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1205612

registered interest
date	19/06/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Land: Public Sector
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much publicly owned land has been sold by the Government in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	61754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>Details of publicly owned land sold by the Government are available on GOV.UK:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sales-of-government-assets" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sales-of-government-assets</a></p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 25/06/2020 13:54:01 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1205191

registered interest
date	18/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the level of contribution made by local authorities to raising building standards for new dwellings.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	61555
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to meeting its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and recognises the important contribution that the energy efficiency of buildings has to make in meeting it. In October 2019, we launched the first stage of a two-part consultation on Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations. We proposed an ambitious uplift in the energy efficiency of new homes through the introduction of a Future Homes Standard from 2025. We expect that homes built to the Future Homes Standard will have carbon dioxide emissions 75-80 per cent lower than those built to current Building Regulations standards, which means they will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and very high fabric standards.</p><p>We have consulted on a meaningful and achievable increase to the energy efficiency standards for new homes as a first step towards the 2025 standard. The preferred option set out in consultation is a standard that should result in a 31 per cent reduction in emissions, compared to current standards.</p><p>We have proposed a stringent minimum standard for energy efficiency, to be applied across the country, to address issues of ambition, consistency, offsetting and targeting. This means that there may no longer be any need for local planning authorities to set higher standards at a local level. Our research suggests that few local planning authorities set higher standards, but those who do often set a 19 per cent improvement over 2013 standards. Our stage-one proposals will see a 31 per cent improvement over 2013 standards. In some local areas carbon offsetting schemes form part of the energy efficiency framework for buildings; and in others energy efficiency standards are targeted at specific kinds of building work. A single, national standard may minimise any confusion and uncertainty for local planning authorities, and better support the growth of supply chains of key products required to deliver the Future Homes Standard.</p><p>The Future Homes Standard consultation closed on 7 February. The responses we received will be considered carefully, and a Government response will be published in due course.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 26/06/2020 13:11:57 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1203617

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Buses: Electric Vehicles
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2020 to Question 49803 on hydrogen buses, what funding his Department has provided to increase the use of battery electric buses; and how many battery electric buses have been purchased through that funding.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	59546
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>The Department has provided funding to assist the purchase of low emission buses. Funding to date has been technology neutral, including, the ultra-low emission bus scheme (ULEBS) and the low emission bus scheme (LEBS). These provided successful bidders with £43,517,720 which was used to purchase 341 fully electric buses.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to this, the Department is currently considering its response to expressions of interest in a £50 million All-Electric Bus Town competition.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Redditch answering member printed Rachel Maclean question first answered 23/06/2020 16:39:01 answering member 4668 label Biography information for Rachel Maclean
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1203907

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools are able to offer free fruit and vegetables for children aged four to six, following the suspension of the School Fruit and Vegetable scheme in March and the reopening of schools on 1 June.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	59547
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme is operated by the NHS Supply Chain on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. A decision was taken in March that the scheme would not operate for the whole of the summer term of 2020, recognising the substantial operational difficulties which would need to be resolved in order to restart a large, national scheme like this part-way through a term. This ensured that as little fresh produce went to waste as possible.</p><p>The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme will resume in September, helping infants to develop healthy eating habits by getting an extra portion of fruit or vegetables every day while at school.</p><p>The government does not collect or hold specific data in relation to schools’ provision of free fruit and vegetables during this period. However, infant pupils currently attending schools are entitled to a free lunch under universal infant free school meals. As stated within the School Food Standards, schools must offer one of more portions of fruit every day and one of more portions of vegetables or salad as an accompaniment to meals every day.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 59548 question first answered 21/07/2020 15:32:38 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1203909

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the timeframe is for the reinstatement of funding for the national School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	59548
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme is operated by the NHS Supply Chain on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. A decision was taken in March that the scheme would not operate for the whole of the summer term of 2020, recognising the substantial operational difficulties which would need to be resolved in order to restart a large, national scheme like this part-way through a term. This ensured that as little fresh produce went to waste as possible.</p><p>The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme will resume in September, helping infants to develop healthy eating habits by getting an extra portion of fruit or vegetables every day while at school.</p><p>The government does not collect or hold specific data in relation to schools’ provision of free fruit and vegetables during this period. However, infant pupils currently attending schools are entitled to a free lunch under universal infant free school meals. As stated within the School Food Standards, schools must offer one of more portions of fruit every day and one of more portions of vegetables or salad as an accompaniment to meals every day.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 59547 question first answered 21/07/2020 15:32:38 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1203911

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
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	School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria his Department uses to assess the merits of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme; and what recent assessment he has made of the effect on children of the suspension of that scheme since March 2020.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	59549
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>On 18 March the Government announced that from 23 March 2020, as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, schools would remain open only for a limited number of pupils - vulnerable children and children of key workers, as defined by the Government.</p><p> </p><p>A decision was taken in March that the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme would not operate for the whole of the summer term of 2020, recognising the substantial operational difficulties which would need to be resolved in order to restart a large, national scheme like the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme part-way through a term. This ensures that as little fresh produce goes to waste as possible. The funding for the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme which will not be spent during the summer term is being used to support the NHS and other priorities during the pandemic.</p><p>The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme will resume in September when all children will return to school. As before, all children in Key Stage 1 in state-funded primary schools will receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable every school day.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill grouped question UIN 59550 question first answered 21/07/2020 13:28:57 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1203912

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
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	School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his policy is on the reinstatement of funding for the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	59550
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2020 answer text <p>On 18 March the Government announced that from 23 March 2020, as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, schools would remain open only for a limited number of pupils - vulnerable children and children of key workers, as defined by the Government.</p><p> </p><p>A decision was taken in March that the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme would not operate for the whole of the summer term of 2020, recognising the substantial operational difficulties which would need to be resolved in order to restart a large, national scheme like the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme part-way through a term. This ensures that as little fresh produce goes to waste as possible. The funding for the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme which will not be spent during the summer term is being used to support the NHS and other priorities during the pandemic.</p><p>The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme will resume in September when all children will return to school. As before, all children in Key Stage 1 in state-funded primary schools will receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable every school day.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill grouped question UIN 59549 question first answered 21/07/2020 13:28:57 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1202419

registered interest
date	10/06/2020
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Intestacy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether she has made a recent assessment of levels of compliance among local authorities with the guidance issued by the Government Legal Department on the referral to the Bona Vacantia Division of estates of people who have died without (a) known entitled relatives and (b) leaving a will and instead passing the details directly to a single heir hunting firm.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	58045
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>The Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) of the Government Legal Department (GLD) deals with the estates of people domiciled in England &amp; Wales who appear to have died without leaving a valid will or relatives entitled to share in their estates in priority to the Crown. Estates which potentially fall to be dealt with as bona vacantia may be referred to BVD by a variety of routes, for example, banks, other financial institutions, solicitors or members of the public.</p><p> </p><p>There is no statutory obligation to refer estates to BVD but guidance on the referral process and the circumstances in which a referral will be accepted are published on BVD’s website (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia</a>). It is for local authorities to determine whether an estate should be referred to BVD.</p><p> </p><p>In 2017-2018, 2768 estates were referred to BVD of which 909 were referred by local authorities. In 2018-2019, 1971 estates were referred to BVD of which 575 were referred by local authorities.</p><p>In 2019-2020, 2336 estates were referred to BVD of which 561 were referred by local authorities</p><p> </p><p>GLD has no responsibility for overseeing local authorities or their compliance with guidance issued by GLD about the handling of estates. Such information – including whether an estate has been referred to the Bona Vacantia Division of GLD, or whether the local authority has instructed an heir hunter – will be held by the particular local authority concerned.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 24/06/2020 16:20:38 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1202420

registered interest
date	10/06/2020
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Intestacy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, if she will make it her policy to strengthen the guidance issued by the Government Legal Department to local authorities on handling the estates of people who have died without (a) known entitled relatives and (b) leaving a will to ensure that they refer all eligible estates as soon as possible after death to the Bona Vacantia Division and do not pass the details directly to a single heir hunting firm.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	58046
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>The Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department (GLD) handles the estates of people who die without known entitled relatives, and without leaving a will. There is no statutory obligation to refer estates to GLD. However, GLD publishes guidance on the matter. In addition, local authorities can and do seek advice from GLD about the referral of specific cases.</p><p> </p><p>GLD does not provide advice to local authorities on the use of heir hunters.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 24/06/2020 16:23:59 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1201295

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Solar Power
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring that solar PV be installed on all new homes.
tabling member constituency	Bath
tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
uin	56106
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Mandating a particular renewable technology, such as solar panels, may not be appropriate for all dwellings in all areas. Building regulations and national planning policy encourage the use of renewables without requiring any particular technology. Building regulations are deliberately couched in performance terms, allowing builders, local councils and architects the flexibility to select from a range of renewable energy technologies to suit the potentially unique circumstances of a particular development.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 16/06/2020 15:03:05 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse