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1168543

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British Nationality: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to remove the fee charged by the Home Office to register children as British citizens; and whether they intend to refund those who paid such fees before the High Court ruling on 19 December.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The judgment was handed down on 19 December, and we are carefully considering its implications, and next steps.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL2 question first answered 07/01/2020 13:53:48 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1668141

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	VAT: Registration
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the threshold for compulsory registration for VAT; and what plans they have to reinstate the policy of annually updating the threshold in line with inflation.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL1
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2023 answer text <p>Views on the VAT registration threshold are divided and the case for change has been regularly reviewed over the years.</p><p>In 2018, the Government consulted on how the design of the VAT registration threshold could better incentivise growth. However, there was no clear option for reform.</p><p>While the Government keeps all taxes under review, it was announced at Autumn Budget 2022 that the VAT threshold will be maintained at its current level of £85,000 until 31 March 2026.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 21/11/2023 12:00:13 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington

1149708

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	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	Sino-British Joint Declaration
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to recent events in Hong Kong, what plans they have to draw attention to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, ratified by the governments of China and the UK in 1984 at the next United Nations Security Council meeting.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The UK is fully committed to upholding the Joint Declaration of 1984 and has consistently highlighted the importance we attach to China abiding by its obligations. Though we have no plans to raise the Joint Declaration in the Security Council, the UK did raise the Sino-British treaty in our national ‘item 2’ statement at the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in September. In the statement, we re-iterated our support for and call for all to respect the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework, including the rights and freedoms in the Joint Declaration. We also underlined the importance of upholding the right to peaceful assembly in the UK’s statement at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on 15th October.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/10/2019 11:21:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1313609

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2021
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff were based in (1) Hong Kong, and (2) China, in (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020 and (d) 2021.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We have interpreted the question to mean how many staff were employed by the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for International Development (DfID) in China and Hong Kong in each of the financial years, (a) 2018, (b) 2019 and (c) 2020 and as Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2021. All the figures shown are based on the headcount as at 31 March in each year. They include both UK Based Staff and Country Based Staff.</p><p>The figures below cover our Embassies and Consulates in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Wuhan. And our Consulate General in Hong Kong.</p><p><em>China and Hong Kong staff numbers 2018 to 2020 as Legacy departments. Then as FCDO in 2021. </em></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>China</p></td><td><p>Hong Kong</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p><em>FCO</em></p></td><td><p><em>DfID</em></p></td><td><p><em>FCO </em></p></td><td><p><em>DfID</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2018</em></p></td><td><p>230-259</p></td><td><p>12</p></td><td><p>60-69</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2019</em></p></td><td><p>240-269</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>50-59</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2020</em></p></td><td><p>250-279</p></td><td><p>11</p></td><td><p>50-59</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>China</p></td><td><p>Hong Kong</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p><em>FCDO</em></p></td><td><p><em>FCDO</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>260 - 289</p></td><td><p>40 -49</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/05/2021 14:31:57 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1461012

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2022
	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	Statutory Sick Pay
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the number of people unable to claim statutory sick pay from their employer because their earnings are below the lower earnings level; of these, what proportion are (1) male and (2) female; and what plans, if any, they have to remove the lower earnings limit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL1
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2022 answer text <p>As set out in the 2019 “Health is Everyone’s Business” consultation, it is estimated that there are around 2 million employees who earn below the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) and are therefore ineligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Of those, approximately 30% are male and 70% are female.</p><p> </p><p>SSP reform, including extending SSP eligibility to those earning below the LEL, was part of the “Health is Everyone’s Business” consultation in 2019. In the response to the consultation published in 2021, Government stated the pandemic was not the right time to introduce changes to the rate of SSP or its eligibility criteria as this would have placed an immediate and direct cost on employers at a time where many were struggling.</p><p> </p><p>As we learn to live with Covid-19, the Government is continuing to take a broader look at the role of SSP and is keeping the system under review.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 24/05/2022 16:25:21 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington

1313618

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2021
	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
	hansard heading	Cats: Meloxicam
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the US Food and Drug Administration including boxed warning labels on Metacam (Meloxicam) due to the risks associated with acute renal failure and death in cats, what steps they are taking to ensure similar warnings are in place on all boxes of Metacam sold to vets in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL10
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p>There are three Metacam products authorised for use in cats in the UK:</p><p> </p><p>- Metacam 5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs and cats</p><p>- Metacam 2mg/ml solution for injection for cats</p><p>- Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats and guinea pigs</p><p> </p><p>All three products already include warnings relating to renal failure and therefore veterinary surgeons in the UK are aware of the risk of renal failure with the use of Metacam in cats.</p><p> </p><p>In 2019, the marketing authorisation holder for Metacam was requested to provide an analysis of all cases of renal failure and death in cats. The company provided data comparing the use of the product and the frequency of cases in the United States (US) with those in the EU. This demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of off-label use (use of the product not in accordance with the product information), renal failure and fatalities in the US compared with the EU. Vets are allowed to use veterinary medicinal products off-label in certain circumstances. However, the Metacam data does not indicate that the incidence of such use is as prevalent in the EU or the UK as in the US. It was concluded that vets in the EU and UK were already aware of the risks of renal failure with off-label use and the product information included sufficient warnings relating to the correct use and associated risks. The company was requested to continue specifically to monitor cases of renal failure in cats.</p><p> </p><p>Based on a review of the data over the past 10 years, the incidence of renal failure in the UK following use of Metacam in cats has gradually decreased from one in 200,000 to one in a million, supporting the view that vets are now even more aware of the risks associated with off-label use.</p><p> </p><p>The Veterinary Medicines Directorate will continue to consider the scientific evidence to inform further action as required and the consistency of product information and warnings for all meloxicam products.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon grouped question UIN HL11 question first answered 25/05/2021 14:28:37 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1149717

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Politics and Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to formally recognise and protect the interests of future generations
	tabling member printed	Lord Bird
	uin	HL10
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>Accounting for the interests of future generations is a core consideration for the government. For example, in June 2019 the UK became the first major economy to legislate to end our net contribution to climate change by 2050. The government also has planned spending on childcare support of £6bn in 2019-20 and a further £4.6bn above inflation planned for schools by 2022-23.</p><p> </p><p>The government currently uses the “Green Book” as a frameworks to potential interventions. In line with the Green Book, decisions on all government programmes, projects or policies must be informed by the costs, benefits and risks over the whole lifetime of the intervention, including where its impact will affect future generations.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 28/10/2019 14:46:45 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
	tabling member	4564 label Biography information for Lord Bird

1461021

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2022
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	East Africa: Droughts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the East and Horn of Africa in preparing for future droughts by (1) building more resilient systems, and (2) ending exacerbating factors such as conflict.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL10
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2022 answer text <p>The UK is a major humanitarian donor to the East Africa region. In 2022 to support communities affected by drought plus flooding and conflict the UK has provided £72.25 million to Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan. Across the region UK funded humanitarian activities are making a difference and saving lives. For example, in Kenya to respond to the ongoing drought, 26,000 children will receive life-saving food assistance thanks to the UK's support. In Ethiopia a further 200,000 children and pregnant and lactating women in southern and eastern regions will receive similar urgent aid.</p><p>The UK also played a critical role in convening the recent 'UN Horn of Africa Drought Roundtable' which took place in late April in Geneva. This included working with states in the region and the UN to ensure appropriate levels of participation. It helped to bring much needed focus to the drought and importantly it mobilised roughly US$400 million in new funding.</p><p>Countries across the Horn of Africa will also be impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine due to the increase in the costs of food commodities and fuel on global markets. We are exploring how we can help lessen the impact of rising food prices caused by the war in Ukraine on vulnerable communities in East Africa. This includes assessing alternate markets for procurement of food supplies and working with UN partners to promote effective prioritisation so assistance reaches the most needy.</p><p>Our response to the drought builds on long-established resilience building programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. In Kenya this includes support to the Hunger Safety Programme, which has provided 600,000 people in drought prone areas with regular financial assistance. In Ethiopia, the UK funded Productive Safety Net Programme has benefitted some 8 million people via financial welfare provision and community public works projects. In Somalia the UK has been supporting over 220 rural communities in three large urban cities with durable solutions initiatives for internally displaced persons. These programmes, coupled with additional investments, have enabled the UK to reach nearly 8 million individuals as a part of its emergency humanitarian response.</p><p>The UK remains committed to promoting peace and security across the Horn of Africa.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 24/05/2022 16:44:50 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1668063

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Fireworks: Regulation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to ban the sale of domestic fireworks in England; and if not, whether they will undertake a consultation on that subject.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL10
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2023 answer text <p>The majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner. There are enforcement mechanisms in place to tackle situations when fireworks are misused.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has no plans to ban the sale of domestic fireworks or consult on this matter at this current time.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 13/11/2023 11:04:30 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1168552

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Pregnancy
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken following the disclosure of incidents involving pregnant women prisoners and their children at HMP Bronzefield.
	tabling member printed	Lord Beecham
	uin	HL10
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The recent incident at HMP Bronzefield is tragic. As there are a number of ongoing investigations, including an investigation by the police, it is not appropriate to comment further on the specific details of the incident.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently undertaking a fundamental review of the Mother and Baby Unit policy and the policy on managing pregnant women in custody. This will conclude in 2020.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, all pregnant women are seen by a professional midwife at least fortnightly, or more frequently if required. Healthcare in prisons is provided by specially trained medics and nurses. Medical emergencies are dealt with by 999 calls and prisoners have access to an emergency bell to alert staff at night. Women in prison have access to the same range of services as they would in the community.</p><p> </p><p>Following the events at HMP Bronzefield, we have introduced hourly checks throughout the night for all heavily pregnant women, and fortnightly pregnancy review boards are being held for them, involving a multidisciplinary team, in addition to existing support provisions.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 07/01/2020 17:36:31 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4181 label Biography information for Lord Beecham