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155352

registered interest
date	11/11/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	Obesity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement in the recently published NHS Five Year Forward View that "the NHS will therefore now back hard-hitting national action on obesity", what hard-hitting actions are envisaged.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2810
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2014 answer text <p>We welcome the National Health Service Five Year Forward View and will be making a substantive response in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have a well-developed and wide-ranging programme of actions to reduce levels of obesity. These include working with a wide range of partners including Public Health England, NHS England, other Government departments, including the Department for Education and Department for Transport, and through voluntary partnership with industry. Key initiatives include Change4Life, the National Child Measurement Programme, NHS Health Checks, Change4Life Sports Clubs, school sports funding and the School Food Plan.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>In October, Public Health England published <em>From evidence into action: opportunities to protect and improve the nation’s health</em> which outlines its priorities. These are aligned with NHS England’s ambitions highlighted in the Five Year Forward View and commit to work with NHS England to implement the actions for tackling obesity.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><em>From evidence into action: opportunities to protect and improve the nation’s health</em> is available at:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/366852/PHE_Priorities.pdf</p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 25/11/2014 12:00:01 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

155353

registered interest
date	11/11/2014
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	Obesity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 26 September (HL1920), how they reconcile the proposed "hard-hitting national action on obesity" described in the NHS Five Year Forward View with the Government Equalities Office body image programme which promotes positive representation of a diversity of body types.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2811
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government recognises that obesity and poor body confidence are both part of a wider public health issue. This is the relationship that people have to their bodies, and how they integrate physical and emotional wellbeing. There is a strong relationship between poor body image, disordered eating and weight problems. Research shows that people with low levels of body satisfaction are more likely to gain weight over time (regardless of starting BMI); whereas those who have higher levels of body satisfaction are less likely to gain weight.</p><p>This is partly because people with low body image are less likely to be physically active and more likely to use unhealthy weight control behaviours. Poor body image is also linked with depression and low self-esteem. People who do not feel good about their bodies are less likely to look after them, so supporting people to value themselves and take care of their bodies is crucial in tackling obesity.</p><p>The Government is committed to tackling obesity and tackling the causes of poor body image. The Public Health England Change4Life campaign has been widely acclaimed for its positive approach and for not using “fat shaming” imagery. Instead, it focuses on motivating healthy behaviour change rather than achievement of a particular body type.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Garden of Frognal question first answered 20/11/2014 12:03:01 answering member 3842 label Biography information for Baroness Garden of Frognal
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

155354

registered interest
date	11/11/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Crime: Statistics
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to issue guidance to police forces in England and Wales to the effect that, when publishing statistics or issuing any statement referring to persons being from "the Asian Community", use should instead be made of the official 18-point classifications from the National Census.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2812
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2014 answer text <p>As this is a matter for local Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables, the Home Office has no plans to issue guidance to police forces in England and Wales on using 18-point classifications from the National Census when publishing statistics or issuing any statement referring to persons being from &quot;the Asian Community&quot;.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 19/11/2014 13:49:33 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

155355

registered interest
date	11/11/2014
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	Crime: Statistics
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 effect on community relations with citizens of Asian origin of crime reporting referring to "the Asian community" without further specifying the group concerned.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2813
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>No such assessment has been made.</p><p> </p><p>As a broader observation, it is important to recognise that the recent horrific sexual grooming crimes in Rochdale and Rotherham were committed by a small minority of men drawn from a British Pakistani background, whilst in Bristol most recently the convictions were of men drawn from a Somali background. I welcome both communities strongly condemning these vile acts, as it tarnishes their reputation. However, such criminal acts were compounded by a failure of public authorities to take action because of institutionalised political correctness.</p><p> </p><p>We need to tackle this head on – acknowledging that there is a criminal element in some communities; that there is a sexist mindset that allowed these men to prey on vulnerable women of all backgrounds; and that the authorities shied away from tackling such crimes.</p><p> </p><p>If we fail to do so, it will merely help extremists hijack and exploit the issue for their own ends, undermining our strong community relations, whilst they seek to spread divisions and mistrust.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 01/12/2014 12:55:23 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

155356

registered interest
date	11/11/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Crime: Statistics
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to revise the publication of criminal statistics under the broad classifications of "White, Black, Asian, Mixed, other" and instead use the full 18-point classifications as used in the National Census.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2814
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 20/11/2014 14:26:21 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire attachment 1 file name HL2814 ONS Letter - Lord Blencathra.pdf title Uk Statistics Authority Response
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

147400

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	British Nationals Abroad: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to prosecute jihadis who have fought with ISIS and return to the United Kingdom; and if not, why not.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2804
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p>If there is evidence that people are going to Syria to engage in terrorist activity they can be arrested and prosecuted. Each case is considered individually in accordance with the rules of the applicable criminal law jurisdiction. In England and Wales if the police refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), they consider whether the test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met; that is whether there is sufficient evidence of any offence, and if so, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute. A similar public interest approach is taken by the office of the Lord Advocate, the sole prosecuting authority for Scotland.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Whether an individual is arrested or prosecuted for a terrorism offence will always depend on the facts and circumstances of the case and is an operational decision for the police and responsible prosecuting authority. Safeguards are built in to our legislation and we rely on the professionals involved to make sure that prosecutions are pursued in appropriate cases. Whether any specific act falls within the definition of ‘terrorism’ and whether any individuals or groups have committed an offence will always depend on all facts and circumstances of the case. Depending on the specific circumstances, anyone who becomes involved with fighting overseas may be prosecuted under the applicable law on their return<strong>.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A very wide range of offences already exists on the statute books that can be used to prosecute such individuals and to manage the risk they may pose on return, including in the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006 which provide extra-territorial jurisdiction in relation to certain activities. In particular, where there is evidence that individuals are planning, promoting, funding, facilitating or participating in terrorist activities overseas - including involvement in fighting for terrorist groups - the relevant authorities will seek to prosecute them, before they go or on their return.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Tankerness question first answered 24/11/2014 17:26:25 answering member 630 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Tankerness
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

147401

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Teachers: Recruitment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to accelerate the Teach First programme so that all teachers are recruited by that method by 2020.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2805
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2014 answer text <p>Teach First is a charity part-funded by the Government to raise levels of pupil attainment in schools facing challenging circumstances. Teach First’s mission is to recruit high-performing graduates into schools with significant levels of economic deprivation and low levels of educational performance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has allocated 2,000 training places to Teach First for 2015/16, a 33% increase on its allocation for 2014/15. This reflects the importance the Government places on Teach First’s contribution, and will ensure that Teach First operates in all regions of the country, including in rural and coastal areas. It would not, however, be consistent with Teach First’s mission or scale of operation for it to train all of the approximately 36,000 trainees, including at undergraduate level, required annually to meet the needs of schools of all types in all parts of the country.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Nash question first answered 18/11/2014 15:51:39 answering member 4270 label Biography information for Lord Nash
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

147402

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Antisemitism
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the current law is sufficient to deal with hate messages against Jews on social media, including Twitter.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2806
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Yes. The Government is absolutely clear that abusive and threatening behaviour online – whoever the target - is totally unacceptable. A number of offences may be committed by abusing others on social media. A message sent by means of a public electronic communications network, such as a message on Twitter, which is grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing may be an offence under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003. Sending indecent, grossly offensive or threatening material to another with the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to a person to whom the material is communicated, including by means of the internet, is an offence under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.</p><p> </p><p>Internet abuse could also amount to an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 if it is carried out as part of a ‘course of conduct’ which amounts to harassment or puts someone in fear of violence.</p><p> </p><p>Changes to the law being taken forward in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will increase the maximum penalty for offences under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 to 2 years imprisonment, and will mean that the current requirement that prosecutions are brought within 6 months of the offence being committed will no longer apply. The Bill will also extend the time within which prosecutions under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 may be brought, to up to three years from commission of the offence, as long as this is also within 6 months of the prosecutor having knowledge of sufficient evidence to justify proceedings.</p><p> </p><p>These steps will help to ensure that people who commit these awful crimes are prosecuted and properly punished. Where any crime is motivated by or demonstrates hatred based on the race or religion of the victim, the courts will take this into account in passing sentence.</p> answering member printed Lord Faulks question first answered 24/11/2014 17:33:23 answering member 4183 label Biography information for Lord Faulks
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

147403

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
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	Broadband
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to make it compulsory for internet service providers to publish, as prominently as "up to" broadband speeds, a guaranteed minimum speed for their services.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2807
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to regulate the way in which broadband speeds are advertised. Ofcom, the independent regulator, has already carried out a significant amount of work to improve the performance of Internet Service Providers (ISPs).</p><p>The Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds was introduced by Ofcom in 2008 and which the majority of ISPs have now signed up to. The Code requires ISPs to make clear and accurate information on the broadband services available to consumers at the point of sale, including speed, so that they can make an informed decision before purchasing. Since the Code was strengthened in 2010, ISPs have been required to give consumers broadband speeds estimates in the form of a range rather than as a midpoint estimate where there was large variation in achievable speeds. Consumers must also be allowed to leave a contract without penalty if they receive speeds significantly below the estimate.</p><p>Under the Code ISPs are expected to manage customers’ problems when they report that they are not receiving the speeds that they had expected to receive when they purchased the broadband service. This includes the ISP investigating any technical problems and in certain circumstances offering a different broadband package without charging the customer the cost of migrating to the new package.</p><p>Ofcom is currently discussing with industry and consumer groups its proposals to revise the Code to reflect significant changes in the broadband market since the Code’s introduction, with the increased take up of superfast packages. An updated Code is due to be published in December.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 18/11/2014 15:15:49 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

147404

registered interest
date	10/11/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Civil Servants
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 28 October (HL2121), whether they consider civil servants who believe in an Islamic State in the United Kingdom brought about by peaceful means a source of concern; and whether they consider such views to be extremist.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2808
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government’s Prevent strategy defines extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Any civil servant seen as opposing those values would be a cause for concern.</p><p>As mentioned in my written answer of 28 October, Civil Servants are subject to the provisions of the <em>Civil Service Code.</em></p><p>The Home Secretary recently announced that the Home Office will, for the first time, assume responsibility for a counter-extremism strategy that goes beyond terrorism. The strategy will aim to build up the public sector and civil society to identify extremism in all its forms, confront it, challenge it and defeat it. The need to protect British values will be at the heart of the new strategy.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 24/11/2014 17:51:36 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra