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91822

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railways: Electrification
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Kramer on 15 September (HL1794 and HL1795), since 1 June 2014 how many meetings have been held between (1) the Department for Transport and Network Rail, and (2) the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation, to discuss the costs of the electrification schemes.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL1880
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department attends a number of meetings with both Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation across various levels with a broad agenda. These include costs, deliverability, construction synergies and scope of works. Electrification schemes and related issues are often discussed.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 15/10/2014 15:27:28 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

91823

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Network Rail
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Kramer on 15 September (HL1794 and HL1795), with reference to the Framework Agreement between Network Rail and the Department of Transport, whether (1) the Department for Transport, (2) the Office of Rail Regulation or (3) both organisations are now responsible for approving and monitoring progress against Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan, Delivery Plan, Business Plan and Annual Plan.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL1881
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>The Framework Agreement sets out how the Department for Transport and Network Rail interact in terms of corporate governance and financial management. As set out in that document, the Department will be engaged by Network Rail during the production of several corporate planning documents, as is appropriate for a sponsoring Department, in order to agree the strategic approach:</p><p> </p><p>- Strategic Business Plans.</p><p>- The Delivery Plan.</p><p>- The Business Plan.</p><p>- Annual Plans.</p><p> </p><p>The Office of Rail Regulation regulates Network Rail’s stewardship of the national network in accordance with the Railways Act 1993. It continues to monitor and oversee Network Rail’s delivery of outputs, efficiency and financial performance against what it has challenged Network Rail to deliver in its Determinations that are developed through the Periodic Review process. The Determinations reflect Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plans amongst other things. The Department will not duplicate the Office of Rail Regulation’s work, but will oversee Network Rail’s performance on behalf of the UK taxpayer at a more strategic level, based on the Office of Rail Regulation’s analysis of performance and discussions with Network Rail’s Board.</p><p> </p><p>The Strategic Business Plans, Delivery Plan and Business Plan for Control Period 5 were finalised prior to the company’s reclassification to the public sector. Network Rail will continue to update its Plans for Control Period 5 on an annual basis.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Kramer question first answered 14/10/2014 16:17:59 answering member 1557 label Biography information for Baroness Kramer
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

91824

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Driving: Disqualification
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to bring into force section 137 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
uin	HL1882
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Government is working to put the necessary computer changes and other processes in place to allow for the commencement of section 137 of the Coroner and Justice Act 2009, which requires a court to extend a driving ban to take account of the period an offender spends in custody.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 20/10/2014 10:44:32 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

91828

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Glen Parva Young Offender Institution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with NHS England regarding the design of the proposed secure college at HM Young Offender Institution Glen Parva, and with what outcome.
tabling member printed	Lord Beecham
uin	HL1886
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has placed great emphasis on the importance of healthcare provision in the Secure College Pathfinder and has engaged NHS England officials throughout the design process. NHS England continues to play an integral role in the project. As a result, modifications have been made to the location and layout of the healthcare facilities in the design to ensure young people will have safe and timely access to healthcare and to better replicate healthcare provision found within the community.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 20/10/2014 10:44:09 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
tabling member	4181 label Biography information for Lord Beecham

91829

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Secure Colleges
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what healthcare provision is planned for secure colleges; and who will provide it.
tabling member printed	Lord Beecham
uin	HL1887
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>NHS England is responsible for commissioning all healthcare services for people in detention (including youth custodial establishments) in England and this will include healthcare provision for the Secure College Pathfinder.</p><p> </p><p>There will then be competition for a healthcare provider for the Secure College Pathfinder in 2015. The priority will be to secure a provider who has the expertise and experience to provide young people in custody with appropriate services to meet the specific needs of this cohort of children so they can access and receive the same quality and range of healthcare services as provided in the wider community.</p><p> </p><p>The healthcare provision at the Secure College Pathfinder will be commissioned following a Health and Well-Being Needs Assessment and in line with the Intercollegiate Healthcare Standards (June 2013).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 21/10/2014 14:20:00 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
tabling member	4181 label Biography information for Lord Beecham

91830

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Probation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many contracts they have entered into on the same or similar basis as the proposed contracts with private sector providers of the probation service, containing penal clauses requiring 100 per cent compensation in the event of cancellation.
tabling member printed	Lord Beecham
uin	HL1888
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>In this instance to provide you with the information you ask would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. Individual contract managers would need to search through hundreds of contract files to confirm whether the clauses in each one of their contracts are on the same or a similar basis to the clauses within the draft Transforming Rehabilitation contracts.</p><p> </p><p>I can however tell you that voluntary termination is a standard clause in government contracts which is designed to provide flexibility for government while maintaining the balance of value for money for the tax payer.</p><p> </p><p>Voluntary termination compensation would only be payable to the contractor if a contract is terminated through no fault of the contractor.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 15/10/2014 12:47:31 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
tabling member	4181 label Biography information for Lord Beecham

91842

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Human Trafficking: Children
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as part of the child trafficking advocate pilot scheme, they have agreed with Barnardo’s who will adjudicate in the case of a dispute over the course of action required to ensure the child’s best interests.
tabling member printed	Baroness Doocey
uin	HL1900
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>Child Trafficking Advocates are tasked with supporting all agencies to make decisions in the best interests of child victims and ensuring the child’s views are voiced and respected. The Modern Slavery Bill includes a requirement for all public authorities to cooperate with the advocate. As this is not in force we have agreed with all 23 local authorities in the trial that they will cooperate with the advocate. Whilst consultation with the advocate will be expected, final decisions regarding the care and safety of the child will remain the responsibility of the local authority, Home Office, parent or guardian where relevant.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 14/10/2014 13:49:42 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	4197 label Biography information for Baroness Doocey

91845

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing Revenue Accounts
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government which local authorities bid for additional borrowing headroom under the Local Growth Fund Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme 2015–17; what were the values of those bids; and how many new homes were involved.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1903
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>On 9 October 2014 the Government announced £122 million of additional Housing Revenue Account borrowing to support over 1,700 new affordable homes and local growth across twenty two local authorities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The attached table details all the local authorities who bid for additional borrowing headroom.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 14/10/2014 13:54:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name 141013 PQ350202 Baroness King of Bow table.docx title table - local authorities who bid for borrowing
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91846

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what factors caused the reduced collection rate of Council Tax in England in 2013–14.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1904
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name Council_tax_collection_rate_Statistics July2014 PQ 350200-01.pdf title council Tax Stats Release July 2014 2 file name Total arrears Arrears per Dwellings and collection rates PQ350200-01.xlsx title council tax arrears grouped question UIN HL1905 question first answered 22/10/2014 16:49:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91847

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the average Council Tax arrears per dwelling in England in each year since 2010.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1905
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name Council_tax_collection_rate_Statistics July2014 PQ 350200-01.pdf title council Tax Stats Release July 2014 2 file name Total arrears Arrears per Dwellings and collection rates PQ350200-01.xlsx title council tax arrears grouped question UIN HL1904 question first answered 22/10/2014 16:49:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow