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100002

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	Pakistan: Ahmadiyya
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the assassination of the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, and in particular, the recent assasination of Latif Aalam Butt.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2217
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the violence faced by the Ahmadiyya and other communities in Pakistan and continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens as laid down in the Constitution and in accordance with international standards. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office closely monitors the situation in Pakistan as documented in the annual Human Rights report and quarterly updates. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised human rights concerns with Prime Minister Sharif during his visit in May 2014.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/10/2014 15:37:50 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100004

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Unpaid Work
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent proposal by the Child Poverty and Social Justice Commission that unpaid internships should be illegal.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2219
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>This Government is absolutely clear: exploitation of interns is unacceptable and we don’t hesitate to act where we find that employment law has been broken and someone who is entitled to the minimum wage hasn’t been paid it.</p><p> </p><p>Complaints from interns about non-payment of the minimum wage are prioritised by HMRC for investigation and HMRC will investigate every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline.</p><p> </p><p>Research shows that internships and work experience programmes can be valuable opportunities for young people taking their first steps in the labour market. Our work on interns and the National Minimum Wage aims to achieve the right balance between ensuring that opportunities for young people are not cut off and minimising the risk of exploitation.</p><p> </p><p>Our concern, if we were to prohibit unpaid internships, is that this may lead to employers recruiting interns through informal and privileged networks with adverse effects on social mobility or have adverse consequences on the number of available opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>There is no definition of an internship in minimum wage legislation and interns are considered in the same way as everyone else with regards to whether the minimum wage is due. The key issue is whether or not they are workers as defined by minimum wage legislation. If they are, then they are eligible for the minimum wage unless a specific exemption applies. Volunteers are not workers and are not eligible for the minimum wage.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 29/10/2014 16:15:22 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100006

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	Syria
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Syrian refugees are being refused entry to Jordan; whether they have any information about the situation of any such people; and whether they will make the necessary representations to enhance their well-being.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government has raised the reports of Syrian refugees stranded at their border with the Jordanian authorities. While we respect the rights of the Jordanians to control their border and protect entry against extremists and terrorists, we have stressed the humanitarian imperative that vulnerable people are protected and given refuge.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:57:23 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

100007

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	Egypt
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Egypt about recent arrests of students, and the placing of private security companies, on university campuses there.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2222
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), asked that the Egyptian government address the large number of people being held in detention during his meeting with President Al-Sisi at the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September. John Casson, our Ambassador in Cairo, discussed the recent university protests with Ahmed el-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, on 14 October. The UK believes that freedom of expression, including the right to protest peacefully, is important in any democracy.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:36:00 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

100008

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the azure payment card for asylum seekers as a result of the new report by the British Red Cross on the humanitarian cost of the card.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2223
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers who require support because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom and can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review and the views of reputable partners such as the Red Cross are carefully considered but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring the individuals are able to meet their essential living needs and not left destitute.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:15:07 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100009

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	Unemployed People: Travel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial assistance is given to help young people on benefits with the travel costs associated with attending job interviews.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2224
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>All Jobcentre Plus District Managers have access to the Flexible Support Fund, that they can use to supplement mainstream services and to tailor support to the needs of individuals and the local area. A proportion of this fund will be spent by their Work Services Teams on discretionary awards to individual claimants, which could include helping with travel costs to attend job interviews.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 23/10/2014 15:06:09 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100012

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum claimants are left without any state support, on reaching the age of 18.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2227
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>There is no reason why any asylum seekers should be left without support on reaching the age of 18. Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are looked after by local authorities and most will continue to be supported in this way after the age of 18 under leaving care legislation while they remain in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>Any asylum seeker that does not have an entitlement to leaving care support would be eligible to support from the Home Office under the provisions of section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 if they were destitute.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 27/10/2014 12:40:35 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100030

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Bahrain
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Bahrain in respect of the charges against Nabeel Rajab and Zainab al Khawaja.
	tabling member printed	Lord Avebury
	uin	HL2236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>Our Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain has raised both cases with the Government of Bahrain and emphasised the importance of ensuring that due legal process is respected and international norms of justice adhered to. We will continue to monitor both cases closely.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:37:04 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	1665 label Biography information for Lord Avebury

100033

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Middle East
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the peace-building and reconciliation work of Parents Circle/Bereaved Families Forum in Palestine and Israel; and whether they provide any financial help to it or to its United Kingdom charitable partner Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2239
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The work of this organisation, and its emphasis on the importance of reconciliation to achieve peace, appears laudable.</p><p>While Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have met with their partner organisation (the Friends of Bereaved Families Forum), we do not provide financial support to either of the groups.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:38:09 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

100034

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Unmanned Air Vehicles
	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 formulation of United Nations guidance on the application of human rights law to drone use.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL2240
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government believes that international law on the use of military force is absolutely clear. There must be a lawful basis for such force to be used and activities must be conducted in accordance with the law of war or international humanitarian law. This is as true when considering the possible use of remotely piloted aircraft systems as it is with any other military asset or weapon. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems are a relatively new military asset, and their use, whether armed or unarmed, will continue to evolve. However, the existing international legal framework is clear and robust; and, as with any other weapons system, it is fully capable of governing their use. We do not need to rewrite the laws of war in order to be confident that, when used in such lawful circumstances, remotely piloted aircraft systems operate in the same legal environment as other military means. We have set this position out previously including at the UN Human Rights Council in response to the report of the Special Rapporteur.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:39:08 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

100036

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Accident and Emergency Departments
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the impact since 2009 of the closure of accident and emergency departments on neighbouring hospitals.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McDonagh
	uin	HL2242
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>The reconfiguration of local health services is a matter for the local National Health Service. All service changes should be led by clinicians and be in the best interests of patients, not driven from the top down.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is for NHS commissioners and providers to work together, with local authorities, patients and the public, in bringing forward proposals that will improve the quality, safety and sustainability of healthcare services.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any changes must be supported by the Government’s four tests for service change, namely:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>- support from general practitioner commissioners;</p><p> </p><p>- clarity on the clinical evidence base;</p><p> </p><p>- robust patient and public engagement; and</p><p> </p><p>- support for patient choice.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Once a decision on a local case for change has been made, it is up to the NHS to ensure its local services meet the needs of its population.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>More generally, we would expect any local plans for changes to acute services to take full account of the impact on neighbouring hospitals.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 27/10/2014 12:41:26 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	3701 label Biography information for Baroness McDonagh

100046

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	European Rail Traffic Management System
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made as to progress in other countries of the European Union of the successful installation of the European Rail Traffic Management System on any busy mixed traffic railway.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradshaw
	uin	HL2252
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>Network Rail, which leads the industry deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), is fully engaged within European groups involved in ERTMS rollout. In particular Network Rail is looking closely at the Danish deployment, which will deliver ERTMS onto mixed traffic corridors. The assessments of Network Rail are fed into national planning activities for ERTMS implementation.</p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 28/10/2014 15:26:13 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
	tabling member	2483 label Biography information for Lord Bradshaw

100048

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	East Coast Main Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact they consider that the long-term access rights for Grand Central on the East Coast Main Line will have on the premium payments generated by the Intercity East Coast franchise.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradshaw
	uin	HL2254
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Transport has forecast premiums for the purposes of the competition for the InterCity East Coast franchise. These forecasts take into account Grand Central’s access rights at their current levels. The Invitation to Tender for the InterCity East Coast franchise competition includes a Risk Assumption relating to the impact of an expansion of Open Access operations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 28/10/2014 15:25:22 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
	tabling member	2483 label Biography information for Lord Bradshaw

100049

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	East Coast Main Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the long-term access rights for Grand Central on the East Coast Main Line require them to pay the same access charge as Intercity East Coast; and, if not, why not.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradshaw
	uin	HL2255
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>Grand Central will not pay the same access charges as Intercity East Coast as Open Access Operators do not pay Fixed Track Access Charges (FTAC). However, both Franchised and Open Access Operators pay Variable Track Access Charges (VTAC) since these are set to reflect the direct ‘wear and tear’ costs that train services impose on the network when they are run.</p><p> </p><p>For Control Period 5 (CP5) the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has held <ins class="ministerial">the Capacity Charge element of VTAC at CP4 levels for services currently run by existing passenger Open Access Operators, however they will pay CP5 rates for any additional or new services whilst any new entrant Open Access Operator will pay CP4 rates on services below a set threshold and CP5 rates on services above that threshold. </ins><del class="ministerial">Open Access (both passenger and freight) VTAC at CP4 levels, whilst</del> Franchised Operators pay the new, higher CP5 rates<del class="ministerial">.</del> <ins class="ministerial">for both existing and new services.　 However, this is the only element of VTAC that is calculated on a different basis.</ins></p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 28/10/2014 15:24:42 question first ministerially corrected 12/01/2015 16:11:35 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer previous answer version 24717 answering member printed Baroness Kramer answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
	tabling member	2483 label Biography information for Lord Bradshaw

100052

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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
	hansard heading	Public Statues: Greater London
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the area of London for which the Secretary of State is currently responsible under the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 for giving consent for the erection of public statues; and which local authorities are included in that area.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Clancarty
	uin	HL2258
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>Under section 5 of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854 the consent of the commissioners of works needs to be obtained before a public statue can be erected in a public place in the Metropolitan Police District of London. The functions of the commissioners of works are now vested in the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. By virtue of the London Government Act 1963 (as amended by the Greater London Authority Act 1999), the Metropolitan Police District of London is now the area of Greater London (excluding the City of London, and the Inner and Middle Temples). Details of the local authorities in this region can be found at <a href="http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 29/10/2014 14:11:59 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3391 label Biography information for The Earl of Clancarty

100053

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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
	hansard heading	Public Statues: Greater London
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Culture, Media and Sport holds an archive and register (including plans, drawings etc.) relating to consent given by the Secretary of State for the erection of statues under the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854; if so, whether they make that archive publicly accessible; and what plans they have for any such archive.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Clancarty
	uin	HL2259
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department does not hold an archive or register relating to consent given by the Secretary of State for the erection of statues under section 5 of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 29/10/2014 13:04:08 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
	tabling member	3391 label Biography information for The Earl of Clancarty

100056

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Obesity: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to provide further advice to schools on how to tackle childhood obesity.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL2262
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2014 answer text <p>This Government recognises that through physical education, competitive school sport and encouraging healthy eating, schools can help address the problem of childhood obesity. The PE and sports premium is part of a package of measures to tackle obesity in primary schools. Our research found 96% of schools said that their pupils are now living healthier lives as a result of the funding. In addition, the introduction of universal infant free school meals will ensure that all infants receive a nutritious school lunch.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 24/10/2014 12:35:00 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

100058

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Poverty
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent report by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, which suggests child poverty reduction targets will not be met, what steps they will take to ensure that those targets are met.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL2264
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain committed to our goal of ending child poverty by 2020.</p><p>The ‘2014-17 Child Poverty Strategy’, published in June this year, outlines our plans to tackle the root causes of poverty, by:</p><ol><li>Raising the incomes of poor children’s families by helping them get into work and making work pay.</li><li>Supporting the living standards of low-income families.</li><li>Raising educational outcomes of poor children.</li></ol><p>Work remains the best route out of poverty. That is why the Government is introducing Universal Credit which will lift around 300,000 children out of poverty due to increased entitlements. This Government is also focused on breaking the cycle of poor children going on to become poor adults. That is why the Government has introduced policies - such as the pupil premium, worth £2.5 billion in 2014-15, to support poor children to reach their full potential and close the attainment gap between them and their more advantaged peers.</p><p>The Government will publish a response to the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission Report in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 27/10/2014 17:32:36 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

100068

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	East Coast Main Line
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether East Coast Rail has carried out any study or projections of what would be the effect of converting one carriage on the East Coast intercity from first class to second class.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
	uin	HL2274
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>East Coast has conducted some limited analysis on the effect of converting first to standard class carriages on the franchise. Their analysis shows that standard class is not currently capacity constrained. As such, they consider that there is no immediate demand for more standard class carriages and, especially considering the upcoming introduction of the new InterCity Express trains, such a conversion is not likely to provide the best outcome for East Coast passengers or taxpayers.</p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 28/10/2014 15:27:09 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
	tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

100070

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Pakistan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan concerning the relationship between blasphemy laws there and that country's human rights commitments, particularly in the light of the Lahore High Court’s decision to uphold the death penalty passed against Asia Bibi.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL2276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>We regularly raise at the highest levels Pakistan’s human rights commitments including the misuse of blasphemy laws both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We are concerned to hear about the case of Asia Bibi and reports that a court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and expressed our principled opposition to it in all cases and we will ensure that we continue to do so.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 28/10/2014 16:42:19 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

100071

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the effectiveness of the combination of the Azure payment card and support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in enabling refused asylum seekers to meet their basic needs.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2277
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2278 HL2279 HL2280 HL2281 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:54 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100072

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to abolish the Azure payment card and amend legislation to enable the provision of cash support for all refused asylum seekers until they are either given status in the United Kingdom or return to their country of origin.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2278
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2277 HL2279 HL2280 HL2281 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:55 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100073

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they have spent on administering the Azure card system since its inception.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2279
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2277 HL2278 HL2280 HL2281 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:55 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100074

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their forecast annual cost for administering the Azure card payment scheme in the coming year.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2280
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2277 HL2278 HL2279 HL2281 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:56 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

100075

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the conclusion of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee that "section 4 is not the solution for people who have been refused but cannot be returned" as stated in their report <i>Asylum</i> (7th Report of session 2013–14, HC 71).
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2281
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p>The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.</p><p> </p><p>The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.</p><p> </p><p>The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee’s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates grouped question UIN HL2277 HL2278 HL2279 HL2280 question first answered 28/10/2014 15:17:56 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno