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1017057

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answers by the Chairman of Committees (Lord Laming) on 12 May 2016 (HL8153) and the Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith) on 26 November (HL11454), why the cost of a Liberal Democrat hereditary peers' by-election, payable to Electoral Reform Services, has risen from £300 to £570.
	tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
	uin	HL11902
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>The costs differ as, exceptionally, Electoral Reform Services were not involved in the print and distribution of the voting packs for the Liberal Democrat by-election in 2016. On that occasion, these tasks were handled by a member of House staff. The £570 figure quoted is from the successful tender submitted by Electoral Reform Services whom we expect to carry out all functions in future by-elections.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 12/12/2018 13:35:18 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1020302

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2018
	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: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Written Answer by the Chairman of Committees on 25 February 2009 (HL Deb, col 89W), how many staff of the House of Lords are employed exclusively or primarily on press and public relations; and whether he has made an assessment of how this figure now compares with the number of staff employed for the same purpose by (1) the House of Commons, and (2) the Scottish Parliament.
	tabling member printed	Lord Norton of Louth
	uin	HL12086
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>Both Houses and the Scottish Parliament organise their communications/press and public relations functions in different ways which makes it hard to compare figures directly. Consequently, the figures below simply compare the number of FTEs employed predominantly on dealing with press/media.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>House of Lords</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>House of Commons</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Scottish Parliament</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>FTEs employed on press/media</strong></p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>19</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br> <br>These figures do not include staff employed by either House or the Scottish Parliament on marketing, digital communications, public information, visitor services, education and engagement all of which contribute to their work on public relations. We do not hold these figures in respect of the House of Commons and Scottish Parliament.</p><p><br>No assessment has been made of how these figures compare with each other.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 20/12/2018 16:00:19 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	3187 label Biography information for Lord Norton of Louth

1019270

	registered interest
	date	03/12/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Bills: Parliamentary Scrutiny
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to the Government’s response to the report of the Constitution Committee, Parliament and the Legislative Process, published on 20 April 2005 (HL Paper 114), whether the Procedure Committee will consider the recommendation that bills should normally be committed after Second Reading to a committee empowered to take evidence.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
	uin	HL11959
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>In 2005, when it responded to the Constitution Committee’s report, Parliament and the Legislative Process, the Government was “not convinced that it would be appropriate to commit all bills which have not been scrutinised in draft to an evidence-taking committee after Second Reading but we are ready to consider this option in exceptional circumstances (and have done in the past).” <br> <br>I am aware that the idea that bills should normally be committed after Second Reading to a committee empowered to take evidence is under fresh consideration by the Constitution Committee as part of its current inquiry on the legislative process, stage 2 of which is covering the passage of legislation through Parliament. Written and oral evidence received as part of that inquiry is available here - https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/constitution-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/legislative-process/. I am looking forward to the Committee’s report and any recommendations it might make on this and other matters. The Procedure Committee will give it due consideration then.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 18/12/2018 12:58:07 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1130600

	registered interest
	date	06/06/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Parliamentary Estate: Burglary
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to recent reports of a burglary on the Parliamentary Estate, what assessment he has made of the level of security provided on the Estate during recesses.
	tabling member printed	Lord Empey
	uin	HL16144
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>Following reports to the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) of missing property in Millbank House during a long weekend/recess period a Police investigation is underway. There will be additional police and security patrols conducted during quieter periods, including weekends, to provide reassurance to occupants whilst the investigation is in progress. Additional measures may be taken based on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 18/06/2019 13:29:11 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1028340

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Abingdon Green
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the House Authorities were consulted on the decision to close College Green to the public; and whether broadcasters using the Green pay the House.
	tabling member printed	Lord Storey
	uin	HL12414
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/01/2019 answer text <p>Yes, Black Rod was consulted on the closure of College Green. The Green is owned by the House of Commons but day to day access is delegated by the Clerk of the House to Black Rod. Current policy is to allow public access to the Green to enable the public to pass through on the paths or to use it as a recreational space. It is also longstanding policy also to allow the media to use the Green for the contemporaneous news reporting of events within Parliament. Broadcasters are not charged to use the Green as is it considered to be in Parliament’s and the national interest that they should be facilitated to report on Parliament. As the Green is owned by the House of Commons, the question of charging would be a matter for them, not the House of Lords.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 03/01/2019 14:05:35 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

1059235

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2019
	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: Disability
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether he is satisfied that the present arrangements in the Chamber and Committee Rooms meet the needs of those with hearing or visual impairments.
	tabling member printed	Lord Trefgarne
	uin	HL13620
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>The House of Lords provides support for Members, staff and visitors to Parliament affected by hearing loss through the use of audio loop and infrared systems that help to amplify sound for hearing aid users. Loop systems are installed in the Chamber and all Committee rooms, with infrared systems additionally available within Committee rooms 1 to 4, 2A, 3A and the Moses Room. Handheld radio transmitters are also available to hearing-aid users when in the Chamber, to reduce interference from electrical equipment and improve the quality of sound provided by the audio loop.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently exploring options to provide an audio description service for Chamber and Committee proceedings. This will provide blind and partially sighted members, committee witnesses and members of the public with a voiced description of which member or witness is currently speaking, transmitted directly via an audio service. A feasibility study was commissioned in January 2019 and will report back later this year.</p><p> </p><p>Further microphones are due to be added to the Chamber this year, which will improve the quality of service provided to hearing aid users. A greater number of microphones situated closer to the people speaking minimises background noise and gives a cleaner sound on the audio which is sent directly to hearing aids via the loop system. The large number of microphones used in Committee meetings, whether automated or operated by an engineer, help to keep the sound clear and maximise the quality of sound experienced by hearing aid users.</p><p> </p><p>For those with hearing impairments which do not require the use of a hearing aid, overall audibility in Committee Rooms 2A, 3A and 4A is generally good. In Committee rooms 1 to 4, however, factors such as high ceilings and furniture arrangements mean that the current acoustic set-up is sub-optimal. A facilities upgrade is currently being trialled in House of Commons Committee Room 6 and, subject to approval, House of Lords Committee rooms will also benefit from these improvements in due course. There are also plans to replace the speakers embedded in the benches within the Chamber next year, which should deliver improvements to general levels of audibility.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The business of the House is of course dependent upon Members, staff and visitors such as committee witnesses being able to hear and be heard, although the capacity to deliver improvements can sometimes be limited by the nature of operations in a building with heritage restrictions. Equality Impact Assessments will be carried out as part of the Restoration and Renewal process, during which extensive works are likely to offer the potential for further improvements to facilities. In the interim, the Director of Facilities would be happy to speak to any member with specific suggestions for improvement.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 25/02/2019 17:21:43 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	1813 label Biography information for Lord Trefgarne

1054378

	registered interest
	date	04/02/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Paintings
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker when the restoration works on the two large Maclise paintings in the Royal Gallery will be completed.
	tabling member printed	Lord Trefgarne
	uin	HL13426
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The conservation of the wall paintings ‘Trafalgar’ and ‘Waterloo’ will be completed this year. Phase 3 of the programme is currently underway (4-22 Feb inclusive), and subject to permissions, Phase 4 (final phase) will be booked for October 2019 and will complete the conservation treatment. Discussions are ongoing regarding possible future work on adjustments to the lighting of the wall paintings to further improve their presentation.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 11/02/2019 16:51:45 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	1813 label Biography information for Lord Trefgarne

1109570

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2019
	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 Library: Magazine Press
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the total cost of the production of Issue 1 of the House of Lords Library magazine The Library, published in April; and what estimate he has made of the future costs of the publication of that magazine.
	tabling member printed	Lord Palmer
	uin	HL15039
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2019 answer text <p>The total cost of production for issue 1 of the House of Lords Library Magazine <em>The Library</em> published in April was £2,642.50 plus VAT (template and printing). The magazine is available in print and digitally, and the cost of future issues will therefore depend upon the demand for printed copies. Likely subscriber numbers indicate a cost for printing of £185 plus VAT per issue, and it is expected that <em>The Library</em> will be published approximately nine times per year.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 11/04/2019 12:56:25 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	3192 label Biography information for Lord Palmer

1047823

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Hereditary Peers: By-elections
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the percentage turnout of voters in each of the whole House hereditary peer by-elections.
	tabling member printed	Lord Grocott
	uin	HL13101
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2019 answer text <p>Since the system of hereditary peer by-elections began there have been eight such by-elections where all members of the House have been eligible to vote. The percentage turnout of voters in each by-election was as follows:</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Date of election </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Departed Peer </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Elected Peer </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Percentage of electorate who voted</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>27-Mar-03</p></td><td><p>Oxfuird, V.</p></td><td><p>Ullswater, V.</p></td><td><p>63.99%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>23-Mar-05</p></td><td><p>Aberdare, L.</p></td><td><p>Eccles, V.</p></td><td><p>50.65%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>23-Mar-11</p></td><td><p>Strabolgi, L.</p></td><td><p>Hanworth, V.</p></td><td><p>53.83%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>20-Jul-11</p></td><td><p>Ampthill, L.</p></td><td><p>Colville of Culross, V.</p></td><td><p>40.70%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>17-Jul-13</p></td><td><p>Reay, L.</p></td><td><p>Borwick, L.</p></td><td><p>44.35%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>22-Oct-14</p></td><td><p>Methuen, L.</p></td><td><p>Oxford and Asquith, E.</p></td><td><p>36.46%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>27-Mar-17</p></td><td><p>Lyell, L.</p></td><td><p>Colgrain, L.</p></td><td><p>43.08%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>23-Jan-19</p></td><td><p>Skelmersdale, L.</p></td><td><p>Reay, L.</p></td><td><p>32.99%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 29/01/2019 12:10:35 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	276 label Biography information for Lord Grocott

1127419

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	POST
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the cost of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in each of the last five financial years for which data are available.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL15830
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>The cost of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology is shared by the House of Commons and the House of Lords on a 70:30 ratio. The cost to the House of Lords in each of the last five financial years is as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>£151,910</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>£172,934</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>£176,145</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>£170,345</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>£189,342</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 04/06/2019 15:15:05 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock