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1220624

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Administration of Estates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many estates of people who died without known entitled relatives and left a will were referred to the Bona Vacant Division of the Government Legal Department in (a) March, (b) April and (c) May in (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	68760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2020 answer text <p>The Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) of the Government Legal Department (GLD) deals with the solvent estates of people domiciled in England &amp; Wales who appear to have died <strong>without</strong> leaving a valid will or relatives entitled to share in their estates in priority to the Crown. It therefore does not generally deal with estates where there is a valid will.</p><p> </p><p>If the referral contains information which suggests the deceased has left a valid will disposing of their entire estate, it will be returned to the person who referred it. The Division does not keep a record of these estates.</p><p> </p><p>If the deceased does not appear to have left a valid will or entitled relatives, the estate will be advertised on the Division’s website.</p><p> </p><p>Occasionally the Division determines that the deceased has left a valid will which disposes of the entire estate after it has been advertised. There were two such estates referred in March 2019; two in April 2019; none in May 2019; one in March 2020; one in April 2020 and one in May 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Estates where the deceased has left a valid will but it does not dispose of the entire estate are sometimes referred to the Division because the undisposed residue passes by intestacy to the Crown. One such estate was referred to the Division in March 2019 and one in April 2019. There have been no other referrals in the months concerned.</p><p> </p><p>During the corresponding period, the number of estates referred to the Division where there was no will or no will has subsequently come to light were: March 2019 = 296; April 2019 = 187; May 2019 = 160; March 2020 = 192; April 2020 = 204; May 2020 = 81.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 10/07/2020 12:47:20 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

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

1345879

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, with reference to the announcement of 29 June 2021 that the UK will provide vaccinations to COP26 delegates, how the Government plans to vaccinate COP26 delegates ahead of the conference in Glasgow.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	31510
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2021 answer text <p>As announced at the G7 Summit, the UK is working alongside the UNFCCC and other partners, to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Registered COP26 Attendees who would be unable to get them otherwise, including delegates from lower income countries.</p><p>We are now asking all those individuals looking to take up this vaccine offer to identify themselves through the UNFCCC COP registration process as soon as possible and no later than 23 July. Further logistic detail will be provided to the individuals involved via UNFCCC.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 21/07/2021 15:58:15 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1345881

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, when the Government plans to make a decision on the number of in-person participants at COP26.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	31512
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2021 answer text <p>As hosts, we recognise how urgently world representatives must come together to agree on action to tackle climate change. To be successful, COP26 needs to be in person in Glasgow this November.</p><p>We are working closely with the UNFCCC, which is responsible for the accreditation and registration for COP, on determining the number of attendees for COP. This will be informed by the capacity of the venue, taking into account any COVID mitigation requirements.</p><p>We continue to monitor the COVID situation and will ensure the most appropriate protection measures are implemented, ensuring that the health of participants and the local community is foremost in our mind.</p><p>We will communicate the full set of measures to delegates in a timely manner once approved. Our focus remains on delivering a safe, successful, in-person COP26.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/07/2021 15:51:51 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1345880

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	Wind Power: Seas and Oceans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, with representatives from what countries he (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions to increase their ambition for offshore wind ahead of COP26.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	31511
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2021 answer text <p>Accelerating the global energy transition from coal to clean power is a top priority of the UK COP26 Presidency. We are working with countries to expand the use of clean, renewable energy sources such as onshore and offshore wind, through both international forums and bilateral engagements. We launched the Energy Transition Council to bring together the political, financial and technical leaders of the global power sector to ensure that clean power is the most attractive option for new power generation for all countries. The Council engages with over twenty countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. There has also been engagement on this topic with G7 members, who recently committed to achieving overwhelmingly decarbonised power systems in the 2030s. Wind generation will play an important role in delivering decarbonisation in the UK, and internationally we are working closely with partners including the Global Wind Energy Council.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 20/07/2021 15:44:22 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1330798

	registered interest
	date	08/06/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, whether the Government has plans to provide financial support for covid-19 quarantine measures to international delegates to COP26.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	12236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.</p><p>We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.</p><p>We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 12233 12234 12235 question first answered 14/06/2021 16:25:00 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1330797

	registered interest
	date	08/06/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the likelihood of reduced attendance by international delegates at COP26.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	12235
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.</p><p>We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.</p><p>We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 12233 12234 12236 question first answered 14/06/2021 16:25:00 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1330796

	registered interest
	date	08/06/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, what the deadline is for the decision on whether COP26 will be held in person or online.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	12234
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.</p><p>We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.</p><p>We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 12233 12235 12236 question first answered 14/06/2021 16:25:00 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1330794

	registered interest
	date	08/06/2021
	answering body	COP26
	answering dept id	210
	answering dept short name	COP26
	answering dept sort name	COP26
	hansard heading	UN Climate Conference 2021: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the President of COP26, whether delegates to the COP26 conference arriving from a red or amber list country will be (a) required to self-isolate on arrival or (b) exempt from covid-19 quarantine measures.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	12233
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.</p><p>We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.</p><p>We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 12234 12235 12236 question first answered 14/06/2021 16:25:00 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse