p a r l i a m e n t a r y d e b a t e s (hansard) house of...

Monday

5 February 2018

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

(HANSARD)

HOUSE OF LORDS

WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND

WRITTEN ANSWERS

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

Written Answers ..................................................... 3

Session 2017-19

No. 63

[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at

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Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.

This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet

at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.

Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or

other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.

Minister Responsibilities

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Earl Howe Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

Lord Agnew of Oulton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education

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

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

Lord Bates Minister of State, Department for International Development

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local

Government and Wales Office

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

Lord Callanan Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip

Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip

Lord Duncan of Springbank Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office

Baroness Fairhead Minister of State, Department for International Trade

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

Affairs

Baroness Goldie Whip

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

Strategy

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

Lord O'Shaughnessy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care

Baroness Stedman-Scott Whip

Baroness Sugg Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport, Whip

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Chief Whip

Baroness Vere of Norbiton Whip

Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office

Lord Young of Cookham Whip

Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip

© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2018

This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,

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



http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Written Statements 5 February 2018 Page 1

Written Statements Monday, 5 February 2018

Contingent Liability: Notification

[HLWS437]

Baroness Sugg: My Right Honourable friend, the

Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling), has

made the following Ministerial Statement.

I have today laid before Parliament a Departmental

Minute describing a Contingent Liability (CL) of £4

million associated with Solum JV.

Solum JV was created in 2008 to help Network Rail

(NR) deliver its agreed housing target. Since its

formation, the Solum JV has delivered over 200 housing

units, has c.200 more under construction (to complete by

2021) and a pipeline of c.1500 further units, subject to

planning and other approvals.

This counter-indemnity, for which NR’s CL of £4m

will be matched by its JV partner, Kier, will cover further

multiple residential developments being built by the JV,

initially at Twickenham and Walthamstow (Phase 2)

stations.

The Treasury has approved the proposal in principle. If,

during the period of fourteen Parliamentary sitting days

beginning on the date on which this minute was laid

before the House, a Member signifies an objection by

giving notice of a Parliamentary Question or a Motion

relating to the Minute, or by otherwise raising the matter

in the House, final approval will be withheld pending an

examination of the objection.

Energy Policy

[HLWS435]

Lord Henley: My hon friend Richard Harrington, the

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business,

Energy and Industrial Strategy has made the following

written ministerial statement:

I hereby give notice of the Department of Business,

Energy & Industrial Strategy’s intention to seek an

advance from the Contingencies Fund in the amount of

£2,275,000 for FY 2017/18 to provide financial cover to

the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

This cash advance from the Contingencies Fund is

required in order to enable ONR to establish a new

domestic civil nuclear safeguards regime ahead of the

UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and Euratom

on 29th March 2019. This is in line with the written

ministerial statements made by the Secretary of State for

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 14th

September 2017 and 11th January 2018. The work

necessary includes recruitment and training of additional

safeguards officers and installation of a new safeguards IT

system.

ONR has already begun some preparatory work to

deliver the regime but requires this cash advance to move

to its next phase of project implementation which includes

financial commitments towards recruitment and asset

purchases, to be able to deliver the regime ahead of day 1

of exit.

Parliamentary approval for additional resources of

£2,275,000 for this new service will be sought in an

Estimate for the Department of Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy. Pending that approval, urgent

expenditure estimated at £2,275,000 will be met via

repayable cash advances from the Contingencies Fund.

The cash advance will be repaid upon receiving Royal

Assent for the Nuclear Safeguards Bill and the Supply

and Appropriation Bill.

Maritime Training

[HLWS436]

Baroness Sugg: My Honourable Friend, the

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport

(Nusrat Ghani) has made the following Ministerial

Statement.

I am proud that the United Kingdom has one of the

most vibrant and competitive maritime sectors in the

World. We are an outward-looking, global trading

maritime nation proud of our maritime history but

forward looking and ambitious for our future.

Our success though relies above all else on our

workforce. The United Kingdom is recognised all over

the World for its leading maritime education and training

and for the very best seafarers that are produced. Our

well-trained and skilled cadets are responsible for many

of our vital needs bringing them efficiently and safely to

our shores.

I am therefore pleased to announce that we will be

doubling Government’s financial support for maritime

training, the so-called SMarT fund, from £15 million to

£30 million to introduce a new SMarT Plus option. I am

committed to continue building capacity and diversity

within our maritime workforce so it can capitalise on

every opportunity the market provides. I recognise the

importance of transferable skills and the essential role

seafarers play in supporting the wider maritime sector

when they return from sea to shore based careers.

Increasing our support for maritime training is essential in

order for our great maritime nation to maintain its global

position as a market leader. This is never more important

than it is today as we prepare to leave the EU and take an

even more global outlook.

Seafarers are highly skilled professionals entering

STEM related careers. SMarT Plus funding will be

available from April 2018 and will also support the Year

of Engineering though stimulating the availability of

training opportunities for deck, engine and electro-

technical cadets. The 2018/19 cohort of SMarT Plus

cadets will begin their on-ship training in the months

before we leave the EU.

A key strength of the UK's maritime sector is our strong

relationship with industry. I value the work of the UK

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2018-02-05/HLWS437/



5 February 2018 Written Statements

Chamber of Shipping, Nautilus International and the

Merchant Navy Training Board in developing and

refining the SMarT Plus proposal in conjunction with my

department’s officials. An opportunity was clearly

identified to create a resurgence in maritime training and

increase the competitiveness of SMarT. There is no

shortage of people applying for cadetships and it is only

right that we capitalise on this momentum and create the

conditions for more UK training and employment

opportunities within the maritime sector. I am delighted to

be working with the maritime industry and trade unions

and together we will build a stronger UK maritime

workforce.

Notes:

• SMarT Plus is a package that will see SMarT funding

doubled, over a 7 year period, from £15m to £30m per

year

• This will enable the cadet intake to increase from 750

to 1200 each year.

• In return, shipping companies will create additional

UK training positions and commit to employ newly

qualified SMarT Plus officers.

• This will enable SMarT Plus officers to gain the 12

months sea time experience that is required to enable

them to progress to their 2nd Certificate of

Competency.

• UK officers holding a 2nd Certificate of Competency

are particularly valued throughout industry. Their

quality, leadership and training makes them highly

employable.

Upwards Extensions: New Homes

[HLWS438]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: My Rt Hon Friend, the

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local

Government (Sajid Javid) has today made the following

Written Ministerial Statement.

The Government is committed to ensuring the planning

system supports the delivery of more homes where they

are needed. The opportunity for new homes is not always

an empty plot, or the redevelopment of a derelict site. As

set out in the White Paper, “Fixing our broken housing

market”, it is important that development uses the space

that is available efficiently, and avoids building at low

densities especially in areas of high demand such as

London. The Government recognises that one of the ways

to achieve this is to build up rather than build out, using

the space above existing buildings to create new homes.

Alongside the White Paper, the Government confirmed

its intention to bring forward policy changes to support

this objective, which this Written Ministerial Statement

sets out.

Planning policies and decisions should respond

positively to suitable opportunities to use the airspace

above existing residential and commercial premises for

new homes. They should allow residential and

commercial premises to extend upwards, where such

extensions would be consistent with the prevailing height

and form of neighbouring properties and the overall street

scene, are well-designed (including complying with any

local design policies and standards), respect the privacy of

neighbours and can maintain safe access and egress for

occupiers.

Policies and decisions on upwards extensions should

take into account national and local policies, as well as

relevant legal requirements, including relating to the

conservation of heritage assets such as listed buildings

and conservation areas. This will ensure councils can

continue to protect valued areas of open space and the

character of residential neighbourhoods, and stop

unwanted garden grabbing.

The Government will be consulting on changes to the

National Planning Policy Framework, including changes

to incorporate building up to ensure effective use of land

for current and future homeowners. Appropriate guidance

will be produced in due course.


Written Answers 5 February 2018 Page 3

Written Answers Monday, 5 February 2018

Academies: Standards

Asked by Lord Ouseley

To ask Her Majesty's Government what

shortcomings, if any, they have identified with the

performance of multi-academy trusts; what are the

oversight arrangements for governance and public

accountability; and what assessment they have made of

the extent to which those arrangements are adequate

and fit for purpose. [HL4944]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: Academy trusts are held to

account through a Funding Agreement with the Secretary

of State and bound by both company and charity law.

The department publishes statistics on the performance

of schools in multi-academy trusts on GOV.UK at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/multi-academy-

trust-performance-measures-2015-to-2016, and in the

‘Academy Schools Sector in England’, attached.

Academy trusts are required to submit audited accounts

on an annual basis. The auditors are required to express a

view on the financial health of a trust and to produce a

public management letter summarising their audit.

The primary responsibility for the oversight of trusts

rests with the trustees themselves. Regional Schools

Commissioners act on behalf of the Secretary of State,

and continually review the performance of all of the

multi-academy trusts in their region, working closely with

the Education and Skills Funding Agency who have

oversight of financial performance and governance.

Where concerns are identified, the department acts swiftly

and robustly to address these.

Further information on the oversight arrangements for

academy trusts is set out in ‘Multi-academy trusts:

Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh

Report of Session 2016–17’, which is attached.

We continuously review the adequacy of oversight

arrangements.

The Answer includes the following attached material:

Attachment 1 [HL4944.pdf]

Attachment 2 [452.pdf]

The material can be viewed online at:

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

answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-01-22/HL4944

Apprentices: Contracts

Asked by Baroness Golding

To ask Her Majesty's Government how non-levy

apprenticeship contracts are awarded; and who within

the Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible

for making such awards. [HL4918]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: In July 2017, the Education

and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) launched a

procurement process, which established a network of

contractors who will delivery apprenticeship training to

employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy. This

was in accordance with its general obligations under the

Public Contracts Regulation 2015.

A dedicated team at the ESFA implemented and

managed the procurement process. Contracts were then

awarded by the ESFA’s Chief Executive, on behalf of the

Secretary of State for Education, to the providers who

were successful under the terms of the procurement.

Apprentices: Travellers

Asked by Baroness Whitaker

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the

answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 15 January (HL

Deb, col 432), how many young people from gypsy and

traveller families have taken up apprenticeships in the

last year for which figures are available; and how many

of those people have accessed support provided for

those with learning disabilities. [HL4901]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The table (attached) provides

the number of apprenticeship starts by Gypsy and Irish

Traveller learners in each academic year from 2011, with

breakdowns of age and learning difficulty and/or

disability.

Further breakdowns and demographic information is

available in our apprenticeship demographic pivot table:

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

attachment_data/file/669034/201617_apprenticeships_det

ailed_demographic_tool_by_sector_subject_area.xlsx.

We cannot identify learners with learning difficulties

and/or disabilities who have accessed support from the

Individualised Learning Record. However, we want to

ensure apprenticeship opportunities are open to people

with disabilities. This includes recognising Education,

Health and Care Plans in our funding and English and

maths policies, and providing extra payments to training

providers where an apprentice requires further learning

support. Access to Work funding is also available from

the Department for Work and Pensions to support

adjustments apprentices may need in the workplace.


Apprenticeship starts by age [HL4901 attachment v.2.pdf]




Asylum: EU Law

Asked by Lord Green of Deddington

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total

number of requests made in 2016 to other EU member

states for the transfer of those claiming asylum in the

UK who were believed to have first arrived in the EU in

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2018-01-22/HL4944

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/multi-academy-trust-performance-measures-2015-to-2016








https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/669034/201617_apprenticeships_detailed_demographic_tool_by_sector_subject_area.xlsx







5 February 2018 Written Answers

another EU member state, in line with EU Regulation

604/2013; to which states the requests were made; and

how many transfers actually took place. [HL4919]

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The EU Regulation

604/2013 (Dublin III Regulation) is a long-standing

mechanism between EU Member States to determine

responsibility for examining asylum claims. It is not an

application route for transfer to the UK. Eurostat, the

EU’s statistics agency, regularly publishes Member State

figures, the latest release of which can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-

explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report

Outgoing requests can be found at:

http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=

migr_dubro&lang=en

The list of transfers is available at:

http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=

migr_dubto&lang=en

Benzodiazepines: Misuse

Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

To ask Her Majesty's Government why they do not

collect data centrally on benzodiazepine dependence.

[HL4923]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: Accurate data on

benzodiazepine dependence is not currently available.

The Department has commissioned Public Health

England (PHE) to undertake an evidence review to better

understand the scope of the problem of prescribed drug

dependence. As part of this review PHE will attempt to

estimate the number of people affected including through

prescription data collected by NHS Business Services

Authority.

Asked by Lord Empey

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime

Minister has raised the issue of exceptional tariffs being

imposed on Bombardier aircraft by the government of

the United States, with President Trump; and if so,

when. [HL5105]

Lord Henley: Since the outset of this investigation the

Government robustly defended UK interests. My right

hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised this issue with

President Trump a number of times, most recently in

Davos last week. We are therefore pleased that the US

ITC found in favour of Bombardier and ruled that there is

no injury to the US aerospace industry.

Asked by Lord Empey

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are

taking to ensure that Bombardier aircraft are not subject

to arbitrary tariffs being imposed on them by the

government of the United States. [HL5106]

Baroness Fairhead: HMG Ministers and Officials

have actively engaged with the US Administration,

Canadian Government, Boeing and Bombardier to

facilitate a resolution to this dispute.

The UK Government welcomes the decision by the US

International Trade Commission that there is no actual or

threatened material injury caused to Boeing by imports of

Bombardier’s C-Series aircraft.

Brexit

Asked by The Earl of Kinnoull

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as part of

their Brexit negotiating strategy, they intend UK

products to be treated, during the transition period, as

EU content for the purposes of (1) EU regulatory

structures, and (2) trade agreements held by the EU

with other countries. [HL5118]

Lord Callanan: The EU and UK have both said that

EU rules and regulations should continue to apply during

the implementation period.

During this strictly time-limited implementation period,

the UK and the EU would continue to have access to one

another’s markets on current terms, and the UK would

take part in existing security measures.

In the Implementation Period, the UK will take steps to

pave the way for the UK’s independent trade policy after

we exit. As such, we will be able to negotiate our own

free trade agreements, although we would not bring them

into effect until after the implementation period has

concluded.

The government is committed to seeking continuity

during the Implementation Period in its current trade and

investment relationships, including those covered by EU

Free Trade Agreements or other EU preferential

arrangements.

Cash Dispensing: Rural Areas

Asked by The Marquess of Lothian


taking to ensure that rural communities in the UK have

adequate access to free-to-use cash machines now and

in the future. [HL5025]

Lord Bates: The Government recognises that

widespread free access to cash remains extremely

important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and

businesses in the UK, including in rural communities.

Government has been engaging and will continue to

engage with industry, to ensure that widespread free

access is maintained.

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), which

Government set up as an independent regulator in 2015

with a statutory objective to ensure that the UK’s payment

systems work in the interests of their users, is monitoring

developments within ATM provision, and is conducting

ongoing work on the impact that changes may have. The

PSR has recently published a summary of their work to


http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report%0d



http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=migr_dubro&lang=en



http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=migr_dubto&lang=en










date, which can be found at https://www.psr.org.uk/psr-

focus/the-UK-ATM-network.

The PSR has committed to using its powers to act

should any of the firms it regulates behave in a way that

conflicts with its statutory objectives.

LINK, the main scheme behind the UK’s ATM

network, has assured us and the PSR that industry is

committed to maintaining an extensive network of free-

to-use cash machines, and to ensuring that the present

geographical spread of ATMs is maintained. LINK

intends to bolster its Financial Inclusion Programme,

which ensures the provision of ATMs in areas of

deprivation, where demand would not otherwise make

one viable, and has also committed to protecting all free-

to-use ATMs which are a kilometre or more from the next

nearest free-to-use ATM.

Certification Quality Marks

Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment

they have made of the effect of Brexit on agencies that

provide CE-Certification. [HL5123]

Lord Henley: A ‘CE mark’ is a numerical code which

indicates that a product conforms to the requirements set

out in the relevant EU legislation. In some cases the

product will also have been tested by a notified body

before the manufacturer labels the product with a CE

mark. The Government recognises the valuable role that

third party testing plays in giving business, consumers

and the public, confidence in products on the market. We

have been engaging with manufacturers and testing

bodies across the country to understand their concerns.

The UK wants to ensure that any approvals,

registrations, certificates and authorisations issued by a

third party (whether a private entity or a public agency)

prior to exit should continue to be recognised as valid by

both markets after the UK’s withdrawal.

Construction: Females

Asked by Lord Storey


taking to encourage the creation of jobs for women in

the construction industry. [HL5121]

Lord Henley: The Government is committed to

supporting the construction sector to increase the gender

diversity of its workforce. The Construction Industry

Training Board (CITB) has taken practical steps by

developing a ‘Be Fair’ framework, including freely

available fairness and inclusion training modules for

construction firms. In addition, CITB’s careers hub, ‘Go

Construct’, provides online guidance and case studies for

prospective employees - and employers - on a range of

diversity topics, including gender.

Nevertheless, more work is needed to improve the

diversity of the construction sector. We are engaging with

the industry as to how further improvements can best be

achieved and we expect to see this agenda being driven

forward through the Sector Deal for construction that was

announced in our Industrial Strategy White Paper on 27

November.

Credit Cards: Fraud

Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they

intend to have discussions with the major banks about

the use of contactless credit cards for sums under £30

and the ease with which such cards might be misused.

[HL4961]

Lord Bates: Treasury ministers and officials have

meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the

public and private sectors as part of the process of policy

development and delivery. This includes regular meetings

with consumer organisations to discuss relevant

regulatory issues, including consumer protection on

payment instruments.

Government takes all fraud extremely seriously. In

February 2016 the government set up the Joint Fraud

Taskforce, which aims to use the collective powers,

systems and resources of banks, payment providers,

police, wider law enforcement and regulators to tackle

fraud, and raise awareness of the risk of fraud among

consumers.

The Taskforce is currently focused on: developing a

national fraud prevention campaign to provide targeted

advice to the public; improving the police response to

fraud at national, regional and local level; exploring ways

in which more victims of fraud can have their losses

repaid; removing vulnerabilities fraudsters exploit to

commit certain types of fraud; and, improving support for

victims of fraud which will ensure a consistent response

including for those who may be more vulnerable or

susceptible to fraud.

Industry statistics received from Financial Fraud Action

UK indicate that in the first half of 2016 there were £2.9

million losses attributed to fraud on contactless cards

compared to a spend of £9.27 billion. This is just 0.031%

of spending on contactless technology. According to the

industry, fraud on contactless cards accounts for less than

1% of card fraud losses.

Department for Environment, Food and

Rural Affairs: Public Expenditure

Asked by Baroness Tonge

To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of

the Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs' budget, if any, originated from the Department

for International Development. [HL4969]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: During the current

spending review period, £5.159m of Department for

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs budget has been

transferred from the Department for International

Development.







This budget relates to the current financial year and is

part of the Conflict, Stability & Security Fund (CSSF).


Rural Affairs: Staff

Asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current

permanent establishment of staff in the Department for

the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and what was

the previous establishment for each of the last five

years. [HL4935]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The headcount and FTE

breakdown as at 31 December for each year is shown in

the table below.

Year Headcount FTE

2017 3535 3384

2016 1808 1737

2015 1906 1828

2014 2127 2047

2013 2247 2158

This answer covers core Defra only. The figures in the

table are not comparable year to year, as they reflect the

movement of staff into core Defra from other

organisations in the Defra group. For example, as part of

the corporate services transformation project around 1000

staff have joined core Defra from other organisations in

the Defra group in the last 12 months. Changes from year

to year therefore cannot be taken as net changes to staff

numbers overall.

We continue to keep our resourcing plans under review,

focusing both on recruitment and increasing the capability

of new and existing staff.


Rural Affairs: Statutory Instruments


To ask Her Majesty's Government how many

statutory instruments are being prepared by the

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(DEFRA) but have not yet been laid before either

House of Parliament; and of those, how many DEFRA

started to prepare (1) within the last six months, (2)

within the last seven to 12 months, (3) within the last 13

to 24 months, and (4) over 24 months ago. [HL4936]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In the next 14 months we

currently expect to lay around 95 SIs, which will be

required to convert over 850 individual pieces of EU

related legislation into domestic law by 29 March 2019.

We will also continue our programme of business as usual

SIs, of which around 75-80 are laid in any one year.

Ministers keep the policy priorities to be taken forward

under constant review, and this will be particularly

important as we manage the legislation introduced before

Parliament in the period before we leave the EU.

We do not hold information on the date on which

individual policies are initiated and which may

subsequently result in regulatory proposals.



consultations have been held by the Department for

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in each of the last

ten years on proposals for statutory instruments that

have not yet been laid before either House of

Parliament; and of those consultations, how many were

held (1) within the last six months, (2) within the last

seven to 12 months, (3) within the last 13 to 24 months,

and (4) over 24 months ago. [HL4937]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In the past two years Defra

has undertaken 27 formal consultations related to

proposals for secondary legislation. A breakdown of those

which have led to an SI being laid is provided below. Not

all consultations will necessarily result in legislation as

alternative policies are sometimes pursued.

Where consultations held more than 12 months ago did

not result in an SI this was in response to stakeholder

responses to the consultation. In more recent cases there

has not yet been enough time to lay legislation resulting

from these consultations.

Period Consulted Laid

0-6 months 13 2

7-12 months 2 1

13-24 months 12 11

Design and Technology: GCSE

Asked by Lord Baker of Dorking

To ask Her Majesty's Government, given their

commitment to improving technical education, what

steps they will take to arrest the decline in the number

of students taking GCSEs in Design and Technology.

[HL4908]

Lord Agnew of Oulton: Design and technology is an

important part of a broad and balanced curriculum. The

Department have reformed the design and technology

curriculum for GCSEs and A levels, with input from key

organisations such as the James Dyson Foundation. This

will align qualifications with high-tech industry practice

and support students to progress into further study and

employment.

The new curriculum and qualifications have been

updated with a strong focus on iterative design processes,

which are at the core of contemporary practice. The new

design and technology curriculum was introduced in

2014, and the GCSE and A level introduced in September

2017 with the first examinations in 2019.







The Department continue to provide bursaries of up to

£12,000 to attract more graduates into design and

technology teaching.

Developing Countries: Health Services



the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget is spent

on (1) family planning, (2) sexual and reproductive

health and rights, and (3) population issues, in the

developing world. [HL4970]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Data on Foreign and

Commonwealth Office spending on these issues is not

held centrally, and could only be collected at

disproportionate cost.

Domestic Violence: Injuries

Asked by Lord McColl of Dulwich

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration

they have given to designating facial injuries resulting

from domestic violence as a notifiable condition.

[HL4938]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The National Health Service

provides care and support to victims of domestic violence

and abuse through a range of healthcare and support

services relating to physical and mental health needs.

Routine enquiry for domestic violence is already in

place in maternity and mental health services, to improve

earlier disclosure and support people to get the care that

they need.

Notifiable conditions are often conditions such as

contagious diseases and infections, hence facial injuries as

a result of domestic violence would not be categorised as

such

NHS Digital has begun implementation of the

Emergency Care Data Set (ECDS). This dataset is

currently being rolled out to Type 1 (major) accident and

emergency departments during spring 2018 with the aim

of capturing improved data around clinical codes. The

new variables in ECDS relating to injury are:

- Place of injury (e.g. garden, street);

- Intent (e.g. accidental, self-inflicted);

- Activity status (e.g. working);

- Activity (e.g. gardening);

- Mechanism (e.g. knife); and

- Drug/Alcohol (details of specific drugs taken if

known).

One of the potential benefits of this would be better

information for safeguarding vulnerable patients,

including those who have been victims of physical facial

injury as a result of domestic violence.

Energy: UK Trade with EU



taking to diminish the impact of Brexit on energy

trading following the report of the European Union

Committee, Brexit: energy security (HL Paper 63, 10th

Report, 2017–19) published on 29 January. [HL5257]

Lord Henley: The UK Government is considering the

report of the European Union Committee on Brexit and

energy security published on 29 January and will respond

shortly.

The Government is currently considering all aspects of

its future relationship with the EU, including in energy.

Our priority is to maintain affordable, clean and secure

energy supplies for businesses and households.

Ethnic Groups: Equality

Asked by Lord Ouseley

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action plans

are in place to address the inequality deficiencies

identified in the Race Disparity Audit; and what

arrangements are in place to review and monitor

developments and progress. [HL4945]

Lord Young of Cookham: The Government has made

a commitment to explain or change key ethnic disparities

highlighted by the Race Disparity Audit in the Ethnicity

facts and figures website.

The Government has launched an initial programme of

work to tackle some of the disparities highlighted,

including targeted action in employment areas, a review

of school exclusions and a commitment to take forward a

number of recommendations in the recent Lammy Review

of the criminal justice system.

Detailed analytical work and engagement with external

partners is underway across Departments to bring forward

further data driven policies to tackle disparities

highlighted by the Audit and will be announced in due

course.

The Race Disparity Unit in the Cabinet Office is

responsible for coordinating and monitoring the progress

of the Government’s response to the Audit overseen by

the Cabinet Office and the Race Disparity Inter-

Ministerial Group.

European Medicines Agency

Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton


they have made of the impact of the European

Medicines Agency relocating to the Netherlands; and

how many jobs they estimate will be lost as a result.

[HL4942]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: We recognise the important role

that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) plays in the

protection of human and animal health.









In the negotiations the Government will discuss with

the European Union and Member States how best to

continue cooperation in the field of medicines regulation

in the best interests of both the United Kingdom and the

EU.

The UK is fully committed to continuing the close

working relationship with our European partners. Our aim

is to ensure that patients in the UK and across the EU

continue to be able to access the best and most innovative

medicines and be assured that their safety is protected

through the strongest regulatory framework and sharing

of data. As the Prime Minister has stated, we want deep,

broad and dynamic co-operation and in this context, the

UK would like to find a way to continue to collaborate

with the EU, in the interests of public health and safety.

The UK life sciences sector is not just built on the

location of the EMA. The UK has a world class research

base, universities and businesses that mean the UK life

sciences will continue to thrive.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory

Agency has made no assessment of the number of

potential job losses as a result of the EMA relocating to

the Netherlands.

Exchange Rates

Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their

assessment of the performance of sterling in the last 12

months, in comparison to the dollar, the euro and the

yen. [HL5112]

Lord Bates: The UK has an inflation target, not an

exchange rate target, and the government does not express

a view on the level of the exchange rate. The value of

sterling adjusts flexibly in response to economic

conditions and market forces.

Fisheries

Asked by Lord Watts


they have made of the impact that the loss of foreign

catching rights will have on the British fish processing

industry after Brexit. [HL5088]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: On leaving the EU, the UK

will become an independent coastal state with

responsibility for controlling and managing our Exclusive

Economic Zone. This will provide an opportunity to reach

new agreements on access and quota arrangements.

To meet consumer choice and demand, the vast

majority of fish used by UK processors, primarily white

fish (cod and pollack), warm and cold water shrimps and

prawns and tuna is imported from outside of the EU. The

UK will be able to decide what tariffs to apply to imports

after leaving the EU.

Further details on the UK’s trade in fish products can be

found in the Marine Management Organisations UK Sea

Fisheries Statistics 2016, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sea-

fisheries-annual-statistics

Flats: Safety

Asked by Lord Beecham

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any,

they plan to take to protect leaseholders from being

required by freeholders to pay excessively large sums

for remedial work to ensure the safety of multi-storey

housing accommodation. [HL4910]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Secretary of State

announced on 4 December that the department is

providing additional funding to the Leasehold Advisory

Service (LEASE), an arm’s length body which provides

free initial legal advice to leaseholders, to advise on fire

safety issues.

Just as social landlords are not seeking to pass on costs

for cladding remediation, in the private sector we believe

that the morally right thing to do is for landlords to not

pass these costs onto leaseholders.

The Department is keeping the situation under review.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Public

Expenditure



the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget, if any,

originated from the Department for International

Development. [HL4968]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In 2016, the Foreign and

Commonwealth Office spent 7.2 per cent of the UK’s

overseas development assistance. Details are provided in

Statistics on International Development 2017, published

by the Department for International Development.

Gaza: Economic Situation

Asked by Lord Hylton

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their

assessment of recent statements by Israeli officials that

the economy of Gaza is on the verge of collapse.

[HL4934]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: While we have not made

any assessment on this specific issue, we remain deeply

concerned by the situation in Gaza. Officials from our

Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in

Jerusalem regularly raise the need to make progress

towards a durable solution for Gaza, and press for

practical steps to advance reconstruction and economic

development with both the Israeli Government and the



https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sea-fisheries-annual-statistics








Palestinian Authority (PA). We continue to stress to the

Israeli authorities the damage that their restrictions are

doing to the living standards of ordinary Palestinians in

Gaza and that supporting legal trade for Gazans is firmly

in Israel’s long-term interests. We are also encouraging

Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing. We welcome the

PA's return to Gaza and the agreement to allow the PA to

resume administrative control, which we hope will

improve both the humanitarian and economic situation.

Global Challenges Research Fund



the Global Challenges Research Fund is spent on (1)

family planning, (2) sexual and reproductive health and

rights, and (3) population issues, in the developing

world. [HL5259]


To ask Her Majesty's Government what countries

receive Official Development Assistance through the

Global Challenges Research Fund. [HL5260]



the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy budget is spent on (1) family planning, (2)

sexual and reproductive health and rights, and (3)

population issues, in the developing world. [HL5261]

Lord Henley: The Global Challenges Research Fund

(GCRF) mainly supports projects where the benefits are

to multiple countries. In 2016, the latest date for which

figures are available, 92.4% of GCRF spend was reported

as non-country specific ODA spend with no single

benefitting country. Of the remaining 7.6%, the highest

spend was assigned to regional projects in Africa and to

Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire, South Africa, Guatemala and

Peru.

In 2016, 12% of GCRF spend was categorised as

“Medical Research”, we do not hold data on

subcategories within this area.

Health Services: Developing Countries



the Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs' budget is spent on (1) family planning, (2)

sexual and reproductive health and rights, and (3)

population issues, in the developing world. [HL4971]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Responsibility for

spending on family planning, sexual and reproductive

health and rights and population issues in the developing

world is outside of Defra’s remit. Defra has no projects

that cover these topics and it is highly unlikely that any

proportion of the budget is spent on them. Checking every

transaction in a financial year would provide a definitive

response but this could only be achieved at

disproportionate cost.

Health Services: Foreign Nationals

Asked by Baroness Hamwee


intend to extend the deadline of 31 January for the

submission of evidence to the Department of Health's

formal review of the National Health Service (Charges

to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) Regulations 2017,

having released a list of review questions on 22

December 2017, immediately before an extended

holiday period and thus effectively reducing an already

short consultation period. [HL4920]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The review of ‘The National

Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors)

(Amendment) Regulations 2017’ is not a consultation.

However, the Department recognises the need to ensure

that sufficient time is provided for both evidence

collection and analysis. The end of January deadline was

chosen so that the Department could seek to identify the

main impacts on vulnerable groups of the amendment

regulations as early in the review process as possible. This

will allow more time to further explore these impacts with

stakeholders, within the timeframe of the review that has

been set out.

The Department has responded to questions from

stakeholders about the deadline by saying ‘we recognise

that the end of January deadline may not be possible for

all organisations due to the issues you have raised. As we

previously stated, we are therefore willing to be flexible

on this deadline, so while we would appreciate

organisations submitting their responses as soon as

possible, we will of course still consider the information

in responses that are submitted after that.’ The

Department has made it clear that evidence submitted

within a timeframe that allows it to be taken into account

as part of the review will be considered.

The Department has also committed to continue to

work with stakeholders to monitor the effects of the

charging regulations on vulnerable groups after the

review process has concluded. Therefore, if new evidence

concerning the impact of the impact of ‘The National

Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors)

(Amendment) Regulations 2017’ is presented to the

Department, after the time at which it can be considered

as part of the review process, it will be considered in

accordance with the Secretary of State’s ongoing duties.

The Department does not see any reason to change the

position, outlined above, which has already been

communicated to stakeholders.

Housing: Construction

Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes


they have made of the impact on their housebuilding







programme of the announcement by the Federation of

Master Builders that two-thirds of SME construction

companies in London are struggling to hire bricklayers

and carpenters. [HL5006]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: We need an industry

that has the right skills to build more homes, including in

new and innovative ways. Industry needs to take

responsibility for ensuring that it has a sustainable supply

chain, working with contractors to address skills

requirements. As we leave the EU, there is an opportunity

to invest in the workforce.

In the Housing White Paper, 'Fixing our broken housing

market', the Government has set out its plans to help the

construction sector ensure that it has the workforce it

needs. We are reforming the Construction Industry

Training Board so that it delivers the skills and technical

education industry needs. This includes more workplace

experience and simplification of the path to qualification.

A new £34 million fund, administered by the Department

for Education, will support and incentivise innovative and

employer-led approaches to construction training.

In my own department, we are encouraging greater use

of Modern Methods of Construction to increase

productivity in housebuilding and reduce our reliance on

traditional building skills. We are providing financial

support through the Home Building Fund and working

with lenders to overcome their concerns. We will ensure

that our stakeholders have the opportunity to put their

concerns about a future migration model to the Home

Office.

Housing: Design


To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have for Homes England to take account of the

importance of high standards of design quality when

making its decisions. [HL4980]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government is

committed to raising design quality through policy and

programmes. The forthcoming Design Conference

scheduled for April 2018 will provide an opportunity to

bring together all key Government departments,

Government agencies, local government and architects to

showcase how well designed housing can be delivered.

Homes England will have a key role in delivering this

agenda through their programmes, including in the

Garden Town and Villages programme.

Immigration: Legal Profession

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno


taking to ensure that there is a sufficient number of

qualified immigration lawyers to meet present demands.

[HL4951]

Lord Keen of Elie: Whilst the Government recognises

that it is important that there are enough immigration

lawyers to meet demand, the legal services sector is

rightly independent of government and the training of

new lawyers is a matter for the legal services regulators

and profession itself. I can confirm the Solicitors’

Regulation Authority has indicated that there are currently

1,885 out of some 10,400 recognised law firms that have

a proportion of their work in immigration.

Industrial Products



intend to convene a meeting with representatives from

the industrial product supply sector to address concerns

relating to uncertainty over the proposed transition

period after the UK leaves the EU, in particular (1) how

long that transition period will last, and (2) the

parameters of rights and regulations that will apply

during that period. [HL5115]

Lord Henley: In the last year Ministers and officials

have met over 2000 stakeholder organisations, including

over 600 businesses at a series of stakeholder events.

After the last General Election, we set up a business

advisory group with an EU Exit focus that’s attended by

senior Government ministers, to give higher priority to

companies’ concerns in the EU exit negotiations. We

want to agree the terms of a time-limited implementation

period as soon as possible - giving businesses across the

UK certainty.

Insolvency Service

Asked by Lord Myners


Written Answer by Lord Henley on 25 January

(HL4836), how many Insolvency Service reports have

been published since January 2015; and how many

reports have been completed and not published since

that date. [HL5179]

Lord Henley: Following its investigation of a

director’s conduct the Insolvency Service does not

prepare or publish specific reports. It will put any

allegations of misconduct to the directors and seek their

explanation. Should the case go to Court, the matter

would be prepared as a court affidavit.

Following disqualification, the Insolvency Service

publishes a summary of the misconduct online in every

case.

Israel: Palestinians



representations they plan to make to the government of

Israel in respect of the demolition of internationally








funded buildings and equipment in the Occupied

Palestinian Territories. [HL4932]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We repeatedly make

clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concerns about

continued demolition and confiscation of Palestinian

property, including internationally funded buildings and

equipment, and the need to abide by their other

obligations under international law. The UK has not

directly funded any structures in recent years that have

been demolished by the Israeli government. We are

keeping the case for compensation under review.



intend to call on the government of Israel to pay

compensation to Palestinians whose homes were

officially demolished in 2017. [HL4933]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have not raised this

issue with the Israeli authorities. The UK is focused on

preventing demolitions from happening in the first place

through our funding to the Norwegian Refugee Council

legal aid programme, which helps residents to challenge

decisions in the Israeli legal system. We have repeatedly

made clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concern at

the rate of demolitions of Palestinian properties in Area C

of the West Bank and in East Jerusalem and call on them

to cease the policy of demolitions and instead provide a

transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area

C.

Ivory: Sales

Asked by Lord Crathorne

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they

have made of the potential loss of value that will be

experienced by UK owners of legitimately acquired

sculpted ivory as a result of the proposed ban on the

sale of such items; and what plans they have to

compensate the owners of such items for any loss of

value which they experience. [HL4884]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Through our public

consultation we have sought views and evidence on the

effect of the proposed ban on UK ivory sales, including

on those individuals who own ivory; how the ban could

be enforced; and the proposed scope of carefully targeted

exemptions.

The consultation invited views on a possible exemption

for items of genuine artistic, cultural or historic value.

Items in this category could be exempted from a ban

because their value lies in their artistry, cultural

significance or historic provenance, as opposed to their

ivory content. The consultation made clear that any

exemption of this kind would need to be strictly defined

to include only the rarest and most important items.

The consultation ended on 29 December 2017 and

responses are currently being analysed, including any

evidence provided on these issues. This analysis will

inform our policy development and we will publish a

response shortly. Until these results are analysed, the

department has not arrived at a view concerning

compensation.

Law Officers: Disclosure of Information

Asked by Lord Morris of Aberavon


Written Answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 8 January

(HL4364), whether there have been instances where the

advice of the law officers has been shared with

Parliament in the last 30 years. [HL4943]

Lord Keen of Elie: There have been rare instances in

the past where a Minister has shared legal advice with

Parliament. However, the policy of successive

Governments (in line with Constitutional convention)

remains that we do not comment on advice that may or

may not have been given by the Law Officers, other than

in exceptional circumstances and with the Law Officers’

consent.

Low Emission Zones

Asked by Viscount Simon


provide guidance to local authorities on ultra low

emission zones. [HL4957]

Baroness Sugg: Local authorities already have existing

powers under the Transport Act 2000 to implement Clean

Air Zones. The Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Framework sets

out the principles for the operation of Clean Air Zones in

England. It provides the expected approach to be taken by

local authorities when implementing and operating a

Clean Air Zone. The full guide provided to local

authorities is attached and has been placed in both the

Libraries of the House.


Clean Air Zone Framework [clean-air-zone-framework.pdf]





To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in

relation to ultra low emission zones, they consider

motorcycles and other two-wheel motorised vehicles

separately from cars. [HL4958]

Baroness Sugg: As outlined within the Clean Air Zone

(CAZ) Framework, motorcycles and mopeds are not

routinely included under any category for a charging

Zone. Local authorities may choose to include them under

a class D CAZ, which charges buses, coaches, taxis,

PHVs, HGVs LGVs and cars. The full guide provided to

local authorities is attached.


Clean Air Zone Framework [clean-air-zone-framework.pdf]













Motorcycles



they have made of the use of motorcycles and other

two-wheel motorised vehicles for reducing congestion

and pollution. [HL4959]

Baroness Sugg: The Government has not carried out

any detailed assessment on the use of motorcycles and

other two-wheel motorised vehicles for reducing

congestion and pollution and there are no plans to

promote motorcycles as a means to reduce congestion.

Muscular Dystrophy



they have made of services to monitor and support

patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who are

experiencing respiratory decline. [HL4940]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: No specific assessment has

been made.

NHS England commissions specialised neurological

services from 24 centres at a national level, including

some services for patients with neuromuscular disorder

such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Two service

specifications, one for adults and one for children, have

been developed by NHS England to set out what these

providers must have in place to deliver high quality

neurological and neuromuscular care. A requirement for

neuromuscular services is that patient clinics ensure they

identify those at risk of respiratory problems and refer

them for specialist respiratory assessment and monitoring.

The specifications set out the breadth of these services

and the objectives for their delivery, including clinical

assessment and monitoring in respiratory care and

respiratory failure. Copies of 2013/14 NHS Standard

Contract for Neurosciences: Specialised Neurology

(Adult) and 2013/14 NHS Standard Contract for

Paediatric Neurosciences: Neurology are attached.


Adult Service Specification [d04-neurosci-spec-neuro.pdf]

Paediatric Service Specification [e09-paedi-neurology.pdf]

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


Orphan Drugs



treatments with an orphan designation have been

subject to a Highly Specialised Technology evaluation

by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

since 2013; what was the recommendation for each

assessment; and what was the estimated populated size

for each treatment. [HL4941]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The National Institute for

Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has evaluated six

treatments with an orphan designation through its Highly

Specialised Technology (HST) programme since 2013.

The table below details the guidance, patient population

size and the recommendation for each evaluation.

Guidance Estimated

patient population

Recommended

Asfotase alfa for treating

paediatric-onset hypophosphatasia

Not known Yes

Eliglustat for treating type 1

Gaucher disease

50 to 100 Yes - for long-term

treatment in adults who are cytochrome P450

2D6 poor, intermediate

or extensive metabolisers.

Migalastat for treating Fabry

disease

142 Yes – for people over

16 years of age with an amenable mutation,

only if migalastat is

provided with the discount agreed in the

patient access scheme,

and only if enzyme

replacement therapy

would otherwise be

offered.

Ataluren for treating

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

with a nonsense mutation in the dystrophin gene

Not known Yes

Elosulfase alfa for treating

mucopolysaccharidosis type Iva

74-77 Yes

Eculizumab for treating

atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Not known Yes

Overseas Trade


To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they

intend to take to address the findings of the National

Audit Office report Implementing the UK's Exit from

the European Union: The Department for International

Trade, published on 25 January. [HL5124]

Baroness Fairhead: The Department for International

Trade welcomes the National Audit Office’s report, which

found that DIT was implementing delivery plans for its

priority EU Exit work streams in line with the Department

for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) guidance, and

we will continue to work closely with DExEU to deliver

them.












Philippines: Press Freedom



representations they are making to the government of

the Philippines following reports by the International

Federation of Journalists of the assassinations of 146

journalists since 1986; and in particular, whether they

intend to ask how many persons have been brought to

justice for these crimes. [HL4929]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government's

view on the importance of the rule of law is clear,

consistent and well known in the Philippines. We have

repeatedly called on the Government of the Philippines to

ensure thorough and independent investigations into

violent deaths, including those of journalists, and to

commit to bring to justice those responsible. We are

urgently examining reports by the International

Federation of Journalists. We continue to make

representations to the Government of the Philippines

about threats to human rights defenders, calling for the

adoption of a charter for their recognition and protection.

Planning


To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend

to publish the revised National Planning Policy

Framework, placing a stronger emphasis on design

quality; whether copies of the Framework will be

placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament;

and what plans they have for the revised text to give

account to the importance of place-making. [HL4981]

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The draft revised

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will be

published for consultation in early 2018. After the

consultation period has closed, we will review the

responses and publish a final revised version of the NPPF.

Copies of the final published NPPF will be available in

the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

The Government is committed to ensuring the planning

system supports the delivery of more homes where they

are needed, and that these homes are well designed and

high quality. The revised NPPF will reflect the proposals

in last February's White Paper, 'Fixing our Broken

Housing Market', to improve the quality of design.

Plastics: Recycling

Asked by Lord Greaves

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in relation to

Annex 1 of the Communication from the European

Commission, A European Strategy for Plastics in a

Circular Economy, published on 16 January, to what

extent they plan to participate in (1) the list of future

EU measures to implement the Strategy, (2) the list of

measures recommended to national authorities and

industry, and (3) the Pledging Campaign. [HL4888]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: On 16 January the EU set

out its plastics strategy. While EU action to reduce plastic

waste is welcome, the UK is going further and faster. The

UK has already implemented the world’s toughest ban on

plastic microbeads in personal care products, and is the

first European country to do so. We are also examining

what further action can be taken on microplastics. The EU

says “all plastic packaging on the EU market will be

recyclable by 2030” - we want to achieve this 5 years

earlier. In England in 2016 WRAP set out a vision for all

packaging to be recyclable (where practical and

environmentally beneficial) by 2025. The EU wants to

“drive investment and innovation”. Since 2010 we have

provided over £50 million of funding for plastics

innovation. Our 25 Year Environment Plan set out how

we will go further by working with the Research Councils

and industry to bring forward a bid for the next round of

Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund awards to help

develop a pipeline of new, more sustainable materials that

will have a lower environmental impact. We will further

set out our plans to tackle plastic waste in our Resources

and Waste Strategy later this year.

Prescription Drugs: Misuse



intend to mandate NHS England to commission

services locally for patients who are suffering from the

impact of long-term use of dependence forming

medicines. [HL4924]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: Local authorities are supported

by Public Health England to develop tailored responses to

existing and emerging drug misuse in their area and, in

conjunction with the National Health Service, to address

specific concerns about addiction to prescribed and over

the counter medicines.

The Department has commissioned Public Health

England to undertake an evidence review to better

understand the scope of the problem of prescribed drug

dependence. The review will bring together the best

available evidence on prevalence and prescribing; the

nature and likely causes of dependence or withdrawal

among some people who continue to take these

medicines; and effective prevention and treatment

responses for each indication.

The Government is currently developing its approach to

the mandate to NHS England for 2018-19, in light of the

extra £2.8 billion to 2019/20 provided through the

Autumn Budget to support the NHS. Both NHS England

and Healthwatch England are involved in its development

as statutory consultees.


To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they

have to raise awareness amongst GPs of the problems

arising for patients suffering from the impact of long-

term use of dependence forming medicines. [HL4926]









they have made of whether the training of GPs

sufficiently covers the need to avoid prescribing

dependence forming medicines for longer than the safe

period. [HL4927]



they have made of whether the training of doctors

sufficiently covers the need to avoid withdrawing

dependence forming medicines too quickly, given the

adverse impacts on patients that can occur. [HL4928]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: The Department has

commissioned Public Health England to undertake an

evidence review to understand better the scope of the

problem of prescribed drug dependence. The review will

consider existing evidence and engage with a variety of

stakeholders, with a view to capturing levels of awareness

amongst both healthcare professionals and patients of the

issues associated with prescription drug dependence.

Prisoners: Mental Illness

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno

To ask Her Majesty's Government what training is

given to prison officers regarding mental illness

amongst inmates. [HL5143]

Lord Keen of Elie: The Government is committed to

ensuring that Prison Officers receive the appropriate

training to support prisoners with mental health needs.

The Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) course,

delivered to new Prison Officers, includes modules on

mental health and personality disorders.

The ‘Introduction to Mental Health’ module covers the

most prevalent mental health issues in prison including

anxiety states, depression, bi-polar disorder, psychosis

and schizophrenia, and personality disorders. The session

also covers how an officer can support prisoners with

different disorders.

The mental health awareness module forms part of the

revised “Introduction to Suicide and Self-Harm (SaSH)

Prevention” training package. This training is being

delivered to all new and existing Prison Officers, as well

as HMPPS and non-HMPPS staff who are in contact with

prisoners. Between April 2017 and January 2018 more

than 14,300 staff have been trained in at least one of the

six SaSH modules, and over 6,800 staff have completed

the training in full. With specific reference to the mental

health training module, internal figures show that over

7,000 new and existing staff have completed the module.

Alongside this, a Suicide Prevention Learning Tool has

been developed in partnership with Samaritans. This tool

communicates important messages to identify and support

prisoners at risk. Some prisons continue to deliver locally

devised mental health training packages, often in

conjunction with the local healthcare provider.

Prisons: Health Services

Asked by Lord Beecham

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions

have taken place between the Ministry of Justice and

the Department of Health and Social Care concerning

the provision of adequate healthcare in prisons

following recent reports. [HL5055]

Lord Keen of Elie: The Ministry of Justice,

Department of Health and Social Care, and their agencies,

work in close partnership to oversee the commissioning

and delivery of healthcare in prisons.

The National Partnership Agreement for the

collaborative commissioning and delivery of healthcare

services in prisons in England enables joint working and

discussions between departments for the effective

oversight of prison healthcare services. This agreement

between the Ministry of Justice, Department of Health

and Social Care, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation

Service, NHS England and Public Health England, sets

out the shared strategic intent and joint commitments in

the commissioning, enabling and delivery of healthcare

services in adult prisons. The current agreement is subject

to review and an updated version will be published in

April 2018.

Public Expenditure

Asked by Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court


Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 21

March 2017 (HL5881), whether they will publish an

updated table including (1) pensions, (2) health, and (3)

total managed expenditure, for 2016–17. [HL4939]

Lord Bates: The requested information is in the table:

1978-

79

1996-

97

2009-

10

2015-

16

2016-

17

(1) National

insurance-funded

pensions

(£billion)

(1)

7.6 32 66.8 89.3 91.5

as a percentage

of Total

Managed Expenditure

9.50% 9.90% 9.60% 11.80% 11.90%

(2) UK Health

Expenditure

(£billion) (2)

7.8 42.8 116.9 138.5 144.3

as a percentage

of Total

Managed Expenditure

9.80% 13.20% 16.90% 18.40% 18.70%







Total

Managed

Expenditure (£billion)

(3)

79.7 323.9 693.1 753.9 770.6

Data Sources:

(1) Benefit expenditure and caseload tables published by the Department of Work and Pensions. Figures for National insurance-

funded pensions have been provided in line with the request in the initial

PQ referred to.

(2) Table 4.2 of Public Expenditure and Statistical Analyses 2017

published by HM Treasury, and the equivalent table for 1978-79 data.

(3) Data published by the Office for National Statistics consistent with the Public Expenditure

Statistical Analyses 2017.

Radioisotopes

Asked by Lord Warner


Written Answer by Lord O'Shaughnessy on 18 January

(HL4659), whether, after exit from the EU, the

licensing regime for medical isotopes will be the

responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare Products

Regulatory Agency (MHRA) even where those isotopes

are manufactured outside the UK; and if so, how the

MHRA will ensure the safety of manufacture outside

the Euratom framework. [HL4974]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: Medical isotopes may be either

medicinal products or medical devices regulated

according to the appropriate legislation. The system of

regulation after exiting the European Union depends on

agreements reached as part of current negotiations,

however, the Medicines and Healthcare products

Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will continue to be

responsible for the regulation of such products placed on

the market in the United Kingdom.

Medical isotopes or radiopharmaceuticals that are

medicinal products are regulated in accordance with the

laws applicable to all medicines. Currently there are

products regulated nationally by national competent

authorities (such as MHRA) or centrally by the European

Medicines Agency (EMA). National competent

authorities have a shared role in the licencing of centrally

authorised products.

If required as a result of the terms of the EU exit, the

MHRA will regulate products licenced nationally and

those that would have been authorised via the centralised

route including verification of compliance with good

manufacturing practice.

Currently medical isotopes that are medical devices are

regulated in accordance with the laws applicable to

medical devices implementing directives 93/42/EEC,

98/79/EC and 90/385/EEC.

The three directives do refer to EURATOM

requirements but these aspects are covered in the UK by

other organisations such as the Department of Health and

Social Care, the Department for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy, the Health and Safety Executive and

the Environment Agency under the relevant UK

legislation.

The new European medical device regulations

(2017/745 and 2017/746) are in force and are due to apply

from May 2020 for medical devices and May 2022 for In

Vitro Diagnostic medical devices. Again, these refer to

EURATOM requirements but these aspects are similarly

covered in the UK by other organisations.

The situation after exiting the EU depends on any

agreements reached but is likely that the other

Government agencies mentioned above will continue to

be responsible for those aspects currently covered by the

EURATOM legislation.

Railways: Fares

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are

developing plans to avoid increases in regulated train

fares. [HL5060]

Baroness Sugg: This Government expects that rail

costs to be sustainable and value for money. We are

expecting industry to develop credible plans to tackle

inflationary cost pressures, and deliver the efficiencies

needed so that any fare increases are sustainable and in-

line with the cost of living. Fares revenue is crucial to

funding day-to-day railway operations and the extensive

upgrade programme the industry is delivering, all of

which benefit passengers.

Railways: Overcrowding

Asked by Lord Birt


Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 22 January

(HL4453), what evidence there is that train franchisees

plan for known special events and match capacity with

anticipated demand. [HL4989]

Baroness Sugg: The Department for Transport requires

franchisees to plan for special events and make the best

use of the capacity available to provide services where

they would not ordinarily be provided in the regular

timetable. This includes detailed planning with event

organisers, local authorities and emergency services.

Train operators regularly provide additional capacity

and enhanced station management processes to manage

large crowds, for example Great Western Railway’s

management of demand for racing events at Cheltenham

or the Glastonbury festival.

Railways: West Yorkshire


To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest

assessment of train connectivity and train services in

West Yorkshire, in comparison with other parts of

England. [HL5114]






Baroness Sugg: As part of its long-term strategy , the

Department for Transport has contracted longer trains and

more frequent services, allowing rail commuters into

Leeds to benefit from a 52% increase in the number of

seats in the morning peak on TransPennine Express (TPE)

trains, and a 37% increase on Northern trains. To more

widely improve connectivity in West Yorkshire we have

contracted various service benefits to be delivered by

December 2019 for Leeds, Bradford and the surrounding

area, which include:

Leeds:

• 3 extra TPE services per day to Hull, with some

longer trains

• Brand new electric trains to Skipton and Ilkley to

provide extra capacity, with more carriages on the

busiest services

• Local Northern services to Doncaster will operate

using more modern trains and will increase to an hourly

service on Sundays

• Quicker journeys to Sheffield and Nottingham as part

of high-quality Northern Connect network – to

Nottingham in 1h 40mins

• Increased frequency to provide 4tph to Harrogate

between 0700 and 1900 in combination with Virgin

East Coast, plus enhanced evening and Sunday services.

The additional Northern services to Harrogate will be

up to 20% faster

• Increase to 7 trains per day to Lancaster via Skipton -

with times better suited to commuters.

• One extra train departing for Settle and Carlisle

between 1600 and 1900, and two extra services on

Sundays

• Stopping service to Sheffield via Moorthorpe will

double in frequency to hourly on Sundays

• Later evening service to Cattal, Hammerton,

Poppleton and York

• New station at Kirkstall Forge with 1tph to Leeds

• New station at Apperley Bridge with 2tph to Leeds

Bradford:

• A new direct link to Wakefield, Sheffield,

Chesterfield and Nottingham as part of the Northern

Connect network, with at least 10 services per day in

each direction operated by brand new trains

• One extra train per hour to Manchester, with a

significantly enhanced evening and Sunday service

• New direct links to Liverpool and Manchester Airport,

with an hourly service to each using brand new trains as

part of the Northern Connect network

• Increased frequency on Sundays to Skipton and Ilkley,

with hourly trains

• A new station at Low Moor to receive 1tph to

Bradford.

Other locations will also benefit, including:

• Halifax – an additional service every hour to

Manchester, Bradford and Leeds

• Huddersfield - Northern stopping services to Leeds

via Dewsbury replaced by an additional 1tph between

Manchester and Leeds on TPE, improving punctuality

by using better accelerating trains

• Knottingley and Pontefract Monkhill - Doubled

frequency of trains to Leeds with 2tph; Sunday services

increase to 1tph

• Pontefract Tanshelf, Featherstone, Streethouse -

existing services to Wakefield extended through to

Leeds, and they will also run in alternate hours on

Sundays

• Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield and Mossley will

enjoy a direct hourly TPE service to Leeds.

• Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield

will receive 2tph to Leeds on Sundays.

The Department does not compare train services from

area to area as assessments are conducted on the needs of

the individual areas they serve.

Recycling

Asked by Lord Berkeley

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the

differences between the target for recycling 65 per cent

of urban waste by 2035 agreed by the European Council

and Parliament in December 2017 and their 25 year

environmental plan that justified their opposing the EU

target; and what assessment they have made of the

extent to which such opposition will enhance the

credibility of their 25 year plan. [HL5094]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government has yet to

receive the formal text of the outcome of the trilogue

discussions and we will consider it carefully. There are

several targets in the circular economy package of which

the 65% recycling by weight target by 2035 is just one.

The Government has committed to publishing a new

Resources and Waste Strategy in 2018 aimed at making

the UK a world leader in resource efficiency. It will

ensure resources are kept in use for longer and set out

how we will work towards eliminating all avoidable waste

by 2050, and all avoidable plastic waste by the end of

2042. This is consistent with the EU’s Circular Economy

Package and in some respects goes beyond it.

As we develop the Resources and Waste Strategy we

will explore whether more innovative targets can be

developed that deliver clear benefits over those proposed

by the EU, including weight-based measures. Should they

be preferable, the UK Government will present proposals

to the UK Parliament following the UK’s departure from

the EU.

Roads: Litter

Asked by Lord Wasserman


Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 22

January (HL4503), when they expect to receive the



results of the independent assessment by Keep Britain

Tidy of the cleanliness of trunk roads maintained by

Highways England and of litter collection by local

councils. [HL5083]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Surveying is about to be

undertaken, and we expect the outcome of the assessment

to be available later this year.

Strokes


To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect

to publish the National Stroke Plan. [HL4925]

Lord O'Shaughnessy: There has been progress in

stroke prevention, care and treatment as a result of the 10

year stroke strategy, which was published in 2007.

Building on that success, NHS England has established

an expert working group with partners representing

patients, carers and stroke professionals and the wider

health and social care system. This group is co-chaired by

the Stroke Association, and includes the Neurological

Alliance, NHS Improvement, the British Association of

Stroke Physicians, Public Health England, the National

Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and Health

Education England. The group’s aim is to ensure that this

progress is not only maintained but enhanced.

Part of this approach has involved bringing together

national programmes of work such as NHS RightCare that

have a focus on stroke, in order to set ambitions for future

improvement summarised into a coherent plan. This is

currently under discussion and further engagement with

health, social care and voluntary sector partners is

underway. The timeline for delivery of any plan will be

agreed with the help of the expert working group as the

links with related work such as the cardiovascular disease

prevention programme become more established.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Asked by Lord Bradshaw

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect

to take a decision on whether to proceed with the

Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project; what factors they

will take into account in taking that decision; and what

further evidence they require to allow them to do so.

[HL5193]

Lord Henley: In coming to any decision on the role of

tidal lagoons in the UK’s energy mix, the Government

needs to consider how this technology delivers against its

priorities, as set out in the Clean Growth Strategy and

Industrial Strategy, of reducing emissions and protecting

UK businesses and households from high energy costs.

This will ensure that the Government response to the

Hendry Review takes into account the best interests of the

UK as a whole and represents value for money for the UK

taxpayer and the consumer.

A Government response to the Hendry Review will be

published in due course.

Turkey: Press Freedom


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the

journalists Can Dundar and Erdem Gul were released

from custody, following a ruling by the Constitutional

Court of Turkey; and whether they are making

representations to the government of Turkey, following

a similar ruling by the same Court on 11 January,

concerning Mehmet Altan and Sahin Alpay. [HL4930]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Can Dundar and Erdem

Gul were released from custody following a

Constitutional Court decision and remain free pending an

appeal against their conviction. We are following the case

of Mehmet Altan and Sahin Alpay closely and will be

looking for opportunities to raise the issue with the

Turkish government, following the overturning of the

Constitutional Court's decision of 11 January. We will

also be coordinating further action, including in the

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe,

with our EU partners.

Turkey: Syria


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are

supporting the request of France for a UN Security

Council meeting to discuss attacks by Turkey on Afrin

Canton in Syria. [HL4931]

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The situation in Afrin

was discussed in the UN Security Council on Syria on 22

January. The UK recognised Turkey's legitimate interest

in securing its border and underlined the need to reduce

tensions and seek to protect civilians. The UK is

committed to working closely with Turkey and other

allies to find solutions in Syria that provide stability,

refrain from escalating the situation and protect Turkey's

security interests.

UK Trade with EU


To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as part of

their Brexit negotiating strategy, they are seeking to

ensure that during the transition period following the

UK’s withdrawal from the EU all current trading terms

will continue to apply for UK business trading with the

EU27; and whether they intend to offer such reciprocal

obligations on the UK as would be required to enable

this to happen. [HL5117]

Lord Callanan: We have proposed an implementation

period, based on the existing structure of EU rules and

regulations. During this period the UK’s and the EU’s

access to each other’s markets will continue on current

terms. It is in the interests of both the UK and the EU to









agree the terms of this period as quickly as possible, in

order to provide vital certainty to businesses and citizens.

We are confident that there is broad agreement between

the UK and EU positions on the implementation period,

and that we will come to an agreement by March.

UNRWA: Finance

Asked by Baroness Helic


they have made of the number of refugees who will be

affected by the decision of the government of the

United States to withdraw funding for the UN Relief

Works Agency; and what specific services and aid they

expect will be affected. [HL4889]

Lord Bates: The UN Relief and Works Agency

(UNRWA) provides essential services to over 5 million

Palestinian refugees across the region. My officials are

working closely with UNRWA, the United States and

other European Union partners to understand risks to

UNRWA’s sustainability and how to maintain continuity

of key services such as education and health for

Palestinian refugees. The UK is concerned at the impact

on UNRWA’s activities whenever unexpected reductions

or delays in predicted donor disbursements occur and are

liaising with UNRWA on their plans for service

continuity. UNRWA has publically stated their

determination to continue services in all their fields of

operations.

Water: Theft


To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest

assessment of the problem of water theft in the UK’s

water industry. [HL5109]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Based on information

provided by water companies, the Environment Agency

assesses that around 3% of water put into public supply is

used and not paid for. This includes water taken legally

and water that is stolen. Water taken legally includes

public supplies for which no charge is made, such as

firefighting and training.

The ratio of the 3% taken legally to illegally is

unknown.

Companies can take action through the courts against

water thieves. For example, in September 2017, Thames

Water took Kilgannon Street Care to court, who admitted

12 offences under the Water Industry Act 1991 and was

ordered to pay more than £5,000 in fines and costs.



Index to Statements and Answers

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

Contingent Liability: Notification ........................ 1

Energy Policy ....................................................... 1

Maritime Training ................................................ 1

Upwards Extensions: New Homes ....................... 2

Written Answers ..................................................... 3

Academies: Standards .......................................... 3

Apprentices: Contracts ......................................... 3

Apprentices: Travellers ........................................ 3

Asylum: EU Law .................................................. 3

Benzodiazepines: Misuse ..................................... 4

Brexit .................................................................... 4

Cash Dispensing: Rural Areas .............................. 4

Certification Quality Marks .................................. 5

Construction: Females .......................................... 5

Credit Cards: Fraud .............................................. 5

Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs: Public Expenditure .................................. 5


Affairs: Staff ......................................................... 6


Affairs: Statutory Instruments .............................. 6

Design and Technology: GCSE ............................ 6

Developing Countries: Health Services ................ 7

Domestic Violence: Injuries ................................. 7

Energy: UK Trade with EU .................................. 7

Ethnic Groups: Equality ....................................... 7

European Medicines Agency ................................ 7

Exchange Rates .................................................... 8

Fisheries ................................................................ 8

Flats: Safety .......................................................... 8

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Public

Expenditure .......................................................... 8

Gaza: Economic Situation .................................... 8

Global Challenges Research Fund ........................ 9

Health Services: Developing Countries ................ 9

Health Services: Foreign Nationals ...................... 9

Housing: Construction ......................................... 9

Housing: Design ................................................ 10

Immigration: Legal Profession .......................... 10

Industrial Products ............................................. 10

Insolvency Service ............................................. 10

Israel: Palestinians ............................................. 10

Ivory: Sales ........................................................ 11

Law Officers: Disclosure of Information........... 11

Low Emission Zones ......................................... 11

Motorcycles ....................................................... 12

Muscular Dystrophy .......................................... 12

Orphan Drugs .................................................... 12

Overseas Trade .................................................. 12

Philippines: Press Freedom................................ 13

Planning ............................................................. 13

Plastics: Recycling ............................................. 13

Prescription Drugs: Misuse................................ 13

Prisoners: Mental Illness ................................... 14

Prisons: Health Services .................................... 14

Public Expenditure ............................................ 14

Radioisotopes ..................................................... 15

Railways: Fares .................................................. 15

Railways: Overcrowding ................................... 15

Railways: West Yorkshire ................................. 15

Recycling ........................................................... 16

Roads: Litter ...................................................... 16

Strokes ............................................................... 17

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay ................................ 17

Turkey: Press Freedom ...................................... 17

Turkey: Syria ..................................................... 17

UK Trade with EU ............................................. 17

UNRWA: Finance ............................................. 18

Water: Theft ....................................................... 18

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