Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed attachment file name title grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

422508

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Fuels
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a British fuel efficiency test for all motor vehicles sold in the United Kingdom which exactly simulates real driving conditions and which does not use a rolling road nor overinflated tyres.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL2833
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2015 answer text <p>We will continue to work with the EU to produce testing that more accurately reflects real world driving conditions. The current laboratory test - the New European Test Procedure - is expected to be replaced in 2017 with a new test - the World Light duty Test Procedure - that will more closely replicate the design of modern vehicles and the way they are driven.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 03/11/2015 12:52:33 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

422808

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2015
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Aviation: Noise
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have conducted into (1) understanding how noise emissions from aviation impact on local communities, and (2) the effectiveness of different noise mitigation approaches in reducing the number of individuals affected by aircraft noises.
	tabling member printed	Lord Soley
	uin	HL2855
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2015 answer text <p>In 2012 a National Noise Attitude Survey was carried out on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which included attitudes to noise from transport sources including aircraft.</p><br /><p>In 2014/15, Ipsos/MORI conducted on behalf of the Department for Transport a survey on noise attitudes which focused on noise from civil aviation, near to major airports in England. The results of the survey are currently being analysed with a view to publishing a report next year.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 03/11/2015 12:53:16 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	160 label Biography information for Lord Soley

49894

	registered interest
	date	06/05/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government on what dates the Industrial Strategy Council has held meetings since it was set up; and, for each meeting, (1) who attended, and (2) what was the agenda.
	tabling member printed	Lord Adonis
	uin	HL6873
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p>The first meeting of the Industrial Strategy Council was on 14 May 2013. The agenda consisted of:</p><p>1. Role of the Council</p><p>2. September Conference</p><p>3. Supply chains</p><p>4. Witty Review</p><p> </p><p>The meeting was attended by:</p><p>Tera Allas, Keith Anderson, Gordon Ballard, Marcus Bryson, Vince Cable, Victor Chavez, John Cridland, Martin Donnelly, Warren East, Peter Hansford, Lord Hutton, Harry Keenan, Sir Richard Lambert, Janice Munday, Mark Turner, Robin Webb, Frances O'Grady, Michael Snyder, Keith Wiggins.</p><p> </p><p>The second meeting of the Industrial Strategy Council took place on 27<sup>th</sup> November 2013. The agenda consisted of:</p><p>1. Policy update</p><p>2. Progress update and next steps</p><p>3. Update on small businesses</p><p>4. Supply chains</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The meeting was attended by:</p><p>Keith Anderson, Gordon Ballard, Judith Batchelar, Marcus Bryson, Vince Cable, Neil</p><p> </p><p>Carson, John Cridland, Martin Donnelly, Warren East, Peter Hansford, Lord Hutton, Harry Keenan, Bernadette Kelly, Sir Richard Lambert, Janice Munday, Richard Parry-Jones.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The third meeting of the Industrial Strategy Council will take place on 19th May 2014.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3743 label Biography information for Lord Adonis

49921

	registered interest
	date	06/05/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which official, with what job title, is responsible and accountable for departmental management information in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL6891
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p>The Cabinet Committee PEX(ER) agreed that all Departments appoint a Senior Civil Servant level Head of Management Information. In the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills this responsibility is held by The Director of Finance, Planning and Performance, Charu Gorasia.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

50281

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the changes to the Disabled Students Allowance, what criteria will be used for assessing complex needs in candidates with specific learning difficulties or dyslexia.
	tabling member printed	Lord Addington
	uin	HL6999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Discussions are underway with experts in the sector. Disabled students whose needs cannot be met by the reasonable adjustments made by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will continue to receive support through Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs).</p><p><br></p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3453 label Biography information for Lord Addington

57532

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Minimum Wage
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enforce the National Minimum Wage, and in particular to protect the employees of agencies and those on zero-hours contracts from exploitation.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL5
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>The Government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>HMRC enforces the National Minimum Wage for all workers. This includes agency workers and those on zero hour contracts. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights helpline. In addition, HMRC conducts risk-based enforcement in sectors or areas where there is a higher risk of workers not getting paid the legal minimum wage.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>The Government is taking a tougher approach on employers that break National Minimum Wage law and has already made it simpler to name and shame employers that break NMW law. The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 18/06/2014 13:53:18 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

58580

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Estate Agents Act 1979
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many estate agents were subject to (1) a warning notice, and (2) a prohibition order, for each year since 1984 under the Estate Agents Act 1979.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
	uin	HL105
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Until 31 March 2014, the Office of Fair Trading was responsible for enforcing the Estate Agency Act 1979. Since then, its functions have been transferred to Powys County Council, under the National Trading Standards Board Umbrella.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Data from the archived register for prohibition orders and warning notices in relation to the OFT and its predecessors was:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Prohibition Orders</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Warning Notices</strong></p></td><td> </td><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Prohibition Orders</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Warning Notices</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>13</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2004</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2003</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2002</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td> </td><td><p>2001</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Prohibition Order</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Warning Notice</strong></p></td><td> </td><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Prohibition Order</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Warning Notice</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2000</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1991</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1999</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1990</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1998</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1989</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1997</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1988</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1996</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1987</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1995</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1986</p></td><td><p>12</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1994</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1985</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1993</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td><p>1984</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1992</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 23/06/2014 12:55:16 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4159 label Biography information for Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

58581

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Estate Agents Act 1979
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many estate agents since 1 April 2014 (1) have been, or (2) are being, considered for (a) a warning notice, and (b) a prohibition order, under the Estate Agents Act 1979 by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
	uin	HL106
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>An order under the Estate Agents Act 1979 may be issued against both estate agents and individuals or businesses who are not currently involved in estate agency work. For example an order can be issued against someone who has formerly been an estate agent, or who has worked closely with an estate agent.</p><p> </p><p>Since the 1st April 2014:</p><p> </p><p>· Three individual orders (two prohibition and one warning) have taken effect. These orders were issued by the Office of Fair Trading but implemented by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.</p><p> </p><p>· Four individual orders and one against a business – all prohibitions - are currently subject to appeals.</p><p> </p><p>· Fifteen new cases are currently being processed by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team. ‘Notices of proposal to prohibit' have been issued for six of these cases and are awaiting representations from the individuals and businesses concerned. Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town</p><p> </p><p>· Additionally, the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team currently has fifteen cases on its books which are awaiting prosecution outcome or further investigation by local Trading Standards teams and which may lead to notices being issued at a later date.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 19/06/2014 16:53:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4159 label Biography information for Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

58585

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Public Appointments
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what appointments to public bodies the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has made in the last 12 months.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>For the 12 month period ending 31 March 2014 the Department made 126 appointments, including new, reappointments and extensions to OCPA regulated public bodies. The appointments were made as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Partner Organisation</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Chair</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Member</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Advisory, Conciliation &amp; Arbitration Service (ACAS)</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Arts Humanities and Research Council</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Biotechnology &amp; Biological Sciences Research Council</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Capital for Enterprise</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Competition Commission</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>35</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Competition Service</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Construction Industry Training Board</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1 (employee representative)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Consumer Futures</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Council for Science &amp; Technology</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Engineering &amp; Physical Sciences Research Council</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Economic &amp; Social Research Council</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Higher Education Funding Council for England</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Low Pay Commission</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Medical Research Council</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>National Environment Research Council</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Office of Fair Trading</p></td><td><p>2 (of which 1 was a short-term extension).</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Science &amp; Technology Facilities Council</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Student Loans Company</p></td><td><p>2 (of which 1 was an interim appointment).</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Technology Strategy Board</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>UK Commission Atomic Energy Authority</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 19/06/2014 12:00:22 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

61271

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Minimum Wage
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government under what circumstances employers are legally allowed to pay workers less than the national minimum wage.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL231
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>There are no circumstances where if a worker is entitled to the National Minimum Wage that an employer can pay less than the National Minimum Wage. However, under the legislation certain types of workers are not entitled to the minimum wage. These are:</p><p> </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/employment-status/selfemployed" target="_blank">self-employed people</a> running their own business</li><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/employment-status/director" target="_blank">company directors</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/pay-and-expenses" target="_blank">volunteers</a> or voluntary workers</li><li>workers on a government employment programme, eg the Work Programme</li><li>family members of the employer living in the employer's home</li><li>non-family members living in the employer's home who share in the work and leisure activities, are treated as one of the family and aren't charged for meals or accommodation (eg au pairs)</li><li>workers younger than school leaving age (usually 16)</li><li>higher and further education students on a work placement up to 1 year</li><li>workers on government pre-apprenticeships schemes</li><li>people on the following European Union programmes: Leonardo da Vinci, Youth in Action, Erasmus, Comenius</li><li>people working on a Jobcentre Plus Work trial for 6 weeks</li><li>members of the armed forces</li><li>share fishermen</li><li>prisoners</li><li>people living and working in a religious community</li></ul><p> </p><p>Additionally, people carrying out work experience and internships will not get the minimum wage if they are:</p><p> </p><ul><li>a student doing work experience as part of a higher or further education course</li><li>of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school" target="_blank">compulsory school age</a></li><li>a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/pay-and-expenses" target="_blank">volunteer</a> or doing voluntary work</li><li>on a government or European programme</li><li>work shadowing</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Employers and workers with queries about the application of the National Minimum Wage can access free and confidential advice through the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/06/2014 11:15:33 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

61475

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Housing: Construction
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of their stated intention of building more houses, what is their assessment of the availability of skilled personnel to carry out the building work necessary; and what measures they are taking to train sufficient numbers to ensure the success of the house building programme.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
	uin	HL253
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>There has been no specific assessment of the availability of skilled personnel for the home building sector. The Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) latest Construction Skills Network Report forecasts an annual recruitment requirement for the construction sector, including home building, of 36,400 a year for the 2013 – 2018 period.</p><p> </p><p>Under the auspices of the Construction Leadership Council, the house building industry is developing an action plan to address two immediate priorities: improving the image of house building and attracting back experienced workers who left during the recession, and other workers with relevant skills. More widely, the Government is making a number of reforms to the skills system to improve skills supply, putting employers in the driving seat and making providers more responsive to their needs.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also currently undertaking a triennial review of the way the CITB operates and challenging it on the service it delivers to the sector.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/06/2014 16:22:41 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

61476

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Housing: Construction
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of their stated intention of building more houses, what is their assessment of the ability of the United Kingdom building supplies industry to provide bricks, timber and other materials; and what measures they are taking to encourage growth in the building supplies industry to provide sufficient materials to ensure the success of the house building programme.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jones of Cheltenham
	uin	HL254
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government has noted advice from the Construction Products Association that there is no general lack of capacity in UK products manufacturers. The Association advises that only 19 per cent of companies producing heavy building materials are currently operating at near capacity. As the products sector adjusts to the return to growth it expects that capacity will increase further in response to demand.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/06/2014 16:31:26 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	248 label Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham

61514

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Students: Loans
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Student Loans Company does not provide up-to-date online information about the state of an account, detailing all repayments made into the account via the PAYE system since the last statement was issued.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Sharp of Guildford
	uin	HL292
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>HMRC collates employer information on student loan deductions at the end of each tax year and provides this information in P14 “end of year summaries” to the SLC. The SLC calculate interest and statements are issued to borrowers, advising them of their deductions, interest and outstanding balance at the end of the tax year. This process is repeated annually until all student loan repayments are collected.</p><p> </p><p>The repayment information held by the SLC will, as a result of this system, be accurate to the April of the previous tax year. The SLC is not in a position to provide an accurate settlement of a borrower's balance more recently than the previous April. However, the borrower can track and monitor their own settlement balance online if they retain a note of all their repayment deductions made over the tax year.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC, BIS and SLC are currently discussing arrangements to share student loan repayment information more quickly, but there is no mechanism to do so in the current tax system and necessary changes will take some time to implement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/06/2014 16:20:36 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	2113 label Biography information for Baroness Sharp of Guildford

61535

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	World War II: Anniversaries
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to recognise women who worked in munitions factories during the Second World War as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations marking the end of conflict.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Taylor of Bolton
	uin	HL304
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2014 answer text <p><br>The Government fully appreciates the efforts and the often very dangerous conditions experienced by those who worked in factories producing vital equipment for the armed forces that helped contribute to winning the Second World War. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been working with the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Recognition for Munitions Workers, which was set up in 2011 to explore ways to ensure that the valiant collective efforts of all those who worked in munitions factories are not forgotten.</p><p>Following the very successful commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day we will now be focussing in more detail across government on how the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2015 might be marked in an appropriate manner. No decisions have yet been made on how the anniversary will be marked, but we expect an announcement on the commemorations to be made by the Government later in the year.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 03/07/2014 16:43:53 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	407 label Biography information for Baroness Taylor of Bolton

62428

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Copyright
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they are making on their consideration of (1) protection of metadata, (2) remedies against lookalikes, and (3) equalisation of penalties for physical and digital copyright infringement.
	tabling member printed	Lord Clement-Jones
	uin	HL366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><strong>(1)</strong> The issue of protection of metadata was considered as part of the industry-led Copyright Hub project, to which the Government contributed initial funding. This involved key players seeking cross-industry agreement to help keep metadata with copyright works and resulted in the publication of a voluntary Code of Practice on Creating and Maintaining Metadata in Images. It is clearly important for industry to take up that code of practice, before Government could consider whether or not any further action may be appropriate.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>(2) </strong>The Government is considering the case for granting a civil right of action to business against lookalike packaging, for which it launched a review of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs). The Review commenced this spring, and the initial call for evidence closed on 19 May. The Government is keen to continue engaging with stakeholders on this issue; a structured roundtable has been scheduled for 14 July. The final report is expected to be published in October.</p><p> </p><p><strong>(3) </strong>The Intellectual Property Office has commissioned Inngot Ltd to carry out a review of the use of copyright infringement sanctions. The review has commenced and is expected to report in November. Data gathering for copyright infringement sentencing is already underway, with a broad range of industry stakeholders being consulted including trade bodies; IP rights owners and IP legal professionals. The Government will consider what further action is needed once the final report has been published.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 24/06/2014 16:32:44 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3396 label Biography information for Lord Clement-Jones

62481

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Land Registry
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many dwellings have had their prices or values recorded at the Land Registry since 1 April 2000; and what proportion of all dwellings now have a transaction price or value recorded with the Land Registry.
	tabling member printed	Lord Marlesford
	uin	HL410
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p /> <p>Land Registry holds information on 23.9m title numbers. Title numbers are made up of residential properties, commercial properties and areas of land.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>Price paid entries on the register were introduced on 1 April 1990 and since then 13.4m title numbers have at some point had a price paid entry on the register.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>From 1 January 1995 Land Registry also recorded information relating to11.8m residential properties sold for full market value. This equates to 49.8% of residential properties having a transaction price or value stated recorded.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 27/06/2014 11:59:22 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1854 label Biography information for Lord Marlesford

62513

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Postal Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the universal postal service in the light of declining use of the service.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	uin	HL442
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The universal postal service is protected in primary legislation – the Postal Services Act 2011. Under the Act, Parliament has established the minimum requirements of the universal service – which include letter deliveries 6 days a week at a uniform and affordable rate throughout the UK. Only Parliament can change the minimum requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Government has ensured that ongoing protection of the universal service is at the heart of the regulatory regime by giving Ofcom the primary statutory duty to secure the provision of the universal service and to this end Ofcom must have regard for the financial sustainability of the universal service.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom has put in place a comprehensive monitoring regime that tracks the financial sustainability of the universal service and Parliament has ensured that the regulator has the powers and tools it needs to intervene in the market if the provision of the universal service is ever at risk.</p><p> </p><p>The steps we have taken to reform the regulatory framework coupled with securing access to the much needed private capital for Royal Mail, as the designated Universal Service Provider, are the best way to safeguard the future of a sustainable universal postal service in the UK.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 14:54:32 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

62514

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Postal Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering a review of the direct delivery market in the light of postal service providers other than Royal Mail being able to serve selected areas only.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	uin	HL443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Under the Postal Services Act 2011, Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator for postal services, the primary statutory duty to secure the provision of the universal service.</p><p> </p><p>Last year, following a consultation, Ofcom, as the independent regulator for postal services, set out its guidance on its approach to intervening in response to a material threat to the provision of the universal service.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom has made clear that if its ongoing monitoring regime, which keeps the situation under continual review and allows for any new evidence, does not prompt the need for any earlier assessment, it will as a matter of course carry out a full assessment of the impact of competition on the universal service towards the end of 2015.</p><p> </p><p>More information about Ofcom's regulatory regime can be found on its website (www.ofcom.org.uk).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 14:56:36 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

62515

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Postal Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering any regulatory changes to protect the universal postal service in the light of postal service providers other than Royal Mail being able to serve selected areas only.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	uin	HL444
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Under the Postal Services Act 2011, Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator for postal services, the primary statutory duty to secure the provision of the universal service.</p><p> </p><p>Parliament has given Ofcom the regulatory powers and tools it needs to intervene in the market if the universal service is ever at risk. It is for Ofcom to determine how it uses its powers and tools in support of its statutory duties.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom also has a duty to promote competition where that benefits consumers, though should the two duties be in conflict it is the universal service that takes precedence in the interests of postal users.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>More information about Ofcom's regulatory regime can be found on its website (www.ofcom.org.uk).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 14:55:44 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

63141

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Postal Services: Competition
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have conducted research to review whether end-to-end competition in the postal sector is more likely to affect the universal service than in other European countries due to (1) the United Kingdom's economic geography, and (2) the United Kingdom mandatory access requirements.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	uin	HL550
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Under the Postal Services Act 2011, Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator for postal services, the primary statutory duty to secure the provision of the universal service.</p><p> </p><p>Parliament has given Ofcom the regulatory powers and tools it needs to intervene in the market if the provision of the universal service is ever at risk.</p><p> </p><p>Given its statutory duties, it is for Ofcom to monitor and assess any impact of postal competition on the provision of the universal service. To this end Ofcom has put in place a comprehensive monitoring regime to keep the situation under review.</p><p> </p><p>More information about Ofcom's regulatory regime can be found on its website (www.ofcom.org.uk).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 15:57:30 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

63142

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Postal Services: Competition
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of postal services was delivered through access contracts in each year since access competition was introduced in 2004.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	uin	HL551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Since 2004, the percentage of postal services delivered through access contracts (i.e. addressed volumes – excluding unaddressed and including international) is: <strong>2004-5: 0%; 2005-06: 5%; 2006-07: 12%; 2007-08 (unadjusted 53 week): 19%; 2008-09: 26%; 2009-10: 35%; 2010-11: 41%; 2011-12: 44%; 2012-13 (unadjusted 53 week): 48%. </strong><em>(Sources: 2005-2009 Postcomm Regulatory Accounts; 2010-2013: Ofcom's Annual Monitoring Report 2012-13). </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 16:16:20 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

63783

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Appeals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a nationwide appeals system for higher education students in the United Kingdom who wish to appeal on the basis of awarded grades or complain about alleged unfair treatment by university staff.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL567
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) operates a national complaints handling scheme for England and Wales, under provisions in the 2004 Higher Education Act. The OIA can review complaints made by students against Higher Education Institutions if they remain unresolved, once a student has completed the institution's own complaints procedures. This may include, for example, complaints from students about unfair treatment by university staff. The service is free of charge to students.</p><p> </p><p>Separate arrangements are in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.There are, however, some complaints that OIA cannot consider. These relate to concerns about admission to a university and to academic judgement. In the latter case, OIA can look at whether an institution has followed its rules and regulations in making an award to a student.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 03/07/2014 16:28:27 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

63787

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what quality control and audit procedures are in place to ensure that their advisory committees perform to the highest standards, that they are using up-to-date methodology and science, and that their advice is sound and accepted by the broader scientific community.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL571
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><em>All committees operate according to the guidelines and standards outlined in the </em>Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]). Any advisory committee that is classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) is also subject to <em>formal Cabinet Office procedures including a full triennial review. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p><p>CoPSAC is underpinned by The Principles of Scientific Advice to Government', published in 2010 (Annex A to CoPSAC), and the ‘Nolan' principles for public life (the “Seven Principles of Public Life” (Annex C).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The principles “provide a foundation on which independent scientific advisers and government departments should base their operations and interactions”. Members are also expected to abide by the Nolan Principles, which include the principles of objectivity and accountability.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any “issues of concern over the application of the Principles, or other guidance” should be raised to the Chief Scientific Adviser. “If the matter of concern cannot be effectively resolved or is especially serious CSAs should approach the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Ministers should approach the GCSA and the Minister for Science. The matter will be examined against a clear set of criteria, which include a breach of the Principles or CoPSAC.”</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 15:23:07 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63788

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their advisory committees, if they need to undertake a review for which they do not have the expertise, are permitted to commission organisations that specialise in that field.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL572
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p /> <p>There is nothing in the Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]) that prevents a committee from commissioning additional advice from experts, and committees are encouraged to “seek a wide range of advice from the best sources, particularly when there is uncertainty”.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>CoPSAC states “Where a SAC lacks the relevant expertise for a particular project or task (as opposed to the committee's on-going work), the committee can co-opt appropriate experts or establish sub-groups to include such people on an ad hoc, time-limited basis”.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <br /> <p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <br /> <p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 14:53:13 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63789

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how scientists are appointed to their advisory committees; how they ensure that an appropriate range of expertise and experience is represented on those committees; and how they ensure that the best scientists apply for membership of the committees.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL573
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]) lays out the procedures for appointment to Committees.</p><p> </p><p>CoPSAC indicates that the arrangements for the appointment of Committee members and the lines of accountability should be set out in each Committee's Terms of Reference.</p><p> </p><br /><p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 14:53:54 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63790

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recourse is available to members of the public who wish to complain about the practice and outcome of scientific inquiries conducted by government advisory committees.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Members of the public may write to the Chair of the advisory committee. If necessary, complaints can be escalated in writing to the Chief Scientific Advisor for the department in question, or the Government Chief Scientific Adviser.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 14:53:32 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63795

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Domestic Service: Conditions of Employment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to end the abuse and exploitation of domestic workers in the United Kingdom, especially those from overseas; what means they will use to ensure that such workers have contracts of employment and are regularly paid at least the minimum wage; and whether such protection can extend to the employees of foreign diplomats.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL579
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The UK already provides comprehensive employment and social protections to domestic workers and as a rule, domestic workers in the UK are entitled to the same employment rights as workers generally – including the National Minimum Wage (unless they are treated as if they are a member of the family), statutory sick pay, paid annual leave, protections from discrimination and unfair dismissals as well as other protections.</p><p> </p><p>We are fully committed to ensuring that domestic workers are able to access their rights. Anyone who believes they are being mistreated by their employer in any way has access to a number of organisations who can help including the police, the Pay and Work Rights Helpline and Employment Tribunals.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also focused on ensuring that overseas domestic workers are informed about their rights and immigration and borders staff are trained to recognise potential victims of abuse. Overseas domestic workers must have been employed for 12 months before a visa will be granted and must have a signed statement of terms and conditions of employment in line with the National Minimum Wage legislation. Every overseas domestic worker is also provided with a letter informing them of their rights in the UK and where to get help if needed. This letter is provided in a range of languages as well as English.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, all foreign diplomats in the UK are required to respect our laws, including employment regulations. The FCO treats any allegation of mistreatment of staff in diplomatic households very seriously. Any allegations that the law has been broken are investigated by the police and the FCO will take appropriate steps to assist the investigation which may include requesting the withdrawal of diplomatic immunity.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 15:52:56 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

65258

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Immigration: Poland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the contribution made by Polish immigrants to the United Kingdom economy and society since 2010.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL788
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The 2011 census found that there were 579,121 Polish nationals resident in the UK at that time of polling. There is no data available on the exact contribution of Polish immigrants to UK GDP since 2010 - it is extremely complex to isolate the contribution of just one group of people to GDP, given the wide variety of economic activity that they will be involved in.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>However, many economists believe that Polish migrants have had a positive impact on the UK economy since 2004 as they tend to be of working age when they arrive and contribute more to the economy through taxes and consumption than they take out via public services.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>By broad industry definitions, Polish nationals work across all industries but are most often found in Manufacturing and Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants. By standard occupation definitions, Polish nationals are found in all occupational areas but are most often in skilled trades, process, plant and machine operative occupations and elementary occupations.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that the primary driver for determining an individual's fiscal contribution is whether they are in employment. The latest Labour Force survey data for January to March 2014 states that the unemployment rate amongst Polish nationals was 6.2%, lower than the UK average of 6.6%.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 14/07/2014 12:58:23 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

100469

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons Commission
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what funding was (a) allocated to the Commission in 2010 and (b) will be so allocated in 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Kettering
	tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
	uin	211644
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The House of Commons Commission initially committed itself to a reduction in the Administration Resource Estimate in December 2009. The following year this was restated as an intention to reduce the Estimate to £210 million by 2014/15 from a baseline of £231 million for 2010/11.<sup>(a) </sup>Taking forecast inflation into account, this represented a reduction of 17% in real terms. In December 2013 the Commission agreed an Administration Estimate for 2014/15 of £201.3 million – allowing for transfers between Estimates and other adjustments, this was £2 million below the target set in 2010.</p><p>The Finance and Services Committee will, on Tuesday 28 October, be publishing its first report of the session, entitled <em>House of Commons Financial Plan 2015–16 to 2018–19, including draft Estimates for 2015–16</em> (HC 757), which provides further detail. I shall be approaching the Backbench Business Committee to request a debate on the report before the Committee gives its advice on the 2015/16 Estimate to the Commission in December. This would give all hon. Members a chance to discuss and contribute to the financial plan.</p><p>Note: (a) In December 2009 the Commission agreed an Estimate for 2010/11 of £258 million. However, having taken account of the transfer of staff to IPSA and various accounting adjustments, this was reduced to £231 million. Agreement of an initial, in-year savings package by the Commission in June 2010 meant that it actually laid an Estimate for 2010/11 of £219 million.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 27/10/2014 10:29:27 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

101182

	registered interest
	date	27/10/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Serjeant at Arms
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, who the candidates were for the post of Serjeant at Arms on the last occasion on which it was advertised.
	tabling member constituency	Lichfield
	tabling member printed	Michael Fabricant
	uin	211941
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2014 answer text <p>The post of Serjeant at Arms was last advertised in 2012. The successful applicant was Lawrence Ward. Candidates applied in confidence: it is not the Commission's practice to disclose the names of the unsuccessful applicants as this would breach their expectation of confidentiality.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 31/10/2014 10:39:13 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	280 label Biography information for Michael Fabricant

101183

	registered interest
	date	27/10/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Television
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will take steps to reward the teams who have installed and successfully delivered digital television feeds including BBC local news and European Parliament, Committee Room, Welsh Assembly, and Scottish Parliament proceedings to offices on the Estate.
	tabling member constituency	Lichfield
	tabling member printed	Michael Fabricant
	uin	211942
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2014 answer text <p>The Commission acknowledges the challenges involved in changing the unique and complex system that serves over 2,200 screens across Parliament and 20 government departments, and commends the House Service for the smooth changeover. Engineering, project management, maintenance and commercial staff were involved, together with the suppliers and sub-contractors, and Parliament’s long-serving on-site Annunciator technicians. I have nothing to offer as reward beyond my heartfelt thanks.</p><p>The teams involved are delighted that this project has been singled out for acknowledgement by the hon. Member for Lichfield, and are grateful for his support in the early days of defining the system requirements, during his time on the Administration Committee.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 31/10/2014 11:00:33 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	280 label Biography information for Michael Fabricant

106090

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2014
	answering body	Members Estimate Committee
	answering dept id	91
	answering dept short name	Members Estimate Committee
	answering dept sort name	Members Estimate Committee
	hansard heading	Members: Allowances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the Members Estimate Committee, when it was determined to shred documentation on expenses claims submitted by hon. Members before 2010; and at what committee or decision-making body such a decision was taken.
	tabling member constituency	Bassetlaw
	tabling member printed	John Mann
	uin	213008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text <p>The House of Commons Commission (which was responsible for Members Estimate matters prior to the establishment of the Members Estimate Committee in 2004) agreed at its meeting of 21 October 2002 to implement a retention policy for financial papers, which would entail detailed claims, receipts, invoices and warrants being retained for three years after the end of the year of the transaction. This included documentation relating to Members’ allowances. The policy was incorporated into the Authorised Records Disposal Practice (ARDP) produced by the Parliamentary Archives and made available to Members and staff of both Houses on the parliamentary intranet in 2004. Decisions made by the House of Commons Commission and the Members Estimate Committee are published on the Parliament website.</p><p>Destruction of these records was paused in 2010 pending the conclusion of police inquiries, but was restarted on the previous basis in 2012 once legal proceedings were concluded. The only documentation destroyed in the last 12 months in relation to Members’ expenses has been background information to support claims, which was no longer needed after the 2010 general election when the House ceased to be responsible for expenses claims. This was done in April 2014.</p><p>While the original financial documents relating to MPs’ expenses were destroyed in compliance with the Authorised Records Disposal Policy (ARDP), more than a million documents and receipts, with some personal information redacted, were published online and subsequently updated. This information remains available on the Parliament website at: <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-commons/" target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-commons/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso grouped question UIN 213009 213010 question first answered 06/11/2014 15:11:56 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1387 label Biography information for Lord Mann

106091

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2014
	answering body	Members Estimate Committee
	answering dept id	91
	answering dept short name	Members Estimate Committee
	answering dept sort name	Members Estimate Committee
	hansard heading	Members: Allowances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the Members Estimate Committee, which documentation relating to expenses claims submitted by hon. Members in which years have been shredded in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Bassetlaw
	tabling member printed	John Mann
	uin	213009
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text <p>The House of Commons Commission (which was responsible for Members Estimate matters prior to the establishment of the Members Estimate Committee in 2004) agreed at its meeting of 21 October 2002 to implement a retention policy for financial papers, which would entail detailed claims, receipts, invoices and warrants being retained for three years after the end of the year of the transaction. This included documentation relating to Members’ allowances. The policy was incorporated into the Authorised Records Disposal Practice (ARDP) produced by the Parliamentary Archives and made available to Members and staff of both Houses on the parliamentary intranet in 2004. Decisions made by the House of Commons Commission and the Members Estimate Committee are published on the Parliament website.</p><p>Destruction of these records was paused in 2010 pending the conclusion of police inquiries, but was restarted on the previous basis in 2012 once legal proceedings were concluded. The only documentation destroyed in the last 12 months in relation to Members’ expenses has been background information to support claims, which was no longer needed after the 2010 general election when the House ceased to be responsible for expenses claims. This was done in April 2014.</p><p>While the original financial documents relating to MPs’ expenses were destroyed in compliance with the Authorised Records Disposal Policy (ARDP), more than a million documents and receipts, with some personal information redacted, were published online and subsequently updated. This information remains available on the Parliament website at: <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-commons/" target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-commons/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso grouped question UIN 213008 213010 question first answered 06/11/2014 15:11:56 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1387 label Biography information for Lord Mann

106092

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2014
	answering body	Members Estimate Committee
	answering dept id	91
	answering dept short name	Members Estimate Committee
	answering dept sort name	Members Estimate Committee
	hansard heading	Members: Allowances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the Members Estimate Committee, when the decision to destroy documentation relating to hon. Members' expenses claims from before 2010 was reported to the House.
	tabling member constituency	Bassetlaw
	tabling member printed	John Mann
	uin	213010
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text <p>The House of Commons Commission (which was responsible for Members Estimate matters prior to the establishment of the Members Estimate Committee in 2004) agreed at its meeting of 21 October 2002 to implement a retention policy for financial papers, which would entail detailed claims, receipts, invoices and warrants being retained for three years after the end of the year of the transaction. This included documentation relating to Members’ allowances. The policy was incorporated into the Authorised Records Disposal Practice (ARDP) produced by the Parliamentary Archives and made available to Members and staff of both Houses on the parliamentary intranet in 2004. Decisions made by the House of Commons Commission and the Members Estimate Committee are published on the Parliament website.</p><p>Destruction of these records was paused in 2010 pending the conclusion of police inquiries, but was restarted on the previous basis in 2012 once legal proceedings were concluded. The only documentation destroyed in the last 12 months in relation to Members’ expenses has been background information to support claims, which was no longer needed after the 2010 general election when the House ceased to be responsible for expenses claims. This was done in April 2014.</p><p>While the original financial documents relating to MPs’ expenses were destroyed in compliance with the Authorised Records Disposal Policy (ARDP), more than a million documents and receipts, with some personal information redacted, were published online and subsequently updated. This information remains available on the Parliament website at: <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-commons/" target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/members-allowances/house-of-commons/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso grouped question UIN 213008 213009 question first answered 06/11/2014 15:11:57 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1387 label Biography information for Lord Mann

155524

	registered interest
	date	11/11/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff employed in the House of Commons Service on 1 January 2014 earned as much or more than a hon. Member; and what the (a) posts and (b) current salaries are of such staff.
	tabling member constituency	East Yorkshire
	tabling member printed	Sir Greg Knight
	uin	214345
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2014 answer text <p>The basic salary payable to Members was £66,396 per annum as at 1 January 2014. At that date 78 staff in the House of Commons Service were paid an annual salary above this figure. A list of the posts that have pay band maxima higher than Members’ current salary is attached, together with individual pay of SCS2 and SCS3 staff in £5,000 bands. Details of the current pay ranges are attached. The salaries of Members of the Management Board are disclosed in the House of Commons: Administration annual accounts which are available on the Parliament website.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso attachment 1 file name Posts in the Senior Commons Structure and pay band A1 as at 1 Jan 2014.pdf title Posts in Senior Commons Structure and pay band A1 2 file name House of Commons Senior Pay Bands.pdf title House of Commons Senior Pay Bands question first answered 18/11/2014 17:34:19 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1200 label Biography information for Sir Greg Knight

156651

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the average daily number of letters sent from the House of Commons to each government department is.
	tabling member constituency	Isle of Wight
	tabling member printed	Mr Andrew Turner
	uin	215204
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2014 answer text <p>In the period April 2014 to October 2014 the average number of letters sent from the House of Commons to government departments via the Inter-Despatch Service (IDS) was 159 items per day; information is not held on a departmental basis.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 25/11/2014 11:12:18 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1426 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Turner

167873

	registered interest
	date	01/12/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans the Commission has to publish a vision and strategy document for the future of the House.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	906425
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2014 answer text <p>The current strategy for the House of Commons Service, which covers the period 2013 to 2017, was endorsed by the Commission in January 2013. It is published on the Parliament website at: <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/management-board/management-board-publications1/hoc-strategy/" target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/management-board/management-board-publications1/hoc-strategy/</a>.</p><p>The Management Board has started the process of drawing up a strategy for the next Parliament, which will build on the current one. This will draw on the views of Members, as well as a large-scale consultation exercise with staff. Emerging ideas will be discussed with the Commission in the new year, the intention is then to take the draft strategy to the new Commission in the 2015 Parliament for its agreement. I have noted the hon. Member’s suggestion to the Governance Committee that the vision should be “This House exists to serve the people of this country and the people who represent them”, and that seems to me an important point to reflect in the House Service’s strategy.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 04/12/2014 12:49:03 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

169568

	registered interest
	date	10/12/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Bookshops
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make an assessment of the availability of books by women in the House of Commons bookshop.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	218201
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2014 answer text <p>I understand that the hon. Member raised the issue of the availability of books written by women with the Senior Retail Operations Manager, who explained that we are committed to the inclusion of women authors within our range and that it is our aim to fully represent women’s role in British politics wherever possible.</p><p>In the current book range, we have a variety of titles by women including <em>Women of the World</em> by Helen McCarthy, <em>Everyday Sexism</em> by Laura Bates, <em>Wise Women</em> by Carole McKenzie, <em>The Times: Great Women’s Lives</em> by Sue Corbett and <em>The Women’s Suffrage Movement</em> by Molly Housego. A best seller earlier in the year was Baroness Trumpington’s book <em>Coming Up Trumps</em>.</p><p>In making the range selection for the Houses of Parliament Shop, we are conscious of the need to present a political balance, and we seek books that shed light on British politics, Parliament and Government. In selecting individual titles we are constrained by what is available and in print at any one time. With limited retail space, it makes commercial sense to stock the current “best sellers”, whoever the authors are. Having said that, we do actively seek to include women authors and books about women within the range and will continue to do so.</p><p>The Retail Buying team will always welcome suggestions on current titles in general circulation that would make a positive addition to the current book selection.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 15/12/2014 11:14:51 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

170493

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Written Questions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate he has made of the savings to the House of Commons Commission from the Q&A system in (a) the present financial year and (b) the next five financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	218805
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2014 answer text <p>Identified savings to the House of Commons Commission, in reduced printing, publishing and administration costs, from the Questions and Answers (Q&amp;A) system are estimated to be £443,000 in 2014/15, £785,000 in 2015/16 and £795,000 every year from 2016/17.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 19/12/2014 13:57:02 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

171194

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Bookshops
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer to Question 218201, how many book titles in total are on sale in the House of Commons Book Shop; what proportion of such books are by women; and what proportion of such books which do not have the words woman, women or sexism in their title are by women.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	219283
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We do not hold information regarding the gender of authors or editors on our stock control systems. Without considerable research it would not be possible to assign a gender to each author as names are not always easily assigned.</p><p>In addition, we stock a significant number of titles for which there is no author or editor named on our system. Such titles include <em>The London Diplomatic List, the Civil Service Yearbook, Vacher’s Quarterly </em>and a number of similar reference titles<em>.</em> The stock changes on a regular basis as many titles are written about current issues and do not stay in the range for long so that titles are added and deleted from the range each month.</p><p>As previously stated, we are committed to the inclusion of women authors within our range, and aim to represent women’s role in British politics wherever possible. This is an essential part of our objective to stock titles that shed light on British politics, Parliament and democracy.</p><p>If the hon. Member would like to discuss the matter further, the Senior Retail Operations Manager would be more than happy to meet her.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 05/01/2015 11:05:50 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

171651

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2014
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Clerk of the House
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost has been of (a) fees to recruitment agencies, (b) travel and (c) all other costs incurred in the process of appointing the new Clerk of the House culminating in the selection of Carol Mills.
	tabling member constituency	Lichfield
	tabling member printed	Michael Fabricant
	uin	219388
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>The costs incurred in the recruitment process for the Clerk of the House and Chief Executive were as follows:</p><p>(a) A fixed fee of £18,000 to Saxton Bampfylde for recruitment support and executive search services;</p><p>(b) A total of £10,244.26 in travel, hotel and subsistence costs incurred by applicants invited for interview;</p><p>(c) A total of £8,952 for recruitment advertising.</p><p>Costs are shown exclusive of VAT, except for travel and subsistence where VAT was inclusive and has been reimbursed by the House.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 05/01/2015 16:48:13 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	280 label Biography information for Michael Fabricant

171839

	registered interest
	date	02/01/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Robert Rogers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Commission was first informed of the ennoblement of Sir Robert Rogers; and whether it made any general response to this notification.
	tabling member constituency	Lichfield
	tabling member printed	Michael Fabricant
	uin	219650
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text <p>Peerages are granted by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister and are not a matter for the Commission.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 06/01/2015 11:45:39 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	280 label Biography information for Michael Fabricant

172250

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Dissolution
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what recent discussions the Commission has had with the appropriate trades unions regarding the position of employees of the House of Commons whose duties are such that they cannot be carried out during the period of Dissolution of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walsall North
	tabling member printed	Mr David Winnick
	uin	219961
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>A key element of the current three-year pay deal for pay band A–E staff is the harmonisation of arrangements for working contractual hours, including ending a number of localised variations.</p><p>Given the extent to which work in some areas is driven by the business of the House and the variability of these hours over the year, full contractual hours need not be worked in any particular week – but should be over a year. From November 2014, all line managers have been formally required to monitor the hours their staff are working, including identifying appropriate additional work in cases where this is necessary.</p><p>Whilst most work relating to the Chamber and committees will cease during the Dissolution period there will be a significant amount of suitable alternative work required in preparation for the new Parliament.</p><p>There are regular formal and informal meetings with the recognised trades unions where these matters have been discussed. For example, four formal meetings were held with the trades unions during the period October to December 2014 and further formal meetings are scheduled in January and March 2015.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 13/01/2015 17:21:11 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	316 label Biography information for Mr David Winnick

172588

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what (a) security and (b) immigration checks are made on casual staff working in Parliament.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	Mr John Spellar
	uin	220048
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2015 answer text <p>The House Service ceased to engage casual workers last year. It does, however, engage staff supplied by agencies from time to time to meet unexpected demands and peaks of work.</p><p>Agency workers, in common with directly employed staff, are security cleared to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level and immigration/right to work checks are undertaken. The latter is done by requiring documentary evidence and in line with HMG’s Baseline Personal Security Standard.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 14/01/2015 13:10:53 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

175181

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	House of Commons: Bookshops
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is taking to ensure that women authors are better represented in the books on sale in the House of Commons Bookshop.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	907160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2015 answer text <p>The Houses of Parliament Shop (formerly the Parliamentary Bookshop) on Bridge Street stocks a small selection of political books, primarily recently published, best-selling titles. The Commission supports the buying manager’s current policy that, within these parameters, women authors are represented in the range wherever possible.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 22/01/2015 14:51:05 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

175182

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, when and by whom a decision will be made on whether to vacate the Palace of Westminster to allow complete restoration and refurbishment to commence.
	tabling member constituency	Kettering
	tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
	uin	907162
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2015 answer text <p>Given the interest of the House of Lords in this matter the Commission has welcomed the proposal from the Clerks of both Houses that we should establish a Joint Committee following the general election. This would enable both Houses to make an informed decision on the basis of a report from that Joint Committee. As far as this House is concerned the Commission would expect a decision of this significance to be taken on the floor of the House following full consultation.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 22/01/2015 14:52:07 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

175780

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Employment Agencies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, how many recruitment and employment agencies the House of Commons Commission has used to source staff in each year since 2010-11.
	tabling member constituency	Manchester Central
	tabling member printed	Lucy Powell
	uin	222089
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p>The information is not available in the format requested.</p><p>The House of Commons had its own Recruitment Framework which it used to source non-specialist temporary staff from 2010/11 to 2012/13. Since 2013/14 the House has used the Crown Commercial Service’s Non-Medical Non-Clinical Framework.</p><p>There were up to 30 potential suppliers on the House of Commons Recruitment Framework. There are 143 suppliers on the Crown Commercial Service’s framework, although in practice the House has obtained workers from four of the listed suppliers.</p><p>In addition, the Catering Services Directorate operates its own framework which currently includes six suppliers, of which three are predominantly utilised.</p><p>Occasionally the House has been required to source temporary staff from alternative agencies when there is a lack of availability of suitable workers, and has used approximately five alternative agencies since 1 April 2013.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 02/02/2015 12:18:00 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	4263 label Biography information for Lucy Powell

178584

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Parliament
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, how much is being spent on works between Canon Row and Norman Shaw North; and what benefits to the functioning of the House will result from those works.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
	tabling member printed	Diana Johnson
	uin	223840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2015 answer text <p>The value of the contract works for resurfacing the Canon Row carriageway and the pavings around the north and west sides of Norman Shaw North is £372,857 excluding VAT.</p><p>The paving stones in both Canon Row and around Norman Shaw North are either lifting or breaking up. By relaying the carriageways in asphalt rather than replacing the stones, future maintenance costs will be reduced. In addition, the provision of a smooth surface will make it easier and safer to walk on (there having been several reported trips and slips) and to move heavy items in and out of the buildings. The opportunity is being taken to improve the cycle parking area to allow for a potential increase in cycle usage.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 12/02/2015 10:46:43 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

179031

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what the average daily number of letters sent from the House of Commons to Government departments was in each year since 2000.
	tabling member constituency	Isle of Wight
	tabling member printed	Mr Andrew Turner
	uin	223935
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2015 answer text <p>The number of letters sent from the House of Commons to Government Departments via the Inter-Despatch Service (IDS) over the period for which records are held is listed below. No count was made of individual items before May 2012 and so no information is available prior to this date.</p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><strong>Number of items</strong></td></tr><tr><td>2012 (May–Dec)</td><td>31,849</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>42,243</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>36,512</td></tr><tr><td>2015 (Jan)</td><td>3,426</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 23/02/2015 10:45:31 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	1426 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Turner

223668

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2015
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Zero Hours Contracts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will seek information from contractors operating on the parliamentary estate on how many of their workers are employed on a zero-hours contract.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Mr Frank Field
	uin	225489
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2015 answer text <p>The House does not routinely collect this information from contractors operating on the parliamentary estate and has no plans to do so. The House is committed to offering guaranteed minimum hours contracts to all directly-employed staff on call-off (zero hours) contracts and has completed a process of offering guaranteed minimum hours contracts to all affected staff.</p> answering member constituency Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross answering member printed John Thurso question first answered 02/03/2015 16:17:31 answering member 1399 label Biography information for Viscount Thurso
	tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead