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1124718

	registered interest
	date	03/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Boilers: Natural Gas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2019 to Question 245593 on Boilers: Natural Gas; what the evidence base is for the statement that in April 2018 the majority of boilers on the market met or exceeded the minimum efficiency requirement of 92 per cent.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	250740
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>In 2017, BEIS undertook an internal assessment of the Products Characteristic Database, the database containing product performance data used in the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). This assessment found that 65 per cent of the 492 boilers added to the database between 2014 and August 2016 met or exceeded the minimum efficiency requirement of 92 per cent according to the Energy-related Product (ErP) standard.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 15/05/2019 14:02:41 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1124719

	registered interest
	date	03/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Boilers: Natural Gas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May to Question 245593 on Boilers: Natural Gas, what assessment his Department has made of the operational efficiency of domestic boilers once installed between 2005 and 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	250741
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Current standards require all new gas boilers installed in English homes to be A rated. Research on real-world boiler performance has been carried out to inform the representation of gas boilers in the government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). Further information can be found on the Building Research Establishment (BRE) website. BRE deliver the SAP contract on behalf of the government.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 15/05/2019 14:28:44 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1124894

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Business
	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 report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Business Confidence Monitor Q2 2019, published in May, which suggests a decline in confidence of UK businesses due to ongoing Brexit uncertainty.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL15569
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows that business confidence has not fallen significantly this quarter.</p><p> </p><p>According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK economy picked up in the first three months of the year - Growth was 0.5% in the quarter, up from 0.2% in the previous three months. The employment rate (16-64) remained at 76.1%– at a record high. Employment increased by 99,000 on the quarter, standing at 32.7m – remaining broadly unchanged on the last labour market statistics release.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/05/2019 16:08:29 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1124931

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Space Technology: Investment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to encourage investment in the space industry in (a) the UK and (b) rural areas.
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	uin	251334
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Britain has a vibrant commercial space sector and plays a leading role in international space science. Scotland has end-to-end capabilities from Satellite design and manufacture to the use of space data and services in day-to-day applications. Indeed:</p><ul><li>In 2015 &amp; 16, more satellites were manufactured in Glasgow than any other European city,</li><li>The number of space organisations in Scotland grew by 26% between 2014/15 &amp; 2016/17,</li><li>Scottish space organisations employ almost 1 in 5 of the UK space workforce.</li></ul><p><br> We want to ensure that our space industry, one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK economy, covers the whole of the UK. In July 2018, we announced £31.5 million in grant funding to support development of a new vertical spaceport in Sutherland, providing a much-needed boost to rural Scotland.</p><p>We are equipping the UK with the Space facilities we will need in the future. The National Satellite Test Facility now being built in Harwell with £99m of investment from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund will provide crucial new test facilities for an expanding space manufacturing sector.</p><p>The UK Space Agency also co-invests with the Satellite Applications Catapult in a network of five regional Centres of Excellence in Satellite Applications across the UK, including the Scottish Centre of Excellence hosted by the University of Strathclyde. The Centres raise awareness of opportunities in the space sector, publicise funding calls and broker collaborative partnership, including with local universities.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore question first answered 15/05/2019 12:45:14 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1125041

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Electrical Engineering: Research
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding has been allocated to research and development in the field of power electronics throughout the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
	tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
	uin	251389
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Our ambition is to raise total R&amp;D investment to 2.4% of GDP by 2027, the biggest ever increase, and 3% in the longer-term.   Research and development into power electronics is funded by UK Research and Innovation primarily through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK. These councils have currently allocated £36.1m to active grants in power electronics. Of this, £35.2m is allocated to establishments in England; £0.6m in Scotland and; £0.3m in Wales. This includes grant funding to individual projects, a recently funded future electrical machines manufacturing hub at the University of Sheffield and a Centre for Doctoral Training in power electronics for sustainable propulsion at Newcastle University. The Centre will support the best and brightest PhD students from across the UK.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 251390 question first answered 15/05/2019 12:45:22 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1125042

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Electrical Engineering: Research
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding has been allocated to power electronics research and development at establishments in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
	tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
	uin	251390
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Our ambition is to raise total R&amp;D investment to 2.4% of GDP by 2027, the biggest ever increase, and 3% in the longer-term.   Research and development into power electronics is funded by UK Research and Innovation primarily through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK. These councils have currently allocated £36.1m to active grants in power electronics. Of this, £35.2m is allocated to establishments in England; £0.6m in Scotland and; £0.3m in Wales. This includes grant funding to individual projects, a recently funded future electrical machines manufacturing hub at the University of Sheffield and a Centre for Doctoral Training in power electronics for sustainable propulsion at Newcastle University. The Centre will support the best and brightest PhD students from across the UK.</p> answering member constituency Kingswood answering member printed Chris Skidmore grouped question UIN 251389 question first answered 15/05/2019 12:45:23 answering member 4021 label Biography information for Chris Skidmore
	tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1125157

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Bullying
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of cases of bullying and harassment that have been recorded against managers in his Department in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	251308
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy was created in July 2016. Bullying or harassment is not tolerated at BEIS. BEIS is taking active steps where needed to address any issues, and is one of the best performing departments in government with regards to creating an inclusive culture, as highlighted by the cross-civil service people survey results.</p><p>Below are the figures for the number of bullying and/or harassment cases recorded against members of BEIS staff where advice and guidance was sought from our HR Casework Services team. We do not hold information centrally on whether the staff against whom the allegations were made were managers at the time of the case being raised.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cases</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>July 2016 – December 2016</p></td><td><p>1 (0.03% of BEIS)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>January 2017 – December 2017</p></td><td><p>5 (0.13% of BEIS)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>January 2018 – December 2018</p></td><td><p>11 (0.28% of BEIS)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>January 2019 – end April 2019</p></td><td><p>4 (0.10% of BEIS)</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 15/05/2019 14:02:35 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1125333

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking: Water
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of effect of hydraulic fracturing operations on the economy.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	251959
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK has potentially significant shale gas reserves, but exploration is necessary to understand whether it will be possible to technically and commercially extract these reserves. The Government is supportive of shale gas exploration to understand the size of the UK opportunity.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 15/05/2019 14:02:27 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1125349

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Living Wage and Minimum Wage: Non-payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2019 to Question 248059, when the review of the NMW Naming Scheme began; and whether it his policy to suspend naming non-compliant employers until that review has concluded.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley East
	tabling member printed	Stephanie Peacock
	uin	252048
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>As announced in the Government response of December 2018, the review of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage (NMW) Naming Scheme commenced in response to recommendations made by the Director of Labour Market Enforcement in his 2018/2019 Labour Market Enforcement Strategy. No further naming of employers for NMW breaches will take place until the review has been completed.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/05/2019 13:39:20 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 117608 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4607 label Biography information for Stephanie Peacock

1125498

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 10 April (HL15067), what, if any, ongoing assessment or review is being conducted of the ability of operators to fulfil their responsibilities and fund decommissioning costs after (1) the issuance of a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence, and (2) the granting of Hydraulic Fracturing Consent.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
	uin	HL15593
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is responsible for ensuring that operators are fulfilling their responsibilities under their licence. As such, the OGA has the ability to carry out financial assessments to review an operator’s ability to fund its activities within the licence area, which would include decommissioning of any wells drilled. These financial assessments take place when there is a licence transaction to consider, such as changes of control, or where other approvals are sought such as drilling consent and field development consent.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Secretary of State may withdraw Hydraulic Fracturing Consent if there has been a material change in circumstances and my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State no longer considers it appropriate to remain in force.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 21/05/2019 15:01:17 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	4297 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

1125499

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 10 April (HL15067), what communications they have had with landowners and local authorities regarding the decommissioning of fracking sites in the event that an operator does not fulfil their obligations.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
	uin	HL15594
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department routinely corresponds with a range of stakeholders in relation to the regulatory regime for shale gas extraction, including decommissioning obligations. The Government has always been clear that it expects licensees to fulfil obligations to decommission shale gas sites.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 21/05/2019 15:01:44 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	4297 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

1125500

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 10 April (HL15067), in the event that any and all “other appropriate parties”, including other licensees or landowners, failed to decommission and return a fracking site to its former state, who would ultimately bear the financial burden.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
	uin	HL15595
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>There is no precedent for the scenario above arising, in respect of hydraulically fractured wells in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has been clear that the responsibility for decommissioning lies with the licensee and has sought to reinforce this principle. For example, as set out in the Written Answer of 10 April (HL15067) that as part of the associated application for Hydraulic Fracturing Consent, the Government looks at the financial resilience of all companies wishing to carry out hydraulic fracturing operations, including their ability to fund decommissioning costs. My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not issue Hydraulic Fracturing Consent unless he is satisfied this has been appropriately demonstrated.</p><p> </p><p>To date, there have only been two hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in the UK. The first, at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site in Lancashire, has been fully decommissioned and the land restored to its previous use. The second, Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road well-1z, is still operational.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/05/2019 16:07:34 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	4297 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

1125501

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Fracking
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 10 April (HL15067), what assessment they have made of the potential liabilities for local authorities in the event that an operator and “other appropriate parties” do not decommission and return a fracking site to its former state.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
	uin	HL15596
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>There is no precedent for hydraulically fractured shale gas well decommissioning costs being borne by local authorities.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has been clear that the responsibility for decommissioning lies with the licensee and has sought to reinforce this principle. For example, as set out in the Written Answer of 10 April (HL15067) that as part of the associated application for Hydraulic Fracturing Consent, the Government looks at the financial resilience of all companies wishing to carry out hydraulic fracturing operations, including their ability to fund decommissioning costs. My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not issue Hydraulic Fracturing Consent unless he is satisfied this has been appropriately demonstrated.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Mineral Planning Authorities may require that bonds or other financial guarantees are taken to underpin a planning condition.</p><p> </p><p>To date, there have only been two hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in the UK. The first, at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site in Lancashire, has been fully decommissioned and the land restored to its previous use. The second, Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road well-1z, is still operational.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/05/2019 16:08:10 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	4297 label Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

1125665

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Cars: Hire Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory membership group for car hire companies to (a) better protect consumers and (b) ensure adequate standards in the industry.
	tabling member constituency	South Antrim
	tabling member printed	Paul Girvan
	uin	252619
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has not made any assessment of introducing a mandatory membership group for car hire companies.</p><p> </p><p>There is strong consumer protection legislation in place that protects consumers when dealing with traders, including car hire companies, namely the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. In addition, the Competition and Markets Authority has considered and carried out enforcement action against certain car hire companies for breaches of consumer protection legislation and has produced guidance for businesses and consumers. Further information can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-leads-europe-wide-action-on-car-hire" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-leads-europe-wide-action-on-car-hire</a>.</p><p> </p><p>For further information on their rights, consumers should contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (<a href="http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.citizensadvice.org.uk/</a>). The helpline offers free advice to consumers on their rights and how to take their complaint forward. The helpline will also refer on complaints to the relevant authority for further enforcement action where appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/05/2019 13:39:28 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4633 label Biography information for Paul Girvan

1125690

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Whirlpool Corporation: Tumble Dryers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of whether Whirlpool has (a) implemented adequate product safety checks and (b) carried out satisfactory repairs on models of tumble dryer that had been found faulty.
	tabling member constituency	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
	tabling member printed	Ian Blackford
	uin	252626
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>The Office for Product Safety and Standards has conducted a full review into Whirlpool’s modification programme for tumble dryers. This review concluded that the risk to modified tumble dryers was low. A decision letter was sent to Whirlpool, placing a number of requirements on the company.</p><p> </p><p>The Chief Executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards met senior Whirlpool officials 2nd May to advise them of concerns regarding the adequacy of their response to the requirements placed upon them and advised them on steps necessary to fulfil their obligations.</p><p> </p><p>OPSS is closely monitoring the response of Whirlpool and further steps will be taken if the response is not satisfactory. Consumer safety is a key priority and the Government will hold the company to account.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 15/05/2019 13:42:23 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4390 label Biography information for Ian Blackford

1125716

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Construction: Licensing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the implications for the Government's polices of the Federation of Master Builders’ report, Licence to build: A pathway to licensing UK construction.
	tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
	tabling member printed	Kate Green
	uin	252640
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department has regular discussions with the construction industry, including the Federation of Master Builders, about how best to improve the standard of work undertaken by firms and sole traders in the sector, and to protect consumers.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has already endorsed the TrustMark Scheme which works to educate consumers on recognising and reporting rogue traders operating in the home building and repair market. TrustMask is actively involved with Trading Standards to provide further protection to consumers affected by rogue builders; and to identify local traders who have undergone independent checks for both trade competence and good trading practice. This scheme gives consumers increased confidence and ability to choose registered businesses including builders who adhere to and maintain high standards.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 17/05/2019 08:40:09 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

1125844

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
	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 safety of the use of decabromodiphenyl ethane in UK furniture; and what advice, if any, they have received from (1) the European Chemicals Agency, (2) the Health and Safety Executive, and (3) the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment on the risks of using decabromodiphenyl ethane.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL15634
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is currently reviewing the operation of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and is taking account of evidence and advice from external sources such as academic papers as well as the views of experts from across government, including Chief Scientific Advisors.</p><p> </p><p>All furniture must also comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and be safe before it can be placed on the market.</p><p> </p><p>DecaBDE is a persistent organic pollutant. The UK ceased production of this substance in 1996 and its use has declined sharply since then. Many other countries have also phased out its use. It was banned under the UN Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants in December 2018 and under the European chemical regulation regime, REACH, in March 2019. It will not be present in household soft furnishings and mattresses purchased after this ban comes into effect.</p><p> </p><p>Chemicals, including brominated flame retardants used in UK furniture, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). REACH aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.</p><p> </p><p>In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/05/2019 16:06:25 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1125846

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
	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 finding of the study Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than they reduce fire growth rate, published in the journal Chemosphere in December 2017; and what steps they are taking to ensure that UK furniture is safe.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL15636
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>As part of the Government’s review of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988, we are taking account of a wide range of scientific evidence from external sources including academic papers and studies.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to reviewing these regulations to ensure that the highest levels of fire safety are maintained while minimising risks to health and the environment.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 22/05/2019 11:56:26 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1125847

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Office for Product Safety and Standards has spent on product compliance testing under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 since its formation; and what were the results of such testing.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL15637
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The Office for Product Safety and Standards has made available £500,000 in 2018 and £600,000 in 2019 for Local Authority Trading Standards to carry out product compliance testing at accredited laboratories. This testing includes compliance testing under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.</p><p> </p><p>Local Authority Trading Standards take appropriate enforcement action as required in light of the results from this testing.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 22/05/2019 11:57:10 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1125848

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the differences between the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL15638
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 work in different ways but both aim to provide protection from fire risks.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s review of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 aims to ensure they reflect changes in fire safety risks, and respond to developments in furniture design, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns while maintaining fire safety protections.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 21/05/2019 15:00:30 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1125849

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will respond to their 2016 consultation on updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL15639
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>This is a complex issue and it is absolutely vital that the Government gets this right: we are committed to reviewing these regulations to ensure that the highest levels of fire safety are maintained while minimising risks to health and the environment.</p><p> </p><p>The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 22/05/2019 13:24:56 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1125850

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Takeovers: Conflict of Interests
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to undertake a review of the management of conflicts of interest arising when, in a contested takeover situation, institutional investors hold shares for clients, or under their own account, in both the bidder and target companies.
	tabling member printed	Lord Myners
	uin	HL15640
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>It is not uncommon for some investors to hold shares in both the bidder and target companies and rules mandated by the Financial Conduct Authority provide transparency to the market about share ownership. Takeover decisions are ultimately a matter for shareholders and the UK’s takeover rules require bidders to secure the approval of a majority of shareholders in the target company.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/05/2019 16:06:53 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
	tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

1125901

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Minimum Wage
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that the national minimum wage is enforced.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	252839
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Enforcement of the National Minimum and National Living Wage (NMW) is a priority for the Government. Since 2015 we have doubled the budget to enforce the NMW and we are taking tough action against the minority of employers who underpay. In 2018/19 HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC) identified a record £24.4 million in arrears for over 220,000 workers and issued over £17 million in penalties to non-compliant employers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC proactively investigates employers where they identify a risk of non-compliance; this work accounts for around half of all investigations undertaken. In addition, HMRC responds to every worker complaint regarding NMW payment including those made anonymously.</p><p> </p><p>Government is committed to helping employers comply with NMW rules first time; in April we launched a £1 million communications campaign to raise awareness and understanding of NMW rules among both workers and employers.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 15/05/2019 13:42:13 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1125932

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Coal Fired Power Stations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the trends in the level of coal-generating electricity supplied to the national grid.
	tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
	uin	252871
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>The ‘Updated Energy and Emissions Projections 2018[1] includes data on previous levels and future projections of coal-generated electricity.</p><p> </p><p>There has been a rapid decline in the use of coal in power generation in recent years, from 40% in 2012 to 7% in 2017. We have seen regular periods of zero coal generation since summer 2016. Between 1 May and 8 May 2019, Great Britain went a week without coal-fired electricity generation for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. The Government has committed to phase out all unabated coal-fired electricity generation by 2025.</p><p> </p><p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2018</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/05/2019 13:39:14 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1126008

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Energy: Meters
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much the Government has spent on TV and radio advertising to promote smart meters.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	253634
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>Smart Energy GB is responsible for the national consumer awareness campaign for smart meters in Great Britain. Smart Energy GB is an independent, not for profit organisation funded by energy suppliers. Details of Smart Energy GB’s budget can be found at: <a href="https://www.smartenergygb.org/en/about-us/essential-documents" target="_blank">https://www.smartenergygb.org/en/about-us/essential-documents</a>.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 16/05/2019 13:38:31 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady