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1729696

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Murder of Patrick Finucane Independent Inquiry
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what undertakings they have given, if any, to the family of the late Patrick Finucane that the scope or terms of the public inquiry into his murder, announced on 11 September, will differ from those of the inquiry previously proposed to the family.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL1113
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/09/2024 answer text <p>The Government will follow due process under the Inquiries Act 2005 in establishing the inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. This will include consulting the Inquiry Chair, once appointed, on the Terms of Reference. As set out to Parliament on 11 September, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland supports the assessment from the High Court that the Inquiry should ‘build on the significant investigative foundations which are already in place’. The Secretary of State has informed Mrs Finucane and her family that he will keep them updated on progress on establishing the Inquiry.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent question first answered 24/09/2024 11:52:39 answering member 4508 label Biography information for Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1729700

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 7 August (HL344), how many staff in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours; what is the percentage of overall working time they are permitted to spend on such network activity; how many hours are allocated in total; what are the names of each of the networks being funded; and what plans they have to (a) increase, or (b) reduce, such funding.
tabling member printed	Lord Farmer
uin	HL1117
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>The FCDO has 17 Staff Networks which relate to protected characteristics defined in the 2010 Equality Act, related characteristics referenced in the Civil Service Diversity &amp; Inclusion Strategy, and FCDO specific groups for topics experienced as a global organisation. Staff Networks provide valuable insight and help us to meet the Public Sector Equality Duties. Co-Chairs of FCDO Staff Networks are volunteers who are allowed to spend up to 10 per cent of their contracted time to serve in this capacity - we do not record the hours this translates to. A small discretionary budget is available for Staff Networks to support their work in line with the Civil Service guidance and value for money. There are no plans to change the number of FCDO Staff Networks or related funding.</p><p>The Staff Networks are as follows: Armed Forces, Uniformed Volunteers &amp; Family Staff Network, Country Based Staff, Disability Inclusion and Awareness Network, FCDO Women, FCDO/Diplomatic Service Families Association Carers' Network, FLAG: FCDO LGBT+ Staff Association, Flexible Working Network, Home Civil Service International Staff Network, Mental Health, Wellbeing and Listening Network, Over Fifties Network, Parents' Support Network, Parents of children with disabilities Network, Race and Ethnicity Network, Religion and Belief Group, Social Mobility Network, Unaccompanied Staff Network and Young People and Early Professionals Network.</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 26/09/2024 10:04:15 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	4321 label Biography information for Lord Farmer

1729684

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Agriculture: Land Use
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure, through the land use framework or other mechanisms, that local and larger-scale battery storage facilities are placed in appropriate locations on suitable land classes.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1101
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2024 answer text <p>The Government has published Planning Practice Guidance, which details what applicants seeking planning permission for battery energy storage systems can do to ensure they consider any potential risks. By law, planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Each application is judged on its own individual merit and the weight given to these considerations is a matter for the local planning authority as the decision taker in the first instance. Planning Practice Guidance encourages battery storage developers and local planning authorities to engage with Local Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) before submitting and determining planning application, so that issues of the siting and location of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are dealt with before the application is made.</p><p>Spatial planning will play an important role in the delivery of the Government’s growth and clean energy missions. The Land Use Framework will work hand-in-hand with the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will support a more actively planned approach to energy infrastructure across England, Scotland and Wales, identifying appropriate areas for power generation and storage infrastructure including batteries.</p> answering member printed Baroness Hayman of Ullock question first answered 23/09/2024 14:24:58 answering member 4395 label Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1729717

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Nature Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations of the report by Zero Hour, Creating a Nature-rich UK, published on 13 September 2023.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL1134
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2024 answer text <p>A key recommendation of Zero Hour’s “Creating a Nature-rich UK” report is for the Government to develop a coordinated plan to implement nature-based solutions, to tackle climate change and support nature recovery.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to protecting and restoring the environment and recognises the role of nature-based solutions in achieving this aim. We have set out our intention to accelerate progress to net zero, tackle the pollution of our rivers and seas, expand nature rich habitats such as wetlands, peat bogs and forests, and make our environmental land management schemes work for both farmers and nature.</p><p> </p><p>On 30 July we announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to be completed by the end of the year. We will develop a new statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery to meet each of our ambitious Environment Act targets. It will focus on cleaning up our waterways, reducing waste across the economy, planting millions more trees, improving air quality, and halting the decline in species by 2030. We will consider the use of nature-based solutions in delivery of these aims.</p> answering member printed Baroness Hayman of Ullock question first answered 23/09/2024 14:25:55 answering member 4395 label Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1729719

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Nature Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) halt, and (2) reverse, nature loss by 2030.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL1136
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to protecting and restoring nature. In England, we are committed to halting the decline in species abundance by 2030 and reversing it by 2042. We are also committed to reducing the risk of species extinction and restoring and creating more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042.</p><p> </p><p>Delivering these targets sits at the very heart of our mission to ensure nature’s recovery. To meet them we will create, restore and connect wildlife-rich habitat, reduce pressures on species including from pollution and climate change and take targeted action to recover specific species, working in partnership with civil society, communities and business.</p><p> </p><p>On 30 July, we announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to be completed before the end of the year to make sure it is fit for purpose. We will develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery to meet each of our Environment Act targets.</p><p> </p><p>Ministers are reviewing new policies which will be announced in the usual way.</p> answering member printed Baroness Hayman of Ullock question first answered 23/09/2024 14:26:39 answering member 4395 label Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1729685

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Dental Health
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of dental surgeries profiting from the sale of dental hygiene products, including mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine; and what assessment they have made on the financial impact for dentists and patients.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1102
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>No assessments have been made on the appropriateness of dental surgeries profiting from the sale of dental hygiene products, including mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, or the financial impact for dentists and patients. The National Health Service contracts with independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment in primary care settings. Dental practices are businesses and are therefore able to decide how they operate, providing they remain compliant with the appropriate regulations.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 25/09/2024 12:29:48 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1729705

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Folic Acid
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Merron on 11 September (HL Deb col 1562) that they propose that 250 micrograms of folic acid per 100 grams should be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour, what scientific advice they have received on the maximum volume of folic acid per 100 grams that could be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour without damaging the health of patients who are advised not to take folic acid.
tabling member printed	Lord Kamall
uin	HL1122
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>Pregnant women with folate deficiency are at greater risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Currently government advice recommends that women who could become pregnant take a daily supplement of folic acid before conception and up until the 12th week of pregnancy. However, we know that around 50% of pregnancies in the UK are unplanned. Government is therefore looking at this UK-wide measure to mandate the fortification of flour with folic acid to reduce the number of NTDs in pregnancies as a priority.</p><p>The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) have considered the proposed level of fortification in depth.</p><p>The proposed policy is to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour at 250 micrograms per 100 grams. Fortification above this level would allow for greater reductions in NTD risk but would increase the risk of people exceeding the recommended upper level of folic acid intake.</p><p>An upper limit of 1 milligram per day was set in the UK by the UK Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals in 2003, which was later reviewed and agreed by COT in 2018. In 2006 and 2009, SACN concluded that it was also necessary to minimise exposure to high intakes of folic acid because there was still uncertainties regarding folic acid and cancer risk at high intakes.</p><p>The UK Government and devolved governments addressed concerns on the interaction of folic acid with treatments and medications for different conditions, such as cancer and epilepsy, in the consultation on the policy proposal in 2021. In addition, information on the presence of folic acid will be included on the ingredients list on product labels to inform consumers. In 2023, COT published a risk assessment of the potential risks of allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to folic acid if flour is fortified with folic acid at 250 micrograms per 100 grams.</p><p>There is agreement from both SACN and COT that the proposed levels of fortification are appropriate and provide a balanced approach to fortification.</p><p>The level of folic acid fortification will be kept under review as part of the monitoring and evaluation of the policy, which would assess both positive and postulated negative impacts.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 25/09/2024 12:25:20 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4909 label Biography information for Lord Kamall

1729720

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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	Sleeping Rough
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to eradicate rough sleeping in England; and what is their timescale for doing so.
tabling member printed	Lord Truscott
uin	HL1137
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/09/2024 answer text <p>Homelessness and rough sleeping levels in England are far too high. This has a devastating impact on those affected and harms our communities.</p><p>We must address this and deliver long-term solutions. The Government is considering these issues carefully and is committed to putting Britain back on track to ending homelessness. To do this we will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Taylor of Stevenage question first answered 24/09/2024 11:57:05 answering member 4956 label Biography information for Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
tabling member	3682 label Biography information for Lord Truscott

1729688

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	217
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Visas: Arts
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to negotiate a visa-waiver agreement with the EU that allows UK artists and support staff to work in any part of the EU for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Clancarty
uin	HL1105
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to working collaboratively across departments to address the issue of musicians, performing artists and their support staff being able to tour across the EU. We will engage with the new European Commission and EU Member States, and explore how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent without a return to free movement. Our priority remains ensuring that UK artists can continue to thrive on the global stage.</p> answering member printed Baroness Twycross grouped question UIN HL1106 question first answered 26/09/2024 10:05:36 answering member 4966 label Biography information for Baroness Twycross
tabling member	3391 label Biography information for The Earl of Clancarty

1729689

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	217
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Trade Agreements: EU Countries
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to negotiate bilateral agreements for work permits with individual EU member states which do not currently offer cultural exemptions for work of up to 90 days.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Clancarty
uin	HL1106
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to working collaboratively across departments to address the issue of musicians, performing artists and their support staff being able to tour across the EU. We will engage with the new European Commission and EU Member States, and explore how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent without a return to free movement. Our priority remains ensuring that UK artists can continue to thrive on the global stage.</p> answering member printed Baroness Twycross grouped question UIN HL1105 question first answered 26/09/2024 10:05:36 answering member 4966 label Biography information for Baroness Twycross
tabling member	3391 label Biography information for The Earl of Clancarty