children and their families from the Middle

East and North Africa region by 2020. We remain

committed to resettling the overall number of refugees

previously announced on both schemes.

However, whilst the Syrian VPRS is aimed at the most

vulnerable Syrians, there are additional groups in the

region who have fled Syria and are also extremely

vulnerable but who may not be able to access one of our

resettlement schemes. UNHCR’s advice is that a

diversified resettlement quota is needed in order to

address the needs of the most vulnerable refugees from all

refugee populations in the region.

In light of this, with immediate effect, I am amending

the scope of the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement

Scheme (VPRS) to enable UNHCR to refer the most

vulnerable refugees in the MENA region who have fled

the Syrian conflict and cannot safely return to their

country of origin, whatever their nationality.

This Government is committed to an effective response

in the affected regions and to resettling the most

vulnerable; this includes those who had sought refuge

within Syria prior to the conflict and been recognised as

refugees. We will continue to rely on UNHCR to identify

and refer the most vulnerable refugees but will no longer

limit the scheme solely to those with Syrian nationality.

UNHCR will only refer to us those who are genuine



3 July 2017 Written Statements

refugees, in that they cannot seek the protection of their

home country.

This change will also mean that mixed family groups

are eligible for resettlement under the Syrian Vulnerable

Persons Resettlement Scheme. This change might also

open up the Scheme to other groups, such as Iraqi

minorities who sought refuge in Syria, but had to flee

again as a result of the Syria conflict.

This remains within the overall spirit of the then Prime

Minister’s 2015 commitment while recognising that other

nationalities who had resided in Syria have been impacted

by the same conflict. This decision demonstrates the UK

remains fully committed to playing its part in the global

migration crisis. We continue with our approach of taking

refugees from the region - from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon,

Iraq and Egypt - as well as providing life-saving

humanitarian assistance such as the £2.5m Migration

Emergency Response Fund in response to the

Mediterranean migration crisis. Our approach is rightly

based on targeting our support so that it delivers the most

impact, helps those who need it the most, and avoids

unintended consequences.

This provides refugees with a more direct and safe route

to the UK, rather than risking the hazardous journey to

Europe which has tragically cost so many lives. Local

authorities and partners play a vital role in helping those

arriving here to settle into a new life in the UK. I am

grateful for the way in which over 235 local authorities

across the UK have stepped up to provide places for those

arriving under the resettlement schemes.

We can be proud of the contribution the UK is making

to support refugees, including the support and generosity

from the British public, and I believe that this policy

change will help us to continue to support the most

vulnerable refugees fleeing Syria.

Written Answers 3 July 2017 Page 5

Written Answers Monday, 3 July 2017

Absent Voting: Northern Ireland

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, how many proxy

vote applications there were in each Northern Ireland

constituency for the general elections in (1) 2010, (2)

2015, and (3) 2017; and whether they intend to

investigate possible electoral fraud in relation to proxy

voting in Northern Ireland. [HL3]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The administration of

proxy voting is an operational matter for the Chief

Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. All evidence

received by the Chief Electoral Officer regarding possible

electoral fraud is passed to the PSNI for investigation.

The following table has been provided by the Electoral

Office for Northern Ireland and contains the number of

proxy vote applications in each constituency in Northern

Ireland for the Parliamentary general elections in 2010,

2015 and 2017:

Constituency 2010 2015 2017

Belfast East 36 124 279

Belfast North 91 177 739

Belfast South 47 114 318

Belfast West 115 168 1026

East Antrim 51 137 353

East Londonderry 62 143 360

Fermanagh & South Tyrone 470 1454 1707

Foyle 159 339 1282

Lagan Valley 47 87 230

Mid Ulster 213 488 1127

Newry & Armagh 101 870 1304

North Antrim 71 224 507

North Down 63 85 193

South Antrim 58 106 285

South Down 130 203 564

Strangford 41 73 197

Upper Bann 65 135 322

West Tyrone 289 505 914

Total 2109 5432 11707

Asked by Lord Empey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what assessment

they have made of the extent of the rise in the number

of proxy votes being applied for in recent elections in

Northern Ireland; and what action they are taking to

ensure fraud is detected and avoided. [HL126]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The administration of

proxy voting is an operational matter for the Chief

Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland who will conduct a

routine post-election review of all administrative

procedures. The Electoral Commission will also report on

the administration of the election in due course. The

Government will consider any recommendations about

dealing with fraud from the Chief Electoral Officer and

the Electoral Commission carefully.

Armed Forces: Crime

Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether they

intend to examine the operation of section 42 of the

Armed Forces Act 2006. [HL127]

Earl Howe: The Service Justice System is kept under

regular review and is subject to Parliamentary scrutiny

every five years when the Armed Forces Act 2006 is

renewed. The last such renewal was in 2016 and, during

the passage of the Armed Forces Act, key aspects of the

system were scrutinised and debated in both Houses and

no significant changes to the system were made. The

provisions of the Act will next need to be renewed in

2021 and we are already beginning to think about how

best to use that opportunity to look at key aspects of the

Service Justice System to ensure it continues to meet the

needs of our Armed Forces

Asylum

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, how many

asylum seekers were admitted into the UK in each

month from June 2015 to March 2017. [HL87]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office

publishes the number of asylum applications received at

ports each quarter by nationality in table as_01_q of the

Immigration Statistics release. The latest figures are

attached and are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/

attachment_data/file/615150/asylum1-jan-mar-2017-

tables

Table as_01_q: Asylum applications from main applicants received at

ports, Q1 2015 to Q1 2017

Year Total applications Applications

received at ports

2015 Q1 6,027 579

2015 Q2 6,279 507

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-06-21/HL3




https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/615150/asylum1-jan-mar-2017-tables.ods



3 July 2017 Written Answers

Year Total applications Applications

received at ports

2015 Q3 10,231 792

2015 Q4 10,196 1,040

2016 Q1 8,228 924

2016 Q2 7,810 781

2016 Q3 7,146 1,021

2016 Q4 7,419 1,160

2017 Q1 6,516 884

Table Notes:

Source: Table as_01_q, Immigration Statistics Janurary to March

2017, Home Office

(1) These data are provisional and subject to update.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Table as 01-q : Immigration Stats Jan-March 2017 [Table - as_01-

q - asylum applications at ports - Jan - Mar 2017.xls]

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

answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2017-06-21/HL87

Asylum: Deportation

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno


asylum seekers were deported on reaching the age of 18

in (1) 2014, (2) 2015, and (3) 2016. [HL90]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The number of

enforced returns by age is published in table rt_03

(returns data tables) in ‘Immigration Statistics, January -

March 2017’, (attached) and is also available from the

Home Office website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upload

s/attachment_data/file/615158/returns2-jan-mar-2017-

tables.ods

The term 'deportations' refers to a legal definition of a

specific set of returns. Deportations are a specific subset

of returns which are enforced either following a criminal

conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal

from the UK is conducive to the public good. The

deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK

until such time as it may be revoked. Published

information on those deported is not separately available.

As such, the question has been interpreted as referring to

enforced returns. In an enforced return, it has been

established that a person has breached UK immigration

laws and / or has no valid leave to remain in the UK. They

have declined to leave voluntarily and the Home Office

enforces their departure from the UK.

Year Total

enforced

removals

Under

14

14-15 16-17 18-20

2004 21,425 1,448 123 274 1,722

2005 20,808 1,361 173 278 1,643

2006 19,372 1,049 111 198 1,365

2007 17,770 786 68 95 1,041

2008 17,239 684 76 91 1,060

2009 15,252 584 53 84 1,013

2010 14,854 296 26 30 991

2011 15,063 140 9 31 1,138

2012 14,647 183 17 23 855

2013 13,311 160 12 15 795

2014 12,627 76 2 14 601

2015 12,111 82 6 6 701

2016 10,872 26 1 0 610

Notes:

Data from Q1 2015 are provisional figures.

Data on returns are based on individual cases. Multiple returns of the

same person within a year are counted as multiple returns.

Source:

Immigration Statistics January - March 2017, Home Office, table

rt_03.

Burial and Cremation

Asked by Baroness Meacher


they have made of the Burials and Cremations

(Scotland) Act 2016 as a possible basis for reform of

the law of England and Wales. [HL96]

Lord Keen of Elie: The Scottish legislative framework,

among a range of other evidence, is being taken into

account in developing burial and cremation policy in

England and Wales.

Business: Billing

Asked by Lord Mendelsohn

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what marketing

and promotion is planned to raise awareness among (1)

small businesses, and (2) the general public, of their

digital service for publishing company reports

established under the Reporting on Payment Practices

and Performance Regulations 2017 No 395. [HL54]

Lord Prior of Brampton: As many large businesses'

financial years start in January, the number of businesses

publishing reports will increase in mid-2018. We have

therefore planned targeted communications with

businesses, their representative bodies and intermediaries

such as accountants to raise awareness in spring and

summer 2018. There will be further communications in

late 2018 once all businesses in scope have begun

publishing information, which may include working with





https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/615158/returns2-jan-mar-2017-tables.ods






specific sector publications to raise awareness where

necessary.

Chief Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

Asked by Lord Empey


they have made of the performance of the Electoral

Office for Northern Ireland following the two elections

held in Northern Ireland this year. [HL121]

Asked by Lord Empey


propose to proceed with a consultation on the future

operation and deployment of the Electoral Office for

Northern Ireland. [HL122]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Electoral Office

for Northern Ireland successfully administered two

unscheduled elections during 2017. The Electoral

Commission’s research with voters and campaigners

found high levels of confidence that the Northern Ireland

Assembly election held on 2 March 2017 was well-run.

The progress on the consultation on the future delivery

of electoral services in Northern Ireland was unavoidably

delayed owing to the need for the Electoral Office to

focus on delivering the elections that have been held since

the consultation closed in January, as well as the purdah

periods which have also accompanied those elections. The

Government and the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern

Ireland will continue to reflect upon the most appropriate

point to issue a joint response to the consultation.

Cotonou Agreement

Asked by Viscount Waverley


would support future regionalisation of the Pillars of the

Cotonou Agreement. [HL205]

Lord Bates: The UK government has supported calls

for a differentiated and more regionalised approach

during EU discussions on the successor to the Cotonou

agreement. While the future agreement will come into

force after our exit from the EU, we remain interested in

what will be a major element of the global development

architecture and will continue to participate in the

discussions while we remain an EU Member State.

Counter-terrorism

Asked by Lord Ouseley


extremist organisations are under consideration to be

proscribed under counter-terror legislation. [HL134]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We do not routinely

comment on whether an organisation is or is not under

consideration for proscription. A decision to proscribe an

organisation must be based on a belief that it is concerned

in terrorism as defined in the Terrorism Act 2000.

Cuadrilla Resources

Asked by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb


have held any meetings with representatives of

Cuadrilla in 2017; and if so, which minister or ministers

met with those representatives, when those meetings

took place, what was discussed, and whether any

assurances were given to that company. [HL140]

Lord Prior of Brampton: All Government Ministers

meet regularly with industry leaders, including those from

the energy industry. A register of meetings is published

on a quarterly basis as part of Departments’ transparency

data.

Darfur: Chemical Weapons

Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool


have pursued allegations by Amnesty international that

chemical weapons have been used against the civilian

population in Darfur; and whether they intend to raise

this at the UN Security Council. [HL58]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The allegations made by

Amnesty International last year were reported to the

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at

the time. I refer to the response by the former Minister for

the Commonwealth and UN to HL 6160 (3 April).

Without further evidence we see no basis on which to

raise this at the UN Security Council at this time. We

discuss the situation in Darfur on a regular basis in the

Security Council, and continue to raise our concerns

about the conflict and humanitarian situation in Darfur

with the Government of Sudan.

Derelict Land

Asked by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what estimate

they have made of (1) the extent of brownfield land in

England, and (2) the number of homes that could be

constructed on that land. [HL31]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Up-to-date information

on brownfield land is not currently available. Legislation

to require local authorities to publish registers of

brownfield land suitable for housing by 31st December

2017 came into force on 16 April 2017.

Elections: Northern Ireland

Asked by Lord Empey

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what

consideration they have given to bringing forward

legislation to prevent party workers distributing election









material from standing immediately outside access

point to polling stations in Northern Ireland. [HL123]

Asked by Lord Empey


they have made of the potential for voter intimidation

posed by the presence of party workers at the entrance

to polling stations in Northern Ireland. [HL124]

Asked by Lord Empey


have received representations about the presence of

party workers standing in the environs of polling

stations in Northern Ireland. [HL125]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government has

not received any recent representations on the issue of

party workers outside polling stations. However, the

Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland will conduct

a routine post-election review of all administrative

procedures and the Electoral Commission will also report

on the administration of the election in due course. The

Government will consider any recommendations arising

from the Chief Electoral Officer and the Electoral

Commission carefully.

Eritrea: Religious Freedom

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry


representations they have made to the government of

Eritrea regarding the ongoing detention of the Eritrean

Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios. [HL111]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government

remains concerned about the human rights record of the

Government of Eritrea. We have raised these concerns

consistently, most recently during the interactive dialogue

with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human

rights in Eritrea at the Human Rights Council in Geneva

on 16 June 2017. One of the issues highlighted was that

of arbitrary detentions in Eritrea. On 26 June 2017 the

Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a tweet

specifically calling attention to the detention of Patriarch

Abune Antonios.

Gaza: Egypt

Asked by Baroness Tonge



Egypt regarding the closure, since January 2015, of the

Rafah Border Crossing [HL41]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are concerned about

the closure of the Rafah Crossing and the impact this has

on urgent medical and other priority cases in Gaza. We

encourage Egypt to show maximum flexibility on opening

the crossing.

We have frequent discussions with the Government of

Israel about the need to ease restrictions on Gaza. Easing

restrictions would alleviate the suffering of ordinary

Palestinians, advance construction and allow the Gazan

economy to grow. A durable agreement is necessary to

safeguard Egypt and Israel's security; this would include

Hamas and other militant groups permanently ending

rocket fire and other attacks.

Gaza: Electricity




Israel and to the Palestinian Authority (PA) regarding

the reduction of the PA's monthly payments to Israel for

the supply of electricity to Gaza [HL40]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Ambassador to Tel

Aviv and our Consul-General to Jerusalem have raised

our concerns with the Israeli authorities and the

Palestinian Authority (PA) respectively over this issue.

The Minister for the Middle East raised the situation in

Gaza with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the

Israeli Ambassador to London on 22 and 23 June

respectively.

General Practitioners: Opening Hours

Asked by Lord Birt

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the

Written Answer by Lord O'Shaughnessy on 3 February

(HL4841), what was the average number of days that

GP surgeries were open in the period 27–30 December

2016. [HL14]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The information requested is

not held centrally.

Core hours for general practices are defined in the

General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services

regulations, The National Health Service (General

Medical Services Contracts and Personal Medical

Services Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations 2016, SI

2016 No.875.

Core hours are 8am – 6:30pm Monday to Friday, except

Good Friday, Christmas Day and bank holidays.

The 2015-16 GP Patient Survey showed that 74.6% of

patients reported that their general practitioner surgery

was open at convenient times and that 75.9% were

satisfied with the hours that their surgery opened.

Health: Professions: Regulation

Asked by Lord Warner

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, when they intend

to introduce legislation to reform professional

healthcare regulation as proposed by the Law

Commission in their report Regulation of Health and

Social Care Professionals published in April 2014.

[HL78]











Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government is considering

options on how to take forward the reform and

rationalisation of professional regulation.

Housing

Asked by Lord Patten

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what is their

assessment of the need for high quality, high density

housing in England and Wales. [HL144]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The White Paper,

Fixing our Broken Housing Market, sets out the case for

lasting reform that will deliver more homes. This includes

the need for new housing to be well designed and make

good use of land. Responses to the White Paper are being

assessed. Housing in Wales is a matter for the Welsh

Assembly.

Housing: Constructions



estimate of the number of faulty new-build homes being

sold in England; and whether they intend to discuss that

issue further with the housebuilding industry. [HL11]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government

makes no estimate of faulty new build homes. In our

Housing White paper we set out our ambition for a

housing market that works for everyone. We expect all

housing developers to deliver good quality housing,

deliver it on time and to treat house buyers fairly,

resolving any problems quickly. All new homes are also

subject to supervision by Building Control – local

authorities and approved inspectors. DCLG Minsters will

continue to raise the issue of quality regularly when they

meet with the industry.

Housing: Disability

Asked by Baroness Deech


response to the finding by the Equality and Human

Rights Commission review published on 3 April, Being

disabled in Britain: a journey less equal, that fewer than

17 per cent of English councils with a housing plan

have set out strategies to build disabled-friendly homes.

[HL23]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The National Planning

Policy Framework is clear that councils should plan for a

mix of housing, based on the needs of different groups in

the community, including disabled people. All new homes

must have minimum levels of accessibility and local

authorities are able to require higher levels of accessibility

where it is properly justified, taking account of local need

and viability. Through the Housing White Paper we set

out proposals to reinforce these expectations, and have

introduced a new statutory duty on the Secretary of State

to produce guidance for local planning authorities on how

their development documents should meet the housing

needs of older and disabled people.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Asked by The Countess of Mar

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether, in the

light of the significant increase in the number of cases

of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

reported as an adverse reaction to HPV vaccination

since July 2015, they will ask the European Medicines

Agency to review the safety signal. [HL183]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The European Medicines

Agency (EMA) concluded a thorough review of reports of

postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

following human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in

November 2015, which found that the evidence did not

support a causal association between HPV vaccination

and POTS.

As of 26 June 2017, the Medicines and Healthcare

products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received 60

reports of POTS following HPV vaccine via the Yellow

Card Scheme. More than three million girls have been

vaccinated against HPV since 2008 across the United

Kingdom, and the MHRA’s evaluation remains that the

number of reports does not exceed what would be

expected to occur in the absence of HPV vaccine and that

the evidence does not suggest a causal association with

the vaccine.

The MHRA does not currently propose to ask the EMA

to conduct a further review. As with the safety of all

vaccines and medicines, this issue will remain under

review.

Israel: Bedouin



intend to make representations to the government of

Israel regarding demands to carry out the army

demolition order issued against the school at Khan al

Akhmar [HL42]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have raised strong

concerns about demolitions in Khan al Ahmar with the

Israeli authorities, most recently on 7 April. We

understand that the Israeli High Court will be holding a

hearing on this proposed demolition on 25 September

alongside a petition calling for the demolition of the 46

other structures in the Bedouin community.

Israel: Gaza


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what discussions

they are having with the government of Israel regarding

ending the blockade of Gaza [HL43]









Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Tel

Aviv and our Consulate-General in Jerusalem frequently

urge the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to take steps to

improve conditions in Gaza. We welcome the steps that

Israel has taken to ease some restrictions. However, we

want to see Israel go much further, and we are continuing

to call on Israel to do so to help the Gazan economy to

grow. The Minister for the Middle East discussed the

situation in Gaza with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister

and the Israeli Ambassador to London on 22 and 23 June

respectively.

Jordan: Refugees

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Southwark


they have made of the definition of vulnerability as

used by UNHCR to identify those refugees in Jordan

most in need of assistance. [HL152]

Lord Bates: UNHCR uses a robust set of vulnerability

criteria targeting disabilities, income, age, and missing

family members. Multiple partners contribute data to

UNHCR’s analytical system, which permits better

targeting of aid.

Following the World Humanitarian Summit, we and the

international community have committed to improving

needs assessments by increasing coordination and

information sharing between donors and agencies.

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Southwark

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what steps they

are taking to ensure that Iraqi and Syrian refugees in

Jordan that belong to religious minorities are included

in their assistance planning. [HL155]

Lord Bates: UK aid is distributed on the basis of need,

to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the

grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity. We are mindful of

the challenges faced by religious minority refugees across

the region and continue to prioritise reaching the most

vulnerable, irrespective of whether they are from religious

minority groups.

Korea National Insurance Corporation


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the

Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 3

February (HL4923), whether they have taken steps to

establish whether the Korea National Insurance

Corporation is a lawful organisation; and what

assessment they have made of whether funds generated

by the Corporation have aided the government of North

Korea in the development of its nuclear weapons

programme. [HL59]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Korea National

Insurance Company (KNIC) is a designated entity under

EU sanctions on North Korea and, as such, is subject to

an asset freeze. Existing UN and EU sanctions against the

DPRK are based on UN Security Council Resolutions that

prohibit the development of the DPRK's nuclear and

ballistic missile programmes. Both EU and UN sanctions

target goods and activities that support those programmes,

and individuals and organisations who have acted in

breach of these Resolutions.

We believe these sanctions have played a role in

slowing down the progress of the DPRK's nuclear and

missile programmes. The UK has complied with all

provisions of the EU designation of KNIC.

North Korea: Cybercrime



they have made of reports that North Korea was behind

the recent cyber attack on NHS computer systems.

[HL131]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The National Cyber

Security Centre and National Crime Agency are

investigating the recent cyber attack that affected NHS

networks, as well as many others around the world. A

range of leads are being pursued as part of the ongoing

investigations.

To effectively tackle cyber threats, the Government

launched the National Cyber Security Strategy in

November 2016. Supported by £1.9 billion of

transformational investment, the strategy sets out

ambitious policies and capabilities to protect the UK in

cyber space.

Private Rented Housing: Electrical Safety

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what progress

they have made in the drafting of the regulations

under Part 5 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 for

electrical safety checks in private rented sector

accommodation; and when they expect those

regulations to be laid before Parliament. [HL84]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Following Royal

Assent of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, a Working

Group of relevant experts was established to provide

recommendations to ministers on what, if any, legislative

requirements for electrical safety in the private rented

sector should be introduced. The Working Group’s report

and recommendations will now be considered by the new

Housing Minister.

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark


meetings with Electrical Safety First and other

stakeholders have taken place to develop the regulations

for electrical safety checks in the private rented sector

since the Housing and Planning Act 2016 was granted

Royal Assent. [HL85]









Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Following Royal

Assent of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, a Working

Group of relevant experts, including Electrical Safety

First, was established to provide recommendations to

ministers on what, if any, legislative requirements for

electrical safety in the private rented sector should be

introduced. The Working Group met four times in,

August, October, November and December 2016.

Public Sector: Equality

Asked by Baroness Afshar

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what guidance

they have issued to government departments, local

authorities and other public bodies and agencies to

avoid referring to British citizens by their creed, race or

colour other than in contexts in which it is strictly

necessary to do so. [HL46]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government has

issued no such guidance and has no plans to do so.

Religious Buildings: Islam

Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether it is part

of their Islamist anti-terrorist strategy to encourage all

sermons in mosques to be delivered in English. [HL18]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: It is not part of our

counter-terrorism or counter-extremism strategies to

encourage all sermons in Mosques to be delivered in

English. This is a matter for Mosques not Government.

Communicating in English helps all places of worship

to be open and accessible.

Religious Hatred

Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch


differentiate between (1) those who criticise a religion,

and (2) those who insult its adherents, in their guidance,

policies and other literature on hate speech; and if so,

how. [HL47]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: A crime that is

motivated by hostility on the grounds of race, religion,

sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity can

be classed as a hate crime. Our hate crime laws recognise

everyone's right to believe and practice their chosen

religion, free from targeted abuse. This same right extends

to those who have no religion and those targeted for intra-

religious hostility.

The guidance to the application of our laws is covered

in the Hate Crime Operational Guidance (attached) issued

by the College of Policing in 2014 (http://report-

it.org.uk/files/hate_crime_operational_guidance.pdf)

which guides the police on the application of our laws.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued advice

to prosecutors which is available at

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/racist_and_religious_

crime


Hate Crime guidance [170703 Hate Crime Operational guidance -

HL47.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-


Ryan Cornelius

Asked by Lord Clement-Jones



Dubai to ensure the prompt release of Ryan Cornelius

from prison. [HL100]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Dubai

has sought clarity from the Government of Dubai as to

why Ryan Cornelius remains in detention. We will

continue to raise his case with the authorities.

Sleeping Rough


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what, when they

use it, is their definition of "sleeping rough". [HL6]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: For the purposes of the

Department's annual rough sleeping estimates, the

definition is as follows: People sleeping, about to bed

down (sitting on/in or standing next to their bedding) or

actually bedded down in the open air (such as on the

streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or

encampments). People in buildings or other places not

designed for habitation (such as stairwells, barns, sheds,

car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations, or “bashes” which

are makeshift shelters, often comprised of cardboard

boxes). Nobody should ever have to sleep rough. We

have already allocated £30 million of funding specifically

to support rough sleepers, including people at risk of

sleeping rough, new rough sleepers and those with the

most complex needs - our ambition is to halve rough

sleeping by 2022, eliminating it by 2027.

Sleeping Rough: Greater London


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, which London

borough has the highest number of people sleeping

rough; what is their estimate of that number; and what

was the corresponding number in 2010. [HL7]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Nobody should ever

have to sleep rough. We have already allocated £30

million of funding specifically to support rough sleepers,

including people at risk of sleeping rough, new rough

sleepers and those with the most complex needs - our

ambition is to halve rough sleeping by 2022, eliminating

it by 2027.




http://report-it.org.uk/files/hate_crime_operational_guidance.pdf

http://report-it.org.uk/files/hate_crime_operational_guidance.pdf

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/racist_and_religious_crime

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/racist_and_religious_crime








DCLG publishes regular statistics on rough sleeping.

This is available by local authority (the latest figures are

attached) at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-

in-england-autumn-2016


Rough Sleeping Statistics - autumn 2016 [170703 Rough Sleeping

statistics HL7.pdf]

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


Social Security Benefits


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what plans they

have to simplify the benefits regime to reduce the extent

of the form filling and assessment burdens on benefits

recipients. [HL70]

Baroness Buscombe: The DWP is currently

implementing Universal Credit. This flagship welfare

reform policy simplifies the benefits regime for working-

age people. It replaces 6 former benefits administered by

DWP, HMRC and Local Authorities, with 1 single

application process to DWP. Universal Credit also makes

extensive use of digital services to reduce the extent of

form filling for benefit recipients, who can interact with

the Department using an online account.

The introduction of the New State Pension on 6 April

2016 also provided a simpler and more straightforward

benefit for pension-age customers. This is less open to

misunderstanding and dispute. State Pension claims are

supported by an, increasingly popular, online claims

service alongside a well established telephony channel.

These two channels account for the vast majority of

claims and have significantly reduced form filling. DWP

is currently testing a new claims portal for State Pension

to further improve the citizen experience.

Social Services

Asked by Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, when they intend

to bring forward proposals for a consultation on social

care. [HL66]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government will work to

address the challenges of social care for our ageing

population, bringing forward proposals for consultation to

build widespread support.

We will provide further details on the next steps on

social care in due course.

The Government is committed to listening to people’s

views on how to reform the social care system, to ensure

it is sustainable for current and future generations and that

the quality of care improves.


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether they still

intend to produce consultation proposals for the reform

of social care by the end of 2017. [HL79]


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether they will

implement the provisions in the Care Act 2014 to cap

individual liability for adult social care costs on or

before April 2020. [HL80]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Government will work to

address the challenges of social care for our ageing

population, bringing forward proposals for consultation to

build widespread support. We are committed to listening

to people’s views on how to reform the social care

system, to ensure it is sustainable for current and future

generations and that the quality of care improves.

As part of the overall package of reform, we will

consult on detailed proposals which will include a capital

floor and an absolute limit on the amount people can be

asked to pay.

We will provide further details on the next steps on

social care in due course.

Taimoor Raza

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Coventry



Pakistan regarding the death sentence handed down by

Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Court on 10 June to Taimoor

Raza, a Shi'a Muslim, for allegedly committing

blasphemy on Facebook. [HL108]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK remains firmly

opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. We

have repeatedly called upon the Government of Pakistan

to end capital punishment and, at a minimum, commit

publicly to renewing the previously imposed moratorium

on the death penalty. We regularly raise our concerns

about freedom of expression and the misuse of the

blasphemy laws with the Government of Pakistan at a

senior level. Our concerns are reflected in the latest

update to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual

human rights report.

The Foreign Secretary raised religious tolerance and

misuse of the blasphemy laws during his visit to Pakistan

in November 2016. Mr Sharma, in his previous role as

Minister for Asia, discussed the death penalty and the

importance we attach to freedom of expression with

Kamran Michael, Pakistani Minister for Human Rights,

and Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the Prime Minister's

Special Assistant for Human Rights, during his visit to

Pakistan in January 2017.

The Government will continue to urge Pakistan to

honour, promote and protect its human rights obligations,

including those related to the death penalty and freedom

of expression and religion.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-in-england-autumn-2016

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-in-england-autumn-2016










Taiwan: World Health Organisation

Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood


intend to take steps to retain Taiwan's place at future

assemblies of the World Health Organisation. [HL129]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The British Government

was disappointed that Taiwan was not permitted to

observe the World Health Assembly this year. We will

continue to make the UK position clear ie, that we support

Taiwanese participation in international organisations

where there is precedent for involvement, where Taiwan

can contribute to the global good, and where there is no

pre-requisite of nationhood for participation. Given the

global reach and often rapid spread of global health

emergencies it is of particular importance that all relevant

administrations be invited to engage in the World Health

Assembly to ensure that discussions on Global Health

Security can benefit from their experience and expertise.

Teachers: Training


To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether, and if so

by how much, teacher training targets for secondary

schools have been missed for each of the last five years;

and what assessment they have made of the impact of

any failure to reach those targets on children's

education. [HL135]

Lord Nash: Published statistics are available that show

Initial Teacher Training recruitment in each of the last

five years against the targets as set by the Teacher Supply

Model. The latest information is contained in the

following table.

Postgraduate ITT new entrants and training places time

series by target

Secondary Secondary target Percentage of

Secondary target

2012/13 14,293 13,817 103%

2013/14 13,050 13,340 98%

2014/15 12,971 13,866 94%

2015/16r 15,183 18,541 82%

2016/17p 15,713 17,687 89%

Source: NCTL Initial Teacher Training Census

Notes

1) Coverage: Postgraduate ITT new entrants in

England.

2) Figures for 2016/17 are provisional and are subject to

change. Figures for 2015/16 have been revised.

3) Data were extracted on 1 November 2016.

4) Teach First data is included from 2015/16, therefore

caution should be exercised when comparing figures

across time.

5) 2016/17 total includes forecast registrations.

6) Targets are taken from the Teacher Supply Model:

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

supply-model.

7) In 2011/12 to 2014/15 figures from the TSM are

estimated by removing undergraduate trainees.

These figures are published in table 1b in the statistical

first release ‘Initial teacher training: trainee number

census - 2016 to 2017’.

Teaching continues to be an attractive career choice

among graduates and secondary postgraduate recruitment

is at its highest level since 2011/12. This is a great

achievement, given the increasingly competitive graduate

market.

Schools recruit teachers in a variety of different ways

including Newly Qualified teachers, those returning to

teaching, and those who have previously taught outside

the state-funded schools sector.

Trident Submarines: Procurement

Asked by Lord Trefgarne

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, whether the

Trident replacement programme is on schedule; and if

so, when they expect that the first Dreadnought

submarine, together with its missiles and systems, will

enter service. [HL115]

Earl Howe: The Dreadnought programme to replace

the four Vanguard Class nuclear-armed submarines is on

schedule; HMS Dreadnought, the first of her Class, will

enter service in the early 2030s.

Turkey: Refugees

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, how they expect

the EU Refugee Facility for Turkey 2016–17, which

helps refugees and internally displaced persons, will be

spent; and what proportion of those funds will be

allocated to education and training. [HL167]

Lord Bates: The European Union Facility for Refugees

in Turkey helps build schools, provide health services and

makes social welfare payments for the most vulnerable

refugees, and provides vital municipal infrastructure such

as waste management and water treatment facilities to

alleviate pressure on Turkish communities hosting

refugees.

As of May 2017, 42% of the facility has been spent on

education. Almost half a million Syrian refugee children

have access to education and 20,000 Syrian volunteer

teachers have received training in improved teaching

techniques.



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-supply-model

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-supply-model




West Bank: Construction



representations they are making to the government of

Israel regarding the lack of building permits provided

to, and building restrictions placed on, Palestinians in

Areas B and C of the West Bank. [HL49]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As the Palestinian

Authority, not the Government of Israel, is responsible for

planning in Area B, we have not raised this issue with

Israeli authorities regarding this Area. However, we

continue to urge the Government of Israel to develop

improved mechanisms for zoning, planning and

permitting in Area C for the benefit of the Palestinian

population, including by facilitating local Palestinian

participation in such processes.

Zimbabwe: Electoral Register



assessment of the United Nations recommendation that

biometric voter registration should be introduced in

Zimbabwe. [HL149]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Zimbabwe is

introducing Biometric Voter Registration for the 2018

Presidential elections, with the support of UN

Development Programme. Weaknesses in voter

registration in Zimbabwe were a major cause of the grave

concerns we expressed over the 2013 elections. We

support the principle of Biometric Voter Registration as

long as the process itself is transparent and designed to

ensure that all voters, including young and urban voters,

are able to register and subsequently vote freely without

fear of violence or intimidation. Transparent storage and

management of the data included on the register is crucial

and the register must be made available to political parties

in a timely way.



Index to Statements and Answers

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

Crossrail: Annual Update ..................................... 1

DCMS: Digital ..................................................... 2

Energy Post-Council Statement ............................ 2

Fisheries ................................................................ 3

Resettlement ......................................................... 3

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

Absent Voting: Northern Ireland .......................... 5

Armed Forces: Crime ........................................... 5

Asylum ................................................................. 5

Asylum: Deportation ............................................ 6

Burial and Cremation ........................................... 6

Business: Billing ................................................... 6

Chief Electoral Office for Northern Ireland ......... 7

Cotonou Agreement.............................................. 7

Counter-terrorism ................................................. 7

Cuadrilla Resources .............................................. 7

Darfur: Chemical Weapons .................................. 7

Derelict Land ........................................................ 7

Elections: Northern Ireland .................................. 7

Eritrea: Religious Freedom ................................... 8

Gaza: Egypt .......................................................... 8

Gaza: Electricity ................................................... 8

General Practitioners: Opening Hours .................. 8

Health: Professions: Regulation ........................... 8

Housing ................................................................ 9

Housing: Constructions ........................................ 9

Housing: Disability ............................................... 9

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination .................... 9

Israel: Bedouin ..................................................... 9

Israel: Gaza ........................................................... 9

Jordan: Refugees ................................................ 10

Korea National Insurance Corporation ............... 10

North Korea: Cybercrime ................................... 10

Private Rented Housing: Electrical Safety ......... 10

Public Sector: Equality ....................................... 11

Religious Buildings: Islam ................................ 11

Religious Hatred ................................................ 11

Ryan Cornelius .................................................. 11

Sleeping Rough .................................................. 11

Sleeping Rough: Greater London ...................... 11

Social Security Benefits ..................................... 12

Social Services ................................................... 12

Taimoor Raza .................................................... 12

Taiwan: World Health Organisation .................. 13

Teachers: Training ............................................. 13

Trident Submarines: Procurement ..................... 13

Turkey: Refugees ............................................... 13

West Bank: Construction ................................... 14

Zimbabwe: Electoral Register ........................... 14

mondayvol. 784 3 july 2017no. 6qnadailyreport.blob.core.windows.net/qnadailyreportxml/... · 2017....

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