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1056474

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Assistance Animals: Discrimination
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to strengthen the Equality Act 2010 to prevent fully the discrimination against, and the exclusion of, people with assistance dogs, in the form of denial of access to taxis and minicabs, shops and restaurants by those without health-related exemption certificates.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL13526
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>It is already illegal for taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers to refuse to carry an assistance dog or to charge their owner more for a journey. Local licensing authorities should ensure that drivers are aware of their duties, and that appropriate action, including prosecution, is taken where non-compliance is identified.</p><p> </p><p>There is also already a legal duty for service providers to provide reasonable adjustments to disabled people so that they are not put at a significant disadvantage compared to non-disabled people, which may include allowing access for assistance dogs where animals would not normally be permitted.</p><p> </p><p>The Office for Disability Issues has been facilitating the assistance dog sector to work together to look at access and supply issues, with a view to creating an accredited UK standard. This work is ongoing but if a standard can be achieved this should reduce the likelihood of access refusals.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 20/02/2019 16:58:22 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1055874

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Down's Syndrome: Abortion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Government Equalities Office is taking steps to (a) tackle the 90 per cent termination rate following a prenatal diagnosis of Down's syndrome and (b) assess the effect of that rate on the community of people with Down’s syndrome; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Congleton
	tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
	uin	217546
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/02/2019 answer text <p>We recognise the concerns that the introduction of offering non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) could have on the rate of possible terminations following a diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome. However, the key objective of NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) is to enable prospective parents to make informed choices, at each step along the screening pathway. The screening guidance and midwife training is very clear that the options should be offered sensitively and prospective parents decisions respected. Counselling is available at all stages of the screening pathway to support people to make informed choices in the event of a fetal abnormality being detected, and the decision to terminate must rest on the judgement of the woman herself and her doctors.</p><p>The national introduction of the evaluative roll out of NIPT as a contingent screening test is yet to be implemented into the NHS FASP. Once NIPT is rolled out, data on the choices women make regarding screening and/or diagnosis will be collected. Data will also be collected on the pregnancy outcomes of women who choose to have screening, and about babies born with Down’s syndrome.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 18/02/2019 16:10:02 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce

1056670

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Transphobia: LGBT+ People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of intimidation carried out by some LGBT activists towards those who refuse to identify transgender individuals by their preferred pronouns.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	218186
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>The Government is aware that the debate around transgender rights and Gender Recognition Act reform can often be a sensitive one, and one in which different people may legitimately hold different views. These differences of opinion can and should be discussed in a mature and respectful manner. Where that has not been the case, the Government would urge those on all sides to treat each other with more respect. The Government would strongly condemn abuse or intimidation, from whichever side of the debate it comes.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 13/02/2019 17:34:42 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1056485

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	EU Staff: Pensions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 28 January (HL12856), whether the €9.75 billion in pensions liabilities are part of the estimated £39 billion settlement or additional to it.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL13535
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>The financial settlement negotiated with the European Union includes the value of pensions liabilities incurred while a member state.</p><p> </p><p>We have reached a fair financial settlement with the EU, honouring commitments we made during our period of membership, and have ensured a fair deal for UK taxpayers. The Government was able to secure a number of successes in negotiations that reduced the size of the settlement from what it might have been under the Commission’s original proposal including provisions that enable future simplifications for the period over which we pay for pensions.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 20/02/2019 12:37:35 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

1055782

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Avoidance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in relation to the Loan Charge 2019, whether Employment Benefit Trust schemes have always been considered defective by HMRC; and what the evidential basis is for the requirement to bring forward legislative proposals to enable HMRC to collect tax on loans issued since 1999.
	tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
	tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
	uin	217479
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>Employment Benefit Trusts (EBTs) are often used as third parties in Disguised Remuneration (DR) schemes. DR schemes are contrived avoidance arrangements that pay loans in place of ordinary remuneration, with the sole purpose of avoiding income tax and National Insurance contributions.</p><p> </p><p>It is the view of HMRC and the Courts that these types of arrangements have never been effective and tax was always due. HMRC has consistently challenged their use and publicised the risks of trying to avoid tax. They have opened and settled thousands of enquiries into the use of DR schemes, and successfully litigated a number of cases in the courts. The most well-known judgement was the unanimous Supreme Court decision in favour of HMRC against Rangers Football Club.</p><p>HMRC is working hard to help individuals get out of tax avoidance for good and is encouraging anyone who is concerned about their ability to pay what they owe, to contact them as soon as possible to discuss their position. In November 2017, HMRC set up a dedicated helpline for those wanting to settle their avoidance scheme use, and discuss payment options. HMRC will work with all individuals to reach a manageable and sustainable payment plan wherever possible.</p><p> </p><p>Since the announcement of the 2019 loan charge at Budget 2016, HMRC has now agreed settlements on disguised remuneration schemes with employers and individuals totalling over £1 billion. Pay As You Earn (PAYE) liabilities fall on the employer in the first instance. The charge on DR loans does not change this principle and the employee will only be liable where the amount cannot reasonably be collected from the employer, such as where the employer is offshore or no longer exists. Around 85% of the settlement yield since 2016 is from employers, with less than 15% from individuals.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC has also introduced a simplified process for those who choose to settle their use of DR avoidance schemes before the loan charge arises. DR scheme users who currently have an income of less than £50,000 and are no longer engaging in tax avoidance can automatically agree a payment plan of up to five years without the need to give HMRC any information about their income and assets. This arrangement has been extended to 7 years for scheme users who have an income of less than £30,000.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 14/02/2019 17:25:02 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans

1055784

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will meet representatives of the Equitable Members Action Group to discuss compensation for Equitable Life investors before the spring financial statement.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
	tabling member printed	Layla Moran
	uin	217630
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>Since 2010, we have taken more action than any previous government to resolve this issue by allocating up to £1.5bn, tax free, for payment to affected policyholders. There are no plans to allocate any further funds to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>I set out the government’s clear position on this matter at my meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group on this issue, and again at the recent parliamentary debate. As the government’s position has not changed, there are no plans to meet the Equitable Members Action Group.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 11/02/2019 15:08:35 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1055794

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Chocolate: Fairtrade Initiative
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of imported chocolate is Fairtrade.
	tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
	tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
	uin	217635
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>There is no separate commodity code for Fairtrade chocolate in the UK integrated tariff. The information requested is therefore not available.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 14/02/2019 17:26:34 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1055812

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Financial Services Ombudsman
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the effectiveness of the Financial Services Ombudsman.
	tabling member constituency	Congleton
	tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
	uin	217540
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text The Government has legislated to ensure the effectiveness of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is required to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the Ombudsman is capable of exercising its functions and is empowered to make rules concerning the FOS. The FCA keeps those rules under review to ensure the continued effectiveness of the FOS. The FCA appoints all of the Non-Executives of the FOS Board (including the Chair, with HM Treasury’s approval). Furthermore, under the Financial Services Act 2012, HMT must lay the FOS’s annual report and accounts before Parliament, the FOS is made subject to statutory NAO audit and must publish reports of determinations. The continued effectiveness of the FOS is a key government priority, which is why on the 6th of February 2019 I visited the FOS to see for myself how it is preparing for the future. answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 11/02/2019 16:00:47 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce

1055862

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Overseas Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2019, to Question 208845 on Revenue and Customs: Overseas Aid, what that money was spent on.
	tabling member constituency	Shipley
	tabling member printed	Philip Davies
	uin	217512
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2019 answer text <p>Official Development Assistance spend by HMRC supports the revenue authorities of developing countries to provide economic integration, stability and growth by:</p><p> </p><ol><li><p>improving their tax and customs administration functions; and</p></li><li><p>improving their tax and customs policies to increase revenue collection.</p></li></ol> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 14/02/2019 17:18:38 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	1565 label Biography information for Sir Philip Davies

1055904

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2019 to Question 215206 on Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves, if he will list the (a) 70 countries who are gold customers of the Bank of England and (b) total value of the gold deposited in those countries' accounts.
	tabling member constituency	Bootle
	tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
	uin	217614
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>Holding gold on behalf of any customer is a matter for the Bank of England. The Bank of England does not share information on which customers it holds gold reserves on behalf of, or the value of that gold, as this would contradict their customer confidentiality obligations. However, the Bank of England does publish the weight of all the gold it has in its custody. As of 31 October 2018, it held a total of 163,769,000 fine troy ounces of gold.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 11/02/2019 15:16:48 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd