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92771

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Govia Thameslink Railway
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the scope and purpose of the deep alliance between the new Thameslink franchise and Network Rail.
	tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
	uin	HL2007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The franchisee of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise, which is Govia Thameslink Railway Limited (GTR), will work closely with Network Rail to facilitate the Government’s multi-billion pound investment in the rail network in the South East through the Thameslink programme.</p><p> </p><p>There is no ‘deep alliance’ between the two organisations. However, in accordance with the TSGN Franchise Agreement, the franchisee shall use all reasonable endeavours to develop an alliance framework agreement with Network Rail. The purpose of this agreement is to provide for closer working between GTR and Network Rail with the specific, stated goals of creating a joint performance management strategy; improving journey times and capacity; and driving fleet efficiency among others.</p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 27/10/2014 12:42:16 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
	tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

92825

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	East Coast Main Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to improve the East Coast Railway line; and in particular to increase speed between London and (1) Newcastle, and (2) Edinburgh.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL2061
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government has significant plans for the East Coast Main Line and the InterCity East Coast franchise. The competition for the franchise is expected to provide a number of material improvements for passengers, many of which are set out in the Prospectus and Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the franchise. These include the delivery of the new state-of-the-art Class 800/801 trains from the Intercity Express Programme, which will both improve the environment for passengers and reduce journey times.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s Rail Investment Strategy for the period 2014-2019 includes £240million for improving the East Coast Mainline with the aim of providing a material reduction in journey times between London and Edinburgh by 2020. The ITT for the new franchise seeks to build on this by specifying that the maximum journey time between London and Edinburgh reduces from 4hours 26 minutes in 2013, to 4 hours 17 minutes in 2020 to ensure that benefits from our investments in the IEP fleet and infrastructure are delivered. It does not specify a reduction in journey times to Newcastle but it is expected that these will also reduce to achieve the overall reductions to Edinburgh. As the ITT sets out our minimum requirements for the franchise, we expect that bidders will strive to improve upon these times.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 27/10/2014 16:20:31 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

93414

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	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	Asylum: English Language
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance is given to successful asylum seekers who wish to learn English.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2080
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>Refugees recognised by the UK Government, along with their husband, wife, civil partner and children, are eligible for funding to attend an English for Speakers of Other Languages course. The level of funding is determined by existing eligibility rules, which are set out in the Skills Funding Agency’s rules at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287917/Funding_rules_2014_15.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287917/Funding_rules_2014_15.pdf</a>. Education and skills funding is devolved and the eligibility criteria apply to England.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Those isolated by their lack of English can also access pre-entry level English training through the Department for Communities and Local Government’s £6million Community-Based English Language programme, which offers tuition to 24,000 adults most isolated by their lack of English in 29 target areas.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 27/10/2014 16:44:21 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

92812

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Non-governmental Organisations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government which United Kingdom-based development and non-governmental organisations have received more than £1 million from the Department for International Development per year for each of the last three years.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Suttie
	uin	HL2048
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>Details of disbursements to UK based Civil Society Organisations (including Non-Governmental Organisations) made by the Department for International Development are available in tables that are too large in size to print in the Official Report. Details are made available online and will be placed in the Library of the House and provided to the Noble Baroness.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover attachment 1 file name 2012 2013.xlsx title Details of disbursements 2012 2013 2 file name 2011 2012.xls title Details of disbursements 2011 2012 3 file name 2010 2011.xlsx title Details of disbursements 2010 2011 question first answered 27/10/2014 17:56:40 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	4298 label Biography information for Baroness Suttie

92823

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Army Reserve
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many army reservists have been recruited in the last 12 months; and what was the target number of such recruits during the same period.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL2059
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK Armed Forces Quarterly Personnel report, which is published by Defence Statistics, shows Reserve trained and untrained strength figures, as well as movements into the Future Reserves 2020 population, at www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-quarterly-personnel-report-2014. Target figures for recruiting and trained strength were set out in the written ministerial statement and paper that the former Defence Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) released in the other place on 19 December 2013, (Official Report, column 124WS).<br><br>The trained strength of the Army reserves Future Reserves 2020 population as at 30 June 2014 was 19,290, against the March 2015 target of 19,900.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Astor of Hever attachment 1 file name 19 December 2013.doc Future Reserves 2020.doc title Hansard Extract 19 December 2013 2 file name Quarterly-Personnel-Report_july14_final[1].pdf title UK Armed Forces Quarterly Personnel Report -2014 question first answered 27/10/2014 16:37:22 answering member 3428 label Biography information for Lord Astor of Hever
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

92762

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Mediterranean Sea
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Amnesty International’s report <i>Lives adrift: Refugees and migrants in peril in the Central Mediterranean</i>.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1998
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK is working with other EU Member States to address the migration pressures in the Mediterranean described in the report, in particular through the EU’s Task Force Mediterranean. This was discussed most recently at the JHA Council on 9 October. We believe it is important to find solutions which address the root causes and do not encourage even greater numbers of people to undertake dangerous journeys. Efforts under the Task Force Mediterranean should therefore be primarily focused on improving border security and asylum processes in Member States, disrupting the activities of people smugglers and putting in place stronger cooperation on migration issues with source and transit countries. The Government does not however support ‘responsibility-sharing’ if that means the relocation of asylum seekers from the Member State in which they first arrive to other EU countries.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:11:12 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92826

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Email: Fraud
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 7 October (HL1909), what success the police have had in identifying perpetrators of phishing emails; and what success the Action Fraud reporting has had in identifying and convicting the perpetrators of those crimes.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stone of Blackheath
	uin	HL2062
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The National Crime Agency (NCA) is working to disrupt the use of phishing by serious and organised cyber criminals. A recent operation, delivered in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police, resulted in the conviction of three offenders for a total of 21 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud and other fraud related offences. The NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit provides support to regional and local policing teams’ investigations into phishing, where appropriate.</p><p>Action Fraud is the UK’s central reporting service for fraud and financially motivated cyber crime: it is not an investigative service. All reports of fraud are made to Action Fraud rather than local police forces, and are then analysed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. Both are run by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud.</p><p>Reports received by Action Fraud are evaluated to assess the information available which could assist an investigation, and to identify links between seemingly unconnected incidents. Where there is enough evidence available and a viable lead, actionable intelligence packages are created and sent to the appropriate police force to consider whether enforcement activity should take place. It is then for the local force to respond.</p><p>The Government also funds the Cyber Streetwise campaign, which encourages the public and Small and Medium Enterprises to adopt safer online behaviour. The second phase of the campaign was launched earlier this month, including a refreshed website with further advice and support on adopting sensible online behaviours.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:16:16 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	2222 label Biography information for Lord Stone of Blackheath

93409

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Middle East
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with other European Union member states about scaling up the resettlement programme for refugees displaced by fighting in Syria and Iraq; and what is their policy in regard to applications for asylum from displaced Yezidis and Christians from those countries.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL2075
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government believes that humanitarian aid and actively seeking to end the conflicts in Syria and Iraq are the most effective ways for the UK to help the majority of refugees, rather than increasing resettlement. We have made our position on this clear in relevant discussions with other EU Member States and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We are aware that EU Member States have responded to the crises in different ways; it is right that the international community should consider all available means to relieve the suffering of the Syrian and Iraqi peoples. However, the UK’s overall contribution stands comparison with any in the world.</p><p> </p><p>To date we have committed £700 million to the Syrian relief effort, making us the second largest bilateral donor after the USA, and £23 million in aid to Iraq. UK funding is helping hundred of thousands of refugees; compared with aid, resettlement can only ever support a comparatively small number of people in need. We also support efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict, and we are working with the Iraqi government and the international community to tackle the threat posed by IS and promote an inclusive, sovereign and democratic Iraq which will protect all Iraqi citizens.</p><p> </p><p>To complement our humanitarian aid, we operate the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme to relocate to the UK the most vulnerable displaced Syrians who cannot be supported effectively in the long term in the region. In addition, the Government carefully considers each asylum application lodged in the UK, including those made by Syrian and Iraqi nationals on the grounds of religious persecution, on its individual merits, to ensure we grant protection to those who genuinely need it.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:30:23 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

93411

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current rate of support provided to asylum seekers; and how many of those who receive such support they estimate to live below the poverty line.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government ensures that asylum seekers are not left destitute by providing accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their essential living needs.</p><p>The table below sets out the current weekly allowances provided to asylum seekers and various categories of dependants that may also be supported.</p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p><strong>LEVELS OF CASH SUPPORT FROM 18 APRIL 2011</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>£</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td>SINGLE PERSON</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aged 18 or over (excluding lone parent)</p></td><td><p>36.62</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aged 25 years or over (excluding lone parent), where the decision to provide cash support was made before 5 October 2009 and the person reached age 25 prior to that date.</p></td><td><p>42.62</p></td></tr><tr><td>QUALIFYING COUPLES</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Both 18 years or over</p></td><td><p>72.52</p></td></tr><tr><td>LONE PARENT AGE 18 OR OVER</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Age 18 or over</p></td><td><p>43.94</p></td></tr><tr><td>PERSONAL ALLOWANCE FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN</td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Person aged under 16</p></td><td><p>52.96</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Person aged 16 but under 18 (except where the person is a member of a Qualifying Couple)</p></td><td><p>39.80</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Government has reviewed the allowances and concluded that the allowances are sufficient to cover the essential needs of asylum seekers and their families.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 15:47:49 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

93412

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers have had their application refused but could not be returned to their country of origin in each of the last five years.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2078
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The information requested in the noble Lord's question could only be obtained through a manual search of individual case files, which would incur adisproportionate cost. However, we do publish information on the outcome of asylum applications which may assist the noble Lord. This can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/345774/asylum2-q2-2014-tabs.ods" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/345774/asylum2-q2-2014-tabs.ods</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:39:56 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno