Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1356024

registered interest
date	15/09/2021
answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
answering dept id	204
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
hansard heading	House of Lords Chamber
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what discussions he has had with the Clerk of the Parliaments regarding the attire of the Table Clerks in the Chamber of the House of Lords, particularly the resumption of wearing horsehair wigs.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2734
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2021 answer text <p>Last year, as part of our necessary response to ensure business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, six additional members of staff were added to the Table Clerk rota. Full uniform was not worn by these new appointees, due to the significant procurement cost and uncertainties as to the duration of the expanded rota. In light of this the then Clerk of the Parliaments decided that uniform for all Table Clerks should be a formal gown over business attire.</p><p>An expanded rota of Table Clerks will remain in place, as it supports the resilience of the Chamber and allows a greater number of staff members to develop knowledge and understanding that is essential to the operation of the House. The costs of procuring and maintaining full uniform for a larger pool of Table Clerks would be significant. The Clerk of the Parliaments has therefore reviewed the situation and has explained to me that the current wearing of a uniform of formal gown over business attire allows Table Clerks to be identified, and respected, in the Chamber while also being appropriate for Clerks as officials performing their duties in supporting a professional, working House conducting regular business. Full uniform will continue to be worn by those Clerks participating in ceremonial occasions such as Introductions and Prorogation; and for State Opening, at which wigs will also be worn.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 16/09/2021 15:29:58 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1351727

registered interest
date	18/08/2021
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Veterinary Medicine: Drugs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2003 Competition Commission Report on supply of Veterinary Medicines; and what the implementation outcome is for each of the recommendations, including reasoning for those that have not been implemented.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/09/2021 answer text <p>All recommendations were implemented.</p><p> </p><p><strong>1 &amp; 9</strong></p><p>The Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) provide four distribution categories, based on the perceived risk of a veterinary medicine and striking the right balance between appropriate controls and availability.</p><p>'Prescription Only Medicines - Veterinarian' (POM-V) require prescribing by a vet for animals under their care, following clinical assessment. POM-V covers those products containing narcotic or psychotropic substances or requiring veterinary diagnosis/clinical assessment. Clients may request a prescription which can be dispensed elsewhere.</p><p>'POM - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person' (POM-VPS) and 'Non-Food Animal-VPS' products can be prescribed and/or supplied by vets, pharmacists or SQPs; without clinical assessment but with point-of-sale advice.</p><p>'Authorised Veterinary Medicine - General Sales List' category covers products with safety profiles allowing distribution across a range of retailers.</p><p><strong>7</strong></p><p>The distribution category is assessed during the veterinary medicine application procedure. Factors considered in deciding the category include the need for clinical diagnosis, point-of-sale advice, administration route, nature of the product/active substance and safety profile. Cost is not considered as the scope is limited to the safety of the product for both the animal and people handling the product.</p><p><strong>8 &amp; 3</strong></p><p>The EU centralised procedure is compulsory for products containing a new active substance, constituting significant therapeutic/scientific/technical innovation, or where a marketing authorisation (MA) is in the interest of animal health at EU level. These products are classified 'Prescription-Only' as their novelty represents an increased risk. The UK had the flexibility to assign one of its distribution categories, based on increased knowledge of the product's safety profile. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol the EU centralised system will still apply in Northern Ireland.</p><p><strong>5</strong></p><p>The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) reviewed products over seven categories, recommending the appropriate distribution category. In some cases, this required removal of indications to support the products being more freely available via a lower distribution classification.</p><p><strong>6</strong></p><p>MA holders can apply to change the category. This will be considered by the VPC unless they previously advised on category changes for comparable products.</p><p><strong>4</strong></p><p>The VMD may grant, without requiring a full dossier, an MA for an EU-authorised medicine for import into the UK under Parallel Import provisions, provided the applicant demonstrates it is identical to a UK-authorised medicine for food-producing species, or therapeutically identical to a UK-authorised medicine for companion animals. The VMD requests a detailed description of the product's intended re-labelling.</p><p><strong>10</strong></p><p>An MA is initially valid for five years, after which it may be renewed upon re-evaluation of the risk-benefit balance. Once renewed, the MA is valid indefinitely unless pharmacovigilance raises concerns.</p><p><strong>11</strong></p><p>The VMD publishes standards and transparent targets around the assessment processes - something recognised and welcomed by industry. The VMD encourages companies to consult on their proposed MA application, particularly for exceptional MAs, prior to submission or during the process itself. After EU Exit the VMD introduced additional MA options - national-only or in parallel with an EU application to better utilise company resources.</p><p><strong>2</strong></p><p>The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct contains a chapter on fair trading requirements. This includes provision of information on medicine prices.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 02/09/2021 13:04:02 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1347060

registered interest
date	14/07/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Payments
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is legislation which stipulates that TV licences can be paid for only (1) by cheque for the full amount, or (2) Direct Debit for quarterly payments.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1994
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2021 answer text <p>The regulations which set the frequency and amount of instalments by which TV licence fees can be paid are the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. The Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 amended instalment amounts for the period beginning 1 April 2021.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Regulations allow for a range of payment options. For example, the TV Licensing website sets monthly, quarterly and annual payment options for direct debit plans: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/direct-debit" target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/direct-debit</a>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>It also sets out that licence fee instalment amounts for a weekly or fortnightly payment licence are set out in an individual payment plan when a customer signs up for a Payment Card: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/payment-card" target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/payment-card</a>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>There is no provision in the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 which specifies payments must be made by a certain method. The BBC is responsible for the collection and enforcement of the licence fee, including methods of payment.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 20/07/2021 14:55:41 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1344893

registered interest
date	07/07/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners: Transgender People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many biologically female transgender prisoners are housed in the male prison estate; what assessment they have made of the safety of those prisoners; what steps they are taking to protect those prisoners from sexual assault; and whether those prisoners are subject to full body searches by biologically male prison officers.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1789
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>At the time of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service Offender Equalities Report 2018/19, there were 163 people who self-identified as transgender. Of the 129 transgender prisoners in men’s prisons, 2 reported their legal gender as female. Although those known to hold Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs) were excluded from this data set, it is possible that prisoners may not always disclose this as there is no legal requirement for them to do so.</p><p>The policy framework ‘The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender’ sets out how decisions regarding the allocation of transgender prisoners are taken. Local and Complex Case Boards provide expertise on the management of transgender prisoners. When managing prisoners, all risk information relating to each individual must be considered, including risk from others, risk to others and risk of self-harm, in order to protect the welfare and rights of every individual as well as those around them.</p><p>Searching arrangements for transgender prisoners are agreed on a case-by-case basis, but must be in line with PSI 07/2016 (Searching of the Person).</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 21/07/2021 16:56:20 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1344936

registered interest
date	07/07/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: Doctors
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 decision by Leicester NHS Trust to reinstate the employment of a doctor who was convicted of manslaughter in 2015; and what safeguards are in place to assess professional competence in this and equivalent situations.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1790
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2021 answer text <p>As the independent regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC) assesses all fitness to practise concerns therefore, it would not be appropriate for the Department to make a specific assessment of their decisions. In serious cases, doctors are referred to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service who make decisions on a doctor’s fitness to practice. If any restrictions are imposed on a doctor’s practise, the tribunal can only lift them if they are satisfied that there is no likely risk of repetition or danger to the public.</p><p> </p><p>We expect National Health Service organisations to have robust recruitment procedures. For healthcare professionals, this includes confirmation with the relevant professional regulatory body to ensure the individual has a license to practise and does not have any ongoing fitness to practise concerns. Where the outcome of pre-employment checks or any subsequent risk assessment are unsatisfactory, organisations retain the right to withdraw the offer of employment.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 20/07/2021 13:10:19 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1339146

registered interest
date	22/06/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Offenders: Transgender People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to revise the policy framework The Care and Management of Individuals Who are Transgender, published in January 2020.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1287
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service policy framework 'The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender' was published in 2019. A routine review of the implementation of this framework is underway. The review will involve consultation with a range of internal and external stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>We will always ensure that transgender individuals are managed safely with their rights properly respected and in accordance with the law. We continue to consider all known risk factors when managing transgender offenders, including any risk to the person, risk to others and risk of self-harm.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL1288 question first answered 06/07/2021 15:44:56 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1339147

registered interest
date	22/06/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Offenders: Transgender People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a review of The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender, published January 2020, is underway; and if so, what is the status of that review.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1288
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service policy framework 'The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender' was published in 2019. A routine review of the implementation of this framework is underway. The review will involve consultation with a range of internal and external stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>We will always ensure that transgender individuals are managed safely with their rights properly respected and in accordance with the law. We continue to consider all known risk factors when managing transgender offenders, including any risk to the person, risk to others and risk of self-harm.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL1287 question first answered 06/07/2021 15:44:56 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1339149

registered interest
date	22/06/2021
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Coronavirus
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 recent COVID-19 forecasting by the team at Imperial College London, led by Professor Neil Ferguson.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1289
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department has made no overall assessment.</p> answering member printed Lord Bethell question first answered 06/07/2021 12:09:14 answering member 4708 label Biography information for Lord Bethell
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1339150

registered interest
date	22/06/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Coronavirus: Advisory Bodies
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether members of the COVID-19 advisory bodies are bound by collective responsibility; and what assessment they have made of the consistency of public statements by members of those bodies with the conclusions of those bodies.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1290
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>Members of advisory bodies are appointed as private individuals to advise the Government, not as representatives of the Government. The principle of Cabinet Collective Responsibility, that the Cabinet system of Government is based on, does not extend beyond Government Ministers.</p><p>A Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, published by the Government Office for Science, provides guidance for all aspects of their governance, such as those scientific advisory bodies engaged on the COVID-19 response. It provides guidance on the establishment, management and conduct of committees and sets out their relationship with the bodies they advise. Members rights and responsibilities, and procedures for arriving at conclusions and consensus are also covered in the guidance. The Code is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scientific-advisory-committees-code-of-practice" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scientific-advisory-committees-code-of-practice</a></p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 06/07/2021 16:17:56 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1337571

registered interest
date	16/06/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Mothers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Ministry of Justice, in any of its official (1) paperwork, (2) guidance, (3) instructions, (4) manuals, or (5) other documents, (a) has replaced, or (b) intends to replace, the word “mother” with the phrase “parent who has given birth”.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL1153
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2021 answer text <p>As laid out in Hansard, 8 March 2007, Col. 146ws, in 2007, the then Government resolved to shift to gender-neutral drafting of legislation to avoid stereotypes that only men could hold positions of authority.</p><p> </p><p>Notwithstanding, Ministers believe it is entirely appropriate to continue to refer to sex in legislation where helpful for clarity or pertinent (for example, legislation relating to the health needs of women).</p><p> </p><p>In that light, we have not, nor do we intend to, replace the word ‘mother’ with the phrase ‘parent who has given birth' in Departmental paperwork, guidance, instructions, manuals or other documents.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 01/07/2021 15:49:59 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra