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1104650

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Erasmus+ Programme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current position of the Erasmus+ scheme (1) in this year, and (2) in future years; and in what ways Brexit has affected that scheme.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL14775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The government values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as part of its vision for a global Britain. Irrespective of the outcome of Article 50 negotiations with the EU, the government wants UK and European countries to continue to give young people and students the chance to benefit from each other’s world leading universities post-exit.</p><p>Under the terms of the proposed Withdrawal Agreement, UK organisations and participants will continue to be able to take part in the Erasmus+ Programme this year and in the future up to the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework.</p><p>While securing a negotiated deal remains the government’s top priority, we are committed to ensuring that organisations, students and participating staff are prepared in the event of a no deal EU exit. To provide more clarity, we published a new technical notice at the end of January, which provides detailed guidance to organisations and students on the UK’s anticipated participation in the current Erasmus+ programme (2014-20) in the event of no deal. The technical notice, attached, can be found at: <a href="https://bit.ly/2GaP28y" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2GaP28y</a>.</p><p>As is set out in this notice, the government’s underwrite guarantee will cover the payment of awards to UK organisations for all successful (those that are approved directly by the European Commission or by the National Agency and ratified by the European Commission) Erasmus+ bids. This includes projects and participants that are only informed of their success, or who sign a grant agreement, after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and commits to underwrite funding for the entire lifetime of the projects.</p><p>The UK is open to participating in the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-27). We have been considering the draft regulation for the successor scheme carefully and have been actively participating in discussions on this. Ultimately, participation in the successor programme is a matter for negotiations to come about our future relationship with the EU.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 10:52:30 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14775_Erasmus_+_Technical_Notice.doc title HL14775_Erasmus+_Technical_Notice
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1104666

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Degrees
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of first class degrees awarded by the (1) University of Surrey, and (2) University of Bradford; whether they have had any discussions with those universities about the number of such degrees awarded; and if so, what were the outcomes of any such discussions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Myners
	uin	HL14791
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 established a new independent regulator in England, the Office for Students (OfS). The act gives the OfS powers to assess the quality and standards applied to higher education by English providers.</p><p>The government has made it clear in guidance to the OfS that grade inflation must be tackled. In their strategy, attached, the OfS includes ensuring “qualifications hold their value over time” as a key objective. In December 2018, the OfS published analysis of changes in degree classifications between 2010-11 and 2016-17, which is attached. This includes data on the University of Surrey and the University of Bradford.</p><p>On 24 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education called for universities to end the steep rise of “unjustifiable” first class degrees which is a threat to the world class reputation of the university sector, and risks undermining the efforts of hard working students. The government expects the OfS, when it has its full range of powers, to challenge those institutions that record an unjustifiable rise in the proportion of top degrees being awarded.</p><p>The OfS’ statutory powers are on course to be strengthened through new regulations due to be laid in Parliament later this year, which will allow the OfS to levy fines of up to £500,000 or 2% of a university’s income (whichever is higher). The UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment is developing sector-recognised standards to ensure that all degree awards are consistent and fair - due to be completed this academic year. Together, these measures will strengthen the regulator’s ability to challenge universities with unwarranted grade inflation and hold them to account.</p><p>Any university found to be damaging students’ interests could be subject to sanctions such as placing additional conditions on their registration, fines, or in the worst case scenario removing a university’s powers to award degrees.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie attachment 1 file name HL14791_OfS_Strategy_2018_2021.pdf title HL14791_OfS_Strategy_2018_2021 2 file name HL14791_Analysis_of_Degree_Classifications.pdf title HL14791_Analysis_of_Degree_Classifications question first answered 05/04/2019 10:54:12 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

1105689

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Degrees
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many agriculture degrees in England offer modules on agroecology.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL14869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on UK higher education (HE).</p><p>Analysis of HESA’s ‘Student Record 2017/18’ shows that there were 2 HE institutions in England with one or more participants in agroecology[1] modules in the academic year 2017/18. These agroecology modules were all at postgraduate level at either Harper Adams University or Coventry University.</p><p>Module data for HE provided by further education colleges and alternative providers is not held centrally.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] Relevant module titles identified in the HESA Student Record were ‘Fundamentals of Agroecology’, ‘Agroecological Techniques and Practices’ and ‘Agroecological Production Systems’.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 10:40:18 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1105691

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Science: Higher Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) entomology, (2) soil science, and (3) microbial science professors, there are at English universities.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL14870
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes statistics on staff at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Latest statistics refer to the academic year 2017/18.</p><p> </p><p>Each staff member can be recorded as teaching and/or researching up to 3 academic disciplines[1]. Counts of the number of academic staff and professors involved in the most closely related academic disciplines to those requested have been provided in the table:</p><p> </p><p><strong>Full-person-equivalent<strong>[2]</strong> academic staff by current academic discipline at English HEIs for </strong></p><p><strong>Academic Year 2017/18</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Academic discipline</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Professors</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>All academic staff</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>C340 Entomology</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>F770 Soil Science</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>C500 Microbiology</p></td><td><p>55</p></td><td><p>445</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>C510 Applied Microbiology</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>55</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Source: Department for Education analysis of the HESA Staff Record</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p>Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 in line with HESA’s rounding strategy.</p><p> </p><p>Staff can be recorded across more than one academic discipline, so rows in the table ought not to be summed together.</p><p> </p><p>‘Professor’ indicates a member of staff holding a contract which aligns with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association contract level 5A 'Professor'. This may undercount professors because many will fall into more senior levels, e.g. Heads of department.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] Academic disciplines are categorised using the Joint Academic Coding System: <a href="https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/a/curaccdis" target="_blank">https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/a/curaccdis</a>.</p><p> </p><p>[2] The definition for full-person-equivalent is available from the HESA website:</p><p><a href="https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/fte_vs_fpe" target="_blank">https://www.hesa.ac.uk/collection/c17025/fte_vs_fpe</a>.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 11:59:04 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

1105826

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Students: Loans
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether university income from student tuition fee loans is classed as public or private funds; what legal advice, if any, they have received to this effect; and whether they will publish any such advice.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL14912
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The government pays universities directly in respect of the tuition fee loans which are approved for eligible students each year. Students are then legally obliged to repay any tuition fee loans in accordance with the contract they sign when taking out the loan. The Office for National Statistics classifies the money provided by the government to cover tuition fees as a debt for the purposes of the public finances. The government does not ordinarily disclose its legal advice as that is protected by legal professional privilege.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 05/04/2019 12:00:21 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1105697

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Members: Honours
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they apply in recommending a Member of the House of Commons for award of a peerage or knighthood; and whether an individual MP's voting record on the withdrawal agreement proposed by Her Majesty's Government to Parliament forms part of these criteria.
	tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
	uin	HL14874
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>Honours recognise long-standing contributions to civic society – this should include those who have made significant contributions to public life through their service to Parliament.</p><p><br>To place this in context, the most recent New Year's Honours List recognised over 1,100 people for their service from all walks of life and all backgrounds across the United Kingdom.</p><p><br>Nominations of political peers similarly reflect the contribution that individuals have made, but also the contribution that they will be able to make in the future as an active member of the Upper House.</p><p><br>Individual votes are not part of any such criteria.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 05/04/2019 10:29:56 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

1104639

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the spread of Ebola in North Kivu and of the response to that outbreak by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the World Health Organisation.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL14764
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest in the country’s history and the second largest on record. The Government of the DRC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are together leading an effective response in an extremely challenging context with ongoing conflict. Despite some successes, the outbreak is not yet under control, and DFID teams continue to actively monitor and assess the situation.</p><p>UK Aid has played a crucial role in supporting the response since the outbreak was first announced in August 2018. This support has provided funding and expertise to the WHO for response activities in the DRC and for regional preparedness. Preventing the spread of the disease not only saves lives but also provides the stability necessary for economic growth and security.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 05/04/2019 13:09:35 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1104657

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Home Office: Fees and Charges
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 14 February (HL13370), why they have not laid before Parliament the report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration on an inspection of the Home Office Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System’s policies and practices relating to charging and fees within eight weeks of having received it; and when they expect to do so.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL14782
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) report on an inspection of the Home Office Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System’s policies and practices relating to charging and fees was received on 24 January 2019.</p><p>The report will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible. It is important that the Department and Ministers give full consideration of the serious recommendations made in ICIBI reports. In some circumstances, this will take longer than 8 weeks due to the complexity or importance of the recommendations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 05/04/2019 11:59:47 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1105658

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK Visas and Immigration considers a person’s (1) past immigration records, (2) pending immigration cases, and (3) rule 35 report statements, in addition to the information provided on their National Referral Mechanism referral form, when making reasonable grounds decisions in respect of foreign nationals (a) in immigration detention, and (b) outside immigration detention.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hamwee
	uin	HL14849
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>Reasonable Grounds decisions for foreign nationals in immigration detention are made by trained Competent Authority decision makers. As part of the decision making process information held within the immigration database is considered alongside the information provided by the First Responder in the National Referral Mechanism referral form. Further information is sought from the First Responder where there is insufficient information contained within the referral form.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 05/04/2019 12:43:11 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2652 label Biography information for Baroness Hamwee

1105659

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Human Trafficking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether potential victims of trafficking who have been released from immigration detention and are awaiting a conclusive grounds decision are required to report to the Home Office.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hamwee
	uin	HL14850
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2019 answer text <p>Potential victims of trafficking who are released from immigration detention and awaiting a conclusive grounds decision are granted immigration bail and are therefore subject to at least one condition of bail. This can include a condition to report to the Home Office.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 05/04/2019 12:51:11 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	2652 label Biography information for Baroness Hamwee