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350105

registered interest
date	11/06/2015
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	Prescribed Industrial Diseases
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims they have received for Prescribed Disease C3b in the last 10 years; and of these, how many were allowed.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL419
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The information as requested is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member printed Baroness Altmann question first answered 18/06/2015 13:40:56 answering member 4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

349507

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the letter to <i>The Times</i> of 2 June from 28 former prime ministers and presidents which claims that there is a worldwide decline in the respect paid to and status of teachers.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL376
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The research cited, in the letter to The Times, was the Varkey GEMS Global Teacher Status Index, which was published in 2013. The index surveys public opinion on the status of teachers and contained several positive findings in relation to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>For example, teachers’ status was ranked higher in the UK than in many other countries, including France, Finland and Germany. Respect for headteachers in the UK was ranked highest of all the countries in the study. When respondents were asked to assess ‘how good is the education system?’ the UK ranked seventh out of all countries surveyed – a higher score than the USA, South Korea and Germany.</p><p> </p><p>To help raise the status of teaching further still, our manifesto set out our commitment to supporting the establishment of a new, independent College of Teaching. Teaching is unique amongst the professions in this country in not having a membership body to champion high standards of practice.</p><p> </p><p>The recognition of teaching as a respected and high-status profession is reflected in the calibre of those joining. Almost three quarters of new teachers now have an upper-second or first class degree, 10% higher than in 2010. We have a record proportion of new teachers (17%) with first class degrees and, for several years running, teaching has remained the most popular career destination for graduates from Oxford University.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst perceptions of teachers and teaching in this country are positive, the government remains committed to doing all we can to support the profession to develop and improve.</p><p /> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 18/06/2015 15:40:07 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349509

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Nurses
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of claims by patient safety campaigners and others that NHS England may introduce lower standards in terms of the number of nurses required in the light of the termination by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence of its work on staffing levels.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting National Health Service trusts to use their resources as effectively as possible for patients, including the critical priority that staffing levels are safe.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Existing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance will continue to be used by NHS trusts to help them look at their approach to staffing and decide what is best for patients. NHS England will take this work forward alongside their programme of service reviews.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Chief Nursing Office for England wrote to Directors of Nursing and other NHS staff on 11 June confirming the steps she will be taking to advance the programme of work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Prior of Brampton question first answered 18/06/2015 14:57:31 answering member 127 label Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349518

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Middle East: Internally Displaced People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the proposed establishment of an international enclave, protected by the United Nations, in Syria and Iraq to house internally displaced people.
tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
uin	HL387
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK welcomes any option compliant with international law that might save lives in Syria and Iraq. The situation in Syria and Iraq is incredibly complex, and international enclaves are not currently feasible. For such a safe area to work in any context, all parties to the conflict would need to agree on its establishment. In the absence of such an agreement, this would require foreign military intervention, authorised by a UN Security Council resolution.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:44:06 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

349525

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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	Fuel Direct Scheme
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 affordability of a standard Fuel Direct rate of £3.70 for direct payments for arrears on fuel bills; and whether in setting that rate they considered (1) allowing some customers to pay a lower rate of direct deduction, and (2) allowing customers to pay by Fuel Direct for ongoing bills when they are not in arrears.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL394
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Third Party Deduction is a long standing scheme of last resort where all other means of budgeting have been exhausted. Where the Secretary of State decides that it is in the claimant’s best interests to order repayment of the arrears he can do so. The scheme was introduced in the 1970’s to protect the vulnerable and their family, whilst not adding to their financial burden.</p><p> </p><p>Fuel Direct is set in legislation at 5% of their Personal Allowance, which is a fixed deduction of £3.70 for each element of fuel debt. This is considered to be the most appropriate level of repayment in order to clear the fuel debt arrears and to prevent enforcement action.</p><p> </p><p>Each year the amount of Third Party Deduction is re-assessed as part of The Social Security Up-rating Order.</p><p> </p><p>Once the arrears have been paid a person will usually be taken off the Fuel Direct scheme. In exceptional circumstances a person may be allowed to remain on the Fuel Direct scheme to help ensure that they don’t get into debt again.</p><p> </p><p>However Fuel Direct is not intended as a budgeting aid and the Governments main objective is to help people into employment, whilst encouraging them to be responsible for their own financial affairs, whether they are on benefit or not.</p> answering member printed Baroness Altmann question first answered 18/06/2015 14:39:18 answering member 4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

349543

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	UNRWA
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with donor partners about the level of funding needed for UNRWA.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL412
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK engages in regular discussion with other donors about the UN Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) financial situation through the UNRWA Advisory Commission and Sub-Committee. The UK uses its influence as a predictable, multi-year donor to UNRWA to encourage other donor contributions and incentivise reforms which would get the Agency on a more sustainable financial footing.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:44:28 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

349544

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Refugees
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 potential for violence and fighting in countries surrounding Syria if UNRWA have to stop cash payments to Palestinian refugees from Syria, because of a lack of funds.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL413
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK is concerned that cuts to UNRWA assistance may exacerbate existing tensions amongst Palestinian refugees who have fled to Syria’s neighbouring countries. That is why the UK has been in close contact with UNRWA, other donors, and host governments on how best to manage and mitigate the impact of funding shortfalls. The UK is the third largest donor to UNRWA’s General Fund, and the fourth largest donor to UNRWA’s operations overall. This includes over £28 million provided to date to support Palestinian refugees in Syria and the region affected by the Syria crisis.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:45:07 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

349547

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	UN Agencies
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 governments of the Gulf States concerning the funding of UNRWA and UNHCR.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL416
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK continues to play a prominent role in encouraging the international community, including the Gulf states, to support UN agencies in meeting urgent humanitarian and human development needs. The UK regularly raises the issue of UNRWA funding in discussions with Gulf States at both ministerial and official level.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:45:29 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

349134

registered interest
date	09/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Nepal: Earthquakes
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that post-earthquake aid to Nepal is being distributed fairly.
tabling member printed	Lord Harries of Pentregarth
uin	HL350
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The UK is providing more than £33 million to the earthquake response in Nepal, making us the largest donor to the relief operation, and we are committed to ensuring that this assistance is available to those most in need. UK funding and technical expertise is supporting a central coordination mechanism, under the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is gathering real time information and feedback from affected communities. This mechanism helps to ensure that aid efforts are not being duplicated and that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are understood and acted upon.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK has placed particular emphasis on reaching vulnerable groups; immediately after the earthquake, DFID identified the heightened risk of violence to displaced women and children. Examples of our assistance include: two UK-funded support centres, in Sindhupalchowk District, which ensure a safe and protected environment for around 500 women and girls; and the distribution of over 15,000 dignity kits to provide women with basic essentials, like clothing and hygiene products.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:47:23 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	3813 label Biography information for Lord Harries of Pentregarth

349143

registered interest
date	09/06/2015
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Eritrea: Refugees
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 United Nations estimate that in total 360,000 refugees have fled Eritrea.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL359
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>We are concerned by the United Nations report that 360,000 refugees have fled Eritrea, particularly given that they report the numbers of people leaving increased sharply towards the end of 2014, and given the vulnerability of refugees leaving by land and by sea. Our Ambassador in Asmara closely monitors events in Eritrea and Foreign Office and DFID staff work closely with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees throughout the Horn of Africa.</p> answering member printed Baroness Verma question first answered 18/06/2015 16:47:56 answering member 3790 label Biography information for Baroness Verma
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool