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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

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

1125689

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	Local Enterprise Partnerships: Rural Areas
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 many and which Local Enterprise Partnerships have undertaken a rural proofing review for policies adopted during 2018-19.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	252507
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not collect information relating to rural proofing reviews.</p><p>In <em>Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships, </em>Government set out its expectation that all LEPs should seek to be representative of their local economies and ensure that through their development of economic strategy for their areas, LEPs prioritise action needed to boost productivity, earning power and competitiveness across their local economies, rural as well as urban.</p><p>In line with the Industrial Strategy, we have set Local Enterprise Partnerships a single mission to deliver Local Industrial Strategies to promote productivity. This should include a focus on the foundations of productivity and identify priorities across Ideas, People, Infrastructure, Business Environment and Places.</p><p>For many LEP areas this will involve identifying weaknesses in productivity across their local areas, such as in isolated rural or urban communities, promoting inclusive growth by using existing national and local funding.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 14/05/2019 12:32:50 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

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

1125789

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	Foreign Companies: Assets
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to require companies to disclose the proportion of their assets under management originating from countries with a poor record of human rights.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
uin	252519
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>Companies registered in the UK are required to report the value of their global assets within their annual accounts but there are no plans to introduce requirements to report on their assets in relation to human rights.</p><p> </p><p>Government has introduced other requirements on companies in relation to human rights Quoted companies are required to report on human rights issues, as they relate to the company, within the narrative part of their annual report. Companies must include a description of their business model and of their policies, in relation to human rights, and the effectiveness of those policies. The information provided must be to the extent necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the company’s business and the impact of its activities.</p><p> </p><p>These requirements are enhanced by voluntary guidance and standards, including the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 14/05/2019 12:32:55 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

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

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

1125851

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	Summertime: EU Action
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to continuing alignment between UK and EU policy on seasonal time changes, after the European Parliament voted to end them from October 2021.
tabling member printed	Baroness Nye
uin	HL15641
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government does not believe there is any case for changing the current arrangements. I am working with EU Member States to convince them and the European Commission of our position.</p><p>We believe the current system works for citizens in the UK and there is no evidence that justifies the abolition of daylight saving time, which currently already ensures harmonisation of time in the EU.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 14/05/2019 14:29:17 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	4180 label Biography information for Baroness Nye