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100594

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	answering body	The Lord Chairman of Committees
	answering dept id	200
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Chairman of Committees (HoL)
	hansard heading	Parliament: Veterans
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Chairman of Committees whether he has any plans, in conjunction with the House of Commons Commission, to identify those posts in the Palace of Westminster which could be filled by recently disabled servicemen and servicewomen and to keep those posts open, in the first instance, only for such individuals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL2331
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>There are no current plans to reserve posts in the Palace of Westminster in the first instance for recently disabled servicemen and servicewomen.</p><p>Employment practice in both Houses is to recruit through fair and open competition and to welcome job applications from people with disabilities, making any reasonable adjustments to enable disabled applicants to compete equally for employment and promotion.</p><p>The bi-cameral workplace equality network ParliABLE promotes awareness and positive approaches to disability through publicity and events which continue to be well supported by Members of both Houses.</p> answering member printed Lord Sewel question first answered 04/11/2014 12:36:33 answering member 2124 label Biography information for Lord Sewel
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1020039

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Fire Regulations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the impact of the manual fire safety call points on the visual appearance of the Palace of Westminster; and what consideration was given to alternative means of advertising call points and fire safety instructions in keeping with the heritage of the Palace.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL12014
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.</p><p>The “totem” manual fire safety call points are designed for highly significant interiors within the Palace, where fixing escape signs and manual call points to the historic fabric is not acceptable. Following consultation with Historic England, it was agreed that free standing signage was the best option in those spaces, to reduce physical impact on the Palace.</p><p>The patinated brass finish used in the frame was chosen to blend in with the timber joinery and reference the Victorian brass fittings found throughout the Palace. The colours used for the signage differ slightly from the British Standards; the colours were chosen to minimise the visual impact on interiors, whilst remaining legible to direct people in the case of an emergency.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 18/12/2018 14:17:22 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1152000

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Peers: Harassment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what representations, if any, the House of Lords Administration has made to the Metropolitan Police regarding protestors intimidating Parliamentarians leaving the Parliamentary Estate.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL344
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2019 answer text <p>The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) works closely with the Metropolitan Police (MPS). PSD officials meet with the MPS frequently to discuss anticipated or ongoing issues, which can include intimidation of Parliamentarians and staff by protestors when entering and leaving the estate.</p><p>PSD holds a weekly meeting with the MPS, Black Rod and the Serjeant at Arms to assess forthcoming events for potential issues around access and security, enabling PSD and MPS responses to be updated accordingly. For security reasons we do not provide details of security arrangements.</p><p>When high levels of protest activity are expected, Parliamentarians are sent communications advising them of access information and security advice. Parliamentarians are also encouraged to raise any security concerns with the Director of Security for Parliament, and to raise access queries with Black Rod.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 30/10/2019 12:36:57 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1189850

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2020
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Oral Questions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans he has to introduce a training course for peers about asking oral questions concisely.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>There are no plans to introduce such training at present. When introducing virtual proceedings the Lord Speaker and his Deputies have consistently emphasised the importance of brevity when asking and answering supplementary questions, and the part that this can play in allowing a greater number of members to contribute within the time limits.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 06/05/2020 15:34:37 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1191276

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2020
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Oral Questions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are, if any, to publish a record of the length of time taken by members of the House to ask supplementary questions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3456
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>When introducing virtual proceedings the Lord Speaker and his Deputies have consistently emphasised the importance of brevity when asking and answering supplementary questions, and the part that this can play in allowing a greater number of members to contribute within the time limits.　These sentiments were echoed in an email that I sent to all members on 12 May, updating them on virtual proceedings. Revised guidance issued by the Procedure Committee on the same day also stated that ‘Members should avoid taking up time in Virtual Proceedings thanking other members for their contributions’.　There are no plans to publish a record of the length of time taken by members of the House to ask supplementary questions; the Procedure Committee will continue to keep these matters under review.</p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 13/05/2020 16:11:54 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

418174

	registered interest
	date	10/09/2015
	answering body	The Lord Chairman of Committees
	answering dept id	200
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Chairman of Committees (HoL)
	hansard heading	House of Lords: Electronic Cigarettes
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Chairman of Committees whether the Administration and Works Committee will reconsider the ban on e-cigarettes in rooms in the House of Lords which formerly permitted smoking, in the light of the conclusions of a report by Public Health England that e-cigarettes are a good substitute for tobacco cigarettes and should be available on the NHS.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL2145
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2015 answer text <p>The Administration and Works Committee agreed that the e-cigarette policy should ideally be a bicameral one; it presently is. This has ensured that the policy is simple and applied across the whole Estate. The decision to ban the use of e-cigarettes across the Estate (except in smoking shelters and a dedicated e-cigarette use area) was based on the advice available at the time about uncertainty over the impact of e-cigarettes, safety concerns and the practice of other organisations. I recognise that the position on e-cigarettes is changing and we will keep this matter under review.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 18/09/2015 13:19:32 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

637343

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2016
	answering body	The Lord Chairman of Committees
	answering dept id	200
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Chairman of Committees (HoL)
	hansard heading	Cycling: Millbank
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether he will make representations to the Metropolitan Police about the dangers caused by cyclists ignoring the law to members of the public, Parliamentary staff and Members using the zebra crossing at 1 Millbank; and whether he will request the police to take enforcement action.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL3268
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2016 answer text <p>The Metropolitan Police were consulted by Westminster City Council in advance of the decision in 2013 to replace the pelican crossing at 1 Millbank with the current zebra crossing. Following the tragic accident that took place on the crossing on 16 November, the Metropolitan Police are conducting an investigation including safety aspects of the crossing. Additionally, the Director of Facilities has recently contacted the Council. I thank the Noble Lord for highlighting the issue.</p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 29/11/2016 16:02:47 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

838333

	registered interest
	date	07/02/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, in the light of the resolutions on Restoration and Renewal passed by both Houses, what are the likely next steps; and what will be the mechanism for Peers to submit suggestions and ideas.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL5466
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/02/2018 answer text <p>Both Houses have decided that the next steps of the Restoration &amp; Renewal Programme should be overseen by a Sponsor Board and Delivery Authority. It is expected that the Commission of each House will therefore immediately focus on establishing those bodies in shadow form. Until the shadow Sponsor Board has been appointed, the Programme will continue to be delivered under the governance of the bicameral Programme Board, which consists of officials from both Houses plus two external members, and acts with authority delegated from the Board and Accounting Officer of each House. Establishing both bodies in substantive form will require primary legislation.</p><p>The Programme Team, supported by its client advisory services consultants, CH2M and BDP, will continue work in the following areas:</p><ul><li>further investigation and documentation of the current physical condition of the Palace of Westminster and its building services;</li><li>further studies on the feasibility of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre as temporary accommodation for the House of Lords;</li><li>design of Richmond House as temporary accommodation for the House of Commons, which is being taken forward as part of the Commons’ Northern Estate Programme;</li><li>development of a client brief for the design of the works to the Palace of Westminster;</li><li>the development of the required Outline Business Cases (OBCs), compliant with HM Treasury’s <em>Green Book</em>; and</li><li>a further round of medium-term mechanical and electrical, public health and conservation work to mitigate the operational risks to Parliament presented by the condition of the building between now and the commencement of the construction phase of the R&amp;R Programme.</li></ul><p>The design phase will require extensive consultation with Members of both Houses, as well as a wide range of other stakeholders including staff, third-party occupants of the Parliamentary Estate, visitors and other members of society throughout the United Kingdom. It is anticipated that this engagement work will be developed and taken forward by the shadow Sponsor Board once it is established later this year.</p><p>In the meantime, members of the Programme Team would be happy to receive suggestions and ideas from Members of both Houses. They can be contacted via <a href="mailto:restorationandrenewal@parliament.uk" target="_blank">restorationandrenewal@parliament.uk</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord McFall of Alcluith question first answered 21/02/2018 16:07:39 answering member 4148 label Biography information for Lord McFall of Alcluith
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

994338

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Fire Prevention
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration was given to the needs of disabled users of the Palace when the decision was taken to install temporary fire doors in certain areas of the Palace of Westminster; and how long he anticipates those doors being in place.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL10982
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/11/2018 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The temporary fire doors needed to be installed to ensure mitigation to Fire Life Safety non-compliance. The floor springs and hinges of the original doors had deteriorated to the extent that it was not possible to ensure compliance. Work had to be undertaken requiring their removal and replacement with temporary fire doors.</p><p>Consideration was given to disabled users; the temporary doors are in excess of current part M Building Regulations, requiring minimum 800mm width doors, as 830mm wide doors have been installed which fully comply with both Part M (access) and Part B (fire) requirements. The original doors will be returned from mid-November to the end of November.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 07/11/2018 16:54:53 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

994339

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2018
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Palace of Westminster: Fire Prevention
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration has been given to replacing the recently installed single-leaf temporary fire doors in the Palace of Westminster with double-leaf doors that (1) swing both ways, and (2) have larger glass panels.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL10983
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/11/2018 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The existing doors’ apertures are not large enough to accommodate temporary frames and temporary double leaf fire doors. The cost of providing temporary double leaf doors is considerably more expensive than single doors and the lead time for double leaf doors would delay the programme; the cost and delay would increase further for doors with double swing frames. The installed temporary glass panels are compatible with certified British Standards and Building Regulations standards for disabled access/visibility in that they allow wheelchair to wheelchair visibility through the glass.</p><p>No consideration has been given to replace the temporary doors given the deadline to achieve life safety compliance, compliance with British Standards and Building Regulations, and the additional cost of replacement. The original doors will be returned between mid-November and the end of November.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 07/11/2018 16:55:31 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra