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349505

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Paracetamol: Pregnancy
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise awareness among pregnant women of the potential risk of paracetamol use to male foetuses.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2015 answer text <p>There are no plans to change existing advice on the use of paracetamol during pregnancy for women carrying male foetuses. Pregnant women are advised to only take medication, including paracetamol, if absolutely necessary, in the lowest effective dose and for the shortest period of time. If a painful condition persists for more than one to two days, women should consult their midwife or doctor for advice.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Prior of Brampton question first answered 24/06/2015 13:39:49 answering member 127 label Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349506

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Blood: Donors
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to raise awareness of the shortage of blood donors.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL375
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2015 answer text <p>Although blood stocks are currently in a healthy position, there is a continuing need for new donors to fill the gaps left by existing donors who are not able to give blood, particularly from those with blood types A, O and B - to ensure that there is the right mix of blood groups to match patients’ needs. As part of National Blood Week (8-14 June 2015), NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) launched the ‘Missing Type’ campaign highlighting the need for these blood types. NHSBT co-ordinates local and national awareness campaigns such as the ‘Missing Type’ campaign which are intended to motivate thousands of people to start donating blood, specifically targeted at encouraging younger people (aged 17-30) and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to become blood donors.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Prior of Brampton question first answered 23/06/2015 14:52:17 answering member 127 label Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349507

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the letter to <i>The Times</i> of 2 June from 28 former prime ministers and presidents which claims that there is a worldwide decline in the respect paid to and status of teachers.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL376
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The research cited, in the letter to The Times, was the Varkey GEMS Global Teacher Status Index, which was published in 2013. The index surveys public opinion on the status of teachers and contained several positive findings in relation to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>For example, teachers’ status was ranked higher in the UK than in many other countries, including France, Finland and Germany. Respect for headteachers in the UK was ranked highest of all the countries in the study. When respondents were asked to assess ‘how good is the education system?’ the UK ranked seventh out of all countries surveyed – a higher score than the USA, South Korea and Germany.</p><p> </p><p>To help raise the status of teaching further still, our manifesto set out our commitment to supporting the establishment of a new, independent College of Teaching. Teaching is unique amongst the professions in this country in not having a membership body to champion high standards of practice.</p><p> </p><p>The recognition of teaching as a respected and high-status profession is reflected in the calibre of those joining. Almost three quarters of new teachers now have an upper-second or first class degree, 10% higher than in 2010. We have a record proportion of new teachers (17%) with first class degrees and, for several years running, teaching has remained the most popular career destination for graduates from Oxford University.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst perceptions of teachers and teaching in this country are positive, the government remains committed to doing all we can to support the profession to develop and improve.</p><p /> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 18/06/2015 15:40:07 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349508

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Homework
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 initiative for schools to stop giving homework, to help reduce the incidence of teenage mental illness.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL377
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2015 answer text <p>It is right that schools look at how and when they set homework to take account of their individual circumstances and best support pupils to achieve.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Homework is an important part of a child’s education. There is no statutory obligation for schools to set homework. The government does not dictate how much homework children should have to do at any age.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The amount of time children spend on homework, and the type of homework set, varies between schools and depends on a number of factors including the ages of the pupils and their levels of ability. We expect schools to take into account the health and well-being of their pupils at all times, and they have a duty to do so.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 23/06/2015 13:50:57 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349509

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Nurses
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of claims by patient safety campaigners and others that NHS England may introduce lower standards in terms of the number of nurses required in the light of the termination by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence of its work on staffing levels.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting National Health Service trusts to use their resources as effectively as possible for patients, including the critical priority that staffing levels are safe.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Existing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance will continue to be used by NHS trusts to help them look at their approach to staffing and decide what is best for patients. NHS England will take this work forward alongside their programme of service reviews.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Chief Nursing Office for England wrote to Directors of Nursing and other NHS staff on 11 June confirming the steps she will be taking to advance the programme of work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Prior of Brampton question first answered 18/06/2015 14:57:31 answering member 127 label Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

349510

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Culture Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage.
tabling member printed	Baroness Hooper
uin	HL379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2015 answer text <p>The government has no plans to ratify the convention at present, but we will keep the situation under review.</p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 25/06/2015 15:39:48 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	2005 label Biography information for Baroness Hooper

349511

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Mesothelioma: Compensation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the compensation payments awarded under the Mesothelioma Act 2014, what is their estimate of (1) the difference between the actuarial calculations on which they based their assumptions for payments of compensation and the payments now being made by insurance companies; and (2) how much such companies will save in each of the next 10 years compared with the original legislative assumptions.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2015 answer text <p /> <p>No actuarial calculations were carried out in relation to the payments that would be made by the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. The tariff table, which sets out the rate of payment according to age at diagnosis, is based on an average of similar payments made under civil compensation.</p><p> </p><p>The Impact Assessment published in March 2014 estimated that £93.7m would be paid out by the Scheme in the first year of its operation, and £412.4m would be paid out over the first 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>Initial application volumes were lower than anticipated so the amount levied on the insurance industry for the period 2014/15 was £32m. It is too early to estimate what the application volumes will be over the next 10 years given volumes received to date. As this is a demand led scheme, the calculations for the levy are done afresh each year. An upturn in applications to the Scheme would result in a higher levy rate in future years.</p> answering member printed Baroness Altmann question first answered 18/06/2015 13:31:33 answering member 4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

349512

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: SOCO International
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take in the light of reports into the activities of Soco International in Virunga national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which allege breaches of bribery and corruption laws.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of allegations of serious wrongdoing made against Soco International, its employees and agents connected to its activities in the Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We expect all companies to act appropriately and encourage anyone with evidence of fraud, bribery or corruption to pass this to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).</p><p>Allegations of bribery and corruption, and incidents of violence, intimidation and threats directed at environmental activists, fishermen and local residents campaigning against oil exploitation in the Virunga National Park have been inadequately investigated by the DRC authorities. We have called upon the DRC authorities to undertake a full investigation.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 22/06/2015 15:19:25 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

349513

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
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	Unfair Dismissal
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 difficulties faced by employees who are sacked in their first two years of employment, in the light of changes to employment law and employment tribunal fees.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2015 answer text <p>The qualifying period for unfair dismissal was increased to two years in 2012. From initial analysis we cannot see any clear signs that this has had a negative impact on employment. ONS Labour Market Statistics show a decreasing trend in unemployment figures and according to the CBI/Accenture employment trends survey 2014, half of employers (50%) expect their workforce to be larger in 12 months’ time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice has initiated a review of the impact of employment tribunal fees. We will consider the outcome of this review in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 15/06/2015 16:09:38 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

349514

registered interest
date	10/06/2015
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Corruption and Money Laundering
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 report by Transparency International,<i> Empowering the United Kingdom to Recover Corrupt Assets</i>, which claims that the police lack the resources and adequate legal processes to bring prosecutions for corruption and money laundering.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL383
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2015 answer text <p>We have published the UK Anti-Corruption Plan, which sets out our commitment to tackling corruption and its proceeds. The Government established the Economic Crime Command of the National Crime Agency to lead, co-ordinate and support the national law enforcement response to money laundering and corruption. The National Crime Agency's new International Corruption Unit creates a single UK centre of excellence within the NCA for dealing with international bribery and corruption. It brings together resources from the Metropolitan Police Service, the City of London Police and the NCA.</p><p>Tackling these crimes is not just about action by the police. The Serious Crime Act 2015 closed a number of loopholes in the Proceeds of Crime Act and has made it easier to obtain restraint orders. The Serious Crime Act also made it a criminal offence to participate in the activities of an organised crime group. We have improved our information sharing arrangements, with the National Crime Agency leading work with the financial sector to improve our response to money laundering and corruption.</p><p>On 14 December 2014 we announced a review of the Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) regime to develop ways of better identifying money laundering and terrorist financing, and to prevent the dissipation of the proceeds of corruption.</p><p>The Government welcomes the report of Transparency International on the recovery of corrupt assets. We continue to consider all proposals, to give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools that they need to do their job.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 19/06/2015 13:15:05 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley