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63783

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	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	Higher Education: Appeals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a nationwide appeals system for higher education students in the United Kingdom who wish to appeal on the basis of awarded grades or complain about alleged unfair treatment by university staff.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL567
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) operates a national complaints handling scheme for England and Wales, under provisions in the 2004 Higher Education Act. The OIA can review complaints made by students against Higher Education Institutions if they remain unresolved, once a student has completed the institution's own complaints procedures. This may include, for example, complaints from students about unfair treatment by university staff. The service is free of charge to students.</p><p> </p><p>Separate arrangements are in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.There are, however, some complaints that OIA cannot consider. These relate to concerns about admission to a university and to academic judgement. In the latter case, OIA can look at whether an institution has followed its rules and regulations in making an award to a student.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 03/07/2014 16:28:27 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

63787

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	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	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what quality control and audit procedures are in place to ensure that their advisory committees perform to the highest standards, that they are using up-to-date methodology and science, and that their advice is sound and accepted by the broader scientific community.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL571
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p><em>All committees operate according to the guidelines and standards outlined in the </em>Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]). Any advisory committee that is classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) is also subject to <em>formal Cabinet Office procedures including a full triennial review. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p><p>CoPSAC is underpinned by The Principles of Scientific Advice to Government', published in 2010 (Annex A to CoPSAC), and the ‘Nolan' principles for public life (the “Seven Principles of Public Life” (Annex C).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The principles “provide a foundation on which independent scientific advisers and government departments should base their operations and interactions”. Members are also expected to abide by the Nolan Principles, which include the principles of objectivity and accountability.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any “issues of concern over the application of the Principles, or other guidance” should be raised to the Chief Scientific Adviser. “If the matter of concern cannot be effectively resolved or is especially serious CSAs should approach the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) and Ministers should approach the GCSA and the Minister for Science. The matter will be examined against a clear set of criteria, which include a breach of the Principles or CoPSAC.”</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 15:23:07 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63788

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	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	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their advisory committees, if they need to undertake a review for which they do not have the expertise, are permitted to commission organisations that specialise in that field.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL572
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p /> <p>There is nothing in the Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]) that prevents a committee from commissioning additional advice from experts, and committees are encouraged to “seek a wide range of advice from the best sources, particularly when there is uncertainty”.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p>CoPSAC states “Where a SAC lacks the relevant expertise for a particular project or task (as opposed to the committee's on-going work), the committee can co-opt appropriate experts or establish sub-groups to include such people on an ad hoc, time-limited basis”.</p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <br /> <p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <p> </p><p /> <br /> <p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 14:53:13 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63789

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	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	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how scientists are appointed to their advisory committees; how they ensure that an appropriate range of expertise and experience is represented on those committees; and how they ensure that the best scientists apply for membership of the committees.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL573
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC[1]) lays out the procedures for appointment to Committees.</p><p> </p><p>CoPSAC indicates that the arrangements for the appointment of Committee members and the lines of accountability should be set out in each Committee's Terms of Reference.</p><p> </p><br /><p>[1]<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 14:53:54 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63790

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	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	Advisory Bodies
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recourse is available to members of the public who wish to complain about the practice and outcome of scientific inquiries conducted by government advisory committees.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Members of the public may write to the Chair of the advisory committee. If necessary, complaints can be escalated in writing to the Chief Scientific Advisor for the department in question, or the Government Chief Scientific Adviser.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/07/2014 14:53:32 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

63795

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2014
	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	Domestic Service: Conditions of Employment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to end the abuse and exploitation of domestic workers in the United Kingdom, especially those from overseas; what means they will use to ensure that such workers have contracts of employment and are regularly paid at least the minimum wage; and whether such protection can extend to the employees of foreign diplomats.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL579
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The UK already provides comprehensive employment and social protections to domestic workers and as a rule, domestic workers in the UK are entitled to the same employment rights as workers generally – including the National Minimum Wage (unless they are treated as if they are a member of the family), statutory sick pay, paid annual leave, protections from discrimination and unfair dismissals as well as other protections.</p><p> </p><p>We are fully committed to ensuring that domestic workers are able to access their rights. Anyone who believes they are being mistreated by their employer in any way has access to a number of organisations who can help including the police, the Pay and Work Rights Helpline and Employment Tribunals.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also focused on ensuring that overseas domestic workers are informed about their rights and immigration and borders staff are trained to recognise potential victims of abuse. Overseas domestic workers must have been employed for 12 months before a visa will be granted and must have a signed statement of terms and conditions of employment in line with the National Minimum Wage legislation. Every overseas domestic worker is also provided with a letter informing them of their rights in the UK and where to get help if needed. This letter is provided in a range of languages as well as English.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, all foreign diplomats in the UK are required to respect our laws, including employment regulations. The FCO treats any allegation of mistreatment of staff in diplomatic households very seriously. Any allegations that the law has been broken are investigated by the police and the FCO will take appropriate steps to assist the investigation which may include requesting the withdrawal of diplomatic immunity.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 02/07/2014 15:52:56 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton