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1029122

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Civil Partnerships: Heterosexuality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will carry out a consultation on the planned reforms to civil partnerships announced in October; and if so, when.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL12470
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>We intend to consult, during 2019, on the planned reforms to allow opposite-sex couples to form a civil partnership.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 07/01/2019 17:03:34 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1047575

	registered interest
	date	23/01/2019
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Civil Partnerships: Heterosexuality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 18 January (HL Deb, col 453), when the details of their consultation exercise on civil partnerships will be announced.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL13068
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>Our consultation on civil partnerships will issue later this year. It will relate to issues concerning opposite-sex civil partnerships for intimate partners.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 07/02/2019 12:40:05 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

967496

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Home Office: Correspondence
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 20 July (HL Deb, col 1413), when the reply to Catherine Utley will be sent to her.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL9986
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/09/2018 answer text <p>I responded to the correspondence from Ms Catherine Utley on 24<sup>th</sup> August.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 17/09/2018 12:35:48 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1105363

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Inheritance Tax: Siblings
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Bates on 21 March (HL Deb, col 1526), when the cross-departmental working party to consider the fiscal disadvantages experienced by sibling couples will be established; what will be its terms of reference; and when its report will be completed and published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL14826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text The Government will consider the issue of siblings and inheritance tax through the Office of Tax Simplification’s review of inheritance tax. Their report is due to be published in spring, and their recommendations will be carefully considered. answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 09/04/2019 11:48:19 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1110683

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Inheritance Tax: Siblings
	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 Bates on 9 April (HL14826), what considerations led them to set aside their proposal to establish a working party on the fiscal disadvantages experienced by sibling couples.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL15147
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government keeps all taxes under review. The Office of Tax Simplification are reviewing inheritance tax and will make recommendations that the Government will consider.</p><p> </p><p>The inheritance tax treatment of married couples and civil partners reflects their unique legal relationship, and extending this treatment to siblings would incur an Exchequer cost.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 25/04/2019 10:53:04 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1186714

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with insurance companies about whether independent schools, particularly small independent schools, are able to obtain compensation for business interruption as a result of the COVID-19 emergency measures.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2779
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation. It is also working closely with these educational institutions to understand the financial implications of COVID-19 and to provide financial support where it is needed and is appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>For those businesses and charities which have an appropriate policy that covers pandemics and unspecified notifiable diseases, including independent schools, the Government’s social distancing advice of both 16 and 20 March is sufficient to allow them to make a claim against their insurance, provided the other terms and conditions in their policy are met.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed.</p><p> </p><p>Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy and contact their providers. However, most businesses and charities have not purchased insurance that covers losses from COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that businesses and charities who do not have appropriate insurance cover will require support from elsewhere. As such, they should explore the full package of support set out by the Chancellor in the Budget, on 17 March, and on 20 March.</p><p> </p><p>As the Chancellor announced on Tuesday 17 March, the Government will do whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of COVID-19.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 30/03/2020 10:21:08 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1217209

	registered interest
	date	23/06/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Audiobooks: VAT
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to remove the application of VAT to sales of audiobooks.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6075
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2020 answer text <p>An extension of the zero rate of VAT has been introduced to provide consistency in approach between certain physical and digital publications.</p><p>Audiobooks are already taxed consistently at the standard rate in both physical and digital format.</p><p>There are no current plans to extend the VAT zero rate to audiobooks. However, the Government keeps all taxes under review, including VAT.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 01/07/2020 15:51:36 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

932367

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	NHS: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 25 June (HL Deb, col 5), what additional funding will be provided to the health services in Northern Ireland under the government’s £20 billion funding plan for the NHS; and when it will be allocated to health and social care in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL9079
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2018 answer text <p>The final Barnett consequentials for all three devolved administrations will be confirmed at upcoming Fiscal Events and at the next Spending Review, as per the usual process set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.</p><p> </p><p>As a result of the government’s funding plan for the NHS in England, indicative additions to the Northern Ireland block grant are set out in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>£ billion</p></td><td><p>2019-20</p></td><td><p>2020-21</p></td><td><p>2021-22</p></td><td><p>2022-23</p></td><td><p>2023-24</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Northern Ireland</p></td><td><p>0.20</p></td><td><p>0.31</p></td><td><p>0.45</p></td><td><p>0.59</p></td><td><p>0.76</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>This information was set out in the paper deposited in the House of Commons Library (DEP2018-0598) by the Department of Health and Social Care on 18 June 2018 and is available here: <a href="http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-0598/NHS_Settlement-Numbers_corrected.docx" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-0598/NHS_Settlement-Numbers_corrected.docx</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Funding decisions would be best taken by a restored Northern Ireland Executive. In the interim it will be for the Northern Ireland Civil Service to allocate funding.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 12/07/2018 15:23:58 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

967497

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Inheritance Tax: Families
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to deferring the date that inheritance tax becomes payable on the home of two blood-related joint owners until the death of the second of those two persons.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL9987
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2018 answer text <p>All individuals benefit from a £325,000 tax free threshold for inheritance tax. On certain assets, inheritance tax can be paid in instalments over a ten-year period. This includes situations where the estate contains a house, provided that the house remains unsold.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 14/09/2018 11:50:19 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

990159

	registered interest
	date	17/10/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Private Education: VAT
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to impose VAT on the fees charged by independent schools.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL10781
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2018 answer text <p>The government has no plans to change the VAT treatment of independent schools.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 31/10/2018 17:18:45 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1123750

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2019
	answering body	The Senior Deputy Speaker
	answering dept id	204
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name	Senior Deputy Speaker (HoL)
	hansard heading	Parliamentary Archives: Fire Hazards
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment has been made of the fire risk to the Parliamentary Archives; and whether consideration is being given to moving them to fire-proof premises.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL15388
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.</p><p>The last fire risk assessment for Victoria Tower was carried out in 2016. It highlighted several fire safety issues, the majority of which have been dealt with as part of the Fire Safety Improvement Works Programme. This included the upgrade of the fire detection, new fire escape signage, emergency escape lighting and fire doors. There is also inherent fire compartmentation within the tower with the floors providing at least 30 minutes separation between the different levels. The fire risk assessment is scheduled for a review following the recent works and any issues highlighted in this review will be addressed.</p><p>Planning work is being undertaken to move the Parliamentary Archives ahead of Restoration and Renewal of the Palace, under the auspices of the Archives Accommodation Programme. The programme is developing requirements and designs for a range of options. The designs will take into account all known fire risks and will meet the necessary British Standards, both for fire mitigation and for archival storage, care and use of such important heritage collections.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 14/05/2019 11:22:28 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

452280

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2016
	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	Acts: Publishing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Chairman of Committees why the use of vellum for the record copies of Acts of Parliament has been abandoned without the passage through both Houses of a resolution to authorise its discontinuation.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6181
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2016 answer text <p>The House of Lords agreed to cease using vellum for public Acts in 1999, with a resolution to that effect being passed on 14 October 1999. That resolution still stands. At that time, the change was not agreed by the House of Commons.</p><p>In the past six years (2009/10 to 2014/15) the Lords has spent a total of £620,440 on vellum Acts; an average of just over £103,000 per year.</p><p>This is despite the availability of archival paper which is of extremely high quality and durability.</p><p>Private Acts of Parliament have been printed on archival quality paper since 1956, and I am not aware that vellum is now used for any other UK governmental or parliamentary records.</p><p>The National Archives has confirmed the view it took in 1999: that it does not require a vellum copy, and that archival quality paper is sufficient to maintain the public record. It also maintains a comprehensive database of legislation, both “as originally enacted” and “as amended”, on <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.legislation.gov.uk</a>.</p><p>Switching from vellum to high quality archival paper would, on a conservative estimate, save approximately 80% on current costs - or around £80,000 per year. The exact level of savings to public funds will depend on the number of Acts passed, and number of pages per Act, per year, and the precise specification and contractual arrangements agreed for future printing.</p><p>As well as being an expensive raw material, vellum requires a highly specialised form of printing which is not widely available, the machinery for which is expensive to maintain, and which is likely to be more difficult to procure on the expiry of the House’s current printing contract in March 2016.</p><p>As the start of a new Parliament seemed a natural point at which to implement the change previously agreed by this House, and we were coming to the end of present contracts, the House Committee was content that we were seeking to take forward the House’s 1999 decision. I then wrote to the Chairman of the House of Commons Administration Committee to invite that House to agree to the change. The view of the House of Commons authorities is that this is a matter for the House of Lords.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 25/02/2016 17:44:37 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

455982

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2016
	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	Acts: Publishing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to his Written Answer on 25 February (HL6181), whether he plans to reconsider the decision to cease using vellum for Public Acts.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6562
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2016 answer text <p>As the House Committee was content that we were seeking to take forward the House’s 1999 decision and the House of Commons has indicated that this is a matter for the Lords, I have no such plans.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 14/03/2016 12:37:34 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

515888

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2016
	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	Acts: Publishing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask the Chairman of Committees what are the implications of the vote in the House of Commons on 20 April in favour of retaining vellum for the printing of record copies of public Acts of Parliament.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL7954
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/05/2016 answer text <p>The House Committee considered this matter at its meeting on 3 May. The Committee agreed that, in response to the letter from the Clerk of the House of Commons about the debate, I should write to the Chairman of the House of Commons Administration Committee in the following terms:</p><p>“I am writing further to the backbench debate on printing record copies of public Acts of Parliament on vellum. I have consulted the House of Lords House Committee in preparing this reply.</p><p>As you know, this House agreed in 1999 to move to printing Acts of Parliament on archival paper instead of vellum. We are persuaded that printing on archival paper is a more appropriate use of public funds, and that the case for continuing to print on vellum is not made.</p><p>If, in the light of the debate, the House of Commons wishes to arrange a contract for printing record copies of public Acts on vellum then the House of Lords Administration will gladly share experience of managing the legacy contract to assist you in making any such arrangements. I am sure you will appreciate that this House does not wish to contribute financially to any future printing on vellum. It is also important that we ensure the longevity of any public Acts, as the Clerk of the Parliaments must certify a record copy of them.</p><p>Perhaps at our next regular meeting it would be possible for us to discuss some of the points made in the debate. I am, as ever, grateful to you for all your help in this matter.”</p><p>I wrote accordingly on 4 May.</p> answering member printed Lord Laming question first answered 10/05/2016 15:00:16 answering member 2079 label Biography information for Lord Laming
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

421811

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2015
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Devolution
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to rename the so-called Sewel Convention in the light of recent events; and if so, what name they plan to give it.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2682
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2015 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to rename the Sewel Convention.</p><br /> answering member printed Lord Dunlop question first answered 28/10/2015 15:18:35 answering member 4534 label Biography information for Lord Dunlop
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

100558

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Defamation: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Northern Ireland Law Commission has set a date for the publication of its report on the law of defamation in Northern Ireland; and, if not, whether it will now do so.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2295
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>The Northern Ireland Law Commission is an independent advisory, non-departmental public body. The Northern Ireland Department of Justice is the Commission’s sponsoring Department. The Noble Lord may wish to contact the Commission or the Northern Ireland Department of Justice directly for information relating to this report.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Randerson question first answered 30/10/2014 14:32:29 answering member 4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1056466

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Political Parties: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when details of donations and loans made to political parties in Northern Ireland after January 2014 will be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL13520
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2019 answer text <p>The Transparency of Donations and Loans etc. (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2018 introduced transparency around donations and loans to political parties in Northern Ireland from July 2017. The date set in the legislation for introduction of the transparency regime followed a consultation process and represented a broad consensus across the Northern Ireland political parties.</p><p><br> The Government has no plans in place to legislate to facilitate the publication of pre-2017 data. We are committed to undertaking an operational review to consider all aspects of the operation of the donation and loans systems in Northern Ireland, to review whether there might be a case for further reforms.</p><p><br></p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 12/02/2019 12:03:12 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1130608

	registered interest
	date	06/06/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 19 March (HL Deb, col 1408), when the written statement on the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme will be laid.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL16152
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2019 answer text <p>The written statement to which the Noble Lord refers is in relation to the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Northern Ireland’s commitment to establishing an RHI Hardship Unit. The Department has been working to make progress in establishing the Terms of Reference and setting up of the panel, which will have an independent Chair. A call for evidence in relation to the form and function of the unit will shortly be released, and will close at the end of June. This will inform the Terms of Reference of the Unit. I will await the outcome of that before updating the House on progress. DfE anticipate that the panel will begin to accept applications in September 2019.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 20/06/2019 11:40:07 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1136763

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the report of the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry will be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL16913
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Sir Patrick Coghlin is leading the report into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and has stated that no date has yet been set for publication. As the inquiry was established and is being supported by the Department of Finance, my Noble Friend should direct further queries about the inquiry to the Permanent Secretary of that Department.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 09/07/2019 11:24:36 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1137089

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Offences against Children: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 20 June (HL Deb, col 835), whether the issues relating to institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland have been resolved; and if so, when legislation will be introduced to provide compensation for the victims and their families.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL16953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made it very clear that she is determined to see redress for victims of historical institutional abuse as soon as possible. That is why she asked the NI parties to assist her in critical decisions that needed to be taken with regard to the redress scheme and other matters.</p><p> </p><p>The parties addressed those outstanding issues, and the Executive Office is currently working with the Office of <ins class="ministerial">the</ins> Legislative <del class="ministerial">Council </del> <ins class="ministerial">Counsel</ins> to redraft the legislation in light of the parties’ recommendations.</p><p> </p><p>When the legislation has been revised, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will consider the best way forward and the next steps as a matter of urgency.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 10/07/2019 11:29:14 question first ministerially corrected 15/07/2019 15:11:28 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank previous answer version 128202 answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1169909

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 31 October 2019 (HL Deb, cols 1019), when the report of the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry will be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL265
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>In December 2018, Sir Patrick Coghlin Chair of the independent inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme issued the following statement:</p><p> </p><p><em>“I recognise that there will be considerable public interest in this issue. I’m afraid it’s simply not possible to give a date by which the Inquiry report will be published. What we can say is that the report will be published as soon as reasonably possible and that the public can be assured that the Inquiry will work assiduously to ensure that is the case.”</em></p><p> </p><p>As the inquiry was established by the previous Executive and is being supported by the Department of Finance, my Noble Friend should direct further queries about the inquiry to the NI Minister of that Department.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 17/01/2020 12:32:01 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1169910

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Terrorism: Northern Ireland
	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 capacity of the Ulster Defence Association and other loyalist gangs to commit crimes in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL266
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>The Ulster Defence Association and other loyalist groupings remain proscribed under Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000. <em> </em>The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland recently confirmed that the <em>Assessment of Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland</em>, published in October 2015, remains current. You may wish to refer to the assessment in conjunction with the <em>Second Report of the Independent Reporting Commission</em>, published in November 2019, for an up to date assessment of the capacity of the Ulster Defence Association and other loyalist groupings in Northern Ireland. The Independent Reporting Commission was established to monitor the progress of the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme of work to end paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>For your convenience, links to both of these reports are provided below:</p><p> </p><p>Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland - 19 October 2015</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/469548/Paramilitary_Groups_in_Northern_Ireland_-_20_Oct_2015.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/469548/Paramilitary_Groups_in_Northern_Ireland_-_20_Oct_2015.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Second Report of the Independent Reporting Commission - 4 November 2019</p><p><a href="https://www.ircommission.org/sites/irc/files/media-files/IRC%20-%202nd%20Report%202019_0.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ircommission.org/sites/irc/files/media-files/IRC%20-%202nd%20Report%202019_0.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 17/01/2020 12:33:05 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1186355

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 19 March 2019 (HL Deb, col 1407), what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about steps the Executive are taking to mitigate the impact of changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2755
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2020 answer text <p>In October 2019, the Department for Economy (DFE) appointed energy expert Andrew Buglass to consider the issue of hardship relating to participants in the NI Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme (NIRHI). Mr Buglass was asked by the DfE to develop a relevant definition of hardship, investigate its presence as a result of NIRHI participation, and make recommendations to the Department on any appropriate course of action. The report of Mr Buglass has just recently been provided to the DfE and will be considered by NI Ministers in the coming weeks.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 27/03/2020 11:03:34 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1241485

	registered interest
	date	07/10/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the response by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 6 October (HL Deb, col 510), when a fiscal council for Northern Ireland will be established.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL8868
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Fiscal Council is an important new part of the governance of Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Department of Finance is leading on developing the Terms of Reference for the Fiscal Council. This will subsequently be agreed through the UK Government-NI Executive Joint Board, which has been established under New Decade, New Approach. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to emphasise the need to press ahead with an Independent Fiscal Council as a priority for the Executive. This was discussed at the first meeting of the Joint Board. The Joint Board will meet again shortly to discuss progress on the fiscal council, amongst other issues.</p><p> </p><p>The Fiscal Council has the potential to make a huge contribution to fiscal sustainability in Northern Ireland over the long-term and strengthen Northern Ireland’s fiscal performance.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to agree terms of reference that reflect our joint ambitions for this new institution and get it up and running as soon as possible.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/10/2020 11:34:00 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1275034

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2021
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	UK Government-Northern Ireland Executive Joint Board
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the United Kingdom Government–Northern Ireland Executive Joint Board last met; and what was discussed.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL11939
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2021 answer text <p>The most recent meeting of the Joint Board was on 21 October 2020. Consistent with the Joint Board’s purpose, a number of issues relating to the implementation of the New Decade, New Approach agreement were discussed.</p><p> </p><p>It was acknowledged that whilst Covid-19 has impeded the implementation of the ambitious programme of public service transformation set out in NDNA, good progress has been made on investing the £50million worth of funding for decarbonisation, in particular on addressing public transport emissions.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/01/2021 13:43:03 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1275036

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2021
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Northern Ireland Parliament: Anniversaries
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to mark the centenary of the opening of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL11941
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2021 answer text <p>In line with the Government's <em>New Decade, New Approach </em>commitments, Northern Ireland’s centenary provides an opportunity to facilitate national recognition and international awareness of this important anniversary, in which we will both reflect on the past and build for the future. There are a number of key historical milestones which fall during the centenary year, one of which is the anniversary of the opening of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, which we are keen to see marked.</p><p> </p><p>There are a number of important strands to our centenary programme, including historical understanding and engagement, as well as supporting trade and investment which will showcase Northern Ireland’s rich potential, giving crucial support to its recovery from the pandemic. We also want to focus on the future, especially our young people, and will ensure that their voices are heard in the centenary programme.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently developing these plans and will be publicising them over the coming months.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 20/01/2021 13:42:52 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1490832

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2022
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	History: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to commission an official history of Northern Ireland from 1968 to 1998; and if they have any such plans, whether they plan to appoint a panel of historians to oversee the project.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL1908
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2022 answer text <p>As announced alongside the introduction of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill on 17 May 2022, the Government intends to commission an Official History relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>This will be conducted by independent historians with access to all relevant material in Government records, and with the purpose of providing an examination of the Government’s policy towards Northern Ireland during this time.</p><p> </p><p>The project will be steered by experts, who will make recommendations on scope and other important details. Further details will be announced in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Caine question first answered 02/08/2022 15:51:29 answering member 4581 label Biography information for Lord Caine
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1547163

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2022
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Politics and Government: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what have been their principal economic and political achievements in Northern Ireland since May 2010.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL3906
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>Since May 2010, His Majesty’s Government has delivered significant political and economic achievements in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>His Majesty’s Government is proud of its political achievements in Northern Ireland, including the Stormont House Agreement, The Fresh Start Agreement and the New Decade, New Approach Agreement, which most recently restored the Northern Ireland Executive in 2020 after the three-year political impasse.</p><p> </p><p>In recent months, His Majesty’s Government has taken steps through the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation, Etc.) Bill in an attempt to restore political stability once more and protect the delivery of vital public services.</p><p> </p><p>His Majesty’s Government has invested £150m in Northern Ireland as a result of the Stormont House Agreement in 2014, and a further £500m through the Fresh Start Agreement in 2015.</p><p> </p><p>In recent years, His Majesty’s Government has invested over £3.5bn in Northern Ireland through the New Deal for Northern Ireland (£400m), City and Growth Deals (£617m), PEACE PLUS (£730m) and the New Decade, New Approach financial package (£2bn) which provided for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020. His Majesty’s Government is also investing over £170m in Northern Ireland through the Levelling Up Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Community Ownership Fund.</p><p> </p><p>The unemployment rate in Northern Ireland has decreased from 6.9% in 2010 to 3% at present whilst the employment rate in Northern Ireland has increased from 66.2% in 2010 to 70.1% today. This amounts to 68,000 more working-age adults that are employed in Northern Ireland, boosting Northern Ireland’s economic vibrancy. Identifiable public spending per head in Northern Ireland stands at 21% higher than the UK average.</p><p> </p><p>As we approach the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, His Majesty’s Government is focused on the long-term political and economic prosperity of Northern Ireland as set out under that Agreement.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Caine question first answered 12/12/2022 17:21:59 answering member 4581 label Biography information for Lord Caine
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

421812

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2015
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Defamation: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Defamation Act 2013 can be applied in Northern Ireland through a legislative consent motion by the Northern Ireland Assembly, without any further legislation by Parliament.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2683
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2015 answer text <p>A Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) consents to legislation being undertaken by the UK Parliament to extend to a part of the UK where the subject-matter of the legislation is devolved. An LCM cannot of itself extend existing UK Parliament legislation. As the law on defamation is a devolved issue, this is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.</p> answering member printed Lord Dunlop question first answered 23/10/2015 12:15:40 answering member 4534 label Biography information for Lord Dunlop
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

451747

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2016
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Terrorism: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total sum to date that has been paid in compensation to persons found guilty of terrorist-related offences in Northern Ireland whose convictions have been overturned because the activities of British agents were not disclosed to the courts; how many further such claims for compensation are pending; and whether compensation will be paid if more claims are made.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6022
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2016 answer text <p>It is long standing policy of successive Governments neither to confirm nor deny the involvement of agents of the Security and Intelligence Agencies in any specific activity in order to protect the UK’s national security. I am therefore unable to comment further.</p><p> </p><p>However, where national security sensitive information is relevant to an application for compensation for a miscarriage of justice in Northern Ireland, for example where the Court of Appeal is unable to make public its full reasons for quashing the conviction, the decision on whether compensation is payable is one for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In making that decision, she will apply the new test set out in section 133(1Z) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, namely that compensation is payable “if and only if the new or newly discovered fact shows beyond reasonable doubt that the person did not commit the offence”.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Dunlop question first answered 24/02/2016 12:19:15 answering member 4534 label Biography information for Lord Dunlop
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

451748

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2016
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Terrorism: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many claims for compensation by the victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland remain outstanding.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6023
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2016 answer text <p>Matters relating to policing and justice were devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive in 2010 by the Northern Ireland (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions Order) 2010. As a consequence, responsibility for compensation of the victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland now rests with the Northern Ireland Executive, and in particular the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland (DOJNI), which oversees the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Dunlop question first answered 23/02/2016 14:16:06 answering member 4534 label Biography information for Lord Dunlop
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

46666

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many super-injunctions on matters relating to libel or privacy are in place in Northern Ireland; and whether any have been granted since 1 January 2014.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6544
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Libel and Privacy law is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and is a matter for the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Randerson question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

646616

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2016
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Stormont House Agreement
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all the provisions of <i>A Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan </i>signed in November 2015 have been put into effect.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL3634
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2016 answer text <p>The Fresh Start Agreement has contributed to greater stability in Northern Ireland than has been known for some time. Good progress has been made on its implementation, including the delivery of legislation on welfare reform and steps towards establishing the Independent Reporting Commission on paramilitary activity. The Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government, in accordance with the three-stranded approach, to deliver the outstanding commitments. This includes further steps to tackle paramilitary activity, financial reforms to support the devolution of powers over the corporation tax rate, and continuing work to build consensus for the creation of the new institutions on the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past as the process moves into a more public phase. A meeting to review progress is scheduled for 14 December.</p> answering member printed Lord Dunlop question first answered 12/12/2016 12:10:57 answering member 4534 label Biography information for Lord Dunlop
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

769228

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2017
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Northern Ireland Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in their talks with the Northern Ireland political parties on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL1962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein are continuing talks aimed at reaching agreement to restore the devolved, power-sharing institutions at Stormont. The UK Government, working with the Irish Government in accordance with the three-stranded approach, continues to support these and all other efforts aimed at securing the reestablishment of inclusive, devolved government at Stormont.</p><p><br></p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 24/10/2017 11:37:23 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

784721

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2017
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Northern Ireland Government
	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 Bourne of Aberystwyth on 24 October (HL1962), whether they will set a date for the formal conclusion of their talks with the Northern Ireland political parties on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2939
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The priority of the Government remains the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. We continue to work with the parties and support them in their efforts to reach an agreement which will enable the formation of a Northern Ireland Executive. This involves keeping under continuous review the most effective means of encouraging progress.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 20/11/2017 12:05:12 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

823191

	registered interest
	date	15/01/2018
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Independent Reporting Commission
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Independent Reporting Commission will publish its first annual report.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL4682
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2018 answer text <p>The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), established by the UK and Irish Governments, was legally constituted in August 2017. It is required to report annually on progress towards ending paramilitary activity including the implementation of the relevant measures by the UK and Irish governments and the NI Executive’s action plan. I expect the first annual report to be published prior to August 2018.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 22/01/2018 14:49:59 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

92398

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2014
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Corporation Tax: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to announce the outcome of their consultation exercise on the devolution of corporation tax rate setting powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL1960
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>In <em>‘Building a Prosperous and United Community’</em> the Government committed to make a decision on whether to devolve corporation tax powers to Northern Ireland no later than Autumn Statement 2014. Significant legislative and technical work has taken place to date and we remain on track to meet this timetable.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Randerson question first answered 20/10/2014 11:26:12 answering member 4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1327212

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Defamation: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to assist with the extension of the Defamation Act 2013 to Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The civil law of defamation is a devolved issue in Northern Ireland. As such, the development of, or any reform to, the law in this area is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly to consider.</p><p> </p><p>I note that the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance, Conor Murphy MLA, updated the Assembly late last year and that work is underway in his department to review defamation law. An MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) has also been granted consent by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to introduce a Bill into the Northern Ireland Assembly on this issue. I understand that the proposed Bill is currently being considered by the NI Assembly Speaker as per usual processes.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 08/06/2021 14:53:01 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

789892

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Marriage
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to relax the requirement that couples wishing to have a civil marriage in England and Wales must be resident in the registration district for at least seven days before giving notice of marriage, to enable couples from Northern Ireland, including same-sex couples, to give notice by post or other means.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL3276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2017 answer text <p>The Law Commission undertook a scoping study to identify options for reform to marriage law and the Government gave this careful consideration. We have concluded that now is not the right time to develop options for such reform. The priority is to identify options for alleviating pressures on the family justice system from a sustained increase in demand. The Government will, however, keep marriage law under review for possible inclusion in future reform work.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 23/11/2017 17:17:40 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1270988

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2020
	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	Society of Antiquaries: Burlington House
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in reaching a resolution with the Society of Antiquaries with regard to the rent paid for its premises in Burlington House.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL11416
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/12/2020 answer text <p>The Society of Antiquaries, along with four other Learned Societies, pay rent under the current rent agreement which was formally agreed between the Learned Societies and the Government following a High Court settlement in 2005. The agreement was also approved by the Charities Commission.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 22/12/2020 16:04:56 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

934495

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2018
	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	Bookshops: Non-domestic Rates
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce a business rates relief scheme for bookshops analogous to that provided for public houses.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL9176
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2018 answer text <p>The Government has introduced a range of business rates reforms and measures to support businesses, including bookshops, worth over £10 billion by 2023. This includes, from April 2017, permanently doubling Small Business Rate Relief and raising the threshold for relief meaning that over 600,000 small businesses now pay no business rates at all, and helping all business by switching the measure of inflation, used for the indexation of rates, from Retail Price Index to Consumer Price Index.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 17/07/2018 16:40:52 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1146325

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Sexual Offences
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make posthumous pardons available under the Policing and Crime Act 2017 to armed forces personnel convicted of sexual offences that have now been abolished.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL17820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>Primary legislation will be required in order to add to the list of Service disciplinary offences set out in the Policing and Crime Act 2017. We will continue to consider finding Parliamentary time for this.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 08/10/2019 14:31:34 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1523497

	registered interest
	date	18/10/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Homosexuality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Goldie on 17 October (HL Deb col 952), how many service personnel discharged or dismissed before 2000 for homosexual conduct that was legal in civilian life forfeited their full pension rights; and what plans they have to restore their full rights.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2691
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2022 answer text <p>Defence recognises and accepts that the policy that homosexuality was incompatible with Service life was unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence. As part of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan 2022-2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (part of the Cabinet Office) co-commissioned Lord Etherton PC Kt QC to chair an independent review into the impact of this policy. Once completed, Lord Etherton will send a report containing his recommendations to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and The Secretary of State for Defence. The Government will then decide what action to take.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD is not aware of any instances in which the accrued right to a pension has been forfeited because of the member’s sexual orientation; Service personnel dismissed or discharged in respect of their sexuality retained their accrued pension rights. There are no provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme which are discriminatory on the basis of a member’s sexuality. Accordingly, it is not possible in law to amend the scheme rules so that they have retrospective effect. As there is no existing discretion in the Armed Forces pension rules to retrospectively deem pensionable service to have been given in order to provide for additional pension entitlement, they are not an appropriate vehicle for financial compensation.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 25/10/2022 10:55:57 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1536594

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Homosexuality
	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 Goldie on 25 October (HL2691), what steps they are taking to provide compensation for pension losses caused to members of the armed forces who were discharged or dismissed solely on grounds of sexual orientation before 2000, and who would otherwise have been able to serve until reaching their immediate pension point or to the point of full career retirement.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL2926
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2022 answer text <p>As defined within primary legislation, Armed Forces pension awards reflect the actual time served. In 2000, a member would have served 16 years as an Officer or 22 years as an Other Rank to qualify for the immediate payment of a pension on discharge, and those who served at least two years would be entitled to receive a deferred pension, payable at age 60 for service between 1975 and April 2006. Circumstances of dismissal relate to terms and conditions of employment and not the provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes, meaning that Service personnel dismissed or discharged in respect of their sexuality retained their accrued pension rights.</p><p>In the early 2000's, the Ministry of Defence settled a number of claims from former members of the Armed Forces who had been dismissed for being LGBTQ. The compensation awarded to claimants consisted of damages for loss of earnings, loss of pension and injury to feelings. These claims were reported in the national press at the time of settlement. However, upon completion of the Lord Etherton PC Kt QC independent review into the impact of Defence's historic policy on homosexuality, the Government will carefully consider the recommendations and decide what action to take.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 09/11/2022 12:07:11 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1604240

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Homosexuality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Goldie on 17 October 2022 (HL Deb col 953), what progress they have made in implementing the provisions in Part 12 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 to enable those convicted of historical homosexual offences repealed by the Act to be pardoned.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL6467
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2023 answer text <p>In addition to assisting with applications for a ‘disregard of Service convictions relating to sexuality’ from the Home Office under the current Disregards and Pardons scheme, Defence has been working proactively to establish new processes which will come into effect once the scheme is expanded; this is now expected in the coming spring months.</p><p> </p><p>It will always remain deeply regrettable that historically, valued Defence personnel were treated less favourably due to their sexuality. Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 29/03/2023 13:02:41 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

671119

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks of Baroness Williams of Trafford on 19 December 2016 (HL Deb, col 1477), whether the relevant statutes relating to military offences have now been identified; and if so, how they will be added to the list of service disciplinary offences set out in the Policing and Crime Bill.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL4522
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2017 answer text <p>A very large number of Army statutes which might also include further relevant offences including buggery offences have been identified which predate the Army Act 1881. These include the annual Mutiny Acts that applied the Articles of War and reach back to, at least, 1689. As my noble Friend, Baroness Williams of Trafford, indicated at Third Reading of the Policing and Crime Bill on 19 December 2016 (Official Report, column 1477), we are continuing to research this issue. Further primary legislation would be needed to add to the list of Service disciplinary offences set out in what is currently clause 166 of the Policing and Crime Bill and we will continue to explore suitable opportunities for this.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 19/01/2017 16:08:01 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

749946

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Flood Control
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what percentage of British armed forces posted abroad are on the electoral register.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL631
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2017 answer text <p>In April 2016 (the nearest available data point to the 2016 EU Referendum) there were 10,500 Service personnel stationed overseas and in April 2017 (the closest data point to the 2017 General Election) there were 9,200. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information to indicate the numbers or percentage of these personnel who were registered to vote or who actually voted. With regard to postal votes, the MOD does not hold data which would give an accurate analysis of the number of ballot papers submitted by Service personnel, as the voter packs processed by the Department also include the dependents of Service personnel, MOD civilian personnel based abroad and the dependents of civilian personnel. In addition, some personnel may have chosen alternative methods of returning their ballot papers.</p><p>Registration is a personal matter and personnel are free to decide whether, where and how they register to vote. The MOD works closely with the Electoral Commission to promote awareness among its people of the importance of registering to vote and of the options for doing so. Voter registration campaigns are run yearly within the MOD and the Department has seen a steady rise in the number of Armed Forces personnel who have declared they have registered. The latest version of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS, 2017) indicates that 96 per cent of Officers and 81 per cent of Other Ranks who completed the AFCAS were registered to vote. Table B22.1 of the AFCAS provides figures on voter registration by Service and by year from 2013. The Surveys can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-index</p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL632 HL633 HL634 question first answered 19/07/2017 15:26:32 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

749947

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Shipping: Exhaust Emissions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of members of the armed forces posted abroad who (1) register to vote, and (2) cast their votes in elections and referendums.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2017 answer text <p>In April 2016 (the nearest available data point to the 2016 EU Referendum) there were 10,500 Service personnel stationed overseas and in April 2017 (the closest data point to the 2017 General Election) there were 9,200. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information to indicate the numbers or percentage of these personnel who were registered to vote or who actually voted. With regard to postal votes, the MOD does not hold data which would give an accurate analysis of the number of ballot papers submitted by Service personnel, as the voter packs processed by the Department also include the dependents of Service personnel, MOD civilian personnel based abroad and the dependents of civilian personnel. In addition, some personnel may have chosen alternative methods of returning their ballot papers.</p><p>Registration is a personal matter and personnel are free to decide whether, where and how they register to vote. The MOD works closely with the Electoral Commission to promote awareness among its people of the importance of registering to vote and of the options for doing so. Voter registration campaigns are run yearly within the MOD and the Department has seen a steady rise in the number of Armed Forces personnel who have declared they have registered. The latest version of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS, 2017) indicates that 96 per cent of Officers and 81 per cent of Other Ranks who completed the AFCAS were registered to vote. Table B22.1 of the AFCAS provides figures on voter registration by Service and by year from 2013. The Surveys can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-index</p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL631 HL633 HL634 question first answered 19/07/2017 15:26:32 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

749948

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	NHS: Listed Buildings
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many members of the armed forces were stationed abroad (1) on the date of the 2016 EU referendum, and (2) on the date of the 2017 general election.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL633
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2017 answer text <p>In April 2016 (the nearest available data point to the 2016 EU Referendum) there were 10,500 Service personnel stationed overseas and in April 2017 (the closest data point to the 2017 General Election) there were 9,200. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information to indicate the numbers or percentage of these personnel who were registered to vote or who actually voted. With regard to postal votes, the MOD does not hold data which would give an accurate analysis of the number of ballot papers submitted by Service personnel, as the voter packs processed by the Department also include the dependents of Service personnel, MOD civilian personnel based abroad and the dependents of civilian personnel. In addition, some personnel may have chosen alternative methods of returning their ballot papers.</p><p>Registration is a personal matter and personnel are free to decide whether, where and how they register to vote. The MOD works closely with the Electoral Commission to promote awareness among its people of the importance of registering to vote and of the options for doing so. Voter registration campaigns are run yearly within the MOD and the Department has seen a steady rise in the number of Armed Forces personnel who have declared they have registered. The latest version of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS, 2017) indicates that 96 per cent of Officers and 81 per cent of Other Ranks who completed the AFCAS were registered to vote. Table B22.1 of the AFCAS provides figures on voter registration by Service and by year from 2013. The Surveys can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-index</p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL631 HL632 HL634 question first answered 19/07/2017 15:26:32 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

749949

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Kingston Hospital
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many postal votes were submitted by members of the armed forces abroad at (1) the 2016 EU referendum, and (2) the 2017 general election.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL634
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2017 answer text <p>In April 2016 (the nearest available data point to the 2016 EU Referendum) there were 10,500 Service personnel stationed overseas and in April 2017 (the closest data point to the 2017 General Election) there were 9,200. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information to indicate the numbers or percentage of these personnel who were registered to vote or who actually voted. With regard to postal votes, the MOD does not hold data which would give an accurate analysis of the number of ballot papers submitted by Service personnel, as the voter packs processed by the Department also include the dependents of Service personnel, MOD civilian personnel based abroad and the dependents of civilian personnel. In addition, some personnel may have chosen alternative methods of returning their ballot papers.</p><p>Registration is a personal matter and personnel are free to decide whether, where and how they register to vote. The MOD works closely with the Electoral Commission to promote awareness among its people of the importance of registering to vote and of the options for doing so. Voter registration campaigns are run yearly within the MOD and the Department has seen a steady rise in the number of Armed Forces personnel who have declared they have registered. The latest version of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS, 2017) indicates that 96 per cent of Officers and 81 per cent of Other Ranks who completed the AFCAS were registered to vote. Table B22.1 of the AFCAS provides figures on voter registration by Service and by year from 2013. The Surveys can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-index</p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL631 HL632 HL633 question first answered 19/07/2017 15:26:32 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden