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747344

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Workplace Pensions: Tax Allowances
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government against whom a worker earning £11,500 can claim if they discover that their employer has used a workplace pension scheme operating on a Net Pay basis for auto-enrolment, in order to recover the 25% taxpayer bonus they could have received in a Relief at Source scheme.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL321
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government does not collect data on the number of workers earning less than the personal allowance who are also members of pension schemes that operate a net pay system. The Government does not hold employee level data on employees enrolled in net pay pension schemes, as such schemes are not obliged to report pension contributions to HM Revenue and Customs. The Government does not, therefore, hold information on the value of tax reliefs paid out to employees in net pay schemes.</p><p> </p><p>The latest official analysis of the eligibility of workers for automatic enrolment was published on 13 October 2016 in ‘Workplace Pensions: Update of analysis on Automatic Enrolment’. Information on age and earnings breakdowns for all workers can be found in table 3a on page 6.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator provides guidance to employers on choosing a pension scheme for their staff in order to discharge their statutory obligations under automatic enrolment. This guidance covers the choice between net pay and relief at source schemes, and the implications of net pay schemes for employees who do not pay tax. Provided an employer has selected a qualifying pension scheme for automatic enrolment, they have complied with their automatic enrolment duties with respect to scheme choice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL320 HL322 HL323 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:55:57 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

746656

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many UNESCO World Heritage sites there are in the UK;  and where those sites are.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL287
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>There are 31 World Heritage Sites for which the UK has responsibility. These are as follows:</p><p> </p><p>Blaenavon Industrial Landscape</p><p>Blenheim Palace</p><p>Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church</p><p>Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd</p><p>City of Bath</p><p>Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape</p><p>Derwent Valley Mills</p><p>Dorset and East Devon Coast</p><p>Durham Castle and Cathedral</p><p>Frontiers of the Roman Empire</p><p>Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast</p><p>Gorham’s Cave Complex</p><p>Gough and Inaccessible Islands</p><p>Heart of Neolithic Orkney</p><p>Henderson Island</p><p>Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda</p><p>Ironbridge Gorge</p><p>Lake District</p><p>Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City</p><p>Maritime Greenwich</p><p>New Lanark</p><p>Old and New Towns of Edinburgh</p><p>Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s church</p><p>Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal</p><p>Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew</p><p>Saltaire</p><p>St Kilda</p><p>Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites</p><p>Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey</p><p>The Forth Bridge</p><p>Tower of London</p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 11/07/2017 15:08:08 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

746081

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	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	Her Majesty's Government how many infrastructure related incidents have occurred on the East Coast Main Line during the last six months which have led to passenger trains being delayed by more than 60 minutes; and what finance is being made available to Network Rail to address those incidents during Control Period 5 and Control Period 6.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradshaw
	uin	HL223
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested regarding the number of infrastructure related incidents on the East Coast Main Line.</p><p> </p><p>In Control Period 5, Network Rail plan to spend £3 billion (in 2012-13 prices) on maintaining and renewing the London and North East Route, which includes the East Coast Main Line. The planned spend for Control Period 6 will be finalised later this year.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/07/2017 15:41:41 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	2483 label Biography information for Lord Bradshaw

746086

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many key workers need accommodation in London; and what is the average gap between their earnings and the cost of owning their own homes.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McGregor-Smith
	uin	HL228
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Information on the number of key workers that need accommodation in London is not centrally collected.</p><p>The Office for National Statistics publish data on housing affordability in England and Wales. These show that the ratio of median house price to median gross annual (where available) workplace-based earnings in 2016 was 7.72 in England, and 11.98 in London. The ratio of lower quartile house price to lower quartile gross annual (where available) workplace-based earnings in 2016 was 7.16 in England, and 12.76 in London.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 11/07/2017 13:05:12 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	4554 label Biography information for Baroness McGregor-Smith

746106

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many mental health patients in England were sent away from their local area for treatment in each of the past three years for which figures are available.
	tabling member printed	Lord Wigley
	uin	HL248
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Out of Area Placement (OAP) definition was agreed in October 2016. The latest data published on OAPs covers the period from 17 October 2016 to 30 April 2017. During that time 4,153 OAPs have been recorded as starting in England.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy question first answered 11/07/2017 15:00:59 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	547 label Biography information for Lord Wigley

748019

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how they ensure that, in responding to acid attacks, first responders are adequately equipped to deal with (1) the immediate effects, and (2) the need to prevent prolonged physical damage.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Uddin
	uin	HL473
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Emergency medical technicians and paramedics operate to the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee Clinical Practise Guidelines 2016. This does not refer to the use of Diphoterine. Ambulance personnel would follow the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear advice in the guidelines to disrobe the patient and decontaminate with water.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy grouped question UIN HL475 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:01:51 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	1827 label Biography information for Baroness Uddin

732722

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how they have responded to proposals that North Korea be invited to co-host skiing events at North Korea’s Masikryong ski resort during next year’s Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea; and what assessment they have made of reports that the ski resort was constructed with, and is serviced by, forced labour.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL160
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​As my noble friend, the Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns, confirmed in her reply to written question HL5120, the British Government is deeply concerned by reports of forced child labour at the Masikryong ski resort. The UK has been clear that forced labour is a form of modern day slavery and must be brought to an end. Any decision on offering to co-host events at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics would be a matter for the government of the Republic of Korea to consider. However, an application to co-host Olympic events with another state would require the approval of the International Olympic Committee.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:26:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

748864

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how they intend to ensure that the UK's withdrawal from the EU does not jeopardise or undermine cross–border healthcare provision in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Pendry
	uin	HL527
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>As the Prime Minister said in her Article 50 letter we want to avoid a return to a hard border between the United Kingdom and Ireland and maintain the Common Travel Area (CTA) between us. We recognise that for the people of Northern Ireland and Ireland, the ability to move freely across the border is an essential part of daily life. There is a strong appetite on both sides of the border and in all parts of the UK to maintain the current status quo. The Government has been clear that there will be no immediate changes to our practices surrounding the CTA.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy question first answered 11/07/2017 15:02:39 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	457 label Biography information for Lord Pendry

748020

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to put in place a protocol with police, local authorities, and other emergency services, to respond to acid attacks.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Uddin
	uin	HL474
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>We are working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on the scale and nature of attacks with acid and other corrosive substances and how to respond to such attacks.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 11/07/2017 12:59:47 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	1827 label Biography information for Baroness Uddin

747399

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are introducing to ensure that the use of armed drones for counter-terrorism is capable of being subject to parliamentary scrutiny and accountability.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL363
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government is not introducing arrangements specifically for armed Remotely Piloted Air Systems, above and beyond the existing parliamentary scrutiny and accountability for any use of force. Using force is subject to the same rigorous scrutiny, regardless of the weapons platform employed.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 11/07/2017 15:11:17 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

746093

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of freedom of religion and belief in Turkey.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL235
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>We will continue to encourage Turkey to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights of all its citizens, including in the areas of freedom of religion, freedom of expression and minority rights. Freedom of religion continues to be a priority area for our bilateral projects in Turkey.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:29:22 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

746094

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that the Turkish Governor of Mardin has confiscated some 60 properties, including churches, monasteries and cemeteries.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​Our understanding of the situation is that legal changes to local government structures in Mardin, where many important Assyrian religious sites are found, resulted in 2012 in the transfer of the title deeds to some religious sites from local bodies to central government, and eventually to the Government's Directorate for Religious Affairs. Assyrian organisations are making legal appeals against these decisions. The British Embassy in Ankara will be closely following this process. We strongly support religious freedom in Turkey and have supported civil society organisations working in this area.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:29:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

746099

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Archbishop of Canterbury's suggestion that Hamas be included in talks to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL241
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Our policy on Hamas remains clear: Hamas must accept long standing Quartet conditions and renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. We call on those in the region with influence over Hamas to encourage them to take these steps. Whilst the UK has a policy of no contact with Hamas, it is ultimately a matter for the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to decide who should be involved in discussions to resolve the conflict. The UK supports a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:28:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

733195

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of deterrent sentences in reducing knife crime.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL189
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The government continues to monitor sentencing for bladed and offensive weapon offences and will keep under review the effectiveness of changes in the law relating to knives and offensive weapons.</p><p> </p><p>The latest knife possession sentencing quarterly statistics bulletin was published on 8 June 2017 and is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/617646/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly-jan-mar-2017.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/617646/knife-possession-sentencing-quarterly-jan-mar-2017.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>In regard to repeat offending for knife possession offences, the latest statistics show that 86% of adult repeat offenders received a custodial sentence. This figure increased by 2 percentage points when compared to the same quarter in the previous year for offenders convicted under section 22 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (minimum sentence of 6 months for a second or subsequent knife possession offence). The number of repeat knife possession sentencing occasions increased from 837 in Q1 2016 to an estimated 1,129 cases Q1 2017. Those offenders receiving an immediate custodial sentence had an average sentence length of 7.2 months.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 11/07/2017 14:31:27 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie attachment 1 file name PQ HL189 knife possession sentencing quarterly jan-mar 2017.pdf title Knife Posession sentencing quarterly jan-mar 2017
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington

747346

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Workplace Pensions: Tax Allowances
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of low paid workers' claims against their employers for the money they are due in tax relief if it is denied to them by their employer's choice of pension scheme.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL322
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government does not collect data on the number of workers earning less than the personal allowance who are also members of pension schemes that operate a net pay system. The Government does not hold employee level data on employees enrolled in net pay pension schemes, as such schemes are not obliged to report pension contributions to HM Revenue and Customs. The Government does not, therefore, hold information on the value of tax reliefs paid out to employees in net pay schemes.</p><p> </p><p>The latest official analysis of the eligibility of workers for automatic enrolment was published on 13 October 2016 in ‘Workplace Pensions: Update of analysis on Automatic Enrolment’. Information on age and earnings breakdowns for all workers can be found in table 3a on page 6.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator provides guidance to employers on choosing a pension scheme for their staff in order to discharge their statutory obligations under automatic enrolment. This guidance covers the choice between net pay and relief at source schemes, and the implications of net pay schemes for employees who do not pay tax. Provided an employer has selected a qualifying pension scheme for automatic enrolment, they have complied with their automatic enrolment duties with respect to scheme choice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL320 HL321 HL323 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:55:57 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

746100

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increase in the level of pollution off the coast of Gaza reportedly due to the discharge of untreated sewage.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL242
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​While we have not made any assesssment on this issue, we are aware that a number of Israeli institutions and organisations have highlighted strong environmental concerns around water pollution and Gaza sewage. We also have concerns about Gaza's chronic power shortages, which have caused problems with water supply and sewage treatment.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:27:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

746650

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number and quality of homes rebuilt following the Nepal earthquake of 2015; which regions of Nepal have benefited from UK humanitarian assistance; and to what extent this assistance has been directed through non-governmental channels.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
	uin	HL281
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government of Nepal reports that 29,689 homes have been rebuilt following the 2015 earthquake. We assess the number to have been larger but that many of these need additional work to be resilient to future earthquakes. UK humanitarian support was needs-based. Reconstruction support targeted four of the most affected districts: Dhading, Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Gorkha. Our response was coordinated with the government but channelled through non-government organisations (60%) and multilateral organisations.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:52:14 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

746103

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the preparations in place if Gaza were to become uninhabitable by 2020 as described in the report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development published in 2015.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL245
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK Government is concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and it is vital that a further deterioration in living standards is avoided. We are working alongside international partners to make urgent improvements in infrastructure, economic opportunities, energy and water, to support vulnerable Gazans today and avoid a serious crisis in the future. However as the United Nations report makes clear, aid alone cannot solve the problems in Gaza. We continue to press all parties on the need for a sustainable political solution for Gaza which will address Israel’s legitimate security concerns whilst opening up movement and access. Resolving the current energy situation is a particular priority.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:44:55 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

733223

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported killing, destruction of homes and the seizure of land by Fulani militias in Northern Nigeria; who they believe to be the principal victims of those attacks; and how many people they believe to be affected.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​We are deeply concerned by recurrent clashes involving pastoralists and local farmers over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water in Nigeria. These conflicts, which are exacerbated by climate change and population growth, cause immense suffering to both the pastoralist and farming communities in Central and Northern Nigeria. Due to the complex nature of the causes of these clashes which often take place in rural areas it is difficult to give accurate data on the number of people affected.</p><p>Since 2011 through the Department for International Development's £39 million Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), the UK has supported a range of initiatives and economic projects designed to reduce such conflict and build bridges between communities across Nigeria, including in the Middle Belt. The NSRP is due to finish in September and will be reviewed.</p><p>We regularly stress the importance of protecting human rights and reducing conflict to the Nigerian Government at the highest levels and we welcome President Buhari's commitment to prioritise ending these attacks. We continue to call on all parties to find a peaceful solution to the complex underlying causes of these incidents and will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, NGOs and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all the people of Nigeria.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 13:09:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

746649

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have given following the Nepal earthquake of 2015, both directly and through voluntary organisations; and how that compares to assistance given by other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
	uin	HL280
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK government is the second largest Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) contributor to the 2015 Nepal earthquake response, after Japan. The UK Government pledged £70m at the June 2015 International Conference for Nepal’s Recovery, which has been followed by a five year £83m reconstruction programme. We provided over 250,000 people with emergency shelter; over 200,000 people with winter including clothes, blankets and mattresses; and over 2000 hours of helicopter operations to reach communities inaccessible by road. Our assistance was provided via humanitarian delivery partners, including the use of volunteers by Voluntary Service Overseas, the Nepal Red Cross and the Nepal Scout Association.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:51:36 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

733224

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about reported atrocities committed by Fulani militias; and what assistance they plan to offer.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL216
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned by recurrent clashes involving pastoralists and local farmers over land, farming rights, grazing routes and access to water in Nigeria. These conflicts, which are exacerbated by climate change and population growth, cause immense suffering to both the pastoralist and farming communities in Central and Northern Nigeria. Due to the complex nature of the causes of these clashes which often take place in rural areas it is difficult to give accurate data on the number of people affected.</p><p>Since 2011 through the Department for International Development's £39 million Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), the UK has supported a range of initiatives and economic projects designed to reduce such conflict and build bridges between communities across Nigeria, including in the Middle Belt. The NSRP is due to finish in September and will be reviewed.</p><p>We regularly stress the importance of protecting human rights and reducing conflict to the Nigerian Government at the highest levels and we welcome President Buhari's commitment to prioritise ending these attacks. We continue to call on all parties to find a peaceful solution to the complex underlying causes of these incidents and will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, NGOs and civil society to improve the security situation and human rights for all the people of Nigeria.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 15:09:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

747350

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost saving, in long-term expenditure on State Pensions, from changing the current triple lock into a double lock using the best of earnings or CPI inflation, from 2020 onwards.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p><br>The Government is committed to ensuring economic security for people at every stage of their life, including when they reach retirement. The Government is also clear that fairness between the generations must be maintained. We are committed to the Triple Lock for the remainder of this Parliament. Economic forecasts suggest that State Pensions will go up by at least 2.5% each year for the length of this Parliament and so maintaining the Triple Lock for this Parliament will cost no extra money.</p><p> </p><p>It is estimated that uprating the State Pension by a double lock (highest of earnings or inflation) from April 2020 would reduce State Pension expenditure by the following compared to the Triple Lock:</p><p>(1) 0.03% of GDP in 2029/30;</p><p>(2) 0.08% of GDP in 2039/40;</p><p>(3) 0.13% of GDP in 2049/50;</p><p> </p><p>It is estimated that in 2066/67, uprating by a double lock would reduce State Pension expenditure by around 0.2% of GDP compared to uprating by the Triple Lock.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL325 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:41:13 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

733217

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Great Western Main Line: Rolling Stock
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is the expected date for the introduction of new rolling stock on the Great Western Mainline; and whether the testing regime for the new rolling stock is proceeding as planned.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
	uin	HL209
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Passengers on Great Western are already benefitting from new rolling stock, with more being introduced in the coming months. Class 387 Electric Multiple Units have been in passenger service on the Great Western Mainline since September 2016 from Paddington to Hayes and Harlington; Maidenhead since May 2017 and are then planned to Didcot and Newbury.</p><p> </p><p>The current ambition is for the first of the new Intercity Express Programme rolling stock to commence passenger service on the Great Western Mainline from October 2017.</p><p> </p><p>From the end of 2018/ early 2019, there will be new AT300 trains running on the London to Penzance Great Western Route.</p><p> </p><p>From May 2018 to December 2019 the Great Western Mainline through to Reading will receive the phased introduction of Elizabeth Line (nee Crossrail) services which will also call at Heathrow Airport.</p><p> </p><p>The extensive testing regimes for all of these new rolling stock are progressing thanks to the numerous industry partners who are continuing to work in partnership to deliver these state of the art new trains into public service.</p><p><br></p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/07/2017 15:23:57 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

733232

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Midland Main Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the potential impact on journey times between London and Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield of Thameslink's plan to increase the frequency of its services using the Midland Mainline to 16 trains an hour in 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradshaw
	uin	HL218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Network Rail and the train operators are currently undertaking the detailed work to develop the 2018 timetable for the Midland Main Line and the industry is working together to minimise any impact from other services. This includes identifying opportunities to improve current services.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/07/2017 15:40:23 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	2483 label Biography information for Lord Bradshaw

733233

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	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	Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the potential impact on journey times between London and Peterborough, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh when the Thameslink network is connected to the East Coast Main Line in 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradshaw
	uin	HL219
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Network Rail and the train operators are currently undertaking the detailed work to develop the 2018 timetable for the East Coast Main Line and the industry is working together to minimise any impact that Thameslink may have on other services. In addition, the planned introduction of brand new Intercity Express trains and upgrades to key parts of the route will mean extra capacity and journey time improvements on longer distance services.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/07/2017 15:39:14 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	2483 label Biography information for Lord Bradshaw

747351

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost saving over (1) 10 years, (2) 20 years, and (3) 30 years, of changing the current triple lock on State Pensions into a double lock consisting of the best of earnings or CPI inflation, from 2020 onwards.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL325
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p><br>The Government is committed to ensuring economic security for people at every stage of their life, including when they reach retirement. The Government is also clear that fairness between the generations must be maintained. We are committed to the Triple Lock for the remainder of this Parliament. Economic forecasts suggest that State Pensions will go up by at least 2.5% each year for the length of this Parliament and so maintaining the Triple Lock for this Parliament will cost no extra money.</p><p> </p><p>It is estimated that uprating the State Pension by a double lock (highest of earnings or inflation) from April 2020 would reduce State Pension expenditure by the following compared to the Triple Lock:</p><p>(1) 0.03% of GDP in 2029/30;</p><p>(2) 0.08% of GDP in 2039/40;</p><p>(3) 0.13% of GDP in 2049/50;</p><p> </p><p>It is estimated that in 2066/67, uprating by a double lock would reduce State Pension expenditure by around 0.2% of GDP compared to uprating by the Triple Lock.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL324 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:41:13 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

747400

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on the development of autonomy in weapons systems; and what action they are taking to build consensus for international action to control the development and deployment of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL364
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Current UK policy is that the operation of weapon systems will always be under human control and that no planned offensive systems are to have the capability to prosecute targets without the involvement of a human. The UK considers the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) the right forum in which to discuss lethal autonomous weapons systems. The UK is a proactive State Party to the CCW and participates fully in discussions within the CCW.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 11/07/2017 15:11:41 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

733203

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the UN Human Rights Council decision to investigate allegations of crimes by Myanmar's security forces against minority Rohingya Muslims.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Northover
	uin	HL194
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The British Government played an instrumental role in securing the UN Human Rights Council Resolution in March 2017 which established the Fact Finding Mission to assess alleged human rights violations in Rakhine. We will now work to ensure the Mission has a robust mandate and strong composition and will be urging the Burmese authorities to cooperate fully with it.</p><p>The UK continues to seek an end to all violations and to prevent an escalation in violence, including against Rohingya Muslims. Human rights and democratic reform will remain at the heart of British policy towards Burma. We are committed to being a vocal advocate for change in Burma and will continue to press for action and to raise our concerns with the Burmese authorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 11/07/2017 16:53:50 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover

733204

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the UN OHCHR report issued in February which found that Myanmar's military committed atrocities during its crackdown on Rohingya Muslims last year that might amount to crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Northover
	uin	HL195
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned by reports detailing human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhine_State" target="_blank">Rakhine State</a> of Burma. These include the reports by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN" target="_blank">UN</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Commissioner_for_Human_Rights" target="_blank">High Commissioner for Human Rights</a>, as well as the UN <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Rapporteur" target="_blank">Special Rapporteur</a> on the Situation of Human Rights in Burma and by a range of international human rights organisations. We are also concerned by the humanitarian situation facing the people in Rakhine with up to 70,000 refugees fleeing across the border into Bangladesh.</p><p>With our International partners, we have co-sponsored a Resolution at the Human Rights Council in March 2017 which established a Fact Finding Mission to assess human rights violations in Rakhine. We urge the Burmese authorities to cooperate with the Mission as agreed by the Human Rights Council.</p><p>The UK continues to seek an end to all violations of international law, and to prevent escalation, irrespective of whether these violations fit the definition of specific international crimes. Human rights and democratic reform will remain at the heart of British policy. We are committed to being a vocal advocate for change in Burma and continue to press for action at every opportunity to resolve issues of real concern.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 11/07/2017 16:53:21 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover

748014

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	answering body	HM Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	CaTreasury
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what measures have they put in place to ensure that investors have confidence in the UK economy.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL468
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The government believes that balancing the public finances is key to ensuring confidence in the UK economy and delivering sustainable growth. The Industrial Strategy will support economic growth by increasing productivity and driving growth across the whole country. The government has announced over £23bn of additional investment in economic infrastructure, research and development, and housing. The government will also cut corporation tax to 17 per cent - the lowest rate in the G20.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 15:10:02 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

748848

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to reduce the level of smoking in both indoor and outdoor public places.
	tabling member printed	Lord Laird
	uin	HL511
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Legislation introduced in 2007 made it illegal to smoke in all public enclosed or substantially enclosed areas and workplaces. There are no current plans to introduce further smoke free legislation to outdoor places.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities can however, consider adopting more extensive no smoking policies locally. Local authorities are best placed to do this working with its local population to develop flexible plans that suit the local area.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy question first answered 11/07/2017 15:03:02 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	2479 label Biography information for Lord Laird

747419

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a "transformative designation", as proposed in the Accelerated Access Review, for the most strategically important products for the NHS.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lansley
	uin	HL383
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>In October 2016 the Accelerated Access Review set out a vision of faster patient access to 21st century medicines and medical technologies, making the United Kingdom a world leading place to design, develop and deploy medical innovations.</p><p> </p><p>The review made several recommendations to ensure that patients get new drugs and treatments faster while the National Health Service gets best value for money and remains at the forefront of innovation. The Government and its key delivery partners are reviewing the review’s recommendations and will respond in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy grouped question UIN HL380 HL381 question first answered 11/07/2017 13:59:51 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	123 label Biography information for Lord Lansley

731075

	registered interest
	date	21/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the rights of social housing tenants.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL83
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>While the Government does not have immediate plans to review the rights of social housing tenants, in light of the terrible tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire, we have been clear in that more attention must be focused on social housing and listening to its tenants. We are determined to do all that we can to make sure that something like this never happens again.</p><p>Our immediate priority is to support the victims, to find homes for those made homeless by the fire, and to make sure the country's housing stock is safe. The Secretary of State also announced on 5 July that an independent Recovery Taskforce will be appointed to advise the Council on the longer term recovery needs, and will answer directly to the Secretary of State. The Taskforce will remain in place for as long as is required.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 11/07/2017 15:09:37 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

733200

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards concluding City Deals for Edinburgh, the Tay Cities and Stirling.
	tabling member printed	Lord Dunlop
	uin	HL192
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government has welcomed proposals for city deals for Edinburgh and South East Scotland, Tay Cities and Stirling and Clackmannanshire, which following the agreed deals for Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, will deliver a city deal for every city in Scotland.</p><p>Negotiations, undertaken jointly with the Scottish Government, are progressing well with Edinburgh and Stirling, and are due to start with Tay Cities over the summer. In terms of concluding the deals, we are working to agree Heads of Terms with the regional partners and the Scottish Government as soon as possible.</p><p>This Government is committed to promoting and supporting local economic growth across the United Kingdom; and city deals, agreed jointly with devolved administrations and regional partners, are an excellent vehicle for doing so.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 11/07/2017 13:05:42 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	4534 label Biography information for Lord Dunlop

747391

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what provision exists for foreign young people, particularly in the Middle East and including refugees, to avail themselves of technical education and apprenticeships in the UK; and whether they consider the cost of this to be a proper use of development funds.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL355
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>DFID does not fund young people from overseas to undertake technical education or apprenticeships in the UK.</p><p>DFID supports young people from developing countries of the Commonwealth to study in the UK through the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. Additionally, the FCO runs the Chevening scholarship scheme. Chevening is the UK government's international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders, including young people from the Middle East.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:52:44 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

746652

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations have been made to the Palestinian Authority regarding the reported use of foreign aid to make payments to convicted terrorists and their families.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	uin	HL283
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​No UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners or their families. UK financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) contributes to the salaries of vetted public servants in the health and education sectors only. We have consistently raised prisoner payments at the highest levels with the PA and Palestine Liberation Organisation, and we continue to urge that these payments are more transparent, needs-based and affordable.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 13:58:14 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

746635

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to (1) the Palestinian Authority, and (2) the government of Israel, following the reduction of electricity supply to Gaza to just 2.5 hours per day.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL266
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​Our Ambassador to Tel Aviv and our Consul-General to Jerusalem have raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Authority respectively over the situation in Gaza. The Minister for the Middle East raised the situation in Gaza with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to London on 22 and 23 June respectively.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:21:28 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

746653

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Palestinian Authority concerning the recent reported deaths of three babies in Gaza after the Palestinian Authority refused to grant permits for them to be treated in Israel.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
	uin	HL284
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​While we have not raised this specific issue with the Palestinian Authority (PA), our Consul-General to Jerusalem has raised our concerns recently with the PA over the situation in Gaza. We continue to press both the Government of Israel and the Government of Egypt to take measures that will help relieve the humanitarian suffering of those in Gaza. We have concerns about the difficulties facing Gazans in need of medical treatment.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:27:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

733189

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey regarding the reported use of plastic bullets and the breaking-up of the Gay Pride march in Istanbul for the third year in a row.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL186
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​We are aware of reports that security forces allegedly used plastic bullets against protestors in Istanbul on 25 June following the banning of the Pride Istanbul march by the city authorities. We regularly raise with Turkey the need to fully protect fundamental rights, particularly in the areas of freedom of expression and assembly. We also encourage protection of the rights of LGBTI persons, and work closely with Turkish civil society organisations active in this area. Our Embassy in Ankara and Consulate in Istanbul were proud to fly the rainbow flag during Turkish Pride Week as a symbol of our support.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 13:49:55 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

746092

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hagia Sophia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey, following the decision by the Turkish Minister of Religious Affairs to take part in prayers at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul on 21 June 2017, that Hagia Sophia will continue to be used as a cultural museum for all of Turkey's citizens rather than a place of Islamic worship.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL234
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>​We have not raised the recent Islamic prayers at Hagia Sophia with the government of Turkey. We recognise Hagia Sophia as a site of extraordinary historic and religious significance. It is therefore important that it is preserved in a way that respects its complex history and significance to many faiths. We regularly raise wider issues relating to fundamental freedoms of religion and expression with the Turkish government.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2017 14:29:51 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

747979

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what requests have been made to SA Airlink in order to understand fully its business projection for the new passenger air service to St Helena.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL433
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The process to procure an air service for St Helena is managed by the St Helena government and is ongoing. As part of that process, bidders were required to submit details of their business projections.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:44:03 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

747398

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to introduce a clear and coherent policy on the use of armed drones for counter-terrorism purposes, both within and outside areas of armed conflict.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL362
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK's policy on using force overseas is clear. It will always be in line with international law and UK law, and bounded by UK rules of engagement, targeting directives and operational directives. The same law, policy and rigorous targeting process are adhered to whether the weapons platform is an armed Remotely Piloted Air System or a piloted aircraft. We have, and we will, exercise an inherent right to self-defence against both armed attacks and imminent threats of armed attack, in accordance with international law.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 11/07/2017 15:10:57 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

747447

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, following the decision by the government of Israel to implement a request from the Palestinian Authority to reduce the flow of electricity supplies from Israel to Gaza.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL411
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK is working closely with the UN to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are also funding basic service delivery in Gaza through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. We urge all the parties to find a sustainable solution to the current energy situation.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:43:23 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

746107

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to address the shortage of psychiatrists.
	tabling member printed	Lord Wigley
	uin	HL249
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>A five year workforce plan to deliver the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health is currently being finalised by Health Education England (HEE) and will be published in due course. Analysis and development of the workforce strategy have been completed and HEE is now working with arm’s length body partners to agree the associated goals, trajectories, actions, and other deliverables associated with the implementation of the strategy.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy question first answered 11/07/2017 14:26:07 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	547 label Biography information for Lord Wigley

746657

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what support they give to current UNESCO World Heritage sites in the UK to enable them to keep this designation.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL288
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK Government is responsible for advising UK World Heritage Sites on compliance with the World Heritage Convention. It provides practical support in arranging and hosting UNESCO missions, and works closely with those UK World Heritage Sites that have specific issues and challenges, particularly around development activity. It submits documents and notifications on the UK World Heritage Sites at the request of the World Heritage Centre and Committee. It also represents the UK’s World Heritage Sites with the World Heritage Centre and its advisory bodies, and provides representation at the World Heritage Committee and World Heritage General Assembly.</p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 11/07/2017 15:07:34 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

733193

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2017
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government when sentencing policy for offences which fall under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) was last reviewed; and when they plan to next review that policy.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL188
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Environment Food &amp; Rural Affairs is responsible for determining the maximum penalties for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Any proposals to change the maximum penalties would require the approval of the Cabinet’s Social Reform (Home Affairs) sub-Committee. The Government keeps maximum penalties under review. This includes sentencing trends, and whether there is any evidence that the courts may be finding their sentencing powers inadequate. The last review was conducted in the context of the Government’s response to the House of Commons EFRA Committee report on animal welfare published on 2 February 2017 on EFRA website. Government noted in its response that the Sentencing Council has reviewed the magistrates’ court sentencing guidelines, including those in relation to animal cruelty cases. In their revised guideline, published on their website, the Sentencing Council aims to ensure that the most serious cases of animal cruelty receive appropriate severe sentences, within the available maximum penalty.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL187 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:00:29 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington

747978

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government when they expect the contract between the government of St Helena and SA Airlink, providing a new passenger air service, to be signed.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL432
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The tender process is managed by the St Helena Government. On 9 June, the St Helena Government announced that SA Airlink had been chosen as the preferred bidder for the provision of a scheduled commercial air service to St Helena. A formal announcement on the contract award will be made once contract negotiations are complete.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 11/07/2017 16:44:25 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

747416

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the Accelerated Access Review of innovative medicines and medical technologies.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lansley
	uin	HL380
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>In October 2016 the Accelerated Access Review set out a vision of faster patient access to 21st century medicines and medical technologies, making the United Kingdom a world leading place to design, develop and deploy medical innovations.</p><p> </p><p>The review made several recommendations to ensure that patients get new drugs and treatments faster while the National Health Service gets best value for money and remains at the forefront of innovation. The Government and its key delivery partners are reviewing the review’s recommendations and will respond in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy grouped question UIN HL381 HL383 question first answered 11/07/2017 13:59:51 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	123 label Biography information for Lord Lansley

748021

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government whether NHS protocols for the management of acid attacks include the use of Diphotrine for the purposes of emergency treatment.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Uddin
	uin	HL475
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Emergency medical technicians and paramedics operate to the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee Clinical Practise Guidelines 2016. This does not refer to the use of Diphoterine. Ambulance personnel would follow the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear advice in the guidelines to disrobe the patient and decontaminate with water.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy grouped question UIN HL473 question first answered 11/07/2017 15:01:51 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	1827 label Biography information for Baroness Uddin

747418

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government whether a strategic commercial unit will be established within NHS England, as recommended in the Accelerated Access Review, and if so, when.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lansley
	uin	HL382
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Consistent with recommendations set out in the Accelerated Access Review, NHS England continues to develop its commercial capacity and capability in relation to medicines procurement as well as the negotiation of bespoke commercial access arrangements for high cost drugs. As part of this, the Commercial Medicines Unit transferred across from the Department to NHS England on 1 April 2017. NHS England is currently in the process of recruiting to a number of other key posts to support the commercial function more broadly.</p> answering member printed Lord O'Shaughnessy question first answered 11/07/2017 14:30:38 answering member 4545 label Biography information for Lord O'Shaughnessy
	tabling member	123 label Biography information for Lord Lansley